the morning after...............

I have had some time to think this over and here are the points that come to my mind.

1-The HomeSide wishes the 4 traded players nothing but the best, and will continue to root for them as Indians. Carlos Carrasco and Lou Marson were part of our 2006 BlueClaws championship, Jason Donald played here for 8 weeks at the start of 2007, but in the end, was part of Clearwater's championship team. Jason Knapp has given me many thrills this season. He tied the BlueClaws record when he struck out 14 against Lake County on April 21, and has become more consistent as the year went on. He has been assigned to Lake County, but has not been activated. He has some shoulder soreness in his pitching shoulder, which is reasonably. It has been a long season for a young arm.

To all 4 of these young men, thank you for the opportunity to see you play, and for playing hard when I did. Now, the opportunity is yours. Go get them, boys!!!

2-This is probably a good deal for Carrasco, Donald and Marson, who could all get September call-ups (Carlos and Lou have been put on the 40-man roster), and should all 3 get a long look in March in spring training.

3-This is definitely a good deal for the Phillies. They have put themselves in a good position to make a run at back-to-back titles, something not done by a National League team since the Big Red Machine in 75 and 76. A franchise does not often get this chance, and it is worth the price when you are there. To accomplish this, and NOT give up Happ, Drabek or Brown, gets a thumbs up here.

4-This is a good deal for the HomeSide. The Indians have teams in the Eastern League and the International League, so their affiliates are easy to go to see. (Toronto's AAA team is in Las Vegas) We have also now infiltrated another organization. Another management team to acquaint ourselves with in an attempt to understand the game plan they ascribe to.