The Fan's Notes on the Cleveland Indians: July 12th, 2007
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The biggest news revolving around the Indians has been Travis Hafner’s contract extension. He signed a $57 million extension that will keep him with the Tribe until 2012. He receives a $9 million increase on his current contract through 2008. He will make $11 million in 09 and 2010 and $13 million in 2011 and 2012.
This comes as a big relief to Cleveland fans everywhere. Not only does it keep everyone from jumping off buildings, but it was quite possibly the best PR move the team could have ever hoped for. Fans will start to take notice that GM Mark Shapiro is serious about keeping the core of this team together and it will give everyone hope when the time comes to re-sign C.C. Sabathia. Speaking of that jolly giant C.C., here are some other things I have been thinking about regarding the team:
- Now that Hafner can focus solely on baseball (there is no doubt that these contract talks have gotten into his head, distracting him in his poor first half performance – at least that is what all the fans tell themselves so they will fall asleep at night), he should start heating up. A hot Hafner will only mean good things for the team.
- C.C. for Cy Young, anyone? If he wants to have any chance at the award, he has to avoid starts like the one he had last week in Detroit. The wins better keep coming as well because it will be increasingly difficult to fight off Josh Beckett for the award. I believe it will come down to those two (with Dan Haren following close behind) and the media’s hard-on for the Red Sox will certainly play a factor if the stats are close.
- The next major question for the Indians is this: will they make a move at the trading deadline? Everyone wishes that they would pick up a right-handed power hitter, but talk about that is about as tired as ‘Party like a Rock Star’ (that song will drive me to insanity, I guarantee it). Andy Marte could certainly be dealt, but so could a young player like Ryan Garko. While some fans may get upset with the fact that the team does not make many blockbuster deals, they should be happy that Indians’ management is not willing to just throw away young players and prospects for nothing. Mark Shapiro will only pull the trigger if he truly believes the move will help the team this season. It infuriates some, but it’s smart.
- My call for Victor to win All-Star MVP was close, but I lost out to Ichiro, the player sitting right at the top of my “Most Despised Player” list.
- Some great promotions coming up: Clean Out The Closet (July 14 th), Metal Lunch Box (July 18 th), Dollar Dog, a personal favorite (July 24 th), Tom Hamilton Talking Bobblehead (July 28 th)
- The Grady Sizemore bobblehead fell victim to the Generic Bobblehead Disease. It sits on my desk and every time I look at it, I try to strain my vision as if that will help me discover its resemblance to the real Grady Sizemore. As an avid collector of bobbleheads, I appreciate the detail that went into creating his body, including the raised lettering on the gray road jersey which, by the way, is way too underutilized.
- The first three series after the All-Star break are against the Kansas City Royals (July 13-15), Chicago White Sox (16-18), and Texas Rangers (19-22). The Tribe limped into the break, having lost two out of three to both the Tigers and the Blue Jays while giving up the lead in the AL Central. This is a stretch that the Indians can use to get back on track and, perhaps, gain a foothold in the division. Let’s hope for some decimating losses on Chicago’s part. Who doesn’t like to see Ozzie Guillen and Jim “My Wife is my Rock” Thome suffer?
- There is no reason that a spike in attendance should not occur at the Jake. The team is doing well, Hafner is signed through 2012, and some great giveaways are taking place. Get off your couch, spend as little as $7 for a ticket, and go to Jacob’s Field to cheer on the Tribe. Give them that extra boost to the postseason.
As always, I'm just livin' the sports life.
