Indians still got fleeced, I think. Oakland did better for Holliday than Cleveland did for Martinez.  What is Cleveland going to do with Marson? I guess they could trade him...but they're pretty much set at catcher coming up with Carlos Santana (Got a black magic womaaan). Masterson should be serviceable and Hagadone does have a high ceiling. I don't know much about the other kid they got from the Red Sox, though. The haul on Cliff Lee was "okay" as well, but it's not like Cliff Lee was terribly expensive (and the Indians ownership said that there was no mandate to cut payroll), and he's quite proven. Just seems as though both Cleveland and Pittsburgh are run by clowns.

Stag Lord said:

I do not fault the Pirates in that regard.  Just because they aren't spending it on big league salaries doesn't mean they aren't spending - there's minor league organization, signing bonuses for draft picks, and upgrading of Int'l scouting to consider.  In fact, they SHOULD be dumping salary when it comes to the likes of Wilson, LaRoche types.  The thing is, at some point, these teams Have to make a stand/keep 1-2 guys to build around.  

I'm pretty sure that the Indians Payroll is medium level, & Lee really isn't owed that much (in comparison to others).  I think it was more they felt like they were getting a good deal/something for nothing since they can't resign him after 2010.  I wonder though.  

how about them braves!!!!!!!!

oh wait......

not to bad for a team picked by some to miss the playoffs.

the city is a little crazy tonight. i'd love to see it after a second WS win.

I was still closer with my Braves pick than the guys picking the Indians to win the Central were with their pick.

I'll sort of be rooting for the Phillies next week. Not that I wiil be paying much attention one way or the other.

just had to share why one newswriter is rooting for the Yankees to win tonight:

"There's also the added benefit of knowing a Phils-Yanks Fall Classic is sure to make Mets fans projectile vomit all over their plastic-covered couches. Everyone wins this way."

hers a surprisingly well written and journalistic article from the daily news in relation to my last post

www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/20091027_Mets_fans_rooting_for_Phillies.html

Very accurate and spot on article. Captures the take of this Mets fan precisely.

You can shut the frak up now, Lars.

Andre Dawson makes the Hall of Fame.

Geez - what a joke.

Guy plays for 20 years and complies some good numbers. But in those 20 years he only has four years of 100+ RBIs and 2+ years of 100 runs scored. The HoF really gives too much weight to guys who hang aorund forever, but are never dominant. I saw Dawson play - great player - far from an immortal.

 Yeah, I'm biased/was a fan - he was a good defensive player which helps, but even I can admit he's really not quite HOF caliber - but this isn't any worse than Jim Rice's election.  

But Stag, you can come up with better reasons than using Runs and RBI's (stats that are heavily dependent upon the team you played for, as well as era you played in).  

Figured you'ld stay consistent and go wth that take Jase - and we don't really disagree here.

when AJ gets back to posting I'm sure he'll have a few comments.

at least - Thank God - Blyleven the compiler didn't egt elected yet - though i'm afraid he may next year.

and the Mets can not catch a break. i'm pretty happy withe the Bay signing, but geez - Beltran still has knee issues and now he won't be on the field until May or June. This surgery couldn't have been done, say, around Hallow-freaking-ween?

 Yeah, I don't understand why he didn't have surgery right after the season ended.  

You know I can't allow the Blyleven compiler comment to stand unchallenged, here's a brief debunking of one of those arguments:  

http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/1914/does-blyleven-baines

Dammit LoB - you finally got your wish. The career stat complier Blyleven finally got voted in after 14 years to the Hall of Fame yesterday. Tehre to join his equally undeserving buddy Don Sutton in the "I hung around forever and padded my stats" wing. Sigh.

I saw blyleven pitch. He never scared me - he was never even the best player on his particular staff. oh well. At least the cheating steroid guys aren't in yet.