Hello Tribe fans everywhere!

The trading deadline passed today, and the Indians failed to obtain Octavio Dotel or anybody else to shore up the bullpen. I'm a little disappointed, but I'd have been angry had the Tribe paid too much for Dotel. Originally, Kansas City wanted Ben Francisco, which would have been way out of line.

Some fans might fret and complain, "So, the Indians stood pat." Not really true, inasmuch as they acquired Kenny Lofton on Friday. Lofton will likely leave the club at the end of the year, but Cleveland could still be in better shape next spring, as a couple of their blue-chip prospects might be ready to make the jump to the big leagues.

Part of the reason for Cleveland's turnaround this season has been the steady play -- at bat and in the field -- by shortstop Jhonny Peralta. He's shown great improvement from 2006 when he was a severe liability in the field.

Now, here's how I see things getting even better in 2008. Twenty-one-year-old shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, acquired a year ago from Seattle in exchange for Eduardo Perez, looks to be a real find.

Cabrera, who was promoted from Akron to Buffalo today, excelled in several games against the Erie SeaWolves this year at Jerry Uht Park. The 6-foot, 170-pound Cabrera batted .310, with 8 home runs, 54 RBIs and 23 steals in Akron. He played 52 games in Buffalo last season after coming over from Seattle's farm system, and he batted a decent .263, but the Indians sent him back to AA Akron to work on his hitting.

If Cabrera continues to hit well at Buffalo over these final 50-plus games, I wouldn't be surprised to see him make a bid to advance to Cleveland next spring. This might be a stretch, but if he keeps improving, perhaps he could replace Peralta at shortstop, and Jhonny could move to third base.

Realistically, that probably won't happen next year, but it could. And it could definitely occur in 2009.

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I liked C.C. Sabathia's quote about the Indians recent slump in which they've won 8 and lost 9 since the All Star break. "Actually, it could have been a lot worse," Sabathia said. "We've been through that streak and we're still only a game out of first place. Not too bad, if you ask me. Now, we just need to get going again."

Sabathia's exactly right. The Tribe simply needs to gear it up again. Perhaps Monday's day off helped rejuvenate the club.

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The answer to the last quickie quiz is: False. Kenny Lofton has won only 4 Gold Gloves, not 5.

Today's quiz: Name the Indians pitcher who led Louisiana State University to three successive appearances in the College World Series.

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-- Kevin Cuneo