Wait a second... The Indians have won 8 in a row?

Suddenly the Red Sox being swept by Cleveland isn't so humiliating.

In fact when you consider the fact that the Rangers are 9-1 and the Indians are 8-2, maybe the Sox just ran smack dab into two hot teams to start the year.



Texas you can understand. They are the defending A.L. Champs and have a fine team.

But the Indians?



Yeah this could be a classic "team has its hot month in April and has the illusion that they are contenders."



But maybe not.



Remember how Tampa Bay got off to a better than expected start and were in first place by late April of 2008? Do you know who thought that was a fluke? The population of the Planet Earth.



Remember how the Tigers jumped out to a 5-0 start in 2006? Do you know who dismissed them as a fast start that would fade? Everyone who would eventually not take Tampa seriously.



Both teams made the World Series.

And while the Twins and my pick of the White Sox will probably wind up winning the division, there always seems to be a surprise team every year.



Why not Cleveland? This winning streak has included wins against three teams that I picked to go to the postseason: The White Sox, Red Sox and Angels.



Plus they acquired Orlando Cabrera, who had played in 6 of the last 7 post seasons. He has made the playoffs each of the last 4 seasons but with a different team each year. Why not 5 for 5?



I am not saying the Indians ARE going to contend. They could drop like a rock. But what if the Twins do indeed take a step back? And the White Sox veterans don't click? And the Tigers can't get their act together? And the Royals don't have the goods?



That would leave Cleveland.



The Cabreras up the middle (Orlando and Asdrubal) look solid and Travis Hafner seems to have found his stroke again. If Shin Soo Choo can start hitting and Grady Sizemore can come back... and Josh Tomlin and Justin Masterson and Mitch Talbot continue their nice start... and the combination of Chris Perez, Tony Sipp, Chad Durbin and Rafael Perez make for a good bullpen...



Dare to dream.

If nothing else, it will distract the people of Cleveland from the Miami Heat playoff series.



Wouldn't that be a wonderful way for it to finally happen in Cleveland? A team catching the city and everyone else off guard.



Just do something about the hats.

There is some good stuff in that bargain bin

In a few days it will be February.

And later in that month, pitchers and catchers will have reported to Arizona and Florida.

Then the off season will be over and Spring Training will have begun... and the 2010 baseball year will be on its way.

And yet still not everyone has found a home yet.

Obviously Johnny Damon is still the biggest name out there... and I am sure the $14 million they turned down from the World Champion Yankees looks pretty good right about now.

This is the second annual "Scott Boras Takes A Former 2004 Red Sox Outfielder Into Free Agency And Doesn't Get The Offers He Was Expecting" tour after last year's Manny Ramirez non offer spree.

(Why the Giants didn't sign him like I told them too will remain a mystery to me.)

Usually right around now, it is a series of veteran relievers and back up catchers who are looking for a gig... and inevitably a few veterans like Ray Durham last year will wind up without work.

But something occurred to me. If I had a really crappy team... like a team that was going nowhere in a hurry... I could get a whole new infield for cheap right now.

I could have Russell Branyan at first...









Orlando Hudson at second...












Orlando Cabrera at shortstop...














Melvin Mora at third base...













Not to mention reserves like Felipe Lopez...










And Adam Kennedy












And maybe if it is an AL Team, have a DH Platoon with Jermaine Dye...













And Carlos Delgado









I'm not saying this infield and depth would win a division... but it has got to be a better infield than some teams are fielding.

And this close to spring training, I bet you can sign all eight for a few million each.

These 8 players for $22 million... or less than what Vernon Wells is scheduled to make in 2011!

Come on Pittsburgh fans. Tell me you wouldn't rather have THIS infield than the one that will be taking the field in a few months!

Hey Mets! You should sign these guys to fill in for the inevitable injuries that will plague the team.

Maybe Boros can sign these guys himself and take them with Johnny Damon and start barnstorming!