A few weeks ago, I wrote an article on the voting for who would be named the best division in the American League. The voting has ended and as predicted, the AL East was crowned as the best.  In the National League, the NL East was chosen as the best division. It is now time to decide what division is the best in the MLB. Since the AL Central was eliminated, I know that I will definitely...

Coming into the 2011 season, Matt LaPorta looked like he would have no competition at first base. This would benefit him greatly as he can use all the playing time he can get. It was obvious last year that splitting time with Russell Branyan had an affect on LaPorta. He seemed to be playing nervous and it showed it his stats. Being an everyday starter is something that LaPorta needs...

Optimism is in the air in Goodyear. It was announced on Monday that the Indians have signed veteran infielder Nick Johnson who spent an injury filled season on the Yankees in 2010. Johnson had played for the Yankees, Nationals, and Marlins over the span of his career. He is primarily known as a first baseman and can help provide some depth at first. He is invited to Spring Training...

A few weeks ago I wrote a post on my roster for my all AL Central team. That roster was for a FanSided MLB contest to determine the best division in baseball. It is time to vote for the best division. The AL Central’s roster is as followed: C Joe Mauer1B Miguel Cabrera2B Gordon Beckham SS Alexei Ramirez 3B Danny Valencia OF Shin-Soo Choo OF Alex Rios OF Delmon Young DH Billy...

Shin-Soo Choo’s recent elbow soreness is unrelated to his 2007 Tommy John elbow surgery. Choo began feeling discomfort in the elbow but thankfully was reassured his injury was not related to the surgery via MRI. Good news for the Tribe seeing as Choo was virtually the only source of offense for the Tribe at times last year and was looking to again be a key cog in the Indians lineup...

Come again? I don’t know what it is about Sundays, but it seems that Sheldon Ocker’s pieces just keep getting stranger and stranger. This week he points out something that I didn’t realize anyone thought: saving money is more impressive than winning a World Series. … Alright, I have given Larry Dolan some slack and I am a huge supporter of the youth movement, but this reasoning...

Many Indians fans keep hearing Lonnie Chisenhall’s name and wonder why he is not in the majors. He is a third baseman and the team is clearly weak at that position. Right now the lead candidates are Jayson Nix and Jason Donald. Anything can happen, but those two names do not sound very promising. Chisenhall was recently voted the Number 36 prospect in baseball by MLB.com. He spent...

If you happened to read the sports page in today’s Akron Beacon Journal, you may have noticed a front page article by ABJ staple Sheldon Ocker. With all due respect, I think the whole thing is just ridiculous. He starts off by saying he may be the only media member that thinks the signing of Orlando Cabrera was a bad idea. Why do you think that is, Mr. Ocker? He argues that signing...

It’s official, the announcement came today that the Indians have signed Orlando Cabrera to a one-year contract. This addition adds some stability to an Indians infield that looked a bit bleak in terms of quality available for filling the voids. This move also gives Jason Kipnis more time to develop in Columbus. In Cabrera the Indians are getting a capable bat to add to the lineup...

It was reported yesterday that the Indians had agreed to a 1 year contract with 2B/SS Orlando Cabrera. Cabrera spent 2010 with the Reds and had an average season at best. In 123 regular season games, he had a .263 average with 42 RBI’s. He, and basically the whole Reds team, was a disappointment in the playoffs when the Reds were swept easily by the Phillies. His addition to the...

Guess what Indians fans? Part one of the two part question has been answered. Carlos Santana has been cleared to begin Spring Training with no restrictions. With “Smooth’s”  return the Tribe gets an integral part of the heart of the order back in time to begin getting back into baseball shape for the upcoming grind. All has gone seemingly flawless for Santana&...

I’d like to give Indians beat writer for MLB.com Jordan Bastian a ton of credit for doing a great job thus far. Coming from Tampa Bay to Cleveland couldn’t have been an easy transition, not only just weather-wise but from an organizational standpoint as well. Continuing my last post, I continue to be optimistic about this season for the Tribe. Do I think they will streak through...

