Hello Tribe fans everywhere!
I've been on vacation for a week, and so has the Indians' offense. With the exception of C.C. Sabathia, the Tribe's starting pitching has rounded into shape, but the bats are still lame. Radio broadcaster Tom Hamilton repeatedly insulted the youthful Twins during Friday's broadcast, which Cleveland won, thanks to another outstanding pitching performance by Cliff Lee.
It sounded as if Hamilton expected the Indians to blow through the Twins on Saturday and Sunday, but it never happened. Too many key players on this club are hitting .190 or worse, and it's time for GM Mark Shapiro to shake things up a bit. The first move should be to summon Ben Francisco from Buffalo. That's a no-brainer because it wouldn't cost the Indians a significant roster move.
But if Francisco can't help jump-start the offense, Shapiro will probably have to swing a trade for a key bat. I'd love to see Cleveland get a guy like Washington's Ryan Zimmerman -- a young third baseman with some pop. It's that type of move that could help bolster the offense for years to come.
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Today's quickie quiz: Name the Indians' 1976 Man of the Year. Hint: he was the Big Mon.
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-- Kevin Cuneo

