Mark Mulder a Step Closer to Cleveland?

Before I get to Mulder, there is a bunch of other Tribe news to report.

• Let's get started with an interesting article on Minor League Ball, in which John Sickels ranks Cleveland's prospects. It's an interesting take on where some of their players stack up, with Adam Miller, of course, right at the top. The rest of the list isn't necesarily how I would rank the Tribe's minors, but what the hell do I know. Take a look for yourself, and Sickels does offer us all up a chance to change his mind.



• It looks like Cleveland may be able to move to Arizona afterall. The Tribe's official site is claiming that Arizona is prepared to come up with enough money to take both LA and the Tribe in both Glendale and Goodyear respectively. As a baseball fan, this is a good thing in a sense that the old bastards in Winter Springs treat the Tribe like a daylong prostate examination. As a Tribe fan, this sucks for be, because it's easier for me to get to Florida. I've been secretly hoping that it would fall through. Such is life.



• If you scroll down, in the same article, there's more talk on Mark Mulder. As I said early last week, and again on Sunday, Cleveland is becoming a more prominent player in the Mulder game every day. If you really don't remember or know much about Mulder, let me fill in the holes for you. Mulder's rookie year was 2000, and he went 9-10. Then followed with seasons of 21-8, 19-7, 15-9, 17-8 and 16-8. Last year was marred by the cuff injury, which effected his velocity, and allowed him to pitch only for half the season. Overall, Mulder is 103 and 57, with a 4.11 ERA. The issues with Mulder are many, but the risks are good. If his surgery is successful, he could be back by June, strength up by September, and ready for a full season next year. If he doesn't recover, well, Mulder is believed to be looking only for a 2 year deal. As the Diatribe noted, it would give Cleveland 4 lefties if he comes back healthy in Sowers, CC, Mulder and Cliff Lee. As the DOJO noted, it would seemingly give the Tribe some trade power at just the right time. But lets face facts here. Even if Mulder comes back in June, recovery from this surgery generally takes 2 years. I don't think Mulder will open up the potential for a deal period. If it does, the Diatribe makes a good case to get rid of Cliff Lee. Yes, that would be the CORRECT thing to do. Problem though is that I don't think Cleveland will be able to sign Westbrook. He would be the logical deal, or Paul Byrd...or both. Of course, that would leave 4 lefties as starters. I don't see a deal this year though, that is BECAUSE of a potential Mulder signing. I just don't see him being effective until September at the earliest. To me, signing Mulder gives Cleveland a 1-year window NEXT year to either long term Mulder, or find another after Westbrook leaves. Whatever the future holds in this move, at least it gives us something to talk about.



• If you haven't checked out THE DIATRIBE, they have a clearer view on the Gagne dealings. It looks like it was just the weather, and that the offers were nearly identical. Ah well, maybe Gagne is another Rocker.
  

You know, when it's all said and done, at least it's been an interesting off season.