Good But Needs More Seasoning

The Tribe has made it official - Lonnie Chisenhall and Jason Kipnis will open the season with AAA Columbus. Expect to see both this year, Kipnis first, and both sooner if the boys throw up a bunch of stinkers.

The Indians are also "very close" to signing former Indian and Phillie, Chad Durbin. For those of you who might be worried, I have it on very good authority that Durbin would compete for a bullpen spot. He will NOT be looked at for the rotation.

If you've been under a rock, Mo Williams and Jamario Moon to the Clippers for Baron Davis and an unprotected 2011 first rounder.  The Cavs made the deadline and sent a second round pick in the 2013 draft (the one acquired in the Sessions deal) to the Boston for Turkish center Semih Erden and forward Luke Harangody.  Love 2 lottery picks this year (I'm hoping for Derrick Williams with the 2nd), hate the scrubs from the Celtics, and it will be fun to Boom Dizzle ball with 'Twan.  I do not understand why the Cavaliers would trade away a draft pick, but maybe we can release Samardo Samuels now.  He's awful. 

Boston also shocked the NBA by sending center Kenrick Perkins to OKC for forward Jeff Green and center Nenad Kristic.  No matter how you look at it, this is good for the Thunder, who get a man in the middle who has proven himself well in the post-season.  Some consider this an upgrade for the Celtics as they have gotten younger.  I dissent and argue that Boston no longer has a reliable 5.  We'll see.

And then there's this...

Pretty Girl 02.24.11 - Elisabetta Canalis

You'd think George would choose someone that hadn't showed her goodies to the entire world, but I'm not complaining.

While I Was Sleeping

Deron Williams to the Nets.  What?!  Devin Harris & Derrick Favors to the Jazz along with 2 1st round picks.  What?!

And Adam Wainwright messed up his elbow.  He needs Tommy John!  What?!  He injured himself throwing a bullpen session.  What?!

I actually got up before noon.  I have to go ride a bus.

Cheers.

You hear what you want to hear

I hate the Indians. I hate that I'm always excited about baseball in February and dejected in October. I hate that I am so irrational in my optimism for this hapless team. It was about this time last year I had a discussion with e that the Indians might not have the pitching, but at least they were going to be tearing the cover off the ball in 2010. Ugh.

This year's version is that hey, our pitching staff ain't too bad, with a ton of talent on its way up. And that lineup, if guys stay healthy is going to be putting up some numbers.

That is basically the premise of this long article on theclevelandfan. He puts way more time into statistically supporting his delusion then I do. His #1 point, the tribe had a team ERA of just 3.89 in a meaningless 2nd half of 2010.

So there you have it, the rationalization to get excited for the Tribe in 2011. We've got the pieces in place that if a lot of things go right, this could be an exciting season. That is the hope you hang onto that makes Grady's trade to the Red Sox in July all the more crushing.

Suicide Squeeze - Matt Harrington ('92 Upper Deck)

Pretty Girl Update! - Stacy Keibler

F* the Keebler elves. I need some Keibler elves to bring me delights.

Flick to Click: Apollo 18

In theaters 04.22.11.

Pretty Girl 02.23.11 - Hilary Duff

Yes, I wholeheartedly agree, let that rain fall.

Face of the Franchise

In a move that I would describe as surprising, at the least, the Browns have put the franchise tag on kicker Phil Dawson.  Under the current CBA (set to expire in 10 days), this means that Dawson will receive a 1-yr contract at the average of the top 5 highest paid players at his position.  For Phil this translates into $3.25mil.  Dawson, who counted himself among the many that did not expect the kicker back in Cleveland next season, sold his house in Westlake and was preparing for his first pro season off of the North Coast.  The Brownies will wait until the labor situation is resolved to have conversations with the only kicker the "new" franchise has ever had.  Only in Cleveland do we franchise a kicker.

The Buckeyes shot 53% from the field and turned the ball over just 3 times in beating Illinois 89-70.  The Bucks held the lead for the final 39:27 and remained undefeated at home.  David Lighty lead the way with 21 points and 6 steals.  He put on a clinic early in the 2nd half stripping several Illini and scoring 13 consecutive at one point.  William Buford scored 15 of his 17 in the 1st half, Jared Sullinger added 12 & 11 and Aaron Craft bounced back from a dreadful performance against Purdue with 6 assists and 0 turnovers.  This win was crucial for OSU as they struggle to hang onto a coveted #1 seed in the NCAA tournament.  Twice this season they have lost and twice they have responded by taking down a tough foe in the subsequent game.  The ability to avoid a losing streak will be key in maintaining standing for a selection committee that will have to leave either the Bucks, Kansas, Texas, Pitt or Duke off of the 1 line.  And here's what I would scream at the Buckeyes if I had their ear, "GUARD THE BALL ON THE PERIMETER!  DO NOT GIVE UP OPEN 3s!"  Can I emphasize that more?  If OSU fails in March due to poor perimeter defense, I might go hunt each player down and smack him in mouth.

Go Bucks.

Cheers.

Suicide Squeeze - Dave Kingman ('92 Upper Deck)