As the Double-A Eastern League season winds down; the Akron Aeros are finding themselves in a familiar position atop the league standings. The Aeros have won the South Division of the league five of the last six seasons, and are all but a lock to do so again. They have won the league championship in two of those five seasons (2003 and 2005). The success sustained at this level of play can certainly attribute itself to the influx of young talent to the Indians’ organization over the years.
Several of Cleveland’s top prospects have found themselves in Akron for an extended [...]

With the literal departures of two former Cy Young winners and the mental loss of a former Cy Young candidate, the Indians have been searching for a new ace of what has become a much maligned pitching staff.
Currently, Cliff Lee is dominated the National League scene with the Phillies. Lee’s presence immediately vaulted the defending World Series Champion Phils’ into this year’s race…as if they weren’t already in it. Philadelphia was having their way with NL East foes Atlanta, Florida, and New York anyway, but the addition of Lee solidifies them as the team to beat in the National League…not [...]

With the season all but over for teams like the Indians (and Royals, Nationals, Padres, Orioles, Pirates, etc, etc), the highlights will be of seeing new players lighting it up for the good guys…I hope. Matt LaPorta has been eyed by all Tribe fans since his arrival from the Milwaukee farm system. Giving up the reigning Cy Young Award winner, C.C. Sabbathia was certainly a high price to pay, but the Indians are in the ‘constantly-build-for-the-future’ mode in case you haven’t noticed.
It’s not that LaPorta is finally in the show, he did have a stint earlier this season where he [...]

I think at this point even the most devout and hopeful Indians fans have packed it in. I usually don’t give up on the boys until late in the season, but even I can understand that this season wasn’t just meant to be. With that being said, let’s take a look at the division.
1. Detroit Tigers (63-56) – Detroit has the fewest amount of wins for any team currently leading a division. As a matter of fact, the other two division leaders in the American League have over 70 wins. The fewest wins for any division leader other than Detroit [...]

The Minnesota Twins are still in contention for the American League Central Division Title, thanks in part to the resurgence of Scott Baker. At just five games back of Detroit, Baker has provided some great relief (as a starter) since returning from the disabled list.
In his last seven starts, Baker has recorded a 4-0 record, going at least five innings in all but one start, and allowing two runs or less in each start, save for a rough outing August 9th against the Tigers in which Baker only went 4 1/3 innings, giving up six runs, including two home runs. Against [...]

Aaron Laffey (6-3) continued to impress at Progressive Field as the Indians blanked the Rangers 5-0. “Aaron set the tone. He was consistent from inning to inning, aggressive and efficient.” Those words from Eric Wedge certainly describe Cleveland’s win over Texas on Tuesday evening.

I’m sorry, I just can’t get over this sight. This is probably my first true rant with this blog, but I feel as though it is necessary. After years of enjoying Victor Martinez as a Cleveland Indian, whether at first base or catcher, I (and we) have to see him in Boston?!?
Victor was an icon with Cleveland; a true leader for the Tribe. The Big Chief (sorry Eric Wedge) if you will…but it is tough. I respected Cliff Lee, and was greatful when he won the Cy Young. His great 2005 season earlier in his career was derailed by serious arm [...]

In a typical White Sox-Indians series, the Indians won the rubber match on Sunday to continue their winning ways. Ozzie Guillen even had to throw his feelings out there once he thought too many of his batters had been knocked down by Tribe pitchers…and seemingly everyone else’s pitchers.
On Friday, the Indians jumped out to a 4-0 lead, due in part to Kelly Shoppach’s 2-run homer in the 2nd. Chicago answered with two runs in the bottom half of the third on a Gordon Beckham RBI double and a Jim Thome RBI single. 
Shoppach hit his second home run of the game, [...]

A day after getting shut down by the Twins 10-1, the Indians showed up at Progressive Field ready to hit the ball…and pitch a little too. With the revamping of the pitching staff, no job is safe. Aaron Laffey may have at least given himself some job security, though.
Laffey (5-3) pitched eight strong innings, struck out five batters, and walked only one, all while giving up a single, unearned, run. Laffey has been inconsistent to say the least this year, but with all of the recent trades, seeing someone step up is a definite positive. This is a starting rotation [...]

With all of the recent trades executed by the Indians, it should come as no surprise that the former members of the Tribe have been off to hot starts in their new environments. That would be just the Indians’ luck, right?
One of the few major league-ready players the Indians acquired was reliever Justin Masterson. Not that one pitching performance is worthy of extremely high accolades, but Masterson did enter Saturday’s game against Detroit and pitched three scoreless innings with four strikeouts, while allowing two hits and a walk.
While certainly not a new face in Cleveland, Fausto Carmona is still a [...]