Hello Tribe Fans Everywhere!

After losing 14 of 19 games, the Indians seem to be making a push to finish the season on a somewhat higher note. That helps, but it doesn't take the sting out of what's been a vastly disappointing season.

In retrospect, it's easy to see that the club -- from the front office down to the bat boy -- thought the team was significantly better than it is. Last year's 93 wins were largely a mirage, based on excellent starting and relief pitching. Not until Jeremy Sowers joined the Tribe rotation in late July did the team's starting pitching begin to resemble last year's. And the bullpen was awful practically from day one.

Most baffling, however, was Cleveland's miserable defense -- especially up the middle. Jhonny Peralta has been such a rotten fielder at shortstop that he could be in danger of losing his job. Peralta might either be shifted to second base -- providing the Tribe can sign a decent shortstop -- or he could be traded. That shows how badly his stock has dropped. At the start of the year, Peralta signed a long-term contract. It was a sign of how much the Indians valued the young infielder, because they this club does not spend money foolishly. Mostly, it doesn't spend money at all.

Now Peralta's is a hot name in trade talks. So, too, are pitchers Jake Westbrook and Cliff Lee. I think trading either of those pitchers would be crazy. If the team needs to clear a spot for Fausto Carmona in the starting rotation, send Paul Byrd packing.

Lee, who picked up his 13th win in last night's 14-1 triumph over the White Sox, ranks fourth in wins in the American League over the past three seasons. His 44 victories trail only Johan Santana (54), Kenny Rogers (49) and Jon Garland (47). Right behind Lee is Westbrook, with 43 wins. That's the same number as Curt Schilling.

GM Mark Shapiro needs to put together a reasonable game plan going into the off season. He needs to target specific players to bolster specific areas. And he can't afford to make a "trade for the future," which is essentially what the Coco Crisp-for-Andy Marte/Kelly Shoppach deal was.

A couple things that have impressed me in recent weeks, even as the Tribe stumbled toward the end of the season, are 1) the play of first baseman Ryan Garko. The kids has 37 RBIs to go with his solid .288 batting average. Cleveland's crazy if it goes shopping for a first baseman. The Indians should concentrate, instead, on bolstering second base, shortstop, the outfield (with the exception of Grady Sizemore), and the bullpen.

That's a big shopping list, but unless some team bowls over Shapiro with an offer, the GM shouldn't touch Lee or Westbrook.

******************
Today's quickie quiz: Grady Sizemore owns 52 doubles, 11 triples, and 27 homers this season. He's the fourth player in baseball history to accumulate 50 doubles, 10 triples and 25 homers in the same season. Of the following Hall of Famers who also accomplished this feat, pick out the one who does not belong in this group: Tris Speaker, Chuck Klein, Joe Medwick or Lou Gehrig.

-- Kevin Cuneo