Two Guys Sports
Bruce Bostwick
State of the Tribe address
December 5th 2009 23:44
I did call for Shapiro to go but apparently the Dolans are too loyal to him. I do not feel they will ever be a real good team with him but I could be wrong. This next season, the team is going to be having Manny Acta as the manager of the Tribe. Patience is not going to be easy, then again it never is. For Cleveland, they have not won a World Series since 1948. There are 10 things I think about when it comes to this team.
1. The Dolans are not concerned about winning. In fact, they could care less and isn't going to make that a priority to do whatever they can to get this team to win. It just comes down to feeling on that. For them to sound like making the playoff every five years is as good as it gets shows a sign that they do not care whatsoever. For that to change, they must be more active in looking for investors so that maybe they can have the money and remove the cheap perception.
2. The AL Central is not that strong. There is no excuse in the world that can be made on why they cannot contend for the division. It isn't like they are in the AL East fighting with the Red Sox and the Yankees. It would be one thing if that were the case but because they are in a division with teams that are not scary or intimidating, the call for contending every year is a must.
3. Expect Jake Westbrook to be gone sooner rather than later. His contract is coming up and he probably will not get the big money contract. Too much is being asked of him to be the opening day starter and possible ace of the staff. It isn't that he is a bad pitcher, it is more of a case that he isn't on and more of a #3 starter at best.
4. Fausto Carmona is another one that you never know what is going on with him. I had thought it was injuries that stopped him but it seems to be much greater than I had thought. It has to be some mental issues and that must be addressed.
5. Peralta should stop pouting. Seriously, it seems like he does that and did it last year. He has to understand, he is not the shortstop anymore and has to start accepting his role as a 3B and do a better job. While his defense has been questionable at best, he can certainly improve his offense and do a better job than the way he ended the season.
6. This is going to be a young team. There is no question about it and they have to come out of the gate a lot better than they had with Eric Wedge. Players play and if they're making the big money, they need to step up and prove they are worth it.
7. I do not believe fans are going to go to the games that easily and those discounts aren't going to drive people to buy tickets. They have to believe in the team and if they do not, then the attendance will not be up high. Sure, they were doing well in 2007 and that cannot be denied, but did they believe in the team enough? Most likely not and it probably has to do with not trusting the Dolans a lot to do what is necessary. Yes, the economy sucks and I understand that point. People want to see a winner in the end.
8. The starting rotation doesn't have an ace to depend on. Even if they develop, are they going to make an effort to try to keep them? Granted, they tried with CC and he gave out the middle finger. They cannot win on the cheap and it just proves each year that it just cannot be done. Until a team like the Rays win it all, I'll say that I do not believe it is possible.
9. We don't know about some drafts but they have to keep improving and find the best talent available and look for need as well. It will take two. Not much else to say on that.
10. They need to start strong, stay strong, and end strong. Not any of this being a long season. I know it is long but if you don't start out well, it just makes everything a lot harder than it needs to be.
There's a lot to be said. If they don't get this right with Acta being hired, then Shapiro had better be shown the door because it will be strike three on managers.
1. The Dolans are not concerned about winning. In fact, they could care less and isn't going to make that a priority to do whatever they can to get this team to win. It just comes down to feeling on that. For them to sound like making the playoff every five years is as good as it gets shows a sign that they do not care whatsoever. For that to change, they must be more active in looking for investors so that maybe they can have the money and remove the cheap perception.
2. The AL Central is not that strong. There is no excuse in the world that can be made on why they cannot contend for the division. It isn't like they are in the AL East fighting with the Red Sox and the Yankees. It would be one thing if that were the case but because they are in a division with teams that are not scary or intimidating, the call for contending every year is a must.
3. Expect Jake Westbrook to be gone sooner rather than later. His contract is coming up and he probably will not get the big money contract. Too much is being asked of him to be the opening day starter and possible ace of the staff. It isn't that he is a bad pitcher, it is more of a case that he isn't on and more of a #3 starter at best.
4. Fausto Carmona is another one that you never know what is going on with him. I had thought it was injuries that stopped him but it seems to be much greater than I had thought. It has to be some mental issues and that must be addressed.
5. Peralta should stop pouting. Seriously, it seems like he does that and did it last year. He has to understand, he is not the shortstop anymore and has to start accepting his role as a 3B and do a better job. While his defense has been questionable at best, he can certainly improve his offense and do a better job than the way he ended the season.
6. This is going to be a young team. There is no question about it and they have to come out of the gate a lot better than they had with Eric Wedge. Players play and if they're making the big money, they need to step up and prove they are worth it.
7. I do not believe fans are going to go to the games that easily and those discounts aren't going to drive people to buy tickets. They have to believe in the team and if they do not, then the attendance will not be up high. Sure, they were doing well in 2007 and that cannot be denied, but did they believe in the team enough? Most likely not and it probably has to do with not trusting the Dolans a lot to do what is necessary. Yes, the economy sucks and I understand that point. People want to see a winner in the end.
8. The starting rotation doesn't have an ace to depend on. Even if they develop, are they going to make an effort to try to keep them? Granted, they tried with CC and he gave out the middle finger. They cannot win on the cheap and it just proves each year that it just cannot be done. Until a team like the Rays win it all, I'll say that I do not believe it is possible.
9. We don't know about some drafts but they have to keep improving and find the best talent available and look for need as well. It will take two. Not much else to say on that.
10. They need to start strong, stay strong, and end strong. Not any of this being a long season. I know it is long but if you don't start out well, it just makes everything a lot harder than it needs to be.
There's a lot to be said. If they don't get this right with Acta being hired, then Shapiro had better be shown the door because it will be strike three on managers.
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