I am SUPER SUPER excited for this season!! I love our starting rotation and I absolutely LOVE our infield! I love the fact that whoever plays first base will be the oldest and I love our middle infield! Josh Barfield and Jhonny Peralta have looked pretty good thus far and it looks like Jhonny should have a much better year than last. Apparently, he couldn't see last season, but had Lasik Eye surgery over the winter and found some focus. And I love Andy Marte at third. My vote for first base would be Ryan Garko, but I guess we'll have to see how that plays out!
In other competition news...Joe Borowski was named closer after Keith Foulke announced his retirement the day pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training. It eliminated the excitement for the race for a closer, but it opened up an extra spot in the bullpen! Jason Davis, Fernando Cabrera, and Matt Miller are the favorites to win the final three spots in the bullpen. The race for utility infielder is between Hector Luna, Joe Inglett, Luis Rivas, and Mike Rouse, with Hector Luna being the leading candidate going into camp. However, Hector Luna has drawn criticism from Eric Wedge for not coming to camp at a desired weight and for making four errors in his first 6 exhibition games. Joe Inglett hasn't played in several days due to hamstring problems. Fausto Carmona or Adam Miller are expected to be the #1 starter in Buffalo. This decision could be important as Cliff Lee has a lower abdominal strain and is questionable for the start of the season.
I can't wait for the 2007 season! It was nice to get a lot of the young guys some experience last season, so they'll be ready to go for '07! I LOVE our starting rotation! CC Sabathia, Jake Westbrook, Cliff Lee, Jeremy Sowers, and Paul Byrd! I'm kind of sad b/c I've read that Ryan Garko could start the season on the bench or even in Buffalo! Hopefully, he'll blow up and have a super great spring and the Tribe will have no choice but to play him! And hopefully, Victor Martinez's toe is better and Jhonny Peralta will get over his sophomore slump!
I got a 10 game plan for the Akron Aeros for Christmas this year! I got an invitation for a Winter Warm-up Party for the Aeros and my dad and I went the other night! There were 12 players (Wyatt Toregas, Sean Smith, Reid Santos, Kyle Collins, Tom Mastny, Chuck Lofgren, Shawn Nottingham, Juan Lara, Aaron Laffey, Trevor Crowe, Asdrubal Cabrera, and Scott Lewis) in attendance and I got all of their autographs and my picture with each of them! They were all friendly, saying hi and asking me how I was! Juan Lara didn't smile in the picture, but oh well! Trevor Crowe was the most enthusiastic and friendly, but they were all real cool (and hot)! To see the pics, click here!