No way he lives up to that contract.  Some team is going to get screwed with that hot potato.

Not that the Tribe was going to get him in a million years, but Pujols is going to the Angels for 10 years at 250-260 million.

 

What a selfish piece of sh!t. Not much better than LBJ.

 

 

He's not a selfish piece of sh!t.  He is basically doing what the Union practically forces him to do.  Do you realize how many future contracts over the winter depended on what AP did?

 

As Thome said when leaving Cleveland for Philly in 2002, " I am between a rock and a hardplace".  These guys don't want to do this crap.  They are forced to do it. 

^Yup pretty much spot on.  Agents want their share as well. 

Oh that's completely ridiculous. 

 

The player's union isn't the Teamsters, and all this overblown conjecture that they force players to accept the highest paid contracts is just silly.

 

And in that Thome quote, he was referring to his wife who wanted to leave Barrington/Cleveland, not the union.

Oh that's completely ridiculous. 

 

And you know it's ridiculous based on what? 

It's business.  Nothing more. Nothing less.  It's not about winning, the fans, or any other BS fairytale stuff you want to believe. 

Certainly they would be under pressure to sign, but a real man would stand up and say "I'm staying home for less, the fans have been good to me!"

 

I agree, its ridiculous.  It was ridiculous when Thome left, and it still is today.

I'm supposed to disprove a negative here? Well, I'll do my best.

 

1. Common sense. There isn't a smoky room where the player's union heads are Dr. Claw and Sonny Carleone planning the next move. How do you think the conversation goes? Some Jimmy Hoffa-wannabee calls Pujols and tells him who he's to sign with, or else.

2. Inconsistency. Players have taken less money from one team than others for various reasons, and I still haven't heard about their cars blowing up or knees being broken.

3. Lack of anecodes. If Canseco is going to talk about steroids, then someone - ball player, a ex-union guy, some executive - by now would have brought it up openly and clearly.

4. Lack of media coverage. If this were a legit truth, even a half truth, you can bet various media outlets would be all over the story. It would be epic, not some urban legend floating around. How come ESPN never talkes about this? The PD? The National Enquire doesn't even touch it.

5. With all the Congressional focus on steroids on baseball, you'd think that something tangentially related like these unions essentially manipulating the game would have been discussed. In a legit forum.

6. Easy scapegoat. By pretending the union prevents players from signing with teams, then players now have a boogyman to blame when they betray their hometeams. Think CC.

 

I don't know what else to tell you.

 

There's pressure from the union and sports agents to sign the largest possible contract available.  I don't know what else to tell you. Have you ever discussed this with a professional athlete or an agent? Or are you basing your theory on what you think you know? 

http://aol.sportingnews.com/mlb/feed/2011-01/albert-pujols/story/tony-larussa-calls-out-players-union-regarding-albert-pujols-contract-talks

You and I are just disagreeing on the amount of pressure; obviously the union and agents want a high cut, but to scapegoat them as being the main reason why players choose one team or another is just silly. It's just a boogyman tactic players and fans use to justify the unending selfish behavior of our sports "heroes."

 

And no I have not yet discussed this with Albert. I'll let you know what he says when I do.

 

Edit:

 

So you would believe this part of the article: "Tony LaRussa called out the MLB Players Association on Tuesday, insinuating that the players’ union has been pressuring Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols into demanding a record-breaking contract."

 

And I would look at this: "La Russa said he had no direct evidence of union influence, but instead was making a guaranteed assumption...director Michael Weiner told Yahoo! Sports that the players’ association has “had no conversations with Albert or [his agent] Dan Lozano.”

 

Still at an impasse

 

 

 

I'm not against the players making all they can make, but I am against them not being tied to their teams longer than they currently are.  As a player gets into their prime, they are eligible to leave, ala Rameriz, Thome, Sabathia, Colon, etc.  If they aren't traded, then they are gone.  Figure out a way to pay them adequately so they don't always leave for the big market teams.

 

Actually, why can't they be considered as employees of Major League Baseball, and play where they are instructed?  I worked wherever P&G told me to work, it could have been anywhere in the country.

^ I think MLB would immediately run afoul of federal antitrust laws if they tried to do that, given there's no other professional baseball association.

 

Edit: This has been building in me for a while, regarding all professional sports, and it's just reaching its tipping point today with Pujols, but I'm fed up with all professional sports. Even the lowest paid professional athlete gets paid a significant sum of money to play a child's game for pay. I as a fan, am supposed to just chalk it all up to the 'business' of professional sports when a guy that I've emotionally invested in just ups and leaves. Well, I'm not going to hate the player, but I sure am starting to hate the game. I can't relate to these guys, I can't root for them, and given the state of professional sports, I'm supposed to accept that by being in a mid market team, I'm going to just have to accept that I'm going to have to root for a mediocre team unless in one magical year, when all the stars align, they go all the way (then disband the following year as bigger markets buy the players out).

