Masa Kobayashi News

News, notes and quotes from the winter meetings at the Indianapolis Downtown Marriott: When asked if he thought Manny Acta would be a good manager, Felipe Alou said, "He's not going to be a good manager, he is a good manager.

News, notes and rumors from Major League Baseball's General Manager Meetings at the Chicago O'Hare Airport.

On their last venture into Japan, the Indians signed right-hander Masa Kobayashi to a two-year, $6.2 million deal.

It didn't take very long this season before pretty much everyone knew the Indians' 2009 campaign was for the birds.

If you have access to the Indians' clubhouse, then tell them that they are in Cleveland - they know that so lay off, and now for you - well, no hope there.

Masa Kobayashi needs 17 saves to get into the Japanese version of the Hall of Fame.

Would Carlos Carrasco be on the Indians' roster if he weren't a key piece of the trade that sent Cliff Lee to the Philadelphia Phillies? He is only 22 and had an up-and-down season in Triple-A, both at Lehigh Valley and at Columbus.

Levin also writes: There will be a lot that will go into determining the future of Wedge, and therefore, the franchise, but Dolan claims money will not be one of them.

It's hot outside. Nasty hot. Hotter than a two-dollar pistol. Hot enough to make a brass monkey blink.

To the readers: This is a special edition of the Sunday notes. It's all about the Indians .

Indians leadership believed that putting fans in the seats in 2010 would have been a tough sell with or without All-Star catcher Victor Martinez on the team.

CLEVELAND: Jake Westbrook threw a 20-pitch simulated game today and reported no ill effects.

Maybe Andy Marte really will get a second look in the second half. The Indians' stated goals coming out of the All-Star break were to win as many games as possible and continue to develop the players who are on the big-league club.

Questions about the Indians I can't answer: -- Why has General Manager Mark Shapiro been more successful in acquiring talented prospects than he has in signing free agents and trading for major-league players? Is part of the reason a lack of cash? In 2004, Shapiro conceded that he targeted his two most important offseason acquisitions, relievers ...

Thursday 09 Jul Columbus Clippers Pitchers Combine for 9-0 Shut Out of the Indianapolis Indians Thursday, July 9, 2009 at 09:47PM MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com-COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Three pitchers combined on a four-hit shutout, while right fielder Trevor Crowe and designated hitter Wes Hodges each drove in three runs to lead the Columbus ...

TOLEDO -- For a moment, the evening had the feel of April in Cleveland. Fausto Carmona was warming up in the bullpen to start a game.

Four right-handers who started the season with the Indians combined to give up one run Sunday.

After the 2008 debacle, the Indians' front office made moves to make 2009 better.

Familiar names to Cleveland fans helped the Tribe's top farm team clobber Toledo, 16-3, in a Class AAA International League game in Columbus.

Time for a one-question poll: Who thinks Eric Wedge is really responsible for the Cleveland Indians miserable season? Seriously.