Where are Cal Ripkin and Mark McGuire when you really need them?

The Indians' "plan" keeps getting clearer.

Huh, I didn't realize at first... this is Andy Marte's big shot!!!

The Indians' "plan" keeps getting clearer.

In this case, it's "trade an average-at-best ballplayer who's making millions and will be a free agent at the end of the season for the best offer you can get". This is actually where Shapiro has excelled: He's gotten Carlos Santana, Chris Perez, Grady Sizemore, Asdrubal Cabrera, and Shin-Soo Choo for Casey Blake, Mark DeRosa, Bartolo Colon, Ben Broussard, and Eduardo Perez.

Okay, Colon was admittedly not average-at-best, but the rest of the guys were pretty 'meh' and extremely expendable. And they've gotten the core of this team in those deals.

this is Andy Marte's big shot!!!

They DFA'ed Wes Hodges yesterday too. I guess Chris Gimenez and Jayson Nix are the backup third basemen now, though it's probably safe to assume that if (when) Marte fumbles his last last chance at the third base job, Jared Goedert will be the starting third baseman in Cleveland. Goedert is absolutely mashing in AAA: .304/.380/.669, 17 home runs in 45 games.

Sorry but I'm good at this. With a name such as "Jared Goedert" he will never make it. Again, sorry.

Would you have said the same of "Dustin Pedroia" or "Albert Pujols"? I would have.

Dodgers get Podsednik. Ned the Enabler.

For the record, the spellings of both Peralta and Soto's names were correct. Somebody owes Mr. Castrovince and his editors an apology.

[8] Irony. It's big here.

in a related move, the tigers have designated wilkin ramirez for assignment. he hit 17 HRs and stole 33 bases last season in AAA, but that's about all he has going for him. he's struck out 147 times this season and has taken a huge step back, in general.

I don't get it. Giovanni has been the most common spelling of that name since Verrazano discovered Staten Island, if not longer.

For the record, the spellings of both Peralta and Soto's names were correct.

Since Peralta and Soto do not share a name, this should, of course, be "Peralta's and Soto's names." Good day, sir... I SAID GOOD DAY.

Soto apparently weighs 155 pounds (at 6'3"!), so he is definitely not the guy on the Cubs. (EDIT: Do you get the joke now??? Gosh.) Seems like he could be something, which is already a pretty decent haul in exchange for two months of a guy who makes a lot of money and sucks.

It'd be hilarious if Marte became Mike Schmidt now. Seriously, though, I am curious to see whether he can do anything. I don't think he is as bad as his MLB performance to this point would suggest. I think his TTO nature 1) makes it tougher for him to produce in pinch-hitting or other very limited roles, and 2) makes him look even worse when he's slumping than another comparably slumping player would look. I find myself hoping he at least does not make a total fool out of himself.

Would you have said the same of "Dustin Pedroia" or "Albert Pujols"? I would have.

I remember claiming Pujols (a couple times) during his first year. I thought the name strong. Don't know what to say about "Dustin Pedroia" though. I've seen it so many times it's sorta numbed my head.

"Jared Goedert"? come on...

Soto apparently weighs 155 pounds (at 6'3"!), so he is definitely not the guy on the Cubs. (EDIT: Do you get the joke now??? Gosh.)

Hey, Geovany Soto showed up to camp in The Best Shape in His Life®!

An outstanding A-ball pitcher is a high price to pay for a guy who would probably be non-tendered at the end of the season, but the Tigers have a need, and at 4 GB, a chance.

"Jared Goedert"? come on...

Depends. If he pronounces the last name "Go-Dirt", he's got a shot ... and could end up with a decent nickname.

But what do I know, I assumed Razor Shines was gonna be a superstar and I think the best baseball name of the last several years is Clete Thomas.

Longer article on ESPN. I see three separate "we had to do something"-esque quotes by Tigers folks. And Leyland "said [Brandon] Inge will start at third when he returns and that Peralta will get playing time at shortstop and DH." I dunno...

An outstanding A-ball pitcher is a high price to pay for a guy who would probably be non-tendered at the end of the season, but the Tigers have a need, and at 4 GB, a chance.

Soto throws 85-88mph

FWIW, its Peralta + cash for Soto, and the cash is supposed to be very close to the remainder of Peralta's salary for the season. There is a club option for Peralta @ 7 million next season w/ 250k buyout.

This is actually where Shapiro has excelled:

Toward what end?

But per #17, what of the Tigers? What's their big picture anymore?

Whereas in Minny, Morneau, Hudson, the injuries and the crappy starting pitching pile up and everything comes up roses. Anybody wanna tell me what's the limit for Danny Valencia? Wow. And is Casilla back in the plan?

I think the best baseball name of the last several years is Clete Thomas.

How about John Axford?