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By the Numbers: Kelly Shoppach's Impending Pay Raise

By Michael Taylor | January 7, 2009 | Tribe Report

How much can we expect Kelly Shoppach to be making in 2009? -- photo courtesy ironman5/flickr

That's it folks! With yesterday's acquisition of Carl Pavano, the Indians look to have rounded out the 2009 major league roster. Mark Shapiro has put a check mark in each box of his off-season wish list.The bullpen is stronger with the additions of Kerry Wood and Joe Smith, the infield was improved with recent acquisition Mark DeRosa, the upper minor league second base prospects were improved with Luis Valbuena, and now the Indians have their much talked about extra arm for the starting rotation at a reasonable risk of salary. Current roster cost for 2009 as we stand today? Roughly $82 million when adding in Pavano's $1.5 million contract, which puts the Indians just above their $81 million payroll of 2008. But wait, there is more. The Indians are not done calculating the 2009 payroll. One more price tag is yet to reveal itself. Kelly Shoppach, who now looks to...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: AL, AL Central, By the Numbers, Cleveland Indians, Indians, Kelly Shoppach, MLB

Pavano - a gamble worth taking

By Ron Vallo | January 6, 2009 | Tribe Report

My Yankee-fan co-workers will be laughing in the morning.In fact I'm certain they are laughing right now, but I'm not within earshot at the moment so I can't hear them.They are laughing because, while they signed CC Sabathia (just for starters), the Indians have inked a deal with Carl Pavano to help fill out their rotation.(Read Michael Taylor's initial take on the deal here)(Photo credit: Keith Allison/Flickr) Yankee fans HATE Pavano. And now the lowly Cleveland Indians - one of baseball's many Bob Cratchit's (I know the seasonal reference is a little late but it is still Three Kings Day after all) - have had to go panhandling and came up with the despised Pavano.His crime?...

Read more | 5 Comments | Tags: Carl Pavano, Cleveland Indians, Joe Smith, Kerry Wood, Mark DeRosa, Mark Shapiro, New York Yankees

The Indians Add To Rotation: Sign Carl Pavano

By Michael Taylor | January 6, 2009 | Tribe Report

Kudos to our own James Pete for "calling" the shot last night. A day after he posts..."It's also worth mentioning that the White Sox are interested in both Garcia and Pavano, which will likely put them on the Indians radar, if the Indians continue down their 2008/2009 hot stove path of robbing division teams of players."...the Indians sign the aforementioned Carl Pavano to a one-year deal this afternoon....

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: AL, AL Central, Carl Pavano, Cleveland Indians, Indians, MLB

Initial Thoughts of MLB Network

By Alan Smodic | January 6, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Much like DirecTV's MLB Extra Innings package, the MLB Network is more baseball than one can handle. -- programwitch/Flickr.com

On January 1, Major League Baseball followed in the footsteps of the NFL and NHL by unveiling its own channel -- the MLB Network.If you don't already know what this exactly is, MLBNetwork.com's about page helps:MLB Network stands for Major League Baseball Network, which means access to more baseball than America's ever seen! This new 24-hour network delves into the world of baseball, going far beyond the field. Fans can tune in at any time for fresh perspectives, current news, the latest trade rumors, pre and post-game banter, highlights and more.Again, if you've seen the NFL or NHL networks, just picture those and think baseball. I wasn't sure if I'd receive the channel (I get the NFL network, but not the NHL), so I was surprised to see it coming in through my satellite. Obviously, I checked it out.I was impressed with my first viewing. The first show I saw...

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Indians to address starting rotation

By James Pete | January 5, 2009 | Tribe Report

Mark Shapiro and the Cleveland Indians will be looking to address one more high priority need this offseason after acquiring Kerry Wood to act as their closer, Mark DeRosa to play third base, Joe Smith to bolster the bullpen and Luis Valbuena to apply some depth to their middle infield.The position Shapiro will be scouring the free agent market for over the next month is starting pitching. Indians.com's writer, Anthony Castrovince noted today that the Indians have spent most of their monetary resources in their hot stove acquisitions so far this year, and can only make another big splash if they make a trade. There's no doubt that there is still the potential that the Indians will go out and make a deal if there's one to be had.They are just as likely to let the free agent market play out and try and steal a couple of project players...

