New Leadership in the Minors and the Winter Meetings.

After Travis Fryman made it to the Hall of Fame Ballot,  he thought it might be nice to manage the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, the Tribe’s short A affiliate. Fryman was always a smart 3rd basemen. His intuition matched his skill and leadership ability. When he played for the Tribe, he was always a leader in the clubhouse and one knew that eventually he would manage a ballclub. I think Fryman will do some good in the development of these young players. This could be a stepping stone to many good things to come for Fryman, especially if he is elected to the Hall of Fame. That likely will not come on the first ballot as this year’s class of candidates is a tough field, but, I think this will be a taste of things to come for Fryman. Travis is a natural leader and his intelligence will make him a great manager and role model for young players.

Also, the Tribe can’t seem to get over their obsession with Pirates outfielder Jason Bay in the Winter Meetings. Like I’ve said in previous entries, the Tribe does NOT need corner outfield help. They need to resign CC. Michaels, Francisco, Dellucci, even Choo (if he recovers from the Tommy John surgery) will step it up next year and fill in the missing hole in the outfield. There’s enough solutions internally which will solve the corner outfield hole, that the Indians do not need to give up Cliff Lee and Kelly Shoppach for Jason Bay. Ok, Cliff didn’t perform last year, but he did go a respectable 14-11 in 2006 and a very good 18-5 in 2005. There’s still a good possibility he’ll bounce back and be the pitcher we know he can be. And Kelly is too valuable with his defense to give up. Bay, like Lee, struggled last year while he had a respectable 2005 and 2006. He bated .247 last year and that alone is not worth both Lee and Shoppach. Maybe Lee alone, but not both. But I digress. Luckily, though, it looks like Shapiro isn’t going to budge on Bay which will be the smartest move in the end. Lee is still under contract, and a hefty one at that. I wouldn’t want to deal him prematurely. If Lee still isn’t performing in July, then deal him. But there’s still enough potential in him to be the pitcher he was in ’05 and ’06. I know all the hay sayers are yelling but oh, we have Aaron Laffey and ADAM MILLER, but, Miller was hurt last year and is unproven in the majors and Laffey, though had a good few months last year, did have just that, a few months. That isn’t enough to constitute being dependable. Then again, Lee didn’t either but he has a more proven track record then Laffey or Miller and I wouldn’t want to trade him so quickly for a guy like Bay, especially if they want Shoppach too.