First, it does my heart good to read an article that talks about the White Sox replacing Cesar Hernandez during the playoffs because he isn't performing to the level they thought he should...after they stole him from the Indians at the deadline. Well White Sox fans, let's just say that you're getting about what you paid for. Konnor Pilkington is worth just about as much sa the September version of Hernandez. All that being said, Hernandez is EXACTLY the type of professional who can turn around a mediocre season in the post-season. My prediction is he will and the Sox fans will be happy...and I will still be pissed that we gave Hernandez away for a guy we may not even protect from the Rule 5 draft.
Eddie Rosario hit for the cycle the other day. Still liking that trade more than than the Hernandez trade because Battenfield has better stuff and isn't Rule 5-eligible.
The Anthony Gose story is a great one and it gives me goosbumps just thinking about it. I am really pissed they chose to bring him into the second game rather than pitch after the first game was out of reach. I imagine they saved him for the bullpen, second game because he could go more than one inning. Still, the goal is to win games and Hentges in the second game gave us a better chance to win. Gose should have gotten his moment in the sun in a blowout, not in a winnable game where he gave up an important run.
That being said, here is the reality about Gose. He is the kind of guy who, 100 mph fastball notwithstanding, should be a minor league invitee to spring training with a good chance to make the team. Hey, the guy is Jim Morris Part Deux. We don't want to be the 55-106 2002 Rays who could afford to have a feel-good story to bring in some crowd interest. So while Gose is a feel-good story, can we really spend a roster spot on him this winter and risk losing a guy like Jose Tena or Oscar Gonzalez, or even a lesser prospect, in the Rule 5 draft if we protect Gose. No, if we don't make trades, there is no room on this winter's roster for Gose. Next season's 26-man roster? More of a chance actually. So Gose should enjoy the rest of this month and use it as a springboard when he is DFA'd after the season to re-sign to a minor league deal with a spring invite (after the Rule 5, wink!) with the team that gave him this chance.
I saw where Ka-ai Tom was released by Pittsburgh. They offered him back to the Indians but, not surprisingly, the Indians didn't take him back because of their roster crunch. They may re-sign him this winter but now is not the time as he would have to be rostered (not warranted after this season) or exposed to the Rule 5 draft again.
Now to the Indians. As I said yesterday: 73-74 with 15 games to go and only 4 games against teams with a winning record. No way we don't end the season with a winning record. One day later we have already lost two against a losing team. If this team tanks it through the end of the season Demarlo Hale should never get another major league managing opportunity. WInning organizations don't tolerate tanking at the end of the season, especially when your roster is a veteran one. Time to make the boys win, Dermarlo, Right now, to me, it looks like you have lost this club house. Prove me wrong. Please!
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