While We’re Waiting… Tomlin struggling, looking for wings and the next Browns’ extension?

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.

Paul is looking for answers in the line-up and in the rotation– “As a quick aside here, despite going 6 innings for the Tribe yesterday, the Lil’ Cowboy now has a 5.85 ERA on the season and, dating back to June 1st of last year, has a 5.49 ERA in his last 29 starts spanning 172 IP. In that timeframe since last year, he’s given up more earned runs (105) than notched strikeouts (99) and while that may be a function of the way that Tomlin operates as a pitcher, the fact that he’s closing in on a 6.00 ERA on the year as we enter July means that he may not be too far removed from a Jeanmarian demotion. In Columbus, Corey Kluber (acquired for Westbrook a couple of years ago) has started to hit a groove as he’s posted a 2.28 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 35 K and 11 BB in the 39 1/3 IP since the end of May, covering his last 6 starts. Maybe Kluber is no upgrade over Tomlin at this point (although McAllister looks like an improvement – even if it doesn’t last – over what Gomez was doing), but the Indians need to find the right combination of starters to stick around in this AL Central as long as possible…even if it means finding an external addition. With Masterson and Ubaldo both hitting their strides and Lowe falling off of a cliff, any improvement – even an incremental one in the rotation – should be explored.” [Cousineau/The DiaTribe]

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Searching for roster fits at reasonable prices– “Derrick Brown is a restricted free agent that turns twenty-five next season. Defending big shooting guards and small forwards poses issues for Cleveland, as Alonzo Gee’s height matches up poorly with say…Joe Johnson. With career NBA average of 13 points per 36 minutes, on exceedingly-acceptable 55.4% true shooting, Brown serves as a great value pick-up to add size & athleticism. Nearly 6’ – 9” with a huge wingspan; last year he held opponents to a 12.1 PER, while playing over half his minutes at small forward. In addition to coming from Dayton, I like this fit with the current team and would overpay in the short-term (easy for me to say). For two years, what amount makes Brown decide to come home to Ohio, and forces Charlotte to not match? I’ll say 2 years at $3 million per season. For a player that always made league-minimum and is currently wearing that “worst-team-ever-stink”; hopefully that gets signatures on paper.” [Hetrick/Cavs the Blog]

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Breaking down the QBs– “The main asset that Weeden brings to the table is his arm strength. He might not have the strongest arm in the league, but fans won’t be having to question whether he has what it takes to make certain throws. The downside to that is that the confidence he has in his arm can lead to some mistakes (i.e. trying to fit a ball into a tight window). The thing I like about that is that he will at least be giving his receivers a chance to make a play on the ball down the field. He might not be the most mobile guy when it comes to taking off down the field, but Cleveland patched the right side of their offensive line in the second round with Mitchell Schwartz, and they have four other starters returning to the left of him. Hopefully that gives Weeden all the pass protection he needs.” [Pokorny/Dawgs by Nature]

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Next on the Browns list of extended contracts? -“Alex Mack, Browns, C, $2 million: Another stalwart going deeper into his rookie deal, Mack has been an anchor for the offensive line and someone at the heart of what the Browns try to do in the run game and with pass protection. He gets overlooked some because of the team’s overall offensive deficiencies, but just as the Browns took care of left tackle Joe Thomas a year ago, so too will Mack be in line for a new deal soon enough.

Mack ranks only 21st in the NFL in average salary for centers (Maurkice Pouncey is right in this area as well, and he’s about a year behind Mack in the about-to-get-paid line), and with salaries for interior linemen shooting up big time since Mack entered the league, there is money to be made here. With another new quarterback-of-the-future under center in rookie Brandon Weeden, all the better to secure that QB/C combo for years to come.” [LaCanfora/CBS Sports]

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An ad for LeBron championship gear on Cavs.com? [Cleveland SPorts Torture]