Matt Underwood puts it in his ballsack as Indians lose

You are probably wondering why I’m talking about Matt Underwood and the word… “ball-sack”

It’s pretty simple actually.

If you watched the game tonight and were listening carefully to the explanation Underwood was giving about the incident happening with umpire Jim Joyce and Rafael Betancourt.

You would have heard this.

Matt Underwood: Joyce reluctantly took it from Shoppach and put it in his ball-sack.

Fittingly, Underwood just did a “Sponsored by Fruit of the Loom” spot as they returned from commercial.

Anyway…. I’m done making fun of Matty and his use very loose term of ballsack. We all make mistakes. In hindsight, I’m sure he wished he said something like “ball pocket” or “ball holster”.

Then again, “Ball Holster” isn’t much better is it?

ANYWAY.. Marty, Marty, WELCOME to the PARTY!

Andy Marte got it going last night, knocking in his first run of the year. About damn time if you ask me.. He then tried to hit his first home run of the year in the ninth of Joe Nathan. But the ball was literally inches away from clearing the wall. Still, 2-4 with a double and a RBI is not bad at all.

Aaron Laffey held the Twins to one hit and two runs until the 4th inning hit. Mauer would add a solo shot in the 5th and that would make it a 5 inning, 4 run night for Laffey. Not spectacular but not bad.

Bullpen would get the chance to hold it though. Mastny was the first guy to get a shot and he promptly shot himself in the foot.

The sixth inning would prove to be too much.

Grady Sizemore increased his league lead in Home Runs with another jack to give him 22 on the year and Carroll added a RBI double in the 7th.

Our ALL STAR STARTING Pitcher Cliff Lee tries to stop a sixth losing streak for the Indians against Glenn Perkins

[BOXSCORE]

Indians Sign Jeff Weaver

Oh boy..

Morgan Ensberg, Juan Rincon, Jorge Julio, and now Jeff Weaver.

All in all, the guys that the Indians have signed to minor league deals have had some good years in the Major Leagues.

The problem is..

Well Uh the HAD some good years.

Anyway.. In case you haven’t figured it out. The Indians signed Jeff Weaver (31) to a minor league deal.

Uh he’ll go to Buffalo. They have relievers starting for now. But apparantly this is for when C.C. is traded if Fausto hasn’t come back yet.

He won’t finish the year on the roster, if he even makes it.

Speaking of C.C. here are some more links on him..

Echoing what was said earlier about Shapiro not rebuilding. Hey look someone said something about Jake Westbrook… I wonder who that is.

Doug Melvin the Brewers GM is very open about their pursuit for C.C.

Morning Update: C.C. To Milwaukee Picking Up Steam

The most speculated team to get C.C. Sabathia so far is probably the Milwaukee Brewers. There have been plenty of rumors and speculation posted here, but nothing of the magnitude of what we’ve heard with Milwaukee.

There’s been so much talk that there are even prospects being named at this point. The prize is former Gator outfielder Matt LaPorta. LaPorta played first and some third for Florida, but Milwaukee has him as an outfielder. That would be the place he would play if he does indeed become a Cleveland Indian.

Another name mentioned in the first link is third baseman Taylor Green. Getting a third baseman or second baseman in a level like Single A would be ideal for me.

Dennis Nosco has a fine write up from the Cleveland fan in how the Indians could land a Colon-type package for C.C. You can’t disagree with his evidence. He also notes guys that the Indians should get in return if a trade with the Brewers comes to be.

If the Indians do get LaPorta in the deal, it is said that Alcides Escobar, a talented shortstop will not be apart of the deal.

That brings us to the Dodgers part of that link. Los Angeles doesn’t have the caliber prospect of Milwaukee, but we all know with guys like Loney, Kemp, Martin, Ethier, LaRoche and DeWitt coming up in the past few years, they certainly know how to grow them. They would have to give up three really good players, instead of say two great players that Milwaukee would.

Also from that first link. Mark Shapiro was naming names..

“Brian Slocum is out of options next year and we’ve got to find out about him,” said Shapiro. “We have to see more of Edward Mujica. At sometime Asdrubal Cabrera will be back up. We’ve got to figure out what Ryan Garko is going to be. We need to get Jeremy Sowers to improve.” (Plain Dealer)

There you go.

Also, an interesting quote from Shapiro.

“I’d like to think at some point an opportunity presents itself to give him regular at-bats,” said Shapiro. “If not, it will be tough to factor him for next year.” (Plain Dealer)

Wedge was on the same line saying there was too much going on right now and that they wanted to see how things shake out.

I think the writing is on the wall and Casey Blake is as good as gone before the deadline.

To make it aboslutely positively clear though.. This is no rebuilding thing. This is a setback and Shapiro and company are going to be ready to compete in 2009.

Minor League Update: Donnelly Debuts

Matt Whitney had a four RBI night as Akron defeated Binghamton on the the 4th of July. Bronson Sardinha went deep as did Nathan Panther fresh off the DL. Luis Perdomo blew the save however.

Kinston won as well behind Beau Mills and his 12th home run of the year. Nick Weglarz also went deep.

Mahoning Valley lost, but I had to pass by this information. The kid that picked up the save for Staten Island is probably someone you’ve heard of. Pat Venditte is that switch pitcher you might have seen on ESPN a few weeks ago.

A note that got past me yesterday.. Brendan Donnelly made his debut with the GCL Indians the other day. He only lasted two thirds of an inning and surrendered two runs off four hits. I really don’t see him ever making our big league team, especially since we are sellers at this point. Who knows what we do with him.

Buffalo has added another arm. The Indians signed Preston Larrison who was with the Tigers his entire career. He never has made it to the Major League team and has exercised some clause in his contract to make him a free agent.