Catching up on the offseason banter

I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted some Tribe updates, and since Sabathia has won the Cy Young, there has been a plethora of them. I’ve been pretty busy with end of the semester work and transferring universities. I’m now attending American University in DC. Due to a variety of different reasons, I’m going home to Kent State next semester. But its a good thing because I’ll be home to see a lot more Tribe games this season instead of seeing the Nationals constantly lose. Although, I’m going to be upset that I will not see their new stadium, which looks so much nicer than RFK. Too bad it’s in a bad neighborhood, but it might bring some life back to the Anacostia neighborhood in DC, which will be good for the city.

But now, let’s recap what the Tribe has done since CC won the Cy Young.

First, I would like to extend my hardy congratulations to Eric Wedge, the AL Manager of the Year. He truly was the best manager in baseball. He turned around a team which in 2006 struggled with a 78-84 record, to a 2007 team which turned in a 96-66, tied for the best record in MLB. Wedge worked with a low payroll and helped to bring out the best in his young players, which is alone a major accomplishment. Wedge commands the respect of his players and in return got the results this team needed so badly. Hopefully, next year the Tribe will continue its winning trends.

Also, Asdrubal Cabrera and Aaron Laffey won the two top honors minor leaguers can win within the Tribe organization. Cabrera took home the Lou Boudreau award for the top minor league position player and Laffey took home the Bob Feller award for the top minor league pitcher.  Both Cabrera and Laffey made big contributions to the Tribe down the stretch and will likely continue to do so when they enter into their first full year in the majors.

Prayers go out to Tribe pitcher, Juan Lara who is on the Tribe 40 man roster. Lara was involved in a car accident in the Dominican Republic last week. Lara suffered major brain trauma, though his condition is said to be improving. My prayers go out to him and his family for his speedy recovery. A full story is here.

In good news, though, the Tribe signed relief pitcher Masahide Kobayashi from Japan. This is the first player the Tribe has signed from the Japanese system. Kobayashi is the Japanese baseball league’s all time save leader. He should provide much help in the back end of the bullpen either as a setup man when Bentancourt cannot do it, or a closer if Borowski falters this season. While it is always a risk to sign someone who doesn’t have MLB experience, Kobayashi is a proven veteran who has dominated the Japanese league for years. This season will soon show how Kobayashi performs. I think, though, he will provide even more depth to a bullpen which is already, arguably, one of the best in MLB.