Archive for July, 2011

Last night was a crazy night for any fan of the Indians. It started off with the team looking like they were headed to their third straight shutout. While the offense was struggling, Justin Masterson was pitching a great game. He had a rough start, but got out of the first inning only allowing one run. He finished with two earned runs on nine hits in eight innings. He did not get the win, which went to Tony Sipp, but he proved that he is still the ace of the team. During the game, Twitter began to blow up with reports of Ubaldo [...]

It is already known that Ubaldo Jimenez has been traded to the Indians, but the team recently made another move. Orlando Cabrera has been traded to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for minor league outfielder Thomas Neal. Jordan Bastian reported the trade on Twitter, and other sources have confirmed the deal. Cabrera was a great veteran presence on the team, but it was only a matter of team before he was moved. Jason Kipnis is seen as the future at second, and the future is now for the Indians. The front office is clearly pushing for the playoffs, as [...]

Ladies and gentlemen, the newest Cleveland Indian is right handed fireballer Ubaldo Jimenez. For all the skeptics, let’s look past the 6-9 record and 4.46 ERA of 2011. There are more important numbers, much more important. Ubaldo (we’re on a first name basis) is 27 years old, throws in the high 90s and is in his fifth full season as a starting pitcher. Sounds to me like a guy about to enter his prime. He has a career ERA of 3.62 and a 1.28 WHIP. Acceptable, but that still doesn’t tell the story. The guy pitched in Coors Field, remember. [...]

No, not Jose Jimenez. A source has confirmed rumors that the Indians have acquired Ubaldo Jeminez from the Colorado Rockies. Reports say the Indians will send top prospects Drew Pomeranz and Alex White, along with AA first baseman Matt McBride and pitcher Joe Gardner, to Colorado. Pomeranz was the fifth overall pick in the 2010 MLB draft. Alex White was also a first rounder and made a few appearances in Cleveland this year. More analysis to come.

Last night the Indians got blanked by the Royals, 12-0. They continue to get blanked, and really, they’re blanking themselves. They’re blanking themselves at the plate, they’re blanking themselves in the field. Right now, they’re just 25 blanks in baseball caps. Carlos Carrasco was the biggest blank of all last night (if you can’t already tell, I’ve given a double meaning to getting “blanked”). All I know is, the front office better not blank up the trade deadline, or we’re going to be blanked for years to come. Blank me. Now that I’ve got all that blanking out of my [...]

The Indians recently acquired Kosuke Fukudome from the Cubs, and many Tribe fans have different views on the trade. Some people, including myself, are fine with the trade, as it provides the lineup with a reliable bat until Choo returns. Others do not like the trade and believe that Fukudome is no better than Travis Buck or Austin Kearns. The new poll asks what your thoughts are on the trade. Did you think it was a good move, or would you like to call up Chris Antonetti and express your disapproval.

There is no question that the offense has been awful since the All-Star break. The most runs scored in a game during that span is 8, which came in the first game after the break. Their record since the break is 5-9, even though the pitching has been great for the most part. I originally thought that rock bottom for the offense was being no-hit by Ervin Santana on Wednesday, but last night’s performance wasn’t much better. The Indians lost 12-0 in a game that saw Carlos Carrasco lose his cool after a Melky Cabrera grand-slam and throw at the [...]

There’s not doubt that the Indians have hit their lowest point of the season following a series loss to the Angels. They were able to steal a win in game one thanks to rookie Jason Kipnis, however; he was unable to come through again the following night. One look at Jered Weaver’s ERA and you knew the Indians were in for a tough night in game two, but they had their chance with the bases loaded and no outs in the ninth. Unfortunately, Matt LaPorta’s grounded into a double play that all but killed the rally. Things didn’t get much [...]

It appears that this morning the Indians have added outfielder Kosuke Fukudome from the Cubs for two marginal prospects. The Cubs, reportedly, will also take on some or nearly all of the almost $5 million remaining on his contract this year. Now, I know the Indians needed an outfielder but…what? Fukudome is a lefty, and isn’t even hitting .270 for his career. He was touted as a combination of Ichiro and Hideki Matsui, but instead has been more like, well, Travis Buck. When I contacted former DLF Lead Writer Ed Carroll he said he was “wiping away [his] tears of [...]

The Indians were not seen on TV in Cleveland yesterday, and fans did not miss much from an Indians standpoint. The team had five errors and did not record a single hit, even though a run was scored. What was missed from this non-televised game was the no-hitter thrown by Ervin Santana. I was in attendance for the game, and I am very grateful for the fact that I was able to witness a no-hitter. Fans could go to games for their whole lives and never come close to seeing one pitched.