Read more | 13 Comments | Tags: Cleveland Indians, Indians, James Pete, MLB, MVN, Tribe Report

Indians Spring Training -- Come see the Indians in Goodyear, AZ

By Spring Training USA | January 5, 2009 | Community

Join us for the inaugural season in Goodyear, AZ this Spring! With great travel packages you can leave the planning to us and come for the fun! All Official Indians Spring Training Travel Packages Include: -Your choice of 3, 5,...

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MLB Top 10: Best Offseason Acquisitions to Date

By Jaymes Langrehr | January 5, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Oakland won the Matt Holliday sweepstakes in November -- bryce_edwards/flickr

It's hard to believe that baseball's offseason is nearly over, but pitchers and catchers report to spring training in just over a month. A struggling economy and penny-pinching GMs have led to a somewhat slow offseason, but that doesn't mean good deals were made. With all the publicity the Yankees' spending spree is getting this winter, it's easy to lose track of some of the better deals that flew under the radar. Here are 10 smart transactions (made at a sensible cost) that you may have forgotten about.10. Jeremy Affeldt to the Giants -- signed for 2 years, $8 millionThe first free agent signing of the offseason wasn't very glamorous, but it's turned out to be one of the better (read: sensible) signings of the offseason. Affeldt may not light the world on fire, but he's a very solid lefty reliever that will make San Francisco's bullpen better. Give credit...

Read more | 5 Comments | Tags: Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Angels, MLB, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, San Francisco Giants, Top Ten, Washington Nationals

Should the Indians trade Kelly Shoppach?

By Pizza Cutter | January 5, 2009 | Statistically Speaking

A few weekends ago, I was enjoying a leisurely dinner with a friend of mine from high school. He hit on the waitress, like he usually does, and we spent a good three hours talking about old times (including that one time when our friend Steve... oh nevermind), work, and of course, the Indians. A brief transcript, that might have been slightly altered from the original, but not by much. Friend: Pizza, you're the world's foremost expert on baseball, not to mention incredibly smart, debonaire, and otherwise better than me. What do you think will happen this off-season with the Indians?Pizza Cutter: Not really sure yet.Friend: Oh, come on, you are the smartest guy I know, and your knowledge of baseball is un-matched. Surely, there's something brewing.Pizza Cutter: It's really hard to tell. They might, they might not.Friend: Do you think that the Indians will trade Kelly Shoppach?Pizza Cutter: Funny that you mentioned Shoppach. I...

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Cleveland Indians, Kelly Shoppach, plate discipline

Initial Thoughts of MLB Network

By Alan Smodic | January 6, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Much like DirecTV's MLB Extra Innings package, the MLB Network is more baseball than one can handle. -- programwitch/Flickr.com

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MLB Top 10: Best Offseason Acquisitions to Date

By Jaymes Langrehr | January 5, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Oakland won the Matt Holliday sweepstakes in November -- bryce_edwards/flickr

Fantasy Baseball 2009: Indians acquire Mark DeRosa

By Brad Berreman | January 2, 2009 | MVN Outsider

The Cleveland Indians acquired former Chicago Cubs' IF/OF Mark DeRosa in exchange for three minor leaguers earlier this week. DeRosa is coming off a career year in 2008, as he hit 21 HR with 87 RBI along with 103 runs scored and a .481 slugging percentage; which are all career highs. He is expected to play 3B for the Indians, but has spent time at 2B, OF and SS during his major league career. Cleveland may put that versatility to use if the situation dictates. The main negative with DeRosa is his age, as he'll turn 34 in February. That makes a repeat of last season's numbers very unlikely. It also makes a decline, particularly in power numbers, a virtual certainty. If C Victor Martinez and DH Travis Hafner can rebound from injury plagued seasons in 2008, the Indians' offense could be very productive. CF Grady Sizemore is coming off a 30...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Cleveland Indians, Fantasy, Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Outsider, Mark DeRosa, MLB

Winter Meetings Report: Sabathia disappoints with NYC money grab; Mets dominate closers market; Big bats still available

