Author's Blog

There have not been any blockbuster deals yet, but they are sure to come. I am waiting to see where pitchers Cole Hamels and Johnny Cueto wind up. Certainly the Kansas City Royals could use some pitching help for the post season. The Tigers need a pitcher as well, but the question is will they spend the big money in hopes of a wild card spot?

The big money teams will be looking hard to improve. It is decision time for clubs like Houston and Minnesota if they are going to hold or attempt to land a big time player. The Indians have few players to offer and I would be quite surprised if they were willing to spend money to get a right-handed bat in the lineup.

At this point in the season the Cardinals remain the team to beat. I would not be stunned to see another Kansas City - St. Louis World Series. The Dodgers might have something to say about that, but unless some team other team gets super hot there might not be much drama left to the season.

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While we enjoy the Home Run Derby and the All Star Game, it is time to think about the Indians chances for a wild card. Currently they have a record of 42-46 with 74 games left to play. I believe if they can go 44-30 in the second half the Tribe will get in the playoffs. That won't be easy. But with Corey Kluber racking up some wins and some better hitting it might be possible.

One big question for the remainder of the season is whether Jason Kipnis can keep playing at the same level. If he begins to tail off it could be a long second half. It is now or never time for Carlos Santana to step it up.

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As the trading deadline approaches the question remains whether or not the Indians should be buyers or sellers? They are nine games out of first place. It is up to the front office to decide on the right course of action.

The team does not have much they can sell. I would guess Carlos Santana is available but what could they get for him? Probably David Murphy and Ryan Raburn could be dealt but again what value do they have? I don't think the Tribe is going to mess with any prospects like Zimmer, Bradley or Frazier.

It is not likely the Indians will be buyers. They got burned with the high contracts of Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher. It would be a surprise if they paid top dollar for another big name.

So where does that leave them? Probably just where they are. I don't think much is going to happen between now and July 31st.

July has been quite a home run month. J.D. Martinez is having an awesome few weeks, hitting homers just about everyday. Chris Davis is starting to get back in the form he had in 2013. The home run race in the American League should be a good one.

Don't forget to enter my contest and win a free book. All you have to do is go to my home page and click the link. There are no strings attached. Good Luck!

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Thanks to the effort of my good friend and webmaster, we are now sponsoring a giveaway at Amazon Books. You can go to my giveaway page and enter. There is no obligation and you can win a copy of The Best They Could Be.

Just go to my home page for the link. You have to highlight the link and right click. Choose "copy to" and that should get you there. You do have to have an account with Amazon.

The giveaway lasts to July 7th or until the books are gone. Good Luck!

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The Indians really dug themselves a hole losing three straight to the Baltimore Orioles. It was bad enough to lose but getting shut out in both ends of a doubleheader was painful to watch. They are now twelve games out of first place with the season rapidly fading away.

There is not much they can do before the trading deadline. How do you move players that are hitting around .200? They can't afford to trade any of the pitching as that is the only thing of value they have outside of trading Lindor or Kipnis which won't happen.

It is All-Star time and the only Indian to make the team will be Kipnis. This year has very slim pickings and that includes the current Cy Young award winner Corey Kluber.

I am paying a lot of attention to the American League Central. No less than four teams have a god shot to win it. The Orioles have climbed to first place with the Rays and look to be the hottest team now. Toronto might out homer everyone to win, but they still need pitching. The old guys on the Yankees are making things interesting. To be continued.

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