May 25, 2013

While We’re Waiting… Tribe Fans, LeBron vs Strasburg, and 2011 Recruiting

June 9, 2010 by 29 Comments

While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email at tips@waitingfornextyear.com

“There are a whole slew of Cleveland fans who just don’t get it. They don’t get what a razor thin margin is being worked with here, they don’t understand the valuation of major players or prospects, and they don’t get how perfect this organization has to be. I’m not saying the organization is perfect. I’m not even ready to say it’s approaching competence. I’m just saying there’s a lot to follow on the farm as a result of Shapiro’s noted horse-trading prowess and the decisions of whoever’s pulling the levers on the draft this day. And, as it is draft day, that person did some more pulling today and I, for one, choose to be excited about that instead of sort of perplexed by whatever David Huff did.” [Lets Go Tribe]

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Comparing LeBron to Stephen Strasburg. Just a bit different than the Apple Inc. comparison.   [Cavs the Blog]

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Commitment versus leverage: “I love freedom as much as the next guy, really, but it just isn’t free.  It’s impossible to say that LeBron’s refusal to commit to the Cavs didn’t hurt himself and his team in some real respect.  And in deciding whether the price of freedom was worth it here and in the future, it’s impossible for LeBron to avoid the reality that the greatest players of the modern era all did it a certain way.” [Cleveland Frowns]

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Surprise, this guy doesn’t want Cleveland to get something: “I remain boggled and baffled that this hasn’t been debunked yet. Could Izzo really be considering this? For goodness’ sake: Why? The Cavs are about to be in ruins. And even if LeBron returned, does Izzo really want to be a pro coach? Really?” [Dan Shanoff]

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And finally, on the 2011 recruiting class: “There has been speculation that this class will number around 22 players, but with possible transfers and scholarships opening up (see: Jamel Turner), that number could be closer to 24 or 25. While 25 may seem a little high, keep in mind that Erick Howard spurned Akron to enroll at Fork Union in hopes to make it to Columbus next season. Either way there are only about 8 to 10 spots left for the staff to fill and time is running short for some of the elite prospects this year.” [Eleven Warriors]

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(AP Photo/Joseph Darwal)

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  • Roosevelt

    A while back I read an inspirational article by a guy who wa ssuffering from ALS. As his body gradually turned against him, he concluded that his identity was nt in his mobility, not in his dexterity, not in his writing or dancing or even talking, but in the seat of his consciousness.

    That’s what i wonder about the Cavs. What was the root of their professionalism and class over recent years? Was it Mike Brown? He’s gone. Was it Danny Ferry? He’s gone. Was it the winning brought by a transcendent player? He is not the face of the franchise anymore, for the time being.

    Dan Gilbert has the opportunity to prove that the positivity and consistency and success started with him, and then Brown’s and Ferry’s departures won’t constitute “crumbling”. I’m skeptical.

  • http://clevelandhope.blogspot.com Cleveland’s Hope

    Agree with the Tribe article. Most fans look at the Indians the same way they look at the Yankees and Red Sox. The fact is that the Indians have to go about it a far different way.

  • http://www.waitingfornextyear.com Denny

    Um, Frowns – we all know freedom isn’t free. Freedom costs a buck o’ five.

  • http://www.waitingfornextyear.com Scott

    For full disclosure, the only Indians fans I find it hard to endure are those that refuse to care about the minor leagues. I can understand not following their careers as closely, but when Jason Donald gets called up, throwing hands up in the air and exclaiming “WHO THE HECK IS JASON DONALD?” is just ridiculous.

    That said, I completely side with those that feel the Indians have not done a good job at garnering return for the big names that they’ve lost. I don’t blame them for not re-signing, but I do blame them for not getting max return. Shapiro will get a taste of what he whiffed on when Clay Buchholz takes the hill tonight.

  • Prospect + Donkey

    Shanoff is a clown who I believe went to the Skip Bayless school of contradiction.

  • mike

    i feel like even when it comes to trades, teams like the indians are behind the 8-ball for maximizing a return for guys like CC, lee, etc. everyone (ie, redsox, yankees) knows that teams like the indians have to trade those guys. thats no secret. everyone (ie, redsox, yankees) also knows that those players eventually end up with the redsox and yankees. so unless its a unique year where a direct bidding war can be created between the redsox and yankees for a given player, why should those teams give up THEIR top prospects like Clay Buchholz for a guy that team will likely get as a free agent 4-5 months later? im sure Shapiro didnt “whiff” on buccholz. im sure he didnt have his choice and went with masterson over clay. my guess is the redsox said, “here is masterson – take it or leave it. either way, youre going to lose V-Mart to us eventually.”

