Happy Monday, everyone! Here's a few baseball links to get your week kickstarted:
Indians-related
Danny Salazar: the real deal - Jim Plascik at Indians Baseball Insider breaks down Salazar's captivating MLB debut season. While some regression should be expected, early career stats suggest that Salazar could turn into a workhorse pitcher capable of putting up elite numbers. Elsewhere on IBI, Jim Pete discusses the Tribe rotation and whether Salazar can slot in at the top. SSS warning for Salazar, as has always been the case, but boy is it hard to not be excited about his potential.
Ubaldo's options | It's Pronounced "Lajaway" (Adam Hintz) - Really nice writeup on Ubaldo's Jimenez' free agency options, with speculation on his likelihood of returning to the Tribe given each scenario. Doug Mittler at ESPN chips in with an Insiders-only piece about the possibility Ubaldo could stick around. The longer the Ubaldo situation drags on, the harder it is to write off the possibility that he re-signs. However, the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo says "a few GMs" he's talked to think Ubie is next in line to become a Jackass. We'd all have to chip in for tissues and ice cream to console Cols.
Is the Curse of Rocky Colavito still alive? | Did The Tribe Win Last Night? (Bob Toth) - Discussing The Rock's career and re-hashing all the heartbreak of Cleveland sports since he left. What better way to start your week?
LGFT are swimming in money | Wahoo's On First (Steve Kinsella) - A depressing compilation of the obscene contracts former Tribe stars have signed since leaving Cleveland. For the masochist in all of us.
Around the league
LGFT Valbuena to start at 3B for Cubs | MLB.com (Carrie Muskat) - Looks like our old friend Luis Valbuena is the top candidate to man the hot corner for the North Siders.
LGFT Donald to Royals | CBS Sports (Dayn Perry) - Jason Donald signs a minor league contract with the Royals. Competition in the AL Central keeps getting tougher while the Indians stand pat. [Lots of other good tidbit from Perry here, too]
Dodgers "very disappointed" in Puig | Fox Sports (AP) - Wonder what this will do for Yasiel Puig's already dubious reputation amongst players and fans.
Battle for A's new home getting heated | Fox Sports (AP) - San Jose continues to aggressively push for relocation of the Oakland A's, but San Francisco is pushing back. This is an interesting saga. I personally feel it would be very strange to see the A's leave Oakland. Curious to hear other people's thoughts.
Fun
Rachel Phelps invented Moneyball | CBS Sports (Mike Axisa) - For those of you who didn't know - including myself - there is an alternate ending to Major League, wherein team owner Rachel Phelps explain to manager Lou Brown that she intentionally signed a bunch of talented players with flaws that made them cheap. I think I still prefer the original ending, but this is a fun clip to watch.
Baseball cards for Christmas | Fangraphs (Patrick Dubuque) - What come of opening a pack of mixed random cards from the 1980's/90's?