Everything Update Issues: Call-ups a-comin?

With no game yesterday, there (as you would expect) isn't really much to talk about concerning the major league team.

But that doesn't stop us from speculating or talking.

Check it out.

We've got one link, a new Indians Inbox, which posses the question of Matt LaPorta's status.

For information, LaPorta has a tweaked hamstring right now and is day-to-day.

From AC.

LaPorta's absence is a function of several developments, most notably the Indians' insistence on going with a 13-man pitching staff because of the inconsistency of their starters. Then you've got Grady Sizemore's elbow condition, which creates the need for a true backup in center field. The Indians want to leave Shin-Soo Choo locked in on the corners, so they have Trevor Crowe to back up Sizemore. They have Chris Gimenez up here so he can help out in left field, first base and behind the plate.

Let's also remember that this guy will be a cornerstone, or at least, hopefully a cornerstone of this franchise sooner rather than later. However we are a little unsure about guys like Andy Marte. So it's better to give them a shot while we have the time and he is running out of it. LaPorta will be here soon enough. I'm frustrated we don't have a spot for him right now, but he'll be here and he'll be contributing.

I'm going to now quote this question and the answer, which goes back to the attendance and payroll and money issue that was sort of bandied about last week.

In last week's Inbox, you wrote, "Attendance directly impacts payroll, which directly impacts the quality and depth of the Major League team, which directly affects performance, which directly affects attendance. It's a vicious cycle that, combined with the difficulties of being a mid-market club in a sport without a payroll, is not easily overcome." That may be true, but so is the inverse. The product on the field affects attendance, which affects revenues, etc.

I think sometimes the Dolans have it backward. To quote a famous baseball movie, "If you build it, they will come." Agree?
-- Jeff H., Bay Village, Ohio

No, I don't agree, actually. The Indians were a win away from the World Series in 2007, but still had modest attendance figures at the start of '08 (and keep in mind that as disappointing as the '08 season was, the Indians were either in first place or within five games of it for the season's first two months). There was not significant attendance carryover, and, as mentioned in last week's Inbox, the attendance in '07 didn't pick up until August.

True-that. Sorry but as AC would later go onto say. It's a football town that also has LeBron James, a megastar in the sport. That isn't even the root of the issue. Indians fans suck. I mean, I suck too. But really we refuse to go out and support the Tribe unless they are like contending. I mean the passion is great, and when Progressive Field is filled up, with playoff atmosphere (I was there twice in 2007, nothing like it), there isn't a crowd louder or prouder of their team.

But if this team is in the dumps, or it's early in the season, or the team is mid-road trying to contend. Attendance is going to suck unless Tom Hamilton fireworks are going on or a Grady Sizemore promotion is being given away.

Okay so let's move to the goods.

WHAT'S THE NEWS

This is sort of major league related, actually very major league related. So count on this double-way. Only a few minor league games, so it's a combined effort today.

But Bobby Livingston, because Scott Barnes was promoted to Akron, has been shuttled to Columbus. Which means someone in Columbus is outtie. Either there is an injury or someone is getting ready to get called up.

Tony from IPI thinks Carrasco or Rondon could get the call. But obviously they'd be in the rotation. So who'd be out? Are the Indians going to give it a go with six starters like they sort talked about when they traded Pavano? It could happen, just to get guys looks. Maybe rotate the final starting spot and get the other pitcher throwing side sessions, or come out of the bullpen in the same game just to get their work in.

Or maybe they'll just move Jeremy Sowers to the bullpen, who knows. Either way, Tomo Ohka's time is just about up.

As mentioned though, Barnes is headed to Akron and that now gives them a rotation with no dummie retreads.

Congrats to Preston Guilmet, who was named New York-Penn League Pitcher of the Week.

Finally, a nice story on IPI about Jerad Head, Akron utility man. We don't realize that some of these organizational players, as they are labeled by the likes of us, actually have dreams and have on more than one occasion, bucked the trend and overcome the odds to do it.

Which is why I like reading the stuff Head had to say in the story.

COLUMBUS

So here is an oddity. Columbus faced Indianapolis for the entire week. They'll play three in Indianapolis and then come to Columbus for four more. Weiiiiiiiird. Game one didn't go the Clippers way though.

Would you believe the piggyback duo of Mike Gosling and Kenny Ray gave up just two runs in all eight innings though? Ya, I didn't think so, but they did. Combined seven hits, two runs, two walks and seven strikeouts.

The run the Clippers scored was courtesy of Lou Marson, who drove in Wes Hodges, who had one of four doubles on the night. Marson, Brantley, and Head had the others.

AKRON

The Aeros resume today in Connecticut. Scott Barnes to start on Wednesday.

KINSTON

Kinston picks up in Lynchburg.

LAKE COUNTY

The other team in action on a very silent Monday was Lake County and they pulled out a nice win over Augusta.

Nate Recknagel and Bo Greenwell each knocked in a run, with Greenwell and Jeremie Tice collecting two hits. John Allman and Mark Thompson each knocked in runs, with Allman and Adam Abraham doubling. Abraham scored twice.

It was Karexon Sanchez who had the big day. He was 2-4 with a double and a three-run homer for a three RBI night.

Danny Salazar picked up the win by going 5.1 innings, giving up just four hits and two walks in scoreless frames. He struck out three.

Jason Knapp makes his much anticipated debut tonight. He's going three innings or fifty pitches. Tomorrow, Nick Hagadone will follow the same guideline as he makes another start.

MAHONING VALLEY

The Scrappers welcome Brooklyn into the Valley for a three-game stand today.

ARIZONA LEAGUE

The Arizona League Indians did play a game and they beat the Dodgers, 8-6. Chris Kersten knocked in three runs and hit both a double and a triple.

Importantly though, Scott Lewis made a rehab start, going four innings, giving up a run off three hits and no walks with six strikeouts.