... but the Indians' pitchers and catchers report to spring training in just five days. With the Browns going through the process of rebuilding their coaching staff, the Cavaliers not having won a game since the Browns were actually still playing, and the weather outside making me wish I was part penguin, baseball season is extremely welcome.
Obviously, the 2011 Indians are not going to be contenders. But there are plenty of reasons to watch them this season. First of all, Carlos Santana, one of the hottest catching prospects in baseball, is back with a clean bill of health. Grady Sizemore is healthy too. Shin-Soo Choo is one of the best in the business, and while we may not be able to keep him very much longer, we've got him now. Guys like Matt LaPorta, Jason Donald, Luis Valbuena and Asdrubal Cabrera could do big things this year.
There are pitchers to be excited about too. Fausto Carmona has obviously done huge things before, and the rest of the projected rotation (Justin Masterson, Carlos Carrasco, Mitch Talbot and Josh Tomlin) has plenty of upside. And Chris Perez is at least a second-tier closer, and could turn out to be one of the best.
Baseball season is almost here. I can hardly wait.
The Dery Brothers Guardians Cast S6:E8 – Home sweep!
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Matt and Todd are in a great mood coming off the sweep of Oakland. Your
first-place Guardians are on fire. The boys talk rotation worries, Josh […]
8 months ago
4 comments:
Steve, I admire your optimism about this year's edition of the Indians, and I earnestly join you in how welcoming the idea of warm weather sounds.
(although remember a few years ago, when the Indians home opening series could not be played because there was a blizzard that carpeted Jacobs field with nearly a foot of snow?)
Nevertheless, sooner or later baseball does bring with it -- even in the snowy confines of Cleveland -- warmer and sunnier weather.
Sadly, I predict another last-place finish and about 68 wins, if they're lucky.
How many wins do you predict, Steve?
Steve, my addendum is that the Tribe has the second-lowest payroll in the Majors at this point (second to only the similarly unsuccessful Pittsburgh Pirates).
In fact, the highest payroll team is spending more than FIVE TIMES what the Indians are spending.
The 2011 Indians don't stand a chance against these odds, Steve.
Must you always urinate all over my optimism, Jeff?
No, I don't think they'll finish last, simply because the totally inept Kansas City Royals inhabit the same division. But 68 wins does sound realistic. I'd bump it up to about 71.
On the bright side...urinating is not as bad as pooping on your optimism.
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