Do You Smell What the Shapiro is Cookin' ?

The Indians are apparently interested in Freddy Garcia. GM Mark Shapiro is always looking for depth and this inquiry is similar to when the Tribe were interested in Mark Mulder half way through the season. Pitching is always the key to a championship team, but this seems to be more of an Aaron Boone-type situation where they would sign Garcia to basically a 1 1/2 year deal. Maybe Shapiro is looking at every alternative just in case CC Sabathia decides to pitch elsewhere in 2009, and Paul Byrd is a free agent and getting up there in age. Probably management is just looking for an acquisition to help stimulate DH Travis Hafners' bat, since he loves the WWE and Freddy has an uncanny resemblance to "The Game Plan" star Dwayne Johnson.

Ben Francisco to Start Season in Minors

The Plain Dealer has reported that Ben Francisco was optioned to Buffalo this morning. The roster is all but set. Andy Marte will probably be the 25th player unless a trade happens. Francisco had an outstanding spring, batting .362 and belting 3 home runs with 9 rbi. Ben will be the first player recalled if the Left field Michaelucci platoon does not work. His path to stick with the Cleveland Indians will be similar to Franklin Gutierrezs' from last year. You definitely have not seen the last of Ben Francisco.

Tales from the Teepee Volume 2: Candy Maldonado

One of the few free agent acquisitions that actually worked in the early 90's was the signing of Candy Maldonado in 1990. He added veteran leadership and a power stick, clubbing 22 home runs and driving in 95 runs while batting .273. Sadly, "The Candyman" sought greener pastures as he signed a free agent deal with the Milwaukee Brewers the following season.

Maldonado made his triumphant return to Cleveland in 1993, being traded from the Chicago Cubs for the immortal GlenAllen Hill. This legend helped bring an end to the Cleveland Municipal Stadium era, while ushering in a new legacy that was Jacobs Field. The Candyman proved vital to the Wahoos by scoring the first run by an Indian in the new ballpark, leading them to a victory over the Seattle Mariners. He finished his big league career with the Texas Rangers in 1995, but was instrumental in the development of the young core tribesmen who went on to the World Series that same year. Maldonado now works for ESPN Deportes, but number 22 will live on in Indians lore forever.

Mastny Moved Down, Breslow Makes 25 man Roster

Paul Hoynes has reported that Tom Mastny will be starting the season at Buffalo. The tribe seems to prefer having two lefties in the bullpen, which left Mastny out. He pitched well in the ALCS and I am sure he will be the first call up when someone in the pen implodes or is injured.

Julio Promoted, Elarton, Barfield to Buffalo

Paul Hoynes has just reported that Jorge Julio will be the sixth member of the Tribe bullpen for 2008 and Josh Barfield and Scott Elarton will start the year in Triple-A Buffalo. This isn't any big news, but this means the last spot in the pen is down to Tom Mastny and Craig Breslow. As speculated earlier, you would assume Mastny will be sent down as Breslow pitched a shutout inning today to earn a save. Also, with Barfield being sent down, the last utility spot is probably down to Andy Gonzalez and Andy Marte. Buster Onley of espn.com said on the Mike and Mike show this morning that the Cleveland Indians were the deepest team in the majors. These demotions help illustrate the fact the Indians will have many viable options if and when injuries occur to the big league ball club. Shapiro has said that he would like to get the 25 man roster set by Friday, so we shall see.

Marte Meanderings

The picture you see here is of Andy Marte probably booting another ball. That is pretty much been the norm for Marte, since as I am typing this article he has made 2 errors against the Yankees. Once voted the top fielding third basemen in triple A, he is now a mess. I watched him play first on Saturday and he looked uncomfortable and immobile. He is hovering around the mendoza line and besides for one weekend, his power numbers are nothing to shake a glove at. The Indians stuck him in the outfield earlier this grapefruit season to shag balls during practice. That experiment must not have worked out too well since he hasn't played out there yet this spring.

Marte is a complete liability in the field and at bat, so I cannot conceivably see him playing much, if at all during the season. The Indians beat reporters all seem to feel he will break camp with the club. I hope this is not because of Brandon Phillips because at least Phillips showed some signs of promise at bat and played quite well in the field. Wedge has really said nothing positive about him, so Marte making the team seems to be a front office request. He has no trade value, so the Tribe will be starting the season with a 24 man roster if he is retained. The Indians position issues luckily have figured themselves out on the field in the past, so that is what to expect in respect to our 3rd base phenom. As for now, all we can tell him, in the immortal words of Manager Lou Brown is, "Come on Marte, get in front of the damn ball! Don't give me this "olé" bullshit."

Fultz Finally Finished

Well the Aaron Fultz era has finally coming to an end, as Fultz is expected to be released or traded sometime today. The bullpen this offseason and spring training has been a major area of concern for the Cleveland Indians. Between the implosion of Fultz and the three-headed battle amongst veterans Scott Elarton and Jorge Julio and Tom Mastny, it seems Shapiro and Wedge feel that relief pitching may be the key to this season. When the tribe claimed Boston lefty Craig Breslow off of waivers, this signaled the end of Fultz as an Indian.

This is a mild suprise because the tribe will be on the hook for his $1.5 million dollar salary for 2008 if he cannot be traded. This move shows that the front office will keep substandard play on the field on a short leash, because this season seems to be their best shot a world title. Having a below average lefty buried in the bullpen because he has a guaranteed contract should not happen anymore. Aaron Fultz had some success against leftys, but his inherited runners scoring stats were terrible as was his opponents batting average. This move represents the Cleveland Indians pursuit for the playoffs again in 2008.