My 14 year-old son and I embark on our summer baseball trip next week.  We will be attending the Indians games in Minnesota on July 19-21.  Any other LGT posters going to be at any of the games?  Or anyone with any Target Field advice?

Our trip starts with a Phillies-Cubs game at Wrigley on July 15, then off to Dyersville, Iowa to visit the Field of Dreams.  Weekend in Des Moines with friends (Arena Football but no Iowa Cubs home game).  After the Tribe series we tour Lambeau Field and catch the Nationals - Brewers at Miller Park on July 23 before heading home - although we might stay for the Saturday game in Milwaukee depending on the Nationals pitching rotation.

As mentioned in one of  the official LGT fantasy baseball threads, we have openings in the Yahoo LGT  roto league.  The league has 12 teams in a standad 5 by 5 roto scoring system.  It is comprised of the entire ML Universe.  Each team has 23players (plus 5 DL).

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The prior fantasy baseball thread closed.  Lets use this FanPost to post information on spaces available in fantasy baseball leagues.

We have 6 spaces available in a Yahoo LGT League.  10 team, MLB, 5 x 5 roto.  Draft is Monday March 23 at 8:30 Eastern.   We did this league last year as an AL only league, but the 4 owners who have returned agreed to go to MLB universe.

You can sign up by joining a private league at Yahoo fantasy baseball.

League ID is 84615.  Password is circleoftrust

My son and I returned last night from a quick trip to Winter Haven for Spring Training.  We flew down on Thursday night, came back Sunday night.  Saw the game Friday at the Braves and Saturday at home against the Mets.  

I had asked for advice on LGT a few times over the last year about this trip, so I thought I would post some of my thoughts about the trip.  I have mentioned some of these on other threads.

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I have set up a Yahoo fantasy baseball league for LGT posters.

American Leauge only, standard 5 x5 roto.  23 players per team, 10 teams max.  

League ID  63758

password  circleoftrust

Sign up with your LGT name as your team name.

Draft is Sunday March 9, 8:45 p.m. Eastern

http://baseball.fantasysports.yahoo.com/b1

WTAM is reporting the Indians have scheduled a Friday press conference regarding naming rights for the Jake.  Far be it from Kevin Keane to mention the time of the press conference for the 10 minutes I listened.

It will be strange calling it something other than The Jake.  I have to imagine the name is changing.  

Spring is coming!   My Spring Training tickets arrived in the mail today.  I have only a two and a half day trip to Winter Haven.  Received my tickets to the Saturday March 22 game versus the Mets.  Still need to get tickets for the March 21 game against the Braves at Disney.  Just have to keep my 12 year-old out of the amusement parks.

Anyone else going to be in Winter Haven on March 22?

This will be our first trip to Spring Training.  Something I have always wanted to do and at age 49 it is finally time to do it.  Wish we could stay longer, but school and vacation days make this a get in Thursday night and leave Sunday night trip.

Buster Olney is reporting the Padres are making a push for Jason Bay now that Fukadome has signed with the Cubs

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3151599

sounds like the Padres may be willing to take Matt Morris off the Bucs hands (what a strange trade that was)as well as Xavier Nady.

Wonder if Shapiro could interest San Diego in any of platoon of platoon outfielders?

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=6942

The Indians medical staff has won the Dick Martin award, presented to the best medical staff in MLB.  I believe this is a Will Carroll / Baseball Prospectus award, but I could be mistaken.

Article points out that Indians lost only 324 player days to injury, second lowest in MLB and just 6.98% of payroll.

Story also indicates the Indians have been one of baseball's healthiest teams for the last three years and that all cannot be attributed to luck.

Just heard on ESPN radio, but cannot find a link.

Sox trade Jon Garland to the Angels for Orlando Cabrera and cash.

Initial reaction is what do the Angels need with more pitchinig.  Interesting trade to say the least.

Also saw Marco Scutaro went to the Blue Jays for some minor league prospects.

Socker's Tuesday article reports that Matt Miller has been released, Mike Koplove outrighted and Luis Rivas has declined his outright assignment and become a free agent.

With Nixon, Lofton and Gomez filing free agency, the 40 man roster is currently at 34.

http://www.ohio.com/sports/11042336.html

Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus is reporting Joel Zumaya underwent surgery on his pitching shoulder yesterday.  An AC joint reconstruction was performed.  Zumaya injured his shoulder moving personal items to protect them from the SoCal fires.

Actually here is the Tigers press release

http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20071101&content_id=2290 421&vkey=pr_det&fext=.jsp&c_id=det

Carroll notes he has no comps on this type of surgery to gauge Zumaya's anticipated return time

This may be buried in one of the other threads - but I felt it deserves a diary of its own.

