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02-10-2008, 08:37 AM
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The Lizard King
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Quote:
Terry Pluto: Terry's Talkin'
Posted by Terry Pluto Plain Dealer Columnist February 09, 2008 21:13PM
Categories: Terry Pluto columns
TERRY'S TALKIN'
ABOUT THE TRIBE . . .
Fans love to talk about hitting, but pitching is why the Indians tied Boston with 96 victories -- most in the big leagues. It's why the Tribe won the Central Division -- they had the third-lowest ERA in the American League overall (Boston was No. 1), and the best after the All-Star break. Pitching is why they knocked the Yankees out of the first round of the playoffs. And yes, the collapse of the pitching -- especially Fausto Carmona and C.C. Sabathia -- was why the Indians lost to Boston in the ALCS. The question is if the Indians can continue to pitch well.
A big concern is innings piling up on starters. Sabathia led the majors with 241 innings and threw 15 more in the playoffs for a total of 256. That's 46 more than any season in his career, his previous high being 210 in 2002. Carmona threw 230, counting the playoffs. His previous high was 173 in 2005 in the minors, so he exceed that total by 53 innings. Will their arms feel tired this season? That sometimes happens, and it's one of the reasons that teams who advance deep into the playoffs one season don't do as well the next -- the sheer weight of the innings.
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02-13-2008, 05:18 AM
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Capo Regime
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10 QUESTIONS FOR THE 2008 INDIANS
Can Cleveland Indians' C.C., Pronk and Borowski stand tall?
Wednesday, February 13, 2008 Paul Hoynes
he Indians find themselves in an unusual spot as pitchers and catchers report to Winter Haven, Fla., on Thursday for the start of spring training.
They were so confident after winning the American League Central last year and coming within one victory of reaching the World Series that GM Mark Shapiro left the roster largely unchanged over the off-season. Intertwined with that confidence a touch of recklessness grew.
Not the recklessness of an aging team with one last run in it, but a team that made the decision to keep its best pitcher, C.C. Sabathia, thumbing its nose at the threat of free agency, because it feels this could be a season to remem- ber.
Cont...
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02-13-2008, 03:39 PM
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The Lizard King
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Quote:
Tribe set to report with familiar faces
Return of core players should make staying on top possible
CLEVELAND -- They are hungry to repeat as American League Central champs, eager to build off the disappointment of Game 7 against the Red Sox and familiar by design.
They are your 2008 Cleveland Indians, and they head to work on Thursday morning.
The faces comprising this impassioned bunch should be recognizable. The Indians made no major tweaks to the club that won 96 games and toppled the Yankees in the Division Series last year. Pitchers and catchers report to the final camp in Winter Haven, Fla., on the morning of Valentine's Day (no, it's not just for lovers anymore). Position players will report on Feb. 19, while the first full-squad workout will take place Feb. 21. The first exhibition game at Chain of Lakes Park is Feb. 28, against the Astros.
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02-13-2008, 03:40 PM
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The Lizard King
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Join Date: Apr 2004
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Quote:
Around the Horn: DH/Bench
Hafner seeks return of Pronk-like stats; reserves boast options
CLEVELAND -- Splashy free-agent signings and high-profile trades did not fill the Tribe's transaction wire this offseason.
It was a quiet winter in which the Indians, coming off a 96-win season that saw them win the American League Central Division title and come one win away from the World Series, decided the depth they've accrued can carry them again into 2008. "Part of what made us successful this past season was our depth, our ability to make adjustments, our alternatives and the strength of our farm system," general manager Mark Shapiro said. "When the White Sox, Twins and Tigers all had to go to their second tiers, our second tier was better than their second tier."
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02-14-2008, 05:20 AM
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Capo Regime
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Cleveland Indians' Sabathia says talks over until end of season
Thursday, February 14, 2008 Paul Hoynes
Plain Dealer Reporter
American League Cy Young Award winner C.C. Sabathia announced on his Web site Wednesday night that he and his agents have broken off talks on a contract extension with the Indians until after the 2008 season. The team's pitchers and catchers report to spring training today in Winter Haven, Fla.
Here is the message from Sabathia that was posted late Wednesday:
"This off-season, through my representatives at Legacy Sports Group, I have discussed the possibility of a contract extension with the Cleveland Indians. At this time, we haven't been able to reach agreement. Now that the reporting date for spring training is here, it is time to put aside contract discussions so that I can focus all of my energies and attention on preparing for the upcoming season.
 "I look forward to a successful 2008 season, both for myself and for the Indians as a whole."
"I will do everything within my power to help the club to its first World Series appearance since 1997 and its first World Series Championship since 1948.
Cont..
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02-14-2008, 05:21 AM
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Capo Regime
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