 

I can't deal with it anymore. It's frustrating to be in the situation year in year out, and it's even more frustrating to listen to these guys saying how I don't understand the 'business' side of it. This is a distraction for me. Something I watch to take my mind off my day to day responsibilities. If all it's doing is giving me agita, then what am I watching it for.

 

I need to take a break from all professional sports for a while and focus on other things. Everybody tells me golf is relaxing...maybe I'll take that up.

I need to take a break from all professional sports for a while and focus on other things. Everybody tells me golf is relaxing...maybe I'll take that up.

 

Don't believe them.  I love golf, but it's anything but relaxing.  I don't know if there's a more frustrating sport, actually, especially for a beginner.

 

I can't deal with it anymore. It's frustrating to be in the situation year in year out, and it's even more frustrating to listen to these guys saying how I don't understand the 'business' side of it. This is a distraction for me. Something I watch to take my mind off my day to day responsibilities. If all it's doing is giving me agita, then what am I watching it for.

 

I agree.  That is why I don't care much to watch or attend professional sports anymore.  I don't even care for D1 college sports all that much.  I prefer to watch high school and D3 college sports, where the players work hard, but also enjoy what they do and play for the love of the game, not as a job.

Speaking of which, did you hear of the high school player who had his touchdown recalled by a ref for holding his arm up in the air as he ran for the endzone?  Good for them for trying to stop the showboating now, instead of having the pro players drop the ball BEFORE they get to the goal line!

 

Didn't he say he was pointing to god?

Speaking of which, did you hear of the high school player who had his touchdown recalled by a ref for holding his arm up in the air as he ran for the endzone?  Good for them for trying to stop the showboating now, instead of having the pro players drop the ball BEFORE they get to the goal line!

 

I saw that, and I think they went way overboard.  Have you seen the video?  All taunting needs to go and excessive celebrations along with it.  I don't think this was either, though.

Damnit, Twins signed Willingham to a 3 year. This off-season is just horrible for the Tribe.

I would rather have Cuddyer at $9mil a year than Willingham at $7mil a year.  Maybe the tribe will try to get Cuddyer or Jason Kubel (even though he's a lefty)?

My biggest problem with Pujols is that he didn't let the Cardinals trade him.  But overall, the Cardinals should be happy that they didn't end up paying what the Angles paid him (or anything close) because he won't be worth it in a few years--that's even assuming that the age on his birth certificate is correct, which is not a certainty.

I like how Pujols' wife is going crazy to the media the last few days

uch, so much for cuddyer

I'll refrain from commenting until the Tribe's Spring Training roster is set.  But as of now I'm quite frustrated with the lack of big moves this organization has made this offseason.

You and most everyone else.  The window feels a lot more precarious than it did at the end of the season..

Wow...

 

Definitely worth a read:

 

Fausto Carmona arrested in Dominican Republic for using false identity

 

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/19/report-fausto-carmona-arrested-in-dominican-republic-for-using-false-identity/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

I will take any excuse to void that loser's contract. Hopefully this gives us cause.

I just made thing no. 2 super mad (its payback for a comment he just made about me) He's Dominican and has worked for me since 13 years, I asked him to give me his birth certificate because now I'm not sure he is who he says/claims he is!  All I know is that Mr. Fussy Pants is a legal citizen of the US, since I was at his birth!

 

I swear these damn Dominicans can change their identity in a minute, they are better than double agents!!  the FBI/CIA should take notes.

---

 

http://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/index.ssf/2012/0/fausto_carmona_cleveland_india.html#incart_hbx

 

 

 

I will take any excuse to void that loser's contract. Hopefully this gives us cause.

 

They can if they want to (which I agree that they should).  He can't sign a contract as Fausto Carmona because legally he's not Fausto Carmona.  There's no reason the Indians should be paying a (at best) fourth starter $7.5 million a year.

Fielder now a Tiger while Acta is defending Fake Carmona. Wonderful

 

Tribe opening day one week away!  My most impatient time of the year. 

Sac bunt bottom of the 9th. Acta ball in full effect.

 

Oh and WTF was that Perez?

I did not think Perez would blow this. Oh well, with 16 innings at least we set a record for longest opening day game.

FU-CK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I did not think Perez would blow this. Oh well, with 16 innings at least we set a record for longest opening day game.

 

Yeah but we are the losing team that is part of the record, that's not worth it.

FU-CK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Well said...

I did not think Perez would blow this.

 

I did. As soon as he gave up the first run, I shut off the game. I hate him.

I don't understand Manny's move.  Either you stick with Justin or go with Vinny, who is solid and who wasn't coming off an injury like Perez.  Once again, we have a Punch 'N Judy hitting attack (thanks Astrubal for your patience in swinging at the 1st pitch w/ the bases loaded in the bottom of the 12th, and hitting into a DP)... And thanks, Antonetti, for not going out and getting a friggin' bat to help this Punch N' Judy squad (no, a REAL bat, not Casey Botchman)... Sports is supposed to be a diversion... These days, Cleveland sports is perversion.

i think offense is going to be a huge issue this year.  The entire preseason success banked on the production we've seen in the past from choo, cabrera and brantley....dont know if if its going to be there.

