Rumor Has It

We're hearing from Cleveland that sources have confirmed to the Trivosonno show on WTAM that Joe T. and Easy E Wright have signed. No terms released, but that's the chatter.

Can't be sure, obviously, but this would be great news if it's true.

Update: It's official. Joe T. is inked for 5 years, $42.5mm, $22-23mm guaranteed.

Take Your Time...Except Winslow

Gary Baxter and LeCharles Bentley continue their improbable returns from devastating knee injuries, so let's let them percolate a little on the PUP list before rushing them back to the field. KW2, on the other hand, is the best player on the team, so having him on the PUP list to start camp is a little more troubling. Obviously, we don't want to rush him back, but he's gotta be on the field early and often for the Browns to avoid handing the #1 pick in the draft to Face Jones and the Cowboys next year.

It sounds like he's made pretty good progress after his microfracture surgery, and we know he's as tough as they come. What we're most excited about, though, is that he's shut his big stupid trap and is a workhorse now. Let's just hope he can get back to the kind of athleticism that Upper Deck dropped in his rookie/UM card. Snap.

Hit Me

Fausto Carmona is straight dealing of late, making him one of a very few Indians who's been earning his paycheck in July. He's 5-0 w/ a 1.57 ERA in his last 5 starts, including last night's gem against the Red Sox to prevent a home sweep. It made us all tingly in the crotchal area to see him make Papi his bitch 3 times, too. Nice comeback from last year's closing debacle.

The fact of the matter is, Fausto and CC have the front of the rotation in better shape than we can remember as Tribe fans, and it feels pretty damn good to know that 2 days out of 5 you've got an excellent chance at a quality start. The problem, as we've noted is that on another 2 of 5 days, you can be pretty sure of a piece of shit start (Lee, Westbrook).

So, we're happy to see the GM hitting the pavement to figure out who's expendable and who can help fill needs in the event of a trade. Mark, we're dying for some pitching help, whether it be at the back of the rotation or the bullpen...that's what we here in The Search are hoping for. An outfielder who can play everyday and isn't as bad as Trot Nixon would be nice, but let's go with pitching first. Thanks, so much.

Exhibit A

We're not sure which side is going to present the above picture into evidence first, but we suppose an SPCA commendation will make its way into the discussion of this whole Vick deal. The picture kind of leaves us speechless, to be honest. The SPCA THANKING Vick for rescuing 14 Pit Bulls (14!!)...it just drips with irony. Imagine being saved from Katrina, only to take up residence out back at Moonlight Ln. Uhhh...sweet? We're picturing an SPCA representative leaving a message on Vick's answering machine last week saying, "about those 14 pit bulls...we're ready to come and pick them back up now. What's a good time for us to swing by? Thanks."

How many of the 14 do we think Qyntel Woods and Clinton Portis put in for?

It's Orange and Brown Time

That's not meant to be a gross bathroom joke.

The Browns aren't much closer on any of the top 3 draft picks. We're hoping, though, that if Russell gets done soon, at least Thomas will be in camp fairly quickly, as the 1 pick will set up a lot of the rest of the top 10. Still surprised about Wright, but it sounds like the second rounders are tough w/ the new CBA in place.

We tend to agree that the Browns should probably pay Joe T. third pick money, since he's, you know, the third pick in the draft. It'd be tough to pay him first, though, and give him more guaranteed dough than the Raiders were thinking for Russell. That should set the scale.

The ABJ broke out an "insider" to tell us Quinn doesn't have much leverage. We knew that, but thanks for the insight. As we've been saying, there's not much incentive to get him in on unfavorable terms b/c he ain't going to start. However, we are appalled at the suggestion of letting him go back into the draft. That's about the dumbest comment we've heard all week. We traded next year's #1 for Quinn...we're gonna let the Cowboys take him with that pick? Come on, insider.

Seeing's The Most Important Thing

The Tribe is chugging lately, and we can't quite figure out why...aside from Cliff Lee and Jake Westbrook being terrible:

CC put up a great effort last night, thanks for nothing, offense. CC's right about the crowds at the Jake, too. It's embarrassing that this team is near bottom in attendance.

The much anticipated arrival of Adam Miller in Cleveland is upon us...and it's to hang out at the Clininc. We hadn't realized Miller's elbow was still in question. That's un-good news.

Fausto goes tonight. That's a nice 1-2 w/ he and CC. Although, Dice-K and Beckett is strong to quite strong for the Sox.

Jammed Up

It's a little bit busy here today, as we lurk in the bushes in Brentwood, hot on a new scent. So, instead of our typical witty banter, we're going to categorize by team, and give you a few smoking hot links to articles. Enjoy.