Trade means '09 is now for Tribe

2009? I doubt that very much. We have been getting that line every year since the 1980's.

Seems to me that, if all these young players have gone down the tubes since they're success last year, they're must be a coaching problem. I've supported Wedge in the past but this is the only logical explanation. Yeah i understand that he lost 4 key players to injury, but 4 others have played horrible. Those 4 are young guys who tasted success, then took a big flop. Leadership might be something to question now.

Look for their next run in 2012 0r 2013 if the Cheapie Dolans continue to own the team. The team is a mess and it will take that long and a lot of luck with players in AA & AAA to get back to 96 wins. For 2008, 100 losses is now in order.

Cleveland fans have had the fickle finger of fate stuck up theirs once again and NOPROGRESS FIELD will be empty for the rest of this season for sure. Being an indians fan really sucks !!!!

OldManGrump wrote:

NOPROGRESS FIELD will be empty for the rest of this season for sure. Being an indians fan really sucks !!!!

First of all moron, Progressive Field will not be empty.

Secondly, you're not an Indians' fan. Moron.

My guess is the dolans can fire 3/4 of the progressive field game staff since you will be able to count fans on one hand with fingers left over.

OMG Means Moron wrote:

<quoted text>
First of all moron, Progressive Field will not be empty.
Secondly, you're not an Indians' fan. Moron.

Seriously, do you think the Indians will sell a decent amount of tickets the rest of this season? What reason do people have to go to the games? The Indians weren't selling out BEFORE they dropped to 14 games below .500 and got rid of CC.

Umm wrote:

<quoted text>
Seriously, do you think the Indians will sell a decent amount of tickets the rest of this season? What reason do people have to go to the games? The Indians weren't selling out BEFORE they dropped to 14 games below .500 and got rid of CC.

It's not about selling, they've already sold enough tickets for the rest of the season. It's about people showing up.

If you think the ballpark will be "empty", or you can "count the number of fans on one hand", how many people do you expect to show up? Less than 5000? Less than 1000? Please. If by "empty" you mean no fewer than 10,000 people will show up, then you weren't a fan during the 70's and 80's.

As we have been saying for two years, you can't win with a bunch of AAA and AA players to go along with your Dave Dellucci types.

Yes we know Cleveland can't fork out 20 million on one player but the fans told you, Dolan, that Blowski and the corners, third and left field would not cut it. We also said Peralta was a second baseman, maybe.

Shapiro was right in not trading pitching and the injuries are no ones fault. But under Wedge the team has never had the kind of attitude fans deserve.

Umm wrote:

<quoted text>
Seriously, do you think the Indians will sell a decent amount of tickets the rest of this season? What reason do people have to go to the games? The Indians weren't selling out BEFORE they dropped to 14 games below .500 and got rid of CC.

Maybe they'll start running some more promotions w/cheaper tixs (maybe BOGO) and let the less fortunate into the PROG. But then again, maybe not

I agree with the idea that the trend will be not to attend games the rest of the year. Those who have tickets will likely attend, but the casual fan will no longer find a need to go and see them. Why would you? Most fans live in the suburbs and the cost to get there and park, along with ticket prices, simply does not make it an attractive venue right now. They are more likely to go to see the Captains or Aeros play for a better bang for their dollar.

In regards to taking things for granted. That falls clearly on the players and the coaching staff. To not get these players motivated to come in and build upon last years success is wrong. That follows right along with Wedge's philosophy of oh-well he tried hard, but things just fell apart attitude.

Its 420 Somewhere wrote:

<quoted text>
and let the less fortunate into the PROG

Less fortunate.... hahahahaha

Another problem with this organization is, you cannot simply trust what they tell you. They lied about the injuries to some of these players until it was too late and we had to shelve them.

"We will spend when we contend" - I'll believe that when I actually see it. It should of been last year when we were contending.

I'm am just frustrated!!!

How can a team go from "one game to win to be in the World Series" to rebuilding half way thru the very next season.....jeez, this is beginning to resemble the team of my youth from the 60's to the early 90's....it sure is frustrating to be a Cleveland Sports Fan.....

I do not believe the Indians are throwing in the towel by trading C.C. For once they decided to get something in return when these greedy athletes decide to leave the teams that gave them their opportunity. The do however need to work the whole infield over again, no one worth keeping there

How could poor CC get along on $72,000,000 over four years? After taxes & agent & etc. he might only have $30 million in ready cash. Fans sometimes have unreasonable expectations.
The move was smart. CC already signaled he's going to the highest bidder and the Yankees will be among the teams putting a pile of cash on the table. According to the NY Times GM Cashman didn't want to deplete the minors now when he can just buy later.
It will be interesting to see if the Indians make a serious attempt to enter the bidding but they already offered a four-year-deal that was the largest ever offered a pitcher in the team history. I don't think that says "Cheap" despite the constant refrain offered by one poster.

I'm sorry, but the cause of the Tribe's woes the past few weeks has been Emily.

Emily, the Junior Indian of the Day. She's had much MORE than her 15 minutes of fame. And the Indians have lost almost all of their games while her mug has been posted online here, standing next to Sizemore.

Nothing against Emily, but can we find another Junior Indian of the Day? Shouldn't there be a new one every day? It's not called Junior Indian of the Month now, is it?

Every day, I see Emily is the Junior Indian of the Day. Are we going through a "Groundhog Day" experience here???

Pat,
Good article. I was disappointed that CC opted not to sign in the spring. It was probably a foregone conclusion that he was going elsewhere. I suppose Shapiro had no other choice but to trade him...but it would sure be a coup if CC did show loyalty and return as a free agent. He keeps saying how much he loved being in Cleveland...maybe? Or is that just wishful thinking? I really hope that LaPorta is the real deal and maybe one or two of the other prospects can emerge and we will be glad for this trade. If Vcitor and Travis do return to form, 2009 is not unrealistic. We still have Fausto and Cliff as a strong 1-2 punch. The bullpen must improve dramatically though and clutch hitting has to come through. But 2008 sure has been a disappointment after coming so very close in 2007.

Cleveland baseball is like Pittsburgh baseball - no payroll and no hope for a championship...oh wait...Pittsburgh is only six games under .500, the Tribe is 14 games under .500. YUCK.

When was the last time that this front office signed a free agent, at least one that amounted to something? But like in the pre mid ninety's teams, no free agents want to come to Cleveland to play. This explains the oh so famous trades as in the past for minor leaguers and don't forget the "player to be named later".

And now "you", Cleveland fans must wait another year or longer, hummmm, sound familar?

This front office needs more help than the team does.

A different Tony Z wrote:

Seems to me that, if all these young players have gone down the tubes since they're success last year, they're must be a coaching problem. I've supported Wedge in the past but this is the only logical explanation. Yeah i understand that he lost 4 key players to injury, but 4 others have played horrible. Those 4 are young guys who tasted success, then took a big flop. Leadership might be something to question now.

I would agree. Nothing has changed since last year, so it tells be the coaches have not adjusted.