and Indians are above average in everything that counts: hitting, power, speed, starting pitching, relief pitching, defense. Well constructed team with some surprising overachievers [Ramirez, Naquin, even Napoli and Davis are more valuable than we could have anticipated]

Jim Donovan says that the Indians magic number is now 33.

there are usually another rash of waiver deals before the end of August. Anyone been reading any rumors?

Salazar's struggles pose a postseason threat: we need 4 starters, perhaps we can skip over the 4th from time to time, but need someone who can pitch 5 or 6 reasonably decent innings. Danny has 30 days to work it out. Thankfully we have a good enough lead in the Central that we can afford some more miserable appearances by Salazar as he "rehabs".

On this date in 1973, John Adams brought his drum to Municipal Stadium for the first time.

Here's an article from a few years ago:
http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ss ... _john.html

Indians head-to-head this year:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/games ... mit=Submit

I'll go back to the post-season roster issue that seems to consume me.

Anyone on the 40-man roster can be assigned to the active roster at the start of each round of the playoffs. Erik Gonzalez or Ryan Merritt is just as eligible as is Corey Kluber or Francisco Lindor.

If after Sept 1 anyone on the 40-man roster becomes disabled or is suspended he can be replaced on a playoff roster with anyone under contract to the team if assigned to any of our minor league teams.
[Question, to which I don't know the answer: since Almonte is not now under suspension, but will be for the playoffs does this apply to his roster spot?]

The Indians now have 39 on the 40-man roster. There is no good reason not to add someone to the 40-man roster before Sept 1 so he can be eligible for postseason play. That player does not have to added to the active 25-man roster. If he is added to the 40 man but not the 25 man roster, he must be immediately optioned to any one of our minor league teams. This uses up one of his 3 career options. He can be recalled to the major league immediately after the end of his minor league team's season. The Arizona Rookie League season plus the potential 3 game playoffs ends Sept 3. Our team will qualify for the playoffs based on winning the first half in their division.

The Indians have at least 1 player on their 40 man roster [Colin Cowgill] who I cannot imagine they would possibly want for the postseason and who they would shed no tears if he's picked up by some other team, since he'll be DFAd post season in any case. So we should logically assume that are at least 2 roster spots that should be filled immediately or before midnight August 31

They would be smart to located some catcher somewhere who can be added to the roster, even if it's Adam Moore who's been on Columbus all year.
They would be stupid not to add Yandy Diaz.
They could conceivably add Brad Zimmer as a LH bat who can pinch run, or even Greg Allen as a defensive replacement who can pinch run.

Head-to-head ... Not doing so well against the teams most likely to be seen in the playoffs.

Indians still can finish with 90 wins if they play .500 ball from here on out (currently .569)

To reach 90 games, the Tigers need to go 20-11, or a .645 pace, (currently .534)

To reach 90 games, the Royals need to go 21-10, or a .678 pace, (currently .527)

I should mention that in 2013, The Indians played some of their best baseball of the season in September, going 21-6 in the month, including a 10-game winning streak to close the season.

Indians play the Tigers 7 times in September, and the Royals 6 times.
Tigers play the Royals 6 times, and one team has to lose each of those games.

VT'er wrote:Head-to-head ... Not doing so well against the teams most likely to be seen in the playoffs.

This worries me too. That's why I posted it. "They" say that the playoffs are a whole different ballgame, though. We shall see.

Multiple reports that Indians are talking to A's about Coco Crisp. That should make all the difference.

He'd replace Almonte. That's useful. Hope the price is cash only, or Josh Tomlin.

Don't want to get JoeZ all excited but a mystery team put in a claim for Puig? Dodgers looking to work out a deal.

Underwood says on broadcast that Jim Morosi has source that says Indians are close to deal to bring Crisp to Cleveland.

They must feel confidant if their TV guys are talking about it on air.

Civ, I hate to keep beating a dead horse but I'd prefer to see Yandy up here. But oh well, Coco's batting average will fit right in with this team.

.

AP Source: Indians, Athletics agree to trade Coco Crisp

AP 7:48 p.m. EDT August 30, 2016

CLEVELAND (AP) — A person familiar with the trade says the Cleveland Indians are nearing a deal to acquire outfielder Coco Crisp from the Oakland Athletics.

The exchange has been agreed to by both teams, said the person who spoke Tuesday night to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade has to be approved by Major League Baseball.

The trade would have to be official by Wednesday for Crisp to be eligible for the postseason. The Indians entered Tuesday leading the AL Central by 4 1/2 games.

Cleveland has a need for outfield depth because left fielder Michael Brantley is out for the season following surgery and Abraham Almonte is ineligible for the playoffs following a PED suspension.

The 36-year-old Crisp is batting .234 with 11 homers and 47 RBIs in 102 games this season. He previously played in Cleveland from 2002-05.