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.
“Right now the biggest decision the Indians may have on their hands is what to do with Cabrera. Both sides have already made it known publicly that they would like to get a long term deal done, but the longer they go without a deal the less likely it becomes since with each passing day free agency gets closer and closer. If a long term deal is not struck sometime before or just after the All Star break this year, Cabrera may be inclined – assuming he is playing well – to just take another one year deal in arbitration next spring and then test the free agent waters after the season.
There is no doubt that Cabrera is in the driver’s seat in the negotiations process right now since he is coming off of an All Star season last year where he hit .273 with 25 homers, 92 RBI and .792 OPS in 151 games. Because of that the Indians are probably best served to let this season play out some before taking things another step further. With 2011 more in the rearview mirror and his performance the first few months of this season in focus, it will either solidify his 2011 campaign or raise some doubts about his consistency.” [Lastoria/Indians Prospect Insider]
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“As much as Slowey wants to induce grounders at a higher rate, though, there is the old saying of, “He is what he is.” Even if you toss out last year’s injury-hindered season, Slowey’s career grounder-to-flyball ratio is just 0.48. Batters put the ball in play 73 percent of the time over that span. So, Slowey is going to give up his hits. And, a good chunk of the fly balls will turn into homers (18 on average each year from ’07-10). Slowey is a lot like Josh Tomlin in that way, though. As long as he limits the traffic by keeping the walks to a minimum, a team can live with a few solo homers and stranded baserunners. More grounders would certainly help Slowey’s cause. [Bastian/MLB.com]
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I tweeted something similar on Friday night. Watch the Vikings start leaking interest in Blackmon. “The dilemma for the Vikings will be to determine how far they’re willing to fall, if they hope to emerge with USC left tackle Matt Kalil. In the end, the Vikings could simply try to coerce the Browns (if they want Blackmon) into flip-flopping the third and fourth picks. That way, the Vikings would still be sure to get Kalil at No. 4, the guy whom they most likely would take if they sit tight at No. 3.” [Florio/Pro Football Talk]
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“Sullinger admitted a few weeks ago that he was distracted by outside criticism of his play and affected by the way games were being officiated. His body language was especially bad in an early February home loss to Michigan State, a game in which he was charged with 10 turnovers as a quick defense used multiple defenders to beat him to spots and Sullingers teammates offered little help in the way of making outside shots.
Going all the way back to a couple of minor injuries that forced him to miss some time in December, the usually ultra-consistent Sullinger was hit and miss for much of the season. He’s locked in now, and with the way Deshaun Thomas has played over the last several weeks the Buckeyes have a post game that only a few other teams in the NCAA Tournament field can match.” [Jackson/FSO]
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Round 2 of the Cleveland Magazine bracket is under way — Vote early, vote often! [Cleveland Mag]
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Finally, the Cavaliers had 19 wins last season. Just Sayin. [ESPN]
