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In case you haven't heard by now, the Cleveland Indians have traded their "greatest closer," Bob Wickman to the Atlanta Braves for a Class-A catcher. I found this trade as more ironic than anything. For most of the year, while I am watching a game on TV and Bob comes in to pitch the ninth, Rick Manning and John Sanders will mention how he is the Indians all-time save leader, the greatest closer in Indians history, etc.

This trade gives Wickman the opportuniy to play for a playoff contending team, something he obviously didn't have here in Cleveland now that the season is half over and we're in fourth place about ten games below .500. He can definatly help the Braves bullpen if he stays consistant. However, e has a habit of allowing basehits and having to work his way out of jams. I'm not real upset to see him go. I always thought he looked scared to be on the mound honestly. Now I don't have to worry anymore.

Reliever Fausto Carmona, who started out the season as the Tribes 6th starter will be taking over as closer now that Wickman is gone. To give you a little backround of Carmona's work, in his last ten games he has pitched 12 innings, allowing 13 hits, one earned run and three walks, strinking out eight and was charged with one loss. Really, the numbers aren't bad, but we will have to wait and see how he does in the closer roll. He has big shoes to fill out there.

So who is this Class-A catcher we got in this trade you ask? Maximiliano Ramirez. Just rolls off the tongue, doesn't it? This is the second minor league prospect that the Indians have aquired this season via trade, the first being a trade that dealt Eduardo Perez to the Mariners for middle-infielder Asdrubal Cabrera, another great name. Both of these players are being viewed as possibilities for the 2007 season. Maximiliano has spent this season in Class A, where he's hit for a .285 average with nine homers and 37 RBIs. Max was the Co-Player of the Year in the Appalachian League in '05 and was a starting catcher in the South Atlantic League All-Star Game earlier this month. To me, that is a pretty impressive resume for a young prospect.

My good friend and fellow bloggist, Matt Sussman, has made a point that makes me feel not as skeptical about this trade.

"Braves catchers are hot commodities. They’re like Denver Broncos running backs. They know how to groom them, and usually they’re pretty successful in other venues."

Now I can understand this when I see players like Javy Lopez, who came up through the Braves system and had 12 good years there before going to Baltimore, or their current catcher Brian McCann who, in his second season on the Braves roster, is hitting .351 with 11 homers and 43 RBI's. I guess there is some hope for the future.

And in a final point, I have to add just one more thing. I was watching the game the other day and noticed something I had hoped not to see in a long time, a mustachioed Eric Wedge. I was alright with the goatee, but now he has gone back to the 80's porn star mustache. I have been ragging on Eric's upper lip growth since I first saw him with it in previous seasons. I was a strong advocate of the old website shaveericwedge. So I was thinking, if Wedge were not the manager of the Indians next season, who should be? While I was watching the All-Star game last week, it hit me. Lou Pinella. Yeah! Who else could light a fire under a teams butt? I don't know if Wedge's mustache is supposed to be some kind of motivation for them to win, but I think a promise to dye your hair would be better motivation. Heck, if it is in your budget you could even get this guy to be a motivational speaker. I just think back to all those thrown bases and dirt covered home plates, all those games against the Mariners in the mid 90's, that's the kind of guy I want coaching my team. Not someone who thinks "we can turn it around in the second half" when his team has the third worst record in the American League after the All-Star break.

3) Shaun Alexander breaks the Madden curse We've all heard it. Michael Vick, Donovan McNabb and others are among its victims. However, Shaun Alexander is a badass, and while the Seahawks won't be back in the Super Bowl either, expect another stellar year from Alexander.

2) Chicago Bears come up short I think the Bears will win the NFC North Division easily. However, the playoffs are never a good place for a team with Brian Greise as their best option at Quarterback. Sorry, Super Fans, there's always your favorite saying, which is "There's always next year."

1) Carolina vs. Indy in the Super Bowl - Carolina is everybody's NFC favorite for the Super Bowl, and I will jump on that bandwagon until someone gives me a reason to think otherwise. Indy was a shoestring tackle by Ben "I don't need no stinking helmet" Rotlessburgers and a missed field goal by Mike Vanderjackoff from being in the Super Bowl last year, and I don't care who the running back is, the Colts are going to the big show this year.

Check back with me in January to see how I did.