With about 10 days (depending on when you read this) until pitchers and catchers report, the trucks are on their way to Goodyear. Reading this yesterday made me even more excited for Spring Training to get started and to find out how some things will play out for the Indians. Will they sign Jeremy Bonderman or Kevin Millwood? How will the Indians starting rotation shake out? Will...

Spring training is right around the corner as the Indians pitchers and catcher report the 15th. To get readers and MLB fans excited, Fansided has made a fun contest to find the best players in baseball. Each blog in each division gets together and picks an All Star team for their division. While thinking about who to pick, I knew that no Kansas City Royals would make my team. That...

There is no doubt in any Indians fan’s mind that the team has a weak starting rotation. Much focus is put on the offense, but the pitching staff is very thin. It is hard to establish a rotation with the inconsistency of Carmona, Masterson, Talbot, and David Huff. Carmona has improved greatly ever since his trip to the pits of the minors. Masterson was in his first year as a...

I got this title idea from a t-shirt I wanted to buy when the Indians were in the playoffs back in 2007. I passed up my first opportunity and there were none left when I came back, so I went with the “Fear The Pronk” shirt instead. Nobody has feared him since. I realize this is a little late but I’m glad that GM Chris Antonetti put to rest at the town hall meeting any rumors...

SportsTime Ohio was seen as a new, great way for Indians fans to watch their team. It would be Indians baseball 24/7 with games and analysis around the clock. The network has gone in a different direction since its inception in 2006. Looking at the Indians schedule this year I noticed something that angered me. Many of the Indians Wednesday and Thursday afternoon games aren’t on...

Please don’t sue me, Adam Richman/Travel Channel. While the Indians aren’t making much offseason noise, here in Akron the Aeros are at least trying to grab the attention of the locals. The new Canal Park food director, Jason Kerton, is introducing a new signature food each month that will be sold at the home of the Indians AA club, and the offerings are not for the faint of heart...

I have waited far too long to say this. Congratulations Roberto Alomar. His long awaited call from Cooperstown finally came on January 5, 2011. Unfortunately, I think his wait was a year too long and that he should have headlined the class a year ago. My only qualm here is that the first ballot players are held in a little different standing than other hall of famers. Roberto Alomar...

The Indians town hall meeting was earlier today and the front office was there to answer questions from fans. I’m assuming that Dolan said nothing that offered any hope at all. On the other hand, Manny Acta and Chris Antoinetti most likely had a positive outlook on this season. As I recall from last years town hall meeting, Dolan was very excited about the new sushi option at the...

First, allow myself to tell you a little about, well, myself. I’m Jon Rudder,  a sophomore at Ye Old West Virginia University, where greatness is learned and couches are burned. I am the biggest oxymoron that you will come across, seriously. I grew up in eastern Ohio, go to school in West Virginia (I know, like you didn’t know West Virginia University was in West Virginia) and...

Would the Indians consider trading Grady Sizemore or Fausto Carmona this offseason? Logic says ‘no,’ for a variety of reasons, but Yahoo! Sport’s Scoup du Jour is publicizing a rumor that the Indians have had conversations with the Washington Nationals about trading both. What I think is happening here is the Nationals made a check-in phone call about the players...

The Indians have not had a solid player at third base since Casey Blake. And of course, with all talent the Indians possess over the age of 25, he was traded.  This trade was done to give International Leauge MVP Andy Marte time at third.  That did not work out too well. The most at bats he ever had in a season was 235 which he had in 2008. He only played in 80 games and ended...

If you’re new, I’m going to make this real simple for you. The Cleveland Indians HATE arbitration. No, seriously. After signing OF Shin-Soo Choo, SS Asdrubal Cabrera, and relievers Chris Perez and Rafael Perez to one year deals between yesterday and today, the Indians have successfully avoided arbitration since 1991 (Jerry Browne and Greg Swindell). Choo ($3.975 million...

I don’t know where to start. This is a common problem whenever I try and write something. I’ve learned several tricks to help work my way through; start from the middle, or what you know you want to write about, and fill in the rest later. It usually comes naturally after that. Or, try and get all the important info out of the way, and then work from there. But here, I think...