I don't know how many have been reading Joe Posnanski's blog.  Joe is a writer for the Kansas City Star - grew up in Cleveland and remains a fan.

I think I could have written what he said about last night's game.  His feelings mirror mine for the entire day.  We have no chance, hey maybe we do, no they ripped my heart out again.

http://www.joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/

Lots of great entries over the last few weeks.  Helps my 12 year-old understand what he has bought in to by becoming a Cleveland fan.

Don't know how else to caption this. I really don't want to compare the teams.

Watching tonight's game and realizing what a train wreck of 2007 both the White Sox and Astros are having just two years after the World Series, I wondered how many of you would take a 2007 Indians World Series win if a 2009 was guaranteed to be just like the White Sox season this year (not that we could ever see Wedge call out his team like Ozzie).

With the new CBA in effect for the first time for the 2007 draft, all draft picks must be signed by Wednesday or they go back in to next year's draft.

According to Baseball America the Indians have not signed 27 picks, including 4th round pick T.J. McFaland and 7th round pick Cole St. Clair.

I have read speculation that many teams have deals agreed to with picks, but have not announced them as they are above slot deals.

I have not read any speculation in any of the local papers about where the Indians are.  Perhaps we can use this diary to post updates over the next few days as they become available.

In the category of it is never to early to start planning.

With 2008 being the Indians last year in Winter Haven, I am planning to take my 12 year old son down for our first Spring Trianing Trip - a long weekend (Thursday night through Sunday night).

I know some LGT posters have made the Winter Haven trip.  Any recommendations on hotels would be appreciated.  I would like to lock down a reservation in the next few weeks, then starting watching for airfare.

Thanks.

Saw this in the fine print a few days ago - had not seen on here.  I apologize if it was buried in one of the longer threads.

Indians traded Jake Gautreau to the Mets for a PTBNL.  The fine print in the Washington Post said PTBNL or "cash."  Bison's releases says only PTBNL.

I have not heard where Corey Smith is these days - but clearly a draft choice that did not pan out.

here is the Bison's releaswe.

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070515&content_id=244014&vkey=pr_t 422&fext=.jsp&sid=t422

Indians minor league defensive coordinator Ted Kubiak is interviewed on the Baseball Prospectus web site.  It appears as if it is a free article.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=6131

I have not had a chance to read (lunch time reading), but a quick skim seems to indicate it would be of interest to at least some regular LGT readers and posters.

ESPN Radio just reported the Indians Angels series will be played in Milwaukee.

Don't have a link yet.

Wow - this has to be a huge financial hit to the Tribe - will there be 5,000 people total for three games in Milwaukee?  Wonder what this does to the player budget later in the year.

Is there any contingency for MLB to help compensate the Indians for lost revenue?

[editor's note, by Ryan]: The PD confirms

New York Post is reporting that the Mets included Jose Reyes on the list of players of available to the Indians in the Robbie Alomar trade.

The paper says the Indians did not have enough information from their SALLY league scouts to make Reyes the centerpiece of the trade.

Interesting that the Mets media considers this trade to be a disaster.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/03112007/sports/mets/amazins_offered_jose_to_tribe_for_alomar_mets_joel_ sherman.htm

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/hotstove06/columns/story?columnist=neyer_rob&id=2764383&lpos=s potlight&lid=tab4pos1

Part of ESPN's hot stove series - the "schedule" calls today the discussion of the "Best Overall Player"

Compares Grady to Duke Snider and the similarities in their first few years.  Also notes there could be a small "step back" in 2007 simply because 2006 was so outstanding.

The St. Louis Post Dispatch has an article today about Mulder and the Tribe, Cardinals and Rangers.

Mulder's agent is going back to the Cardinals to give them a final opportunity at an offer.  (Sounds like he is shopping the Indians/Rangers offer).

Article say the offers for a 2007 guarantee similar to the $7.75 million Mulder made in 2006 with many incentives. (EDIT - SEE JAY'S CORRECTION BELOW)  The 2008 salary could be $10 million if Mulder meets the incentives in the contract.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/52221E904531FD3286257259001EEF56 ?OpenDocument

Per an Associated Press story on ESPN.com the White Sox have traded Brandon McCarthy to the Rangers in a five player deal.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2707317

Looks like John Danks is the main player going back to Chicago.  Seems Kenny Williams is trading a young pitcher ready now for one ready in a few years?

That title got your attention didn't it?  Probably got you blood pressure up a little too.  :)

But it's true - Tribe Manager Eric Wedge is a new Hall of Famer.  The Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Wedge was selected along with former MLB pitcher Dyar Miller (I remember him), 9 year major leaguer Vic Aldridge (never heard of him) and two high school coaches.

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