By Brandon Rosage | December 12, 2008 | MVN Outsider

One host couldn't hide his disdain for the plot twist CC Sabathia supplied for baseball's off-season storyline, while the other host can't get enough big market spending. In this "Winter Meetings Report," The Pitch hosts Joe Aiello and Brandon Rosage bicker about the affect Sabathia's signing has on the off-season market, as well as the business of entertainment for Major League Baseball. Discussion also moves to the New York Mets' acquisition of Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz to solidify their bullpen, and the latest developments regarding Mark Teixeira and Manny Ramirez' future. Plus, the show gives some time to the Red Sox' new logos and added rumor mill sorting. Join the discussion, listen in and participate via e-mail (thepitch@mvn.com) or in the comments....Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: audio, Boston Red Sox, CC Sabathia, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, MLB, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Washington Nationals

Hot Stove Dishes - November 14, 2008

By Brian Joseph | November 14, 2008 | MVN Outsider

The latest buzz served up from baseball's Hot Stove League. Ten of the hottest stories, moves and rumors from the past week: Yankees out to buy back in to playoffs, offer Sabathia record deal The New York Yankees are tired of missing the playoffs. The one-year absence has driven them to offer CC Sabathia a six-year, $140-million contract to bring his talent to the Bronx. The Brewers want to keep Sabathia but can they afford the price of competing with the Yankees in the free agent market. Better yet, can anyone? Padres go one way with offering Peavy, Braves go the other At some point in the past seven days there was buzz that the Braves and Padres were very close to a deal that would send Padres ace Jake Peavy to Atlanta. After an entire offseason of talks, the Braves announced that they were calling off their pursuit of...Read more

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Atlanta Braves, BBWAA, CC Sabathia, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Dayan Viciedo, Hot Stove, Jake Peavy, Kerry Wood, Kevin Gregg, Los Angeles Dodgers, Manager, Manny Ramirez, Milwaukee Brewers, MLB, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, Scott Boras, Trevor Hoffman

MVN Awards: AL Cy Young - Cliff Lee

By Alan Smodic | November 8, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Cliff Lee rides in the 2008 All-Star Game parade - chriki24/flickr.com

Cliff Lee spent a good bit of the 2007 season in the minor leagues. He lost four consecutive starts in late July, pushing him to 5-8 with a 6.38 ERA.When he returned as a September callup, he only worked garbage relief time in four games -- the Indians lost all four.It didn't look good for 2008. Lee hadn't won a major league game since July 1, 2007.In these circumstances, MLB experts tend to think what a player needs is a change of scenery. Apparently not the case for Lee, who only needed a fresh start. But for that fresh start in Cleveland, he has his GM and Neal Huntington, GM of the Pittsburgh Pirates, to thank for that.Lee's name was brought up in trade talks during the offseason. The biggest of which would have sent him to the Pirates in a deal involving outfielder Jason Bay. A trigger was never...Read more

Read more | 3 Comments | Tags: Cleveland Indians, MLB

Being the GM: 2009 Cleveland Indians

By Evan | October 30, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Hank Blalock - Samara Pearlstein

In the next 'Being the GM' series, Evan Brunell examines the Cleveland Indians and finds opportunities for trades: for Marlins' closer Kevin Gregg and Rangers' third baseman Hank Blalock. What else does Brunell have in store for the Indians? Let's find out...Read more

Read more | 10 Comments | Tags: Cleveland Indians, MLB

MLB Power Rankings

By Daniel Rathman | September 22, 2008 | MVN Outsider

The MLB Power Rankings will run on Outsider every Monday night until the conclusion of the regular season.� This is the second-to-last edition of the Rankings; next Monday's edition will be the last.� The final week of the regular season is upon us.� Yeah, already.� Hard to believe, isn't it?� The Halos, Rays, and Cubs are into the playoffs.� The Dodgers and Red Sox are, for all practical purposes, in.� Two of the Mets, Phillies, and Brewers will make it, as will either the White Sox or Twins.� All the other teams will be hitting their La-Z-Boys when the final outs of their games are recorded on Sunday.� Here's how the league stacks up in the penultimate edition of the Power Rankings. Note: some of the statistics and records below are through SATURDAY's games. 1.� Los Angeles Angels, 95-59 With the AL West division locked up and home-field advantage essentially...Read more

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MVN: Most Valuable Network