Wabberjocky wrote:
Cleveland is by far the best-run organization in baseball, and is on the cusp of what I believe will be a historic dynasty of sustained dominance. Right now, the Indians have a core of brilliant young players who are outstanding right now and are nowhere near their peaks — Grady Sizemore, Victor Martinez, Jhonny Peralta, Travis Hafner, C.C. Sabathia, Cliff Lee, Jake Westbrook and others — under long-term contract.
Indeed, one of the Red Sox' radio broadcasters (Joe Castiglione, I believe) the other day nominated Hafner as his pick for Most Valuable Player this year. And the Red Sox haven't even played the Indians yet.
I agree the Indians under Mark Shapiro seem to be doing it right, just as the previous regime under John Hart did, locking up Carlos Baerga, Robbie Alomar, Manny Ramirez, Albert "Don't Call Me Joey" Belle and Omar Vizquel to long-term deals. Too bad other big-payroll teams (cough, cough) can't follow that model instead of trading for players or signing free agents whose best years are far in the rearview mirror.
Hope to see the King sometime soon on the ol' out-of-market cable-TV package. What a great innovation that is for hardball fans. There's always a game on somewhere, every day.