Wahoo's on First » 2012 » March » 23

Five Proposals for Johnny Damon Promotional Nights

Brian Heise — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:26:15 +0000

Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

As we now know, the Cleveland Indians took a brief look at Johnny Damon as a potential solution to their hole in left field. Ultimately, the Indians decided against offering Damon a contract and will attempt to fill the hole some other way.

I can’t help but feel as if the Indians missed a golden opportunity by not signing Damon. Wait, let me clarify: The Indians missed a golden opportunity off the field by not signing Damon.

He’s had a long and memorable career with stops in a number of different cities along the way. During his time in the big leagues he’s become just as known for his antics and appearance as for his play on the field. Can you imagine the Damon-centric promotions Progressive Field could have put on had the Indians sign him? Well I can. So, without further adieu, here are five Johnny Damon promotions that might have been. (more…)

What’s New with the Simple WAR Calculator?

Lewie Pollis — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:37:52 +0000

It’s been a big week here at Wahoo’s on First. As you may have seen, we released not one, not three, but two new and improved versions of our Simple WAR Calculator in the past few days.

But why the change? What’s different about the new calculators, and why are they better than the original? (more…)

2012 Player Preview: Joe Smith

Lewie Pollis — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 10:24:55 +0000

Eric P. Mull-US PRESSWIRE

As we count down the days until the start of the season, we’re profiling every player who is likely to be on the Cleveland Indians’ Opening Day roster and how he could impact the team. Today, we turn our attention to a key piece of the Tribe’s “Bullpen Mafia” who celebrated his 28th birthday yesterday: Joe Smith.

Background: The New York Mets picked Smith, an Ohio native, out of Wright State University in the third round of the 2003 MLB amateur draft. Smith was on the fast track to the big leagues and earned a spot on the Mets’ Opening Day roster after just 32.2 innings in the minors. He came to Cleveland in the massive three-way 2008 trade in which the Indians also acquired Luis Valbuena and lost Franklin Gutierrez. Interestingly, the Mets traded Ezequiel Carrera to the Mariners in that deal, a year and a half before Seattle flipped him to the Tribe for Russell Branyan. (more…)