Who Wood Have Thought?!

I'm going to start this off by saying one day I might feel one way, the other day I might feel another.

On Friday, I thought Kerry Wood would be a better add than Trevor Hoffman.

Today, I'm learning more towards the other side.

I'm not sure why, but I'm pretty sure I can.

Either way... Here is what you should be reading and thinking about today as we wait for the CC Ball to Drop.

By the By, anyone else hope he doesn't sign with the Yankees for the pure fact that he could open up their new stadium against the team that raised him?

Uh.. Yeah.. That would be fun. We would need to kick his ass however.

Terry Pluto makes a case with some key statistics, one's that show Hoffman's second half recovered from his awful first half. Look Hoffman is exactly what we had with Joe Borowski. However Hoffman doesn't throw as many stupid pitches.

It looks like the Indians are being active about this idea, like Shapiro promised. They aren't sitting around in wait and see-mode, they are going after every option out there, including Hoffman.

HOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWEVA

Ken Rosenthal has brought up one of the ideas I've brought up and supported and one of the idea's I've been dead set against.

Instead of signing a Wood or Hoffman, possibly signing both Juan Cruz and Jeremy Affeldt.

No.. Don't do that.

Don't go do that..

We need to decide on ONE GUY.. If that's signing Juan Cruz and making him the closer or making Jensen the closer, or signing Hoffman and making him the closer. We can't be going around saying well we'll see what our options are.

We need to make a decision. Can't go around doing this, let's sign them both and see what happens business.

Now that've gotten that out of the way, let me go ahead and tell you that Jeremy Affeldt has just signed with the San Francisco Giants.

I know, I know.. I just dragged you through all that.. But the truth is, that news came down when I was in the process of writing this entry. I'm rather sneaky aren't I? What I find crazy is that Keith Law says that Affeldt is the second best relief option out there.. What...

We've got a couple of mailbags and Q&A's out today.

Let's see if Hoynes is in a better mood this week.

Hey, Hoynsie: Tell me what you think of the Indians sending Wes Hodges, Ben Francisco and Adam Miller or Aaron Laffey to Colorado for Huston Street and Garrett Atkins. This trade would solidify the Tribe's infield and closer situation, while clearing space in the outfield for Matt LaPorta or Michael Brantley. -- Nick Kellogg, Chicago.

Hey, Nick: I'm not sure how badly the Rockies need Hodges. They think Ian Stewart can replace Atkins at third, but I think you're on the right track. Francisco could help them replace Matt Holliday, and Laffey's sinker could serve him well in the thin air of Coors Field.

Word out of Colorado is that GM Dan O'Dowd wants to keep Street, but he may be posturing.

The Indians, on the other hand, have to be careful about giving up any pitching because of the hole they have in the middle of the rotation. Miller, reportedly, is starting to pitch well in the Dominican Republic.

Yiiiiiiiiiiikes.. Not Adam Miller sir.. Maybe if his latest move to the bullpen doesn't work out, way too valuable to be doing that.

Interesting comment from Paul on Hoffman.

Hey, Angelo: I think Hoffman could fool enough American League hitters with his change-up to be effective for at least a year. The problem will be getting him to leave Southern California. The Indians are interested, but to what degree remains to be seen.

Well.. If that's the case, we should sign that man up to a one year deal. I can't see anyone giving him more than two. Does he want more than two? Can he be effective past one? Ohhh so many questions.

This one makes me laugh.

Hey, Hoynsie: Why not take a look at Russell Branyan at third base? The Indians could probably sign him to a low-risk contract. He has good power, decent on-base percentage and OPS [on-base plus slugging percentage]. I know he strikes out a lot, but so does Grady Sizemore. -- James Lazarus, Cleveland.

Hey, James: You've seen a lot of Branyan. I've seen a lot of Branyan and so have the Indians.

If they're going to bring back an old third baseman, I'd rather it be Casey Blake.

You know if his name wasn't Russell Branyan, I'd sign him and one other guy to compete at Third if we can't find a third baseman. Better that than Marte, right?

Ehhhhhhhh.

Suck... No seriously.. I've been saying stuff about this cheap competition fix if there isn't a viable third baseman out there. Wouldn't be completely shocked if it happened.

I don't know if I've portrayed the emotion before, but I like Anthony Castrovince more than Paul Hoynes. No not because Castrovince is Italian and his brother is a local sports guy for my home town in Youngstown, but his corny jokes rock and well, Hoynes is rather cold as we saw last week.

Castrovince's mailbag is a perfect example of corny jokes.

It looks like Shin-Soo Choo won't avoid military duty for his native country of South Korea, however he will still play in the World Baseball Classic next year if asked.

Do you think the Indians could pay the South Korean army off after this year if he puts up good numbers? Maybe send them a player in return? Like a trade. Andy Marte perhaps?

Poor Andy.

Speaking of Andy Marte. A question was asked what the Indians problem is with Andy Marte.. Now I've been a supporter of giving Marte a chance more than anyone, but.. Come on MAN!

"The Indians really seem to take issue with Marte's inability to hit in the big leagues. That has irked them, for some reason. " - Anthony Castrovince

That's pretty much it bub.

Tony Lastoria of the Indians Prospect Insider has a Minor League Depth Chart up. His is different than what the one I have is about.

Tony's is basically an offseason thing used for projections rather than what mine is, more of an in-season snapshot.

He prjoects Aaron Laffey to be in Columbus, as well as David Huff, which means we make a move to get a starting pitcher, Anthony Reyes is a starter, and Jeremy Sowers wins a spot.

We'll talk more about the minor leagues in the slow part of the offseason but MAAAAAAN how insane is that outfield going to be if we don't trade anyone? LaPorta, Brantley and Crow all hitting in the top of the lineup, probably the top three spots even, maybe LaPorta hits cleanup. Throw in Hodges, one of those Catchers, maybe Aubrey. The calvary is coming if we need it, things are looking good.

Along those lines. I don't usually point out his pieces on certain players, mainly because I actually don't have much time to read them, but if you read one, read his Chuck Lofgren article.

Lofgren has been dealing with the fact that his mother developed cancer and was fighting for her life. Things are looking up though and hopefully for both Chuck and the Indians, that means his career can progress like they thought it would.

Brad Penny is working hard this offseason.. I still wonder how much he'd want and how long of a deal would he want. He could fall into that one-year get back on your feet signing if no one else wants to commit.

Now... Last bit of news. It looks as if we've lost Matt Whitney.... AGAIN!

Whitney was taken by the Nationals in the Rule V draft last year and eventually returned.. We made a cool $25,000 on that one. Anyway, Whitney was a MLFA and I guess the road to the majors isn't real clear if he stays in the Cleveland organization, so I see the move as a positive one for him. Who knows where he would have started if he were to re-sign with the Indians.

Best of luck to Matt with his new-old club, the Washington Nationals, who must have liked what they saw in him, now they get a chance to send him from the minors to the majors if he makes an impression in Spring Training.