Half-Full: We've Got News!!!

Stop the presses!

You are never going to believe it...there is actually something new developing in the Cleveland Indians off season!

Yes, those same...

...play-it-safe, cannot afford the risk, check out my super-utility guy, we are going forward with the group that we have, we expect a bounceback year from Travis and Grady, the numbers our platoon in LF are actually better than..., look at our attempt to expand in the asian market, we'll have a deal on the table for C.C. soon, Jhonny is our SS, eight starting pitchers is not enough, what a bunch of great guys we have, we're not going to panic...

...Cleveland Indians!

Okay, well don't get too excited folks.

All we have is a little smoke on a couple issues. But right now, I'll take anything over another article about us filling out the minor league coaching staff, Travis Fryman, a Brian Anderson return, or ticket packages going on sale.

So onto the news/rumors:

Tribe interested in Eric Bedard AND/OR Brian Roberts

And that is about where the news ends. Interested. Ho-hum. At first I was excited. And then I remembered we were "interested" in Dan Haren too. And then I read the article written by Ken Rosenthal.

Here is the vague and ultra-uninformative blurb on the Tribe:

"Perhaps the Indians could land one of the Orioles' stars, but it is highly unlikely that they could put together a blockbuster to obtain both, the way the Tigers did in acquiring third baseman Miguel Cabrera and left-hander Dontrelle Willis from the Marlins."

Yeah. Whoopdeefreakin'dooo! Keep the champagne on ice. For the most part the article dissects what the Mariners, who appear to be the front runners for Bedard, would have to part with for his services.

But do not fret, there is this insightful comment from mlbtraderumors.com about the same issue:

"Both Ohio teams have interest in Bedard as well, but a trade to the Indians or Reds seems less likely."

Actually, it is pretty insightful. Perhaps impossible may be a better characterization.

Yep. That's it. If you are like me, just reading the headlines of anything to do with the Tribe showing a glimmer of interest got you excited. Should we just be content with so little? Is that how we have been trained here in Cleveland? Just to enjoy it when the master dangles a Fillet Mignon over my nose with no intent to give me anything but a Steak-Em, a pat on the back, and a tilt of the head, "We tried Shawn...we really did."

Mlbtraderumors.com asked this question about the situation:

"Interesting to hear that the Tribe is quietly taking a look at both Roberts and Bedard, just as they were quietly players for Dan Haren. Bedard could fill the void if C.C. Sabathia were to leave via free agency. What would a Roberts acquisition mean? Asdrubal Cabrera to short, Jhonny Peralta to third or traded?"

Uhhhh....let me answer that for you.....HELL YEAH!

Not only would he fill the void if C.C. leaves after 2008, but wake up Shapiro! Bedard would give us the best top 3 starters in major league baseball! The Best! C.C., Fausto, Bedard! Are you kidding me?! Add Roberts to the mix and it could be argued that this would truly be our best chance to win a World Series that many have ever witnessed.

Would I take 95' Indians or the above mentioned rotation in a 7-Game Series to win it all? Hmmmm.....I'll get back to you.

Of course the big question....what would it cost?

Adam Miller
Jhonny Peralta
Ben Francisco
Trevor Crowe
A/AA Pitcher

Take Em! Now! We've got the depth! Options are sure to be running thin soon enough! Take this core you've created, add Bedard and Roberts, and go get that World Series!

Your window is open Mark. But don't forget, that window can close just as quickly as it opened and if C.C. doesn't sign, it may be much sooner than you think.

More on the C.C. contract proposal tomorrow. Gotta have something other than the Mariners beating us to the punch to write about.

Sorry about the extended time-out folks. Spring Training is only a month away!

Goooooooooooooooooooo Tribe!

Cheers!