Choo to WBC; Shapiro knows something... I know it

You know the Indians haven't really made a big deal about this whole military thing when it comes to Shin-Soo Choo. They've been like Choo, we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

But Mark Shapiro said something regarding the issue that makes me think.

Choo has been granted the go-ahead to play in the World Baseball Classic this Spring, despite being on the DL for more than 45 days. Remember his injury wasn't something suffered this year and he finished the year strong, so I can see why they gave him the go-ahead and even if there is a slight chance that Korea changes their mind, and does give military duty exemption, then I'd send him.

That shot is probably not even there, so I'm probably just thinking too hard. But you never know. If they win the whole thing, who's to say the Korean government says, you know what, let's not crush a young man's dreams.

Shapiro when recently asked about this Military commitment said.

"We're confident it won't be an issue," general manager Mark Shapiro said.

That's interesting.. What does Mark Shapiro know that we don't, that he can say that?

Maybe there is an agreement to trade Andy Marte to Korea in exchange for Choo's military service?

Snip Snap.

Carl Pavano talked to the reporters yesterday and I've honestly got nothing to say that could make you smack your head so, I'll just get on quoting.

It sounds like the Yankees treated him pretty badly.

"When you're down, you expect your organization to pick you up, not kick you when you're down," Pavano said. "I've had to pick myself up quite a few times the last four years."

Maybe it explains why someone like Mike Mussina said it looked like he didn't have committment to the Yankees. Maybe the Yankees didn't have committment to him.

However he isn't totally dawgin the Yankees. Even though the softball was thrown up there. Me, well you know I'd dawg it.. He didn't.

"New York is a great place to play," Pavano said. "They've got a brand new stadium and economically the team will spend money to win. You have a lot of good teammates around you, a lot of future Hall of Famers.

We heard a lot about the medical attention the Indians provide to their players and how it's first-rate in terms of their training staff and that's a reason Kerry Wood was drawn to Cleveland, okay maybe a fake reason but one none-the-less. Well when Carl Milano saw Travis Hafner, Jake Westbrook, and Aaron Laffey come to Progressive Field when he was in Cleveland for his physical. Consider him drawn.

"It shows the dedication the organization has toward the players, and the receptiveness of the players to the organization," Pavano said. "I've been in four or five organizations, and it was new to me. I was refreshed by it all. They obviously have the resources that I think will benefit me and the team. I was more excited once I saw it in action, and I've been blessed with the right fit."

Carl has a lot of great quote's you can read at the above link or this one by Hoynes at the Plain Dealer, but you know what. But there is one more that I think needs a good reading.

Overall I'd say Carl is not only grateful, but motivated to be in Cleveland. Take a look at this block. I combined two sections into this one.

"To make it eight, 10, 12 years in the big leagues, you've got to be a pretty motivated person. I've been through surgeries I wasn't sure I'd come back from. I've won a World Series, I've been to the All-Star Game. I've been at the top of the game and the bottom of the barrel. ... I don't think I could be any more motivated than I am right now. A lot of offers wanted me to come to camp and have to make the team. Not that I thought I was above that, but I didn't want to have to be looking over my shoulder. There is some risk on me, and I understand that. I failed for four years in New York, and the perception hasn't been that great, and I understand that. To have a team like Cleveland step up to the plate, how could I ask for anything more?"

I'm getting jazzed for this signing after reading that and all the quotes attributed to him.

There's also a chance that Milano gets a crack at the Yankees at the Palace in the opening series. So that's gotta be something he's shooting for.

I think Is aid it before. It'd be neat if he could take down CC in the opener, if Cliff Lee doesn't get the shot.

Other WBC news. Nick Weglarz will be playing for Team Canada in the WBC. He played for them in the Olympics. Asdrubal Cabrera is on the provisional roster for the Venezuelan team, just the two Indians we've talked about, Mark DeRosa and Grady Sizemore are on the US one.

Here is a Jonathan Mayo article on Adam Miller. I laugh at the Atkins quote at the end of not over-exposing someone and the Indians being the most careful team when it comes to their prospects. Because, it's true and sometimes, that's bad.

Milano cookies for everyone...