Cleveland Sports Forum

Buster Olney

Here's another factor:How much does Thome want to play? If Hafner is hurt, Thome could be regular for CLE. For NL teams, just a pinch-hitter

20 minutes ago

Buster Olney
Indians already have plans for an event honoring Thome for his 600th homer. Now, with the extensive Hafner injury, they could use him.

4 minutes ago

Buster_ESPN Buster Olney
For what it's worth: Indians' organization relationship with Thome is still good, so that would not appear to be an impediment.

6 minutes ago

Could it be? Thome coming home?

Twins designated hitter Jim Thome -- who recently joined an elite group of sluggers by hitting his 600th career home run -- has been placed on waivers (Ken Rosenthal via Twitter). So it's possible he could be traded within the next week.

Yes, there was a trade deadline back on July 31, but it's a non-waiver deadline. In the month of August, players who clear waivers can be traded. Also, players could be claimed via the waivers process and then traded to the team that claimed them.

Rosenthal reports that the Phillies want him Thome, but seeing as how they have the best record in baseball -- and, thus, the last shot at him in the waivers process -- it's very doubtful he makes it to them. What about a return to Cleveland for Thome? With Travis Hafner going on the disabled list Monday, it's possible the Tribe ends up with an opening at DH. Going back to Cleveland, where Thome spent the first 12 years of his career, would be a nice story and give the Indians an obvious offensive upgrade. Thome has an .868 OPS with 12 home runs this season in just 230 plate appearances.

The Yankees could also be interested in an upgrade at DH, while the Giants and Braves would certainly benefit from some punch off the bench.

The Indians are expected to promote right-hander Zach McAllister to start the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Mariners.
The Indians haven't made an official roster move, but he has a locker set up in the clubhouse. The 23-year-old McAllister gave up three runs (two earned) over four innings in a spot start with the Indians back on July 7 and has a 3.37 ERA and 112/28 K/BB ratio over 23 starts with Triple-A Columbus this season.

Source: Jordan Bastian on Twitter Aug 22, 5:49 PM

Talk about revolting developments.....Kind of a lost weekend-plus. My worst fear was a Tiger sweep.

Our Ace was not Ace-like in a pair of critical situations. I think that just about says it all. We needed a pair of wins from Jimenez in his last two starts and it just wasn't in the cards. Too bad the opponants just happened to be the White Sox and the Tigers, the teams we traded for Jimenez to beat. It's not like these were pitching duels. Jimenez got rocked both times.

My drop dead date is normally 6 games behind at the All star break. We put up the good fight. The situation looks kind of ominous right now. There's no doubt about it. The Indians are in a position where they have to win every series from now to the end. With six games left versus the Tigers, a pair of sweep looks like must right now.

Facts are Facts folks.

Fact: JoeZ Joined: Thu Aug 18, 2011 6:19 pm

Fact: Indians record since Thu Aug 18 is 1-5...soon to be 1-6.

COINCIDENCE?

Cannot be a coincidence, obvious cause and effect relationship. But we love you anyway, Joe, despite the black cloud over your head.

I dare you to spell his last name correctly ... no looking it up!

You could be on to something Baron. Maybe that black cloud has not lifted.

Man you better get it close or even google can't help you find it!

So many twists and turns in a season. I'm hoping that this lost weekend was not a turning point to the negative side of the ledger but that the walk-off by Choo in the 9th will be a turning point to the positive side.

Nice day for Fukudome! Too bad Valbuena isn't providing the spark I was hoping he would.

Allways liked Delmon Young. I see where he cleared waivers. Just wondering if we put a claim in for him?!?!

Joe, we know you're back when we read a post about the Spark Expected from Valbuena, the Winter Ball Star.

Actually, it is kind of surprising that NO ONE (chisox or Tribe) put in a claim on him to block Delmon Young, also that the TWINS (same division) gave him up for some guy named Cole Nelson?

Unfortunately Civ, Valbuena wasn't a very good winterball player either.

However, Asdrubal, after a slow start, lit up the Venezuelan winterball league this past season as he was trying to add extra innings to his year's totals after going on the DL for half the season.

Lara traded Asdrubal to Caracas. At Lara, Valbuena and Asdrubal made up their keystone combination. I'm beginning to think that the trade was instigated by the front office at Cleveland to get Asdrubal as far away from Luis as was possible to keep from picking up any bad habits. Looks like its working. {:>)--