Lowering Expectations...

[Alex]

as quickly as possible, so any "improvement" will be wildly applauded by Cleveland fans, and attendance will instantly rise.

I think the flaw with that plan is we might be able to contend simply by resigning Thome, signing Karim Garcia, and if Einar, Ricky G and Matt Lawton can all rebound. (that is not that unlikely a scenario).

Thome may want the tribe to commit to a quality third baseman rather than give Ricky G a shot. This could be the impasse that causes Thome to leave. [img]frown.gif[/img]

[Dr. Robert]

Contend in 2003? Not with 4 rookies in the rotation, and an ace who's only 22.

Shapiro has had to perform chemotherapy on this team, and it's going to take a year to recover.

Tribe Opens The Door In 2004

Tribe Comes Alive In 2005

[Alex]

Chemotherapy? More like Munchausen's disease.


But nonetheless, the team went 30-30 over the last two months of the season. With no noticeable production from third base, catcher, left-field, shortstop and second base.

This also includes several starts by Nagy and Burba.

Skinner did a remarkable job!

This team is closer than we want to admit.

[Dr. Robert]

I agree that the line-up will do much better than last year if Thome stays, but the pitching is a big question mark. C.C. is the only vet starter, unless Julian Tavarez goes into the rotation.

Lee, Davis, and Rodriguez are going to take their lumps. Collectively, they won't be above .500.

The pen is not exactly an all-star affair. We don't even know if Baez can really close.