Upon reflecting on yesterday's slap to the face, I've gone from being furious at Acta to just apathetic about the whole thing. I can't really get too upset with the offense since they're trying the best they can (well, maybe).

And I'm not even pissed at Perez - it's not like I could do any better on the mound, and it's not his fault he sucks.

 

We lost because of terrible coaching decisions; everything else is secondary, and judging my Acta's press conference, he doesn't know dick. 

 

But at least Masterson was a stud. We have a real ace. Last year was not a fluke. And i'll take a loss, even one like this turd, in exchange.

 

But ultimately,  eh, I'm just feeling indifferent about the game.

Not so much a complaint about the Tribe itself, but Progressive Field:

 

If you're running out of most food/beverages and have half of the concession stands closed... don't come crying that the team doesn't make enough money to justify higher salaries. I swear, at the Saturday game half the stands on the lower deck were closed, and the lines stretched back to the fence in most cases. I would have loved to buy more food/beverages from you, but after waiting in line for 20+ minutes for ANY food and then waiting another 20+ minutes for a beverage... wonder why I'm not spending more money.

im so sick of the dolans complaining about he small market, when clearly they are making plenty of money (Forbes).  Detroit and Cincy both just dealt a ton of money to studs.  If you listen to Shapiro/Antonetti/Dibiasio on local radio stations they beat around the bush on questions, arent honest and blow smoke up our butts and i think that exactly what the dolans tell them to do.

Well

 

3 good starting pitching outings, two of which were pleasant surprises. It doesnt make up for the offensive problems...but it certainly makes things interesting

 

Well we finally got a win.

AP source: Indians agree to $1.25M deal with Damon

 

CLEVELAND (AP) The Cleveland Indians may have found a boost for their stagnant offense.

 

The team has reached agreement on a $1.25 million, one-year contract with free agent outfielder Johnny Damon, a person familiar with the deal said Thursday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Indians had not yet announced the agreement.

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/indians-near-deal-johnny-damon-151059535--mlb.html

Not an exactly awe-inspiring move, but he will bring some help to the lineup, almost to the extent that Abreu would have, but at a fraction of the price.

So I'm just casually checking out the MLB OPS (Onbase plus Slugging, my favorite stat out there) leaders for this year and felt like a small vent.  Notice 1 and 2, Willingham and Pena, two Free Agents that escaped the Tribe due to "financial restrictions", leading the pack.  Scroll down a bit to see 8 and 10, Cespedes and Beltran, another two missed Free Agent signings.  I don't get on the Dolans as much as some for not spending money (except on man-of-glass Sizemore and his band-aid, Johnny Damon) but this just made be scream..... COME ON!!!    :drunk:  And I'm done.

 

1 Josh Willingham MIN 22 5 9 1 0 4 7 0 0 1 5 .409 .458 1.000 1.458

2 Carlos Pena         TB 25 5 10 2 0 3 8 0 0 4 7 .400 .516 .840 1.356

3 Chris Young         ARI 22 4 8 3 0 3 7 0 0 2 4 .364 .440 .909 1.349

4 Ian Kinsler         TEX 27 9 10 3 1 3 6 1 2 4 2 .370 .452 .889 1.341

5 Omar Infante         MIA 25 7 9 3 1 3 4 0 0 1 1 .360 .385 .920 1.305

6 Alex Avila                 DET 22 6 8 1 1 2 6 1 0 3 5 .364 .440 .773 1.213

7 Miguel Cabrera         DET 24 7 8 1 0 3 9 0 0 6 3 .333 .452 .750 1.202

8 Yoenis Cespedes OAK 22 5 6 2 0 3 7 1 0 3 11 .273 .429 .773 1.201

9 Lance Berkman         STL 16 5 6 2 1 0 1 0 0 6 4 .375 .565 .625 1.190

10 Carlos Beltran         STL 27 6 10 0 0 3 4 1 1 4 7 .370 .452 .704 1.155

 

 

EDIT: I know it's early and it's a long season, but still.

^ Payroll is up by almost 20M this season. It's at a respectable level after several years of extreme budget baseball. I don't think it's being spent very effectively, though. I almost always open Cleveland sports seasons with optimism, but I'm very skeptical of the Indians this year. I was surprised to see a few people predicting them to win the division. I guess it's a weak field, so who knows? But I'd think with multiple offensive weapons and Verlander, the Tigers win it easily...

The ceiling for this team is competing for the second wild card IMO

EDIT: I know it's early and it's a long season, but still.

 

This.

 

Though I think Pena will be putting up big numbers all year and I really wish they would have landed him--he would have made a significant difference for the club.  Supposedly they did actually offer him more than the Rays did but he just wanted to play in Tampa.  Oh well...

^ Payroll is up by almost 20M this season.

 

If they keep drawing less than 10,000 people per game, expect worse "financial restrictions" next year.