CC See Ya?

Being a fan can be an excruciating experience. You watch a player grow up on your favorite team, mature into a superstar, and then worry that the front office will be able to keep him well into his thirties. Most Cleveland fans share this impending feeling of nervousness, but it probably is about LeBron James's contract being up in 2010. My nausea comes from the thought of the Tribe's very own hefty lefty CC Sabathia rockin' a crooked hat of another team in 2009.

Why should I worry about him leaving? No one stays an Indian. Look at Belle, Thome, and Ramirez. His ERA is over 5! All of these questions and statements provide merit, but Sabathia provides that extra oomph to an already outstanding starting staff. Looking at the American League so far this year, the one constant has been good pitching will beat good hitting, which was evident in the last series the Indians had with the Reds. CC has been the Tribe's stopper for the staff over the past 8 years. 103 wins is no fluke. His early season struggles are a thing of the past. CC seems to generally want to be on this team for the long haul, so why the paranoia?

The Tribe is really in a tough spot when it comes to the 2007 Cy Young Award winner. They love his make up as a pitcher and as a person, but the funds just not be there. Shapiro & Company would like nothing else but to offer Sabathia a contract comprable to his market worth, somewhere around the Peavy/Zambrano contracts (5 year 90 million). The problem is Sabathia will get pressure from the MLB Players Association to shop his wares to all of the other 29 clubs in order to gauge his maximum worth. If this occurs, the Indians will not enter into a bidding war, Cleveland's market size just can't justify an outrageous contract. It would restrict all future roster opportunities (free agents, trades) the Tribe would be able to make, virtually eliminating any payroll flexibility down the road. Cleveland is unfortunately a mid market team, so GM Mark Shapiro is forced to reinvent his ballclub every few years.

The Minors seem to be ripe with pitching talent, as the names of Jeremy Sowers, Aaron Laffey, Adam Miller and David Huff hopefully bring potential prosperity to the big league club. Whether they maintain a track record of excellence is up for debate. As a suffering Tribe fan who has yet to see a World Series Champion, give me a CY Young award winner anchoring my starting staff for the next five years any day of the week.

Gunned Down in the Queen City

Just when you think your team is on a roll, disaster strikes. Sunday was a crappy day in Cleveland sports as the Cleveland LeBrons were beaten in seven games by the geriatric celtics. Looks like two years left of professional basketball in Cleveland!

Getting back to baseball, we have all heard that the season is a marathon and not a sprint. Well interleague play became an annoying bunion on the big toe of the Indians as they were miserably swept by the Cincinnati Reds over the weekend. The hitting continued to suck dramatically, and our bullpen savior decided to recreate Bob Wickman's Great American Ballpark meltdown of 2006. How is it that Adam Dunn can be a slow, underachieving, below average fielder most of the season and then see Cleveland across the jerseys of the opposing team and immediately become Ken Griffey Jr in his prime? (Not the Griffey now, he looks about done). Watching Dusty Baker chew on his toothpick and readjust his wristbands in the dugout made me want swallow my remote. The Reds are playing well now, but I am sure that reality will strike them by the all star break as it usually does. Their old man general manager will hang on to Griffey and Dunn too long because the organization feels that they can compete this year. The two will leave for free agency, bringing no prospects in return. Also, what team starts Jerry Hairston and Corey Patterson? Those guys make Dellucci and Blake look like cornerstones to any franchise.

The Reds did uncover the flaws that have been plaguing the Tribe for most of the season. Through the first two games, the team went 0-15 with runners in scoring position. Some of that was due to pitchers batting, but most of it was due to the ineptitude of the lineup as a whole. I understand that Wedge is pretty much clueless as to who to bat where in the order (understandably so) but batting Dellucci 3rd is down right ridiculous. He has had some clutch hits with runners on this year but that is way too high of a spot for pretty much a journeyman fourth outfielder. It killed them in the first inning Sunday as he was up with two on and no out and flailed away at a high fastball. Might as well let Francisco hit 3rd as he right now is swinging the best bat. I would prefer just sticking Hafner back there Tuesday and letting things sort themselves out.

Also the savior to the bullpen, Masa Kobayashi became ordinary again. I like his demeanor on the mound but if he ever were to become the closer, these sort of blown saves may occur due to his stuff not being overpowering. His fastball to Dunn was right in his kitchen. The media has reported JoeBo will probably be back in a week and they seem to believe this will settle things down. Most fans will believe what I do, that the 9th will not be safe unless a legitimate closer is brought in. I was all for Raffy, but he wilted under the pressure of the 9th. Kobayashi would provides a decent option, but he is suspect to the gopher ball. As for JoeBo, get out the heart medication because he is excruciating to watch.

Here were some of the Highlights:

Michael Aubrey: First Major League hit was a Home Run: This one week honeymoon by Aubrey will be interesting to watch. His call up may show how committed they are to Garko for the long run. He now has 1 more than our cleanup hitter.

Ben Francisco: 5-11, first HR of the season: I think his teammates should take some notes on his hitting style. Don't over think, see the ball, hit the ball. Has played himself into the everyday lineup.

Fausto Carmona: 7 1/3 IP, 4 hits, 0 walks, 4 K's, 1 earned run: Continues to deal, was robbed of a victory by the bullpen and the offense. No walks is an excellent sign.

Jorge Julio: 1/3 IP, 0 earned runs. Got to pitch, probably a big deal for the Julio family.

Areas of Concern:

Ryan Garko: Got thrown out Sunday at second base after hitting the ball off of the wall. Decided to watch his stroke instead of getting out of the box and hustling down the line. Wouldn't be surprised to see him in a platoon with Aubrey over the next week as Wedge usually does not tolerate lazy play. Also I am gettin tired of his front knee hitting the dirt when he swings at a low pitch. Probably not the best form.

Masa Kobayashi: 1/3 inning, 3 run bomb to Adam Dunn in the 9th, blown save: Crushed the hopes and dreams of every Tribe fan hoping we finally found a closer.

Asdrubal Cabrera: 0-10. Even though his glove has been superb, may need to be sent down to regain confidence in his bat. He is only 22 but he is pulling the ball and hitting way too many fly balls.

David Dellucci: 1-9. Rough weekend for DD, Wedge is asking too much of him by batting him 3rd. Needs to be dropped down immediately.

The Indians get a much needed day off Monday before they face the Chicago White Sox for a three game series in Chi Town. 52 year old Jose Contreras battles CC Sabathia Tuesday.