Hello Tribe fans everywhere!

Hector Luna has been exiled to Buffalo, C.C. Sabathia is blowing hitters away, and Jake Westbrook sounds as if he's on the verge of signing a multi-year deal with the Indians. Can Opening Day be far away?

It's not, and I'm pleased that it appears Cliff Lee's pulled oblique muscle might be the only semi-serious injury of the spring. Promising young pitcher Tony Sipp has a sore elbow, but the Indians weren't counting on him for this season. So, take it easy for a while, Tony. Don't rush your recuperation.

With Luna out of the picture, Cleveland appears to plan to keep just one utility infielder. That would seem to bode well for Ryan Garko, although the Indians are still toying with the idea of keeping a seventh outfielder. I wouldn't do it. Garko's righthanded bat will help more.

I'm still a little concerned about the Indians' bullpen, but it's not something Cleveland can fix now. And, really, we don't even know for sure that the pen is broken. Just think of me as suffering residual bullpen shellshock from 2006.

The new about Westbrook's contract is good. It's always better to have a guy like this locked up for several years. If the kid pitching prospects force the Indians to make a deal somewhere down the line, they could trade Westbrook then.

It sounds as if Kelly Shoppach, sans 25 pounds, is throwing out runners as if he's the second coming of Bill Dickey. Makes you wonder how long the Indians will kep going with Victor Martinez behind the plate, if he continues to have throwing problems. Again, this is a situation that has to be monitored during the regular season -- spring training games count for only so much.

Perhaps the best news of the spring is the way shortstop Jhonny Peralta is playing. He turned six double plays with new second baseman Jason Barfield on Saturday, and everyone says Peralta has never moved so well. Better defense from the Tribe's keystone men could make a huge difference in '07.

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The answer to the last quickie quiz: Yes, Mal Fichman managed in the Indians farm system. The former Erie Sailors skipper has certainly been around.

Today's quiz: Who is the most recent former Tribesman to win election to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown?

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-- Kevin Cuneo