Tom Kuhman

The Cleveland Indians completed what should be their last trade of the season today by trading Casey Blake to the Dodgers for 2 minor league prospects. In return the Indians receive musical legend, Carlos Santana, and RHP, Jon Meloan.

I have always had a love/hate relationship with Casey Blake. I think the love portion stems from the fact that I never expected much from him. The hate portion seems to rear it’s ugly head when he strikes out with runners in scoring position or hits into a double play to end a scoring threat. He did have some memorable hits in the clutch to put the Indians ahead or to win a game. Although, they all escape me at the moment. I am sad to see him go because he was one of the few hitting near his potential this year. I am also sad because it is just another reminder of the dashed expectations that 2008 had for my Cleveland club.

Carlos Santana has had many hits in his career. This talented musician also plays catcher for Inland Empire in the Class A California league. Apparently, he is hitting 0.323 with 14 homers. At first I thought, “Man, he’s kinda old to be playing ball, but if his music can motivate the team to win, well, it’s worth a try. Maybe a little “Black Magic Woman” is just what this team needs! Hell, the Durham Bulls had their slumpbuster.

Jon Meloan is a relief pitcher from AAA Las Vegas. He has an ERA near 5.00, but has struck out 335 batters in 262 innings. He has a fastball in the low to mid 90’s and has some MLB experience. I don’t know if Vegas has odds yet, but I’ll wager we see him in an Indians uniform by the end of 2008 to close out a game or two.

Go TRIBE!

Tom Kuhman

Bye, bye, C.C.

I remember watching his debut on April 8, 2001. Had to drag a buddy of mine to Jacobs Field telling him, “This kids gonna be a stud.” C.C. didn’t get the win that day, but the Indians did. It was the beginning of a great career.

The story is that the Indians will get Milwaukee’s AA outfielder Matt LaPorta and some others for C.C. He may be starting on Tuesday in a Brewers uniform when they take on Colorado!

LaPorta had better be the biggest stud in the minors! I realize the Indians are more than likely going to lose C.C. at the end of the year, but I was hoping for something more solid or 2 unproven studs. It seems like a crap shoot in the minors, but to give up an ace lefty and the reigning AL Cy Young winner for a double A bat…mmmmm. Matt LaPorta is hitting .288 with 20 homers and 66 RBIs for Double-A Huntsville. Those numbers are good, but I’ll still pray.

They Indians are also rumored to be getting pitcher Rob Bryson, who is 3-2 with 4.25 ERA from a Milwaukee A-ball team, pitcher Zach Jackson from AAA, and a fourth player to be named later.

C.C. is likely to end up with a cool $20 million/year and the hated pin stripes or, worse yet, a red “B” on his twisted cap.  As much as I hope for his personal success, I’ll still be rooting for the Cubs or D-backs in October.  Say goodbye to another stud Cleveland.

The other reason this day is sad, because although we all have known the Indians are out of it, this is really the white towel hitting the canvas.

Here’s a towel for you.

Go Tribe!

Kevin Lee

I wanted to get this story up right away as it was first reported 5 minutes ago by ESPN.  Sorry to Tom Kuhman our Indians blogger and Daniel Chodos our Brewers blogger as I am not trying to steal their thunder on this one.

For more on this breaking trade, click on the link below.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3475667