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.
Targeting Gabby- “Gaby Sanchez: This is one to keep an eye on. The Marlins are supposedly making a strong run at free agent first baseman Albert Pujols. If they end up signing him there is some thought that incumbent first baseman Gabby Sanchez could possibly become available in a trade. If so, there is sure to be a lot of interest from several teams and the Indians will surely inquire into how available he is and what it would cost to acquire him. Of all the first basemen available in free agency and trade not named Pujols and Fielder he is probably the best fit for the Indians that would satisfy both the fans and front office need for a productive bat at first base. He is only 28-years old, hits right-handed, is under control for four more seasons, is still in his pre-arbitration years as a minimum salary player, and is solid (not great) player. What is not to like? The feeling in the industry is he may be able to be had for a Major League caliber starter and reliever, two things the Indians have a lot of right now. Stay tuned on this one.” [Tony/Indians Prospect Insider]
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Let the second and third guessing continue- “While I agree about taking the timeouts, this is not the defense you try to move the ball against in one minute heading into half time. You are just asking for a disaster, and it seemed to set a bad habit in the second half of continuing to pass the ball because we were down by two possessions. The real reason for taking the timeouts should have been that if the Ravens made the field goal and the Browns received the kickoff, you see if you can bust one loose there. If there is still time left on the clock, you run the typical draw play to see if it breaks loose. Maybe you can set up a Hail Mary or pass interference call before the half. Against the Ravens’ defense, you don’t throw the ball to the sideline on routes the defenders basically admitted prior to the game that they’d be sitting on.” [Pokorny/Dawgs by Nature]
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If you’ve liked Jon’s analysis on the Tribe and the new CBA, here’s a different take- “The second change that I’m in favor of is increasing the use of instant replay to fair/foul and trapped/caught balls in the outfield. The goal is to get the call right, and hopefully this will save baseball the potential of further embarrassment by the on-field performance of an umpire. Ball/strike and safe/out calls are still not reviewable.e year they are drafted, rather than having to wait until the following season. This means they will develop a little quicker, and really means that we’ll get to see them play sooner, which is my major reason to like the change. The mid-August date always seemed arbitrary and pointless, so might as well have an arbitrary date earlier in the process. To throw a bone to the small market clubs out there, baseball has instituted a “competitive balance lottery.” Basically, it’s welfare.” [Al/The DiaTribe]
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“Still, Thompson didn’t appear to be nervous after a workout at the team’s practice facility Monday. The workout also included Casspi, Samardo Samuels and Luke Harangody. “I’m gonna come in and give it all I got,” Thompson said. “I’ll do what I do well, and if coach (Byron) Scott puts me in the rotation, I’ll be glad.” Thompson is 20, 6-foot-8 and around 235 pounds. The Cavs fell in love with his athleticism near the basket and 7-2 wingspan — and while he was projected to be drafted anywhere from sixth to 10th, many in the organization feel they got a steal. “We actually had him ranked much higher than fourth,” Cavs GM Chris Grant said after the draft. But again, the Cavs sort of stood alone in that assessment. Not that any of it matters to Thompson.” [Amico/FSO]
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For continuing coverage of the winter meetings, keeping checking in with Jordan Bastian.
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Finally, comparing the current state of Cleveland sports to classic literature. [Buckeye Nerd]
