I am so upset, shocked, and in total disarray over this team.  I can’t believe how bad they are and how they are figuring out every way possible to blow each game. 

We have all dissected this team in every possible way.  Half of us want Grady moved down, Wedge or Shapiro fired, Dellucci DFA’ed, Lee or V-Mart traded, Shoppach or DeRosa traded, new bullpen guys, prospects in the lineup, etc.

But, I offer you one suggestion no one has come up with yet, sign the following guys…

Eric Plunk, Paul Assenmacher, Mike Jackson, Paul Shuey, and Jose Mesa…hell while we are at it we should take a look at Chad Ogea, Orel Hershiser, and Chuck Nagy.  All these guys will provide just as much as we are currently getting.  Hell…let’s take a flier on Eddie Harris…

I am joking (kinda) but they can’t be much worse than what we are throwing out there every night right now.  Honestly, I am not much worse than what they are throwing out there.  These guys go out and get no outs and give up multiple runs.

Does everyone think the Indians are done with free agency?  I think they are but I dont understand why they wouldnt spend a little over budget and grab one of the guys available for a low price.

Some of the guys available offensively would help this team tremendously.  I am speficically talking about Abreu and Dunn.  I think we would be the sure fire favorites in the division with one of them.  And, at this point they are going to go for possible one year deals anywhere from 8 million to 12 million.

If not a hitter, I think Glavine, Pedro, or Schilling would be very intriguing.  I know they are older and a shell of their former selves but they all could be a nice, cheap option to help solidify the rotation.  I would much rather Pedro or Schilling pitching in a big game than Sowers or Zach Jackson.

Like I said, I know it wont happen but why not.  And dont give me the money excuse because if a move like that wins this team a championship then every cent is more than worth it.  I saw the White Sox are interested in Abreu...that hurts...

It will be....

CARL PAVANO!!!

Seems like a very interesting, incentive based signing.  I never loved him when he was with Florida but I guess he could be an average acquisition.  I would rather spend a little more and get an injury prone guy like Sheets.

According to ESPN's Buster Olney, the Indians are in serious discussions with free agent starter Carl Pavano.  Pavano will visit Cleveland soon and a deal could be wrapped up quickly.  We'll have to see if Pavano can come close to the $2MM guaranteed Mike Hampton received from the Astros.

[attributed to Buster Olney by a rumors site, and not substantiated - Ryan]

I have a fantastic idea...let's sign Derek Lowe.  The market is dropping for this guy everyday and he would be huge for an unstable rotation such as ours.

We still have some extra money and instead of using it on a guy like Wigginton or Hudson or even Grudzielanek (use Valbuena, Astro Cab, Carrol, and Peralta) we should spend it on Lowe.

If not Lowe then Adam Dunn or Burrell.  This team still needs some major pop and a solid two or three starter.  Now I know we arent getting both but one of the two would be nice.  Why get Wigginton (will turn into a Dellucci/Michaels type player) when we can make a spalsh with a proven performer.

I dont want to get too much into the problems with the current Indians team and I dont want to go on and on about all of my opinions about what is wrong, what they should have done, and what they will do.

What I do want to do is make an obvious statement...A CHANGE NEEDS TO OCCUR.  I am not here to suggest what it is but one must occur and now!

Are we all in agreement on this?  Do we all think a change needs to happen? 

Here is my question...will it happen, when will it happen, and how big will it be?

As casual fans we observe many things.  Some of us may hate a player like Barfield or Peralta or Borowski and usually there is good reason but a lot of times it is because of a what have you done for me lately (or havent done lately) feeling.  All of us including myself are guilty of it.

For example, a lot of us are very down on Casey Blake and we dont understand why he bats second in the order.  We have good reason to feel this way because he has really stunk the last couple of months.  But, Wedge likes him and has faith in him and is very slow to move him.  The issue really is this, who else should we bat second.  Without an obvious choice, we leave Blake in the spot and pray.

But, this brings me to my point.  Why the hell is Trot Nixon playing more or as much as Gutz?!?!?!?!?!  As casual fans, we bitch and complain every night about this with good reason.  We basically do it because we know how bad Nixon has been offensively and defensively.  Both are fabulous reasons to replace him for even Jason Michaels at this point.  But, I have done a little research to prove my point.  The research was done so we cant just say this is a typical case of complaining and moaning.

Since July 5 (dreadful Detroit serious), Nixon has started 22 games...21 in RF and 1 at DH.  Gutierrez has started 22 games...19 in RF and 3 in LF.  Included in these games are 3 that they started together (the 3 Gutz was in LF).  

Here is the breakdown with the Indians record...

Nixon in RF without Gutz - 5-13
Nixon at DH without Gutz - 0-1
A Total for Nixon without Gutz - 5-14

Gutz in RF without Nixon - 11-8
A Total for Gutz without Nixon - 11-8

Both of them in the lineup - 3-0

Grand Totals -
Nixon in the lineup - 8-14 (including 3 wins with Gutz)
Gutz in the lineup - 14-8

Now, we arent talking .700 baseball but it is definitely a very strong indicator as to who should be in the starting lineup.  How does Wedge not recognize this?!?!?!  How did Wedge get extended!!!  This is not brain surgery here...

I just read that he was designated for assignment by the Yankees.  Does anyone else think this would be a great pick up for the utility guy we have been waiting for?  I think this would be amazing.  

He can play every infield position and he has a lot of postseason experience.  Also, keep in mind we have an upcoming series against the Yankees.  How exciting would that be if he came back against them in a Tribe uniform?!?!?!  Also, no one would want to beat the Yankees more for a playoff birth than him.  

What do you all think?  Also, what are the chances of us landing him?

Just to let you know, Jeremy Sowers had another strong performance in Buffalo.  It was his third straight strong outing.  I think his ERA since mid-June is under 1.00...somewhere around 0.95?!?!?!

If this is true, it sounds a lot like the Sowers of last year where he was dominating AAA and he came up to the MLB team and continued to pitch well.

I think we can all agree that his main issue in April/May was control.  He appears to have fixed that now and if that's the case, that is a good sign for us.

I would feel a lot more confident with him pitching successfully along with Westbrook pitching like he did that last two times.