SB Nation User Blog: ShawnK

It Can't Get Any Worse

ShawnK — Fri, 08 May 2009 17:09:12 -0000

It Can't Get Any Worse

We officially have the worst pitching staff in Major League Baseball. The team ERA is now above 6.0.

What's amazing is that the NYY spent a lot more money and are challenging us for the title.

Fire Wedge!

ShawnK — Wed, 06 May 2009 15:24:58 -0000

Fire Wedge!

An interesting perspective, very Jonathan Swift-esque.

Spring Training Stats Don't Mean Squat

ShawnK — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 02:43:53 -0000

Spring Training Stats Don't Mean Squat

Every year I find mindself checking the spring training stats at the end of March and stacking up the Tribe to the competition. And, every year, find an article that tells me this is a pointless exercise. Like this one.

Choo Named AL's Best in September

ShawnK — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:44:43 -0000

Choo Named AL's Best in September

This is very exciting for Choo and I am extremely happy for him. For some reason this also jogged my memory in regards to his Korean military obligation (good news trumped by bad news - must be NE Ohio thing). Was his obligated service ever resolved or could he be "defecting" to the US during his prime years?

Lee Running Out of Gas?

ShawnK — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 22:05:06 -0000

Lee Running Out of Gas?

Is Cliff's uninspiring ERA over his last three starts a result of being overused, succumbing to the pressure of winning the Cy Young, or better teams (minus KC)? If overuse, does the 2009 Tribe limit his workload over the season to keep him fresh for October/November? Maybe pace him for 200 innings?

Friday, September 26th

ShawnK — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:44:44 -0000

Mark your calendars for the Sox vs. Indians finale in Chicago.

Assuming the Chicago White Sox can maintain their season winning percentage of .571 heading into that last weekend, they will have won 91 games.

Assuming the Cleveland Indians can maintain their winning percentage over the past 10 games, heading into that last weekend, the Tribe will have won 92 games.

That's right...if we win our next 27 straight games we'll have a shot at repeating in the Central. How sweet it is!

On a serious note, I will be very satisfied if we can simply play spoiler to the White Sox that weekend. Especially after Ozzie made the comment that the Sox were at a disadvantage to Minnesota since they only to get play Cleveland six times in the second half.

2009 Goal?

ShawnK — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 23:27:14 -0000

So what is management’s goal for 2009? I have not heard or have missed the familiar "we expect to compete for the central division in 2009" from Shapiro. The cupboard is being restocked as we speak - which is exciting, but save several impact players all emerging from the minors at the same time, and 2008 second-half breakthroughs by Marte, Caberra, Garko, Gut, and a starting pitcher, it looks like we will not be in contention again until 2010. Is this the general expectation or am I missing something.

If that is the expectation, how many more players become trade bait by Thursday in order to build the core for 2010 and beyond?

LaPorta's blast sinks R-Phils Friday

ShawnK — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 03:50:54 -0000

LaPorta's blast sinks R-Phils Friday

The kid has had a nice week. Path cleared to the majors, 3 for 6 first day of Tribe ball, game winning HR with two outs in the ninth....

LaPorta's first Interview in the Indians Organization

ShawnK — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:03:12 -0000

LaPorta's first Interview in the Indians Organization

"I'm just going to bring my enthusiasm, my hard work and my bat."

2009 Most Pressing Needs?

ShawnK — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:15:44 -0000

Unless we can put together a Colorado Rockie-esque 2007 winning streak, we have moved into the unfortunate "Take Stock, Move Inventory, and Reload" phase of the 2008 season.

I have seen a lot of chatter on this site about trading for sluggers to improve the offense in 2009 (Matt LaPorta is my favorite of these, but perhaps more of a 2010 fix), but there has not been, or I have missed, any discussion about what I think might be the most pressing need of the 2009 season and beyond: a dominant closer.

Looking at the first 84 games of this year, we have converted 14 of 27 save opportunities. If we had a decent closer (assume an 80% save rate), we would have already won 8 more games this year, and would find ourselves 4 games out of first.

In all fairness, Borowski does have an 80% career save rate, and he has not been given many opportunites to save games in the past month. However, it appears his age is finally getting the better of him as his ERA and arm have begun to give out.

So what's the arm-chair GM move to make ? Go for a closer or go for a bat? Or just go for value and hope for the best?

My dream scenario is to get both by trading CC plus a reliever to Milwaukee for:

AA Matt LaPorta: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Matt%20LaPorta&pos=RF&sid=t559&t=p_pbp&pid=453181

AAA Luis Pena: http://www.nashvillesounds.com/clubhouse/Default.asp?playerId=204

It will be interesting to see how all of this plays out in the next few weeks.