"I am extremely grateful to Randy Lerner and the Browns' organization for giving me an opportunity as a first time GM back in January 2005 and now to continue with this extension through the 2012 season," said Phil Savage. "We have worked very hard to turn the Browns around, on and off the field, and our team is looking forward to the 2008 season. From a personal standpoint, I want to also thank the many Browns' fans who have been so supportive during my time here."

ClevelandBrowns.com

Not upset at all with this signing.  Nice to see Savage sticking around and, hopefully, finishing what he has started here.

Split Squad Action with the Nationals this afternoon.  In the away game, Jeremy Sowers struggled in the first inning, giving up four hits, three runs and a walk.  In the home game, Jake Westbrook has been amazing and Barfield and Marte went back-to-back with shots that sounded like no-doubters for a 2-0 Tribe lead.

The game is on ESPN with Karl Ravech and... John Kruk.  Blech.  Can't stand Kruk...

Michaels RF
Blake 3B
Hafner DH
Martinez C
Peralta SS
Garko 1B
Snyder LF
Sandoval 2B
Crowe CF

Lee P

vs.

Carerra LF
Hernandez SS
Pagan CF
Saenz DH
Casanova C
Martinez RF
Cancel 1B
Murphy 3B
Reyes 2B

Perez P

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Another Cleveland Brown is making Hawaiian reservations.

Rookie left tackle Joe Thomas was named to the AFC Pro Bowl team Tuesday. Thomas was chosen as a first alternate last month and was named to the team when Jason Peters of Buffalo dropped out due to injury.

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Congrats to Joe.  Still three more Browns as first alternates (Winslow, Anderson, and Steinbach).

According to this story on ESPN MLB took some action on a few of the HGH-related stories of the past season.  New Royal Jose Guillen (who, lets face it, has destroyed our national innocence) was given a 15-day suspension.  Jay Gibbons admitted to his mistake and was given the same punishment.  That same article stated the MLB has found "insufficient evidence" to give punishment to Troy Glaus, Rick Ankiel, Scott Schoenweis, and Gary Matthews Jr.  No mention was made of the Paul Byrd situation, except for the fact that Guillen used the same online dentist as Byrd.  Guillen also had his shipments sent directly to the stadiums (Oakland Coliseum, in this case), as Byrd has admitted to.  The 15 day suspension was the punishment in 2004, which is why these suspensions are that long.  Instead of the 50 days that there was a lot of talk of, are we now looking at a 15-day period where the Tribe might be without Byrd?  That is a lot more manageable, assuming that two of Sowers/Laffey/Lee stay in the organization to the point where a punishment is handed down.

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According to that link, the Indians will call up three players today... Ben Francisco, Mike Koplove, and... Luis Rivas?  Rivas is hitting .263 with 20 errors and would be the fourth 2B on roster.  Oh, and he isn't on the 40-man roster, so a corresponding move would need to be made.  What am I missing in this (if it is correct)?

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Players that were cut:
RB Chris Barclay
OL Andrew Hoffman
TE Ryan Krause
OL Cliff Louis
WR Maurice Mann
OL Fred Matua
DB DeMario Minter
DL Babatunde Oshinowo
DL Chase Pittman
OL Brent Pousson
DL Melia Purcell
WR Steve Sanders
LB Clifton Smith
OL Rob Smith
WR Syndric Steptoe
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Contract Terminated:
QB Ken Dorsey
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Waived (injured):
DB Justin Hamilton
DB Jeremy LaSueur
DL J'Vonne Parker
LB Jason Short
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LB Mason Unck (IR)
OL Ryan Tucker (suspended)

A few surprises there.  I thought Dorsey, Krause, Hamilton and Minter were close to sure things and I actually had Matua and Pittman making the roster as well.  I'm surprised they kept 2 FBs.  Interesting at the least....

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Asdrubal Cabrera has been called up by the Indians to take over the utility infielder spot on the major league roster.  He'll take the roster spot of Mike Rouse.  I don't imagine he'll get a lot of playing time, but I'd imagine he'd get more playing time than Rouse did.  Also, the Indians have been pinch hitting for Josh Barfield late in games recently, so I'd imagine he'd be getting some relatively consistent defensive opportunities at the very least.

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Not good news for Sipp.  The top relief prospect now probably becomes a prospect again in 2009.  Hopefully he makes a full recovery and can be the pitcher we all expected, but this is a huge knock on his prospect status.