Now that we're a quarter of the way through the season, we can start making some observations about what this team needs to win the division. One major thing the Indians needs is production out of it's corners, both infield and outfield. Here is the production we're getting from our corners:

Outfield

Dellucci: 24/107 (.224), 4HR, 14RBI, .598 OPS

Gutierrez: 29/125 (.232), 2HR, 12RBI, .568 OPS

Combined: 53/232 (.228), 6HR, 26RBI, .583 OPS

Infield & DH

Garko (1B): 33/137 (.241), 4HR, 19RBI, .722 OPS

Blake (3B): 28/124 (.226), 3HR, 27 RBI, .693 OPS

Marte: 3/26 (3B) (.115), 0HR, 0RBI, .294 OPS

Combined: 64/287 (.223), 7HR, 46RBI, .570 OPS

Hafner (DH):31/136 (.228), 4HR, 20RBI, .710 OPS

Total for all 5 positions: 148/655 (.226), 17HR, 92RBI, .621 OPS

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It appears that the Indians competition for their 5th starter is over. Cliff Lee in his final spring training start pitched 5 scoreless innings with 5 strikeouts. He looked like the pitcher that won 18 games in 2005.

I'm sure this makes the Indians front office and ownership happy for several reasons. The main one is that they won't be sending a guy who is going to make 4 million this year to AAA. I'm also sure that Shapiro and Wedge like having a more experienced and battle tested rotation heading into a season that the Indians are considered a World Series favorite.

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The Indians are faced with an interesting situation in left field. As it stands now Jason Michaels and David Dellucci are slated to platoon in left field. However, Ben Fransisco has been on a rampage in spring training and looks ready to play in the outfield for the Indians.

With the contracts of Michaels and Dellucci totaling 5.7 million in 2008 (3.5 for Dellucci and 2.2 for Michaels) it's easy to see why the Indians FO and ownership want these guys to play. The issue is, that's the only reason. I can see Michaels being on the team, he has had a decent spring and has proven to be a team player and his 2.2 million dollar contract isn't that bad. Dellucci on the other hand is a problem. He's making much more than he is worth. He hasn't done anything in the spring (hitting under .200) with no signs of power and he's still showing signs of injury. The worst of it is Dellucci alone is standing in front of Ben Francisco getting a legit shot at playing for the Indians and producing.

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CC shut down contract talks with the Indians. His reasoning is a deal isn't done and now it's time for him to report to camp and he wants to concentrate on the season. Read between the lines. He's putting on a nice face saying, I want more than what they are offering and I'm going to hit free agency to get what I want.

It's reported that the Indians offered CC a 4 to 5 year contract worth 18 million a year. That isn't far off from what Santana got. The Mets are actually differing a lot of money in his contract so Sanatana's contract was closer to 20 million a year. Let's face it, CC isn't worth what Santana got. The rumor is that CC wants 6, possibly 7 years guaranteed. That is ridiculous. However, there will be some stupid team that will give it to him.

The Indians have offered CC a 5 year contract worth an estimated $18 million per year. It seems Shapiro used Jake Peavy and Carlos Zembrano's contracts as benchmarks for his offer to CC. Personally I am happy to see the Tribe didn't insult CC and I think that is a good offer.

Indians avoid arbitration again in 2008 by signing Blake and Betancourt to extensions. Does the Johan Santana deal hurt the Tribes chances to extend CC Sabathia?

It is being reported that Cleveland Indians have offered CC Sabathia a long term contract extension. No contract details have been given yet.

The Buckeyes 2009 Football Class now has 5 solid verbals.

LB - Jordan Whiting - Louisville (Ky.)

LB - Storm Klein - Newark (Oh.)

DT - John Simon - Youngstown (OH)

OL - Jack Mewhort - Toledo (OH)

RB - Adam Homan - Clearwater (OH)

Here are the Indians 24/7 Top Prospects List.

Enjoy and GO TRIBE IN 08!