Here's the latest out of Cleveland, where even the sitcoms built around celebrating it fade and die in terrible loneliness:
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Winter meetings moves won't shift Cleveland Indians' 2012 reliance on young talent - Paul Hoynes
"The Indians do have money left to spend, but it's not enough to sign a free agent who would make an impact on the offense, their big area of need. So forget first basemen Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder. Second-rung free agents such as Michael Cuddyer, Carlos Pena and Derrek Lee are probably out as well." << show me a baseball fan that doesn't get queasy at (true) statements like this and I'll show you a baseball fan that doesn't understand suffering. -
Cleveland Indians interested in free agent Casey Blake - cleveland.com
"Blake was the Indians regular third baseman from 2003 until he was traded to the Dodgers for Carlos Santana in 2008. The Indians see Blake, 38, as a role player who could help out at third, first and in right and left field. Blake's right-handed bat could help to balance the Tribe's left-handed heavy lineup." -
Indiand Think They'll Get Better Because They're Still Playing - Terry Pluto
"Travis Hafner is the only Indian older than 30 expected to be a regular in 2012. (Grady Sizemore is 29, but his knees are seemingly a lot older.) The Indians expect the offense to improve because some key players have gained experience." << the ol' "they'll get better because they have experience despite all evidence that experience doesn't change talent level" theory.
- Tribe likes Jorge Soler, the other Cuban Defector - Paul Hoynes
"Every team that has gone to the Dominican Republic to scout Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes has watched Soler, another Cuban defector. They've all liked him, including the Tribe." - Are the Indians getting better at drafting players? - Let's Go Tribe
"If you feel bad about Cleveland, though, take solace in Minnesota's woes. Going back to 2007 the Twins have only seen one player they drafted make it to the majors (Ben Revere!), despite having seven top 50 picks in that span." - 2012 Roster Projection: Cleveland Indians - MLB Daily Dish