EvilJester99

There's no hurry-up offense in baseball, but that's how the Indians are approaching the free-agent market this off-season. They met with right-hander Matt Clement on Tuesday for several hours at Jacobs Field after signing closer Bob Wickman and meeting with Jon Lieber, another free agent right-handed starter, last week. What the Indians want to do is score early. They'd like to sign Clement in the near future, while the big-market clubs are distracted with the likes of Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson and Carl Pavano. "I think it's important for us to try and be aggressive and get the best option we can afford in our market," manager Eric Wedge said. "It's only to our advantage to be aggressive." If the Indians don't get something done in the next couple of weeks, they know it will be harder to compete with big-market clubs should those teams not get the front-line pitchers they want. Clement, Lieber, Brad Radke and Eric Milton are at the top of the Tribe's free-agent wish list. They made an offer to Lieber last week, but it had a expiration date. General Manager Mark Shapiro does not want his offers shopped to other teams. Wedge wouldn't say if the Indians made Clement an offer Tuesday, but agent Barry Axelrod, speaking Monday, expected one to be made. It would have a deadline as well. "Right now, our focus is on Matt Clement," Wedge said. The three-year, $22 million deal the Mets gave Kris Benson last week defined a portion of the landscape for free-agent starters. While the Indians like Lieber, it's believed they prefer Clement because he's younger and throws harder. Along those lines, it's believed the Indians would give Clement a three-year deal where they might not make such a commitment to Lieber. The Yankees, who did not pick up Lieber's $8 million option for 2005, have made him a two-year, $12 million offer. Rex Gary, Lieber's agent, says he expects to keep talking to the Indians. "We've talked seriously with the Indians, and you can read into that what you want and you wouldn't be wrong," Gary said. Texas, besides the Yankees, is one of several clubs interested in Lieber. Shapiro said that just because an expiration date on one of his offers expires, it does not mean negotiations are over. Clement (9-13, 3.68 ERA) made $6 million last year. He's 30 and has spent six years in the big leagues with a 69-75 career record. He has done all his pitching in the National League, spending two seasons in San Diego, one in Florida and the last three with the Cubs. Wedge called Clement a dependable starter "with great stuff, a great arm who has pitched in a championship atmosphere late in the season and in the postseason." Until Shapiro signs a starter, it's unlikely he'll turn his attention to second baseman Ronnie Belliard. How much he spends on a starter will determine Belliard's fate in Cleveland. Belliard is eligible for arbitration and may cost too much. Meanwhile, Belliard is being shopped. Houston, St. Louis and the Cubs are looking for a second baseman. The Indians may have a hard time trading Belliard because he could be a free agent Dec. 20 if he's not offered a contract. But a source said the Indians would not be opposed to tendering Belliard a contract, going to arbitration with him and trading him sometime next season. Link: http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/plaindealer...97119210291.xml

That is certainly too bad. I like Wunsch. I think he will certainly find work as long as he is healthy. Best of Luck to him!!

I swear if the Sox even bring that POS back to the southside someone needs to be fired. Highly unlikely of course they bring him back .

I pay $60 unlimited everything from AT&T/Cingular....

Didn't he also beat the US stars when they played recently?

Happy BDay!!

I'm not sure it really matters any more. So many of the car makers are using parts from Japan, Korea, Mexico and the USA. Seems everyone is getting a piece no matter which vehicle you buy now. I personally have a Ford Explorer and a Hyundai Santa Fe.

Boras would love you as a GM...

Sounds like the chicy has a serious self esteem issue if she has to keep pointing out how "important" she is or thinks she is anyway. She is a good looking woman but shes not that good looking...sheesh Chic needs to get a serious grip.

Anyone that puts those 2 bums in their places is alright in my book.

"Why on earth he was heating a lava lamp on the stove, we don't know," That is exactly what I was wonder....

At first I thought they grabbed a video of Ron Jeremy or something hehe

I don't know for sure KW would give Anderson but I am simply going off the report. Given its mostly speculation but if he did add Anderson for RJ it would seem odd due to the reason I gave prior. Knowing that Gammons had anything to do with any of the rumor, means it probably is BS anyway but who knows.

The thing I do find interesting is that didn't KW give up Jeremy Reed because he said Anderson is the perfect replacement for him and then KW wanted to trade Anderson for RJ....kinda odd me thinks.

I got a funny feeling once this RJ deal goes through there will be a lot more deals going on. It seems like everyone is waiting for RJ and the Yanks to do something b4 others really move....except the A's. Just a hunch.

Maybe the Sox can get Vazquez for a lot less from Ari. unlikely though the Sox get any relief on Vazquez' money this way.

Can't be worse than the other clowns they put out there...

Wasn't all that after the fact of the Sox trying to get rid of Maggs? Not that I am defending him, I think he is a total liar as well but same premise I believe with Maggs and Nomar...but yet Nomar gets the rap as a bad guy and Maggs skates on it.

Could that work for Maggs as well?

Yeah if I would have read the whole friggin thing I would have seen that part. hehe Hell they are making a killing off some stupid gimmick like that.

Its amazing considering there was a ton of talk about how SD wanted to get rid of Brees and now look at him. SD is certainly one of the biggest surprise teams this season. Congrats to SD fans...wish the Bears were as fortunate lol

$6 million... hell with that, I wouldn't take a pay cut after all "I have a family to feed"...

I found this on Rototimes.com Sep. 24 Dr. Lewis Yocum recommended that Wade Miller (P) Hou rest his ailing right shoulder for 6-8 weeks, according to the Houston Chronicle. "I don't think any of us know where we're headed, and we've just got to treat the symptoms," GM Gerry Hunsicker said of Miller's frayed rotator cuff.

Didn't Miller miss most of last season with a shoulder injury?? If so they need to seriously look at it. If he is healed fine then why not. The guy can pitch.

They were probably trying to keep you off Soxtalk..