Hello Tribe fans everywhere!

I've been arguing with some of you Indians fans for days now, as the debate over the questions if the Tribe should make a trade, who the Tribe should trade, and how much should the Tribe surrender in a bid to get into position for a final run at post-season play.

First, yes, I would love to acquire Jermaine Dye, Kenny Lofton, Octavio Dotel or half a dozen players who are reported to be available. Dye could provide a powerful bat in Cleveland's outfield, Lofton could infuse the top of the lineup with speed, and Dotel could help solidify late-inning relief out of the bullpen.

There was even a report out of St. Louis that the Cardinals would be willing to part with third-baseman Scott Rolen for young lefthander Jeremy Sowers, currently toiling at Triple-A Buffalo. First, I'd be surprised if that trade was on the table. And even if it was, I wouldn't trade Sowers for a 32-year vet who's already played nearly 1,500 games in the big leagues. Rolen has been a great third baseman for more than a decade, but his best years are behind him, while Sowers' career is just beginning.

Yes, Rolen would be a great fit in Cleveland's lineup, but Sowers could be a fixture in the Tribe's rotation for the next decade. Forget for a second that he's trying to put the pieces back together in the minors. Sowers looked so good during the second half of 2006 that the Indians would be nuts to give up on him now. Think Detroit trading young John Smoltz for Doyle Alexander.

While we're on the subject of parting with talented young players, no, Cleveland should not trade either Franklin Gutierrez or Ben Francisco to Kansas City for Dotel. The Royals would reportedly swap Dotel for either of those young outfielders. Yes, it would be nice to have Dotel, but he's coming off serious arm problems.

The truth is I doubt that Tribe GM Mark Shapiro will part with any of his promising kids. He's already been burned in the Coco Crisp trade, Brandon Phillips trade, and the decision to dump Jeremy Guthrie. Shapiro is sweating bullets over the decision to place Francisco Cabrera on waivers, and that sad-sack reliever hasn't retired any hitters since Lyndon Johnson's administration. OK, only a slight exaggeration -- since the first George Bush administration.

One player I might part with is third baseman Andy Marte, because he'll be out of minor league options the next time the Tribe promotes him. But, realistically, who wants Marte? And would you be willing to part with any player of real value for him? Dye for Marte? Forget it. Would never happen. But, if the moon and all the stars should align, Shapiro shouldn't hesitate a single second if the White Sox come calling with Dye for Marte.

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The answer to yesterday's quickie quiz is: Rico Carty, the hard-hitting outfielder/DH for Cleveland in the 1970's, visited his old team in Texas last weekend.

Today's quiz: Name the first Indonesian-born player to appear in a major league game.

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-- Kevin Cuneo