  • http://www.waitingfornextyear.com DP

    Covering the minors is dumb. Wait, what?

    Are we running and over/under on how many Indians Strasburg will whiff on Sunday? I set the early mark at 19.

  • mike

    ill take the under on 19!

  • Mark

    Strasburg was awsome last night. If they let him go all 9 he could strikeout 19 against us. But, given that he will only throw 6 or 7, I will take the under. Still, it’ll be a show.

  • http://www.clevelandfrowns.com Cleveland Frowns

    Roosevelt, I’m not as skeptical, but I think you’re right on.

  • http://gravatar.com PayDaMan

    You should of mentioned Alex Lavisky

  • Mark

    @Scott – I know you were venting a bit there, but do you KNOW that Shapiro passed on Buchholz? If that is true I will be floored. Everyone knew that Buchholz was better than Masterson. I have to agree with Mike and believe Buchholz was never offered.

  • swig

    Shanoff mentions the big10 without taking a shot at the conference, not even a jab? Inconceivable.

    @scott, does reading WFNY posts count as following the minors?

  • http://www.waitingfornextyear.com Scott

    Oh, no, it’s complete venting. I’m just saying that I agree with those that hold the ROI as their gripe. Rebuilding teams have to trade away big names, it’s just the nature of the beast. But in return, they need to field a team of young talent – something that is simply not there at this point, or appears to be there at any point in the near future.

  • http://www.waitingfornextyear.com Scott

    And Swig, it absolutely does

  • Matthew R

    ESPN and MLB should make Sunday’s Strasburg/Indians game the Sunday night game this week. Screw Cubs/Sox, this will be the only time the Indians are worth watching this season.

    I think the over/under on Ks should be more like 14.5. 19 is a little aggressive.

  • Mark

    @Matthew R – Seriously, ESPN should switch it. That kid was electric last night. Did you know that Strasburg is the FIRST PITCHER IN MLB HISTORY to get 14ks in less than 96 pitches?

  • mgbode

    and the first to debut with more than 11K’s and 0BB’s.

  • swig

    /fist pump

  • http://www.waitingfornextyear.com DP

    For clarification, I probably should have typed it in the sarcasm font. I don’t really think he’s going to strike out 19 Indians. But he’s clearly going to strike out a lot of them.

  • Mark

    @DP – If you watched him pitch last night, 19 isn’t that far off. Strasburg struck out the last 7 batters he faced. He was pulled in the 7th when he looked like he just found his grove. Pitch counts are going to be the only thing to keep him from high double digit K’s vs the Tribe.

  • http://www.waitingfornextyear.com DP

    It wouldn’t surprise me if he struck out 19.

    I wonder if Mark Pryor texted him after the game and said, “Enjoy it while you can.”

  • Matt#2

    Jordan, Bird & Magic committed to the Bulls, Celtics and the Lakers (I’m such a sports buff). I second those who say the Cavs are not comparable.

  • Mark

    Thats the thing isn’t it? Everything about him says he really is this good so injuries are what he will be up against. I tried to remember the last young pitcher that was this electric. The 1st two I thought of were Prior and Woods. Remember Woods 3rd start? 1 hit and struck out 20. Maybe the best pitched game in 20 years. But his and Prior’s arms just couldn’t hold up. That’s why we should appreciate what Strasburg can do now, while he can still do it.

  • http://www.waitingfornextyear.com DP

    Yeah Kerry Wood literally had Tommy John surgery the spring after his rookie year.

  • http://www.mattyfos.blogspot.com MattyFos

    DP, I thought he figuratively had Tommy John surgery… I have been misinformed

  • http://www.waitingfornextyear.com DP

    Should have moved “literally” to right before “the spring after his rookie year”. Or removed it entirely.

  • The Bambino

    Was lucky enough to see Strasburg last AAA start here in Buffalo, and will be in Cleveland this weekend. Guess I’m heading to the Jake on Sunday.

  • Matt#2

    Figurative Tommy John Surgery is when your power forward replaces your injured center. Hmm.