I'm strongly considering getting the MLB Extra Innings package through Charter this year.  I know that, for reasons that are unexplainable by mere mortals, it is not possible to choose your broadcast (yesterday, for example, my excitement at being able to watch the Indians was tempered by having to listen to the Hawk's word vomit).  I think I can deal with other broadcast teams, but I am wondering, from those who have prior experience with the package, about how many games feature the Indians broadcast during the year?  Thanks, and Go Tribe!

To get the obvious out of the way, it sucks big time that the Indians now have to win a game 7 to avoid the defeat that Fox, MLB, and the MSM has been yearning for.  And, yes, the Sox have all of the momentum, for whatever that's worth (didn't do the Indians much good in game 5, after all).

I haven't gone through the game threads from last night, so I apologize if this was already discussed, but it seems to me that there was one potentially very good result out of last night's game.  Laffey completely saved the bullpen last night, in particular Lewis & Betancourt.  The Indians now go into tonight's game with Westbrook, Byrd, Lewis, and Betancourt rested and ready.  In other words, the Indians have their entire complement of pitchers who have been effective in this series at their disposal for tonight's game.  Looked at in this way, a close loss last night would have been much worse for the Indians than the blowout because almost certainly Lewis and Betancourt would have been used (perhaps for multiple innings).  

Of course, if Westbrook gets his ass kicked in tonight, none of this will much matter.  But I've got a good feeling about Jake.  Go Tribe!  

In a dazzling bit of dissembling that would make George Costanza proud, Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi has admitted that the team lied about BJ Ryan's injury during spring training.  In essence, Ryan was pitching with a sore elbow all along, and his back (the purported culprit) was apparently fine.  When pressed to explain why all of the trickery, Ricciardi explained: "we said it was his back so we could have a little bit more time."

And, then, in an argument as audacious as it is absurd, Ricciardi assured Jays fans that they had no need to worry about the team's integrity, for "It's not lies if we know the truth."

Now, I'm wondering: what exactly is to be gained by lying about an injury?  I could understand, perhaps, if, in the interim period before Ryan's arm fell off, the Jays had tried to make a trade for a back-up closer and so didn't want to tip their hand.  But that doesn't appear to have been the case.  Instead, Ricciardi (as I read him) is simply claiming the prerogative to lie as a matter of general principle.  That is, of course, his decision.  But I sure would think twice about ever dealing with him, either as a GM or even as a player agent.  

And, to be sure, don't ever trade for a Jays player in your fantasy league.

Nate Silver at BP Unfiltered has a post  about Max Ramirez.  He is basically unimpressed by Ramirez, noting that much of his value is inflated by a high walk rate, which may have more to do with the fact that he is old for his minor league levels than with any great pitch selection ability.  Also, Ramirez's defense is apparently not good.  It's an interesting read.

This here is just absurd.  It was clear after the Vidro and Soriano fiascos that no more proof was needed as to Bill Bavasi's descent to the lowest rung of competence; but just in case anyone wasn't yet convinced, he just paid potentially $9 million (with incentives) to a guy who has posted a WHIP under 1.2 exactly twice over an eight-year career.  While I do hate the Mariners, it is truly getting brutal for their fan base.  

Hoynes is reporting that Keith Foulke passed his physical and that the Indians will sign him to a 1-year, $5 million contract with an additional $2 million in incentives. Also, there will be a mutual option for 2008. The Indians are claiming that Foulke and Borowski will compete for the closer's job in spring training, but I've got to believe that, if healthy, Foulke will be the clear favorite.

UPDATE: The AP and everyone else is reporting that the deal is done.  Apparently Foulke feels very strongly about the Indians organization.  I know this because his agent keeps saying it.  It will be nice to hear Keith say it, or anything, for himself.  Foulke gets $1 million less guaranteed, and $3 million less in incentives, than Gagne got from the Rangers.  The deal also includes a mutual option for 2008, which means nothing to anyone.

Brian Sikorski has been designated for assigment to make room for Foulke on the 40-man roster.  If he clears waivers, he'll be outrighted to Buffalo. [Jay]

This article was linked to by mjmarble in the Foulke post on the main page.  Not too much new here, but the fact that confirmation that a deal is close is appearing on the Indians' website lends creedence to earlier reports.  The article notes that an announcement could be forthcoming in the next day or two.  As I've noted before, I think this is a great signing.  If Foulke is healthy (and he appeared to be at the end of last year), the Indians will have landed a guy who has been, and could be again, an elite closer.  

An interesting note in Terry Pluto's column today.  The Indians inquired about Mike Gonzalez, but the Pirates wanted Victor Martinez back.  They then planned to move him permanently to first.  Now I admire the Bucs for trying to acquire Victor; but that they would then destroy much of his value by moving him to first is revealing.  This is the sort of thing that keeps them in last place.

Indians.com is reporting that the Indians are close to finalizing a one-year deal with Joe Borowski, contingent on him passing a physical tomorrow:

I must admit that I'd prefer Foulke, even if it took a 2-year deal.  But, at the right price and with a little luck, Borowski could be a nice acquisition.

Update [2006-12-4 20:35:40 by jdudas]: ESPN is reporting that the Indians' offer is for 1 year, $4 million and that Borowski would compete for the closer's job.

Sports Illustrated is reporting that the winning bid for Igawa was $25 million:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/baseball/mlb/11/28/igawa.bid/index.html

This for a guy that one scout was recently quoted as saying didn't have the stuff to pitch in either the AL East or the AL Central.  

Front offices are partying like it's 1999.