» Cabrera

Today feels like Christmas Eve for me. Knowing tomorrow is the season opener, I’m like a little kid waiting for Santa Claus to come bring me my presents. I have my tv set to MLB Network and even though I’m not a Phillies or a Braves fan, I’ll be watching tonights game. That game is my present I get to open on Christmas Eve.

Tomorrow should be an interesting day for the Tribe. They open their season in Texas, then they come back to Cleveland for a weekend before they are back on the road.  The first week of the season usually does not forecast the Indians season, at least not for the past few years. In 06, the Indians opened up the season on a hot streak and then fell hard the rest of the season. The 07 season, the Tribe started the season average and ended up winning the Division and last year, they started the season by winning the series against the White Sox and then fell after that. So don’t expect to know how the Indians will be the remainder of the season after the first 2 series against the Rangers and the Jays.

On Saturday, the Indians finalized their 25 man roster with the usualy 12 pitchers, 13 position players. With the versatility of some of the players being able to play both the infield and outfield, the Indians chose to go with only 4 regular outfielders – Sizemore, Francisco, Choo and Crowe. The surprising man to make the 25 man roster would had to have been Josh Barfield. With the addition of Barfield to the roster, that leaves the Indians with Carroll, Garko, Cabrera, Peralta, DeRosa and Barfield for the Infield.

The 2009 season is expected to be a good one for the Indians and lets just hope they don’t crack under the pressure like they did in both the 06 and 08 seasons.

I think this is a great signing by Beane (again) and should help the young A’s team. Going on to his 12th year in the Majors, he has always been productive, and a big help. He should be batting 2nd or maybe around 7th or 8th. He has a great glove, and playoff experience.

Pros:

• Great Glove, 2 GG’s
• Productive: .274 BA, 684 RBIs
• 4 trips to the playoffs
• The Giants got Renteria for 18.5 Million for two years, the Dodgers got Furcal for 30 million over three years, and the A’s got Renteria for a bargain, 4 freaking million over 1 year. He would still have less then Renteria if he had a four year contract.
• Good leader for the young guns

Cons:

• Maybe not a productive as the A’s need him to be
• Crosby will be a  5.25 Million utility man

But the pros rule out the cons by a long shot

The Rotation: A’s News and Notes

ST Game #6, A’s/Cubs

Sean Gallahger looked good in a two inning outing only allowing 1 run. Rajai Davis had a great day by driving in two runs. Ben Copeland had the only other RBI in the game. The A’s now have a 1-4-1 record in ST.

Garciapara is closing on a deal with the A’s

A Major League source confirmed to MLB.com on Tuesday that Oakland is closing in on a one-year contract with free-agent infielder Nomar Garciaparra.

Justin Duchscherer having elbow checked out

The 2008 All-Star Duchcherer might miss opening day with an elbow injury, he has been on the DL 4 times prior.

Have a great day A’s fans.

The Mets fell to Detroit yesterday by the score of 7-2.

Miguel Cabrera went 2-for-4 with a solo homer and a run-scoring single, leading the Detroit Tigers to a 7-2 win over the New York Mets in Grapefruit League play.

Curtis Granderson walked three times and scored a pair of runs in the victory. Brandon Inge and Mike Hessman contributed solo homers.

Cabrera knocked in Granderson during a three-run fifth that broke open a 2-1 game. He connected for his first homer of the spring in the seventh and Hessman added his first in the eighth.

Jonathan Kibler started for Detroit in place of the ailing Jeremy Bonderman and issued four walks with a pair of hits over two innings, but only surrendered one run.

The Mets have their own pitching concerns, as ace Johan Santana may not make a spring start until mid-March as he continues to work through discomfort in his elbow.

Jonathon Niese went the first two innings for the Mets and yielded a pair of runs on two hits with two walks and two strikeouts.

Angel Pagan had a pair of hits and a walk with a run scored for New York, which left 10 runners on base.

Overall, as a Mets fan, I just want to see Johan throw his first ST pitch so he can be ready for that first start in the regular season. I am sure he will come around.