Coming from a pretty reliable source, and the fact that is was said to have been mentioned on the Seattles post game last night... Assuming Bret said something here...

Boones on the brink of signing with the Tribe… Rumor is also that it is a multi-year deal, why with Phillips and Peralta waiting in the wings, I don’t know… I have no idea why we are doing this though, unless hopefully it’s moving Blake to first and getting rid of Broussard. Hopefully we don’t get rid of Blake or Belliard, both are either equal or better than Boone, at least they are this year, and why break up the offense by getting rid of Belliard, who has been a major contributor to our offensive outburst. Blake has numbers that match Boones, and comes at a substantially lower price tag. With a front office that’s pinching pennies, I ask myself again, why? ONE BUT! We’ve been wondering if the front office will spend to make the team better when the time comes, I hope we just got the answer! It’ll be good if Boone replaces Broussard, bad if Boone replaces anyone else.

Boone's a good guy to have, but I agree that Cleveland really doesn't have a need for him.

where is brandon phillips right now?

I would imagine in Buffalo.

Of all the teams he could go to...Cleveland wasn't somewhere I thought he would actually end up. Maybe they get him cheap...or maybe they will trade him.

I was thinking that herd... maybe to Seattle with another piece for Guardado?? I have no idea...

Casey Blake has very similar numbers and is like a million less, go figure??

Phillips is in Buffalo, he'll be there the rest of the year until Sept call ups I would imagine. He's having a pretty decent year, here's his line... I'll give you lines from a couple other players you may not know of...


avg slg obp g ab r h tb 2b 3b hr rbi bb so sb
Phillips, Brandon .295 .426 .354 67 244 35 72 104 15 1 5 27 21 26 6

Sizemore, Grady .286 .452 .362 72 290 53 83 131 16 7 6 37 31 53 10

Peralta, Jhonny .343 .443 .392 71 280 52 96 124 22 0 2 41 24 65 5


Sizemore is supposed to be the real deal, came in the Colon deal, along with Phillips and Cliff Lee. Peralta is absolutely ripping it up, look for them to replace Belliard and Vizquel next year. Peralta was just named, along with Ernie Young, to the I.L. All-Stars. Franklin Gutierrez, half of the Bradley deal, was just called up from AA to AAA to rehab his elbow after being hit by a pitch, he's only dh'ing. Once his elbow is fine, I don't know if he'll stay up in AAA or not. I would guess they're trying to get him some experience against AAA pitching, and decide what to do from there once his elbow is healthy enough to throw.

more info coming in on the "deal"

Quote:The numbers for the Boone deal are still being negotiated, but looks like a 1 year deal w/ a vesting option for the second year -- w/o a buyout (only way the 2nd year wouldn't be applicable would be if he gets hurt). It appears to be about 3 mil for next year w/ easy incentivesthat would take it up over 4 mil.

Another report....

Quote:EspnNEWS reported we are close on a 3 year deal...

3 million?? Coming off an injury?? WTF!!! Blakes 2.5 million cheaper and can do the same thing...

He had better be replacing Broussard...

grady sizemore isn't having as good a year as expected because he had a stomach virus at the beginning of the season and lost about 10-15 lbs. So he's been spending this season just trying to get his weight back.

you are correct Swoosh, numbers still aren't bad though...

It's practically official...

from the <a href='http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/baseball/179470_mbok25.html' target='_blank'>Seattle Notebook</a>

Quote:BOONE'S BROTHER TO TRIBE: It hasn't been officially announced yet, but Mariners second baseman Bret Boone confirmed his brother, third baseman Aaron Boone, has signed with Cleveland.

The younger Boone has been unemployed since last winter, when the Yankees terminated his contract after he suffered a serious knee injury playing basketball. Bret Boone said Aaron expects to play in about four weeks.

and from <a href='http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=MLB&id=5838' target='_blank'>RotoWorld</a>

Quote:Although it has not been confirmed by the team, Aaron Boone has signed a contract with the Indians.
So says his brother Brett. Boone, who has been out of action since the spring after tearing a knee ligament playing basketball, could be ready to play in about four weeks. Casy Blake, who has been fantastic as the Tribe's third baseman (12 homers and 40 RBI in 244 at bats) would likely shift over to first base on the days Boone starts at third. Disappointing Ben Broussard will likely lose much of his playing time as a result of this signing.

Official... deal will be complete upon Boone passing the physical...

Quote:AP Sources: Boone to sign with Indians

TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer
Friday, June 25, 2004

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(06-25) 11:17 PDT CLEVELAND (AP) --

Free agent third baseman Aaron Boone has reached a tentative agreement on a two-year contract with the Cleveland Indians, The Associated Press learned Friday.

Boone, whose 11th-inning homer in Game 7 of the ALCS last season put the New York Yankees in the World Series, hasn't played since injuring his knee during a basketball game in January.

The Indians, who outbid several other teams for Boone, plan to announce the signing this weekend if Boone passes his physical, according to two baseball sources who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.

The 31-year-old Boone, a career .270 hitter who spent seven seasons with Cincinnati, was already in Cleveland undergoing medical tests and could be ready to play in a few weeks, the sources said.

That's just in time to help the surging Indians (35-36), who have won nine of 14 and entered the weekend four games out of first place in the AL Central.

Boone went from hero-to-goat in a New York minute.

Just two months after beating the Boston Red Sox with his homer off Tim Wakefield, Boone tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the pickup basketball game.

Boone's injury led the Yankees to pursue and eventually sign All-Star Alex Rodriguez.

Boone had surgery before being released in February by the Yankees. He agreed in December to a one-year $5.75 million deal with New York, but the contract prohibited him from playing basketball. So, the Yankees only had to give Boone 30 days termination pay -- $917,553.

The Indians will benefit from Boone's versatility. He can play third base, second base and shortstop. With shortstop Omar Vizquel in the final year of his contract, Boone gives Cleveland some depth and options for 2005.

Boone batted .254 with six homers and 31 RBIs last year for New York, which acquired him from the Reds last July for left-handers Brandon Claussen and Charlie Manning.

Overall, Boone hit .287 with 24 homers and 96 RBIs last season and was named an NL All-Star.

I hope he does well for your Tribe. He is a classy guy from what I've heard and seen from him.

Or maybe the Reds could use him again since Larson is not doing jack.