The Sporting News has named Mark Shapiro the Executive of the Year for the second time in 3 years, according to the PD.

I can't say I'm surprised by this, although its great to hear.  Limited payroll + great team that overcomes obstacles + surprise players + playoffs = Exec of the Year.  

Congrats to Shapiro.  Give that man a raise!

Where, oh where has the Mo-Jo gone?
Where, oh where can it be?
Where, oh where has the Mo-Jo gone?
Somebody tell me please!

Yes, this is definitely more than just a slump.  And no, I don't buy that this 'how the team truly performs'.  For the 2.25 seasons (or so) prior to the bottom dropping out in June the offense has produced.  I am thinking that this has to potentially be - and someone who's better at stats run this for me - a historic drop-off in production.  We finally are getting the pitching we'd always dreamed of and now we get this.  

So here's a poll - feel free to leave any ideas on how to break this clusterfrack of an offense out of it's slumber.  Get creative.  I'm seriously considering calling my local priest to bust out the Holy Water.

According to  The Tribe Report on MVN Andy Marte was optioned to Buffalo today in favor of Rafael Perez.  I can't find any confirmation of this on official sites yet. Apparently they're looking to go short on the bench but long in the pen.  I'm not sure if this is a bigger indictment of the perceived value of Marte or worries about the team's pitching going into a tough series with Boston.  We really didn't burn the pen out lately and outside of JoBo, everyone should be pretty much available. Maybe I'm missing something, but since Marte can't be recalled for 10 days, I'd bet that Fransisco or Guitierez will get the call.  I feel for Marte. Update [2007-5-28 15:3:55 by mjmarble]: Here's the confirmation from ESPN wire services.

According to speculation from the Chicago Sun Times the Sox are probably headed for a mid-season fire sale.  Basically the gist of the article is that the team will probably win more, but in the ultra competitive AL Central they don't stand a chance.  The time frame for this, according to the Sun Time, would start around the All Star break.  The article also covers the failure that is the Cubs, but the interesting part deals with the fact that the Sox are older, slower, more prone to injuries and continuing to get more expensive.  I'd toss in the fact they don't have enough pitching, but that's just my take.  Williams can't contend and rebuild at the same time (he should've asked Shapiro how that turned out).

If this speculation holds true, there's at least a bit less competition in the division to overcome.

Just to keep things interesting, some unknown person who had signed up for the H2H league has mysteriously dropped out.  That leaves us with an odd number of people in the league with our live draft tomorrow.  I would rather have someone sign up to fill that spot than to have another person drop out.  I know that Rayman was interested in participating.  If you still are please post here and sign up at the link below.

If Rayman cannot or does not check in by later tonight - say 10:00 pm EST - I am asking someone to step up and sign up to play.  I know this is super short notice, but I would really appreciate it if someone can jump in and help.  Thanks in advance.

Go to this link to sign up for the league.

League ID: 60678
Password: travis

According to ESPN, Lee will start the season on the DL now.  Apparently that throwing session didn't go so great.  There is no real word on how long it'll be until he is ready for the bigs again.  So that moves Carmona up to the Majors.  

As much as I can see giving the job to Carmona straight up, I wish that Miller and some other prospects would be given a chance to compete. Update [2007-3-11 12:16:46 by mjmarble]: The PD is now reporting it too, with Soloff calling it due to "the volume of spring training" whatever that means. It also says he'll be back mid to late April.

I hope that this is the last post until the post season gloating commences in late September.  I posted the sign up info a week ago in my last diary.  There's still 2 people that have to sign up for the H2H league and 4 in the Roto.  Please do so as quickly as possible or let us know if there's a problem.  If need be, I'd like to have time to find any needed replacements.  Here's the info again...

brad, RichYett, and Tribelifer - there are spots for you in the Roto league.  I'm going to shoot for Live Drafts for the last weekend in March to avoid any injury problems.

Go to this link to sign up for whichever league.

H2H:

League ID: 60678
Password: travis

Roto:

League ID: 60355
Password: grady

Good luck everyone.  I look forward to beating all of you thoroughly.