That big red “Panic!” button for every Cleveland Indians fan is sitting there idly, just begging to be pressed. After the Detroit Tigers acquired both Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera from the Florida Marlins without having to give up any key player (other than some top prospects), the fans of Cleveland starting sweating just a little bit more. The rumors of a potential Jason Bay trade began to swirl again and the idea of a Cliff Lee trade started to look even more promising. However, Tribe management denied the Bay rumors and explained their desire to not rush into anything.
Indians fans really should be thankful for a front office with its head screwed on better than almost every other team. Unlike the Boston-New York “I’m going to get involved in every deal you’re in” rivalry that usually exists among children, the Indians are letting the Tigers do what they want. That’s because the Indians know what they need and are confident in a team that was one game from a World Series berth in 2007. Eric Wedge and Mark Shapiro have both said that they are obviously monitoring what the other teams in the division are doing, but they are not going to make any risky decisions right away just because the Tigers have been busier so far this off-season.
After all, the main concern of the Indians should be to re-sign C.C. Sabathia. If that deal gets done and the big man stays in a Tribe uniform, there should be no reason to believe that the Tigers have locked up the division for 2008. Fausto Carmona and C.C. were the two of the best pitchers in the American League last year, sandwiching Josh Beckett of the Red Sox. Those two and a great bullpen will continue to keep the Tribe fighting for the top spot in the AL Central.
Also, as Wedge has pointed out numerous times, Travis Hafner is still a member of the Cleveland Indians, despite his total absence during the season and playoffs. Should Hafner return to form, which is a definite possibility, and the Indians acquire a stronger, everyday left fielder, there is no reason to start pushing that glowing red button.
Next season is going to be exciting and essentially a two-team race to the finish.
1 Comment
December 15, 2007 at 4:26 pm
very interesting, but I don’t agree with you
Idetrorce