Episode 18: Deadline Dealin'

As the trade deadline countdown reaches 24 hours, I take a look at the deals that have already been made and which trades should be made. Here's a hint: The Reds should NOT even consider Shane Victorino.

Make sure to check out Get Better Today to see how YOU can improve yourself today: www.getbettertoday.com

Episode 17: Get Better Today

I get a chance to sit down with Michael Fear, the man who started Get Better Today and talk a little bit of Reds, and a lot a bit about how YOU (and me) can get better today.

And again, here is Michael's website, check it out: www.getbettertoday.com 

Dodger Blue: A Good Thing

I have a nice conversation with one of the few Los Angeles Dodgers fans that I can say I have the pleasure of knowing. Kiel Boynton, former pitching coach for Cedarville University and current pitching coach for Corban University enlightens us with his Dodger fandom and "insider" knowledge of future franchise transactions.

The Looming Trade Deadline

It's coming... Just 6 days away and there's already been a flurry of activity on the trade market. Where will some of the big names turn up? Who HAS to make moves to compete for the playoffs (hint: the Cleveland Indians)? No guests on today's podcast, but lining up a BIG Dodgers fan for tomorrow to talk trade reactions...

Don't forget about Get Better Today! Check it out! www.getbettertoday.com 

Been 73 days but finally...

A PODCAST!!

And, as mentioned in today's podcast several times, Get Better Today's website:
www.getbettertoday.com

What Should the Indians do with the "SuperNatural"

A lot of you brought forth good and even great ideas about trades since my last post... But one that sticks out in my mind and brings forth this blog post was from my cousin Ben Ludlow, a fellow Tribe fan. He said:

Has Lou Marson's play lately made Carlos Santana expendable yet? Santana is the only thing more ugly at the plate than the LF platoon... What do you think is the Tribe's biggest immediate need?

Personally, I want Santana to stay. Here are some GLARING statistics that show that maybe that concussion he suffered back on May 25 might still be bothering him... 

On May 25th, the day of his concussion, Santana was batting .245 with 5 HR, 25 RBI, and an OBP of .360. From June 5th to present he is batting .156 with 0 HR, 4 RBI, and his OBP during that time is .272. 

We've seen the potential that Santana has as a switch hitter, and his work with Sandy Alomar Jr. behind the plate is starting to show. This season, with 21 more games behind the plate, he has had just 1 more stolen base against him than "Laser Lou" Marson. Santana's percentage of throwing out runners is 36.6%, compared to Marson's 13.8% (4 caught stealing in 29 attempts). I'm not saying Santana is going to always be a better defensive catcher than Marson because defense is what keeps Marson in the MLB. My point is this: if a guy who was as abysmal as Santana behind the plate the last two years can make that improvement at such a difficult position, then his hitting is going to inevitably come around too. 

Final verdict: Even though he is struggling right now, he is solid coaching and Travis Hafner away from being back to where he was before. To answer Ben's question, the most immediate need is a capable coaching staff. Acta would be the 4th best head coach in my high school conference, and I am only mildly kidding. The man said that Hafner missing from the Indians' lineup has little to no effect on Santana's play at the plate... WHAT!? Are you telling me Jose Lopez strikes fear into opposing pitchers like Pronk does? I don't think its any coincidence that Hafner went on the DL May 24 and we saw a dip in Santana's production after. I want to see Mike Sarbaugh get his chance, the Columbus Clippers manager who has won the last two Triple-A Championships and has coached pretty much the whole Indians team at one time or another, but that's another blog for another time.