Hello Tribe fans everywhere!

A week ago, it sounded as if the Indians might be on the verge of reaching a new agreement with Jake Westbrook on a contract extension. But now everyone has clammed up. In fact, Cleveland baseball beat reporters now believe the club might be closer to re-signing Travis Hafner than they are to re-signing Westbrook.

In truth, the Indians face a difficult decision in determining how much to invest in Westbrook, especially if they're serious about taking a run at both Hafner and C.C. Sabathia. I think they'd probably be lucky to sign two out of three, and Sabathia will likely command the largest contract, though Hafner's stands to make tens of millions, as well.

So, if Tribe GM Mark Shapiro believes he has a legitimate shot at Hafner and Sabathia, does he take a pass on Westbrook? He might be tempted to do so, but I think it would be a mistake. Westbrook would probably be the easiest -- and the cheapest of the three -- to re-sign. Plus, if the Indians somehow manage to convince Hafner and Sabthia to stay, and promising young hurlers such as Adam Miller and Fausto Carmona need to pitch at the big-league level, they could always trade Westbrook.

But I definitely think they should move now to sew up Westbrook -- before he opts to see what he can get on the free-agent market. Once players get that far, the cord is cut; players no longer feel the same sense of attachment to their teams.

All of this could be moot, as the Indians, a notoriously thrifty team under the Dolan regime, might have no designs on re-signing any of the three. It could be why the club is constantly seeking to bolster its farm system -- to replenish the team after the stars move on. As depressing as that seems, it might be a realistic assessment.

But, hey, it's April 3 and the Tribe is undefeated (1-0) and in first place. Can't we just bask in the sunshine for today? Yes, but Shapiro and company must concern themselves with the future.

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The answer to yesterday's quickie quiz: Well, first, let me amend the question. Sam McDowell beaned Don Mincher in the 1968 home opener, not the '69 opener. Poor Mincher, who looked dead to the world as they hauled him off the field, said he suffered from severe headaches for the next two seasons.

Today's quiz: Name the lefthanded pitcher who compiled a 48-37 record with a 3.23 earned from average for the Tribe from 1981-85.

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-- Kevin Cuneo