Some Tribe problems are good problems. Andy Call, Canton Repository
Eric Wedge on Bob Wickman:
Although both he and Mark Shapiro have been alluding to being surprised about Wickman not retiring, this remark makes it fairly clear that the deal was made mostly as a favor to Wickman, although there were other things that the trade did, namely giving the team an opportunity to use the remaining two months to find an internal successor at closer. There's obviously some hurt feelings, though at this point I don't think the Indians are any worse off in replacing Wickman with Foulke and Borowski.
But the most important question Eric Wedge fielded during the team's press tour this winter was whether he would don a mustache this upcoming season:
That's certainly a relief.
Hey Hoynsie! Paul Hoynes, Cleveland Plain Dealer.
There's too many gems to give them all equal treatment, so I'm picking the "best" of the bunch.
Obviously taking the Trot Nixon signing justification to its logical conclusion. Or is it?
There are major differences between the two situations. Marte is a much better prospect than Choo has ever been. Note that I realize that prospects can fail. But if I had to wager money on who will have a better pro career, I'd place my bet on Marte without hesitation.
You also have to look as how Huff would fit into the club's needs. He doesn't do anything that Casey Blake couldn't do, and would be a major defensive downgrade over Marte. Plus there's a big difference between what Huff (3/$20M) and Nixon (1/$3M) received.