The Tribe Grows Stronger

     The Ubaldo Jimenez sweepstakes has drawn to a close, however the winner wasn't the New York Yankees (Thank God!), the Boston Red Sox, or even the Cincinnati Reds, it was the dark horse candidate, the Cleveland Indians. After being the National League's starter for the annual All-Star Game last year, Jimenez struggled early on, making many a team wonder why the Colorado Rockies would  be willing to deal who they thought was a top of the rotation starter. His loss of velocity prompted the Yankees to ask for him to complete a physical, a request the Rockies denied, and as a result the Yankees bowed out. The asking price for Jimenez was supposedly the baseball equivalent of the moon, which in the case of the Cincinnati Reds, was Devin Mesoraco, who is one of the best, if not the best, catching prospect in the majors, flame thrower Aroldis Chapman or slugger Yonder Alonso, and Homer Bailey and Travis Wood. These players all have the potential to be the best at their positions, and Reds GM Walt Jocketty knew better than to sell the farm, literally. The Red Sox just didn't have the prospects, and later ended up getting Rich Harden as a consolation prize.

     Coming from a Cincinnati native, it's hard for me to say this, but I wish the Indians organization well. I hope this deal works out for both sides and the prospects traded reach their potential. I know must be hard for Jimenez to leave the organization he has developed in for the last ELEVEN years, and his last action in a Rockies uniform was embracing his teammates.

Unlocked

There's going to be a football seaon everybody! With the new collective bargaining agreement, or CBA, in place, teams are scrambling to make critical additions to their roster before training camp starts. As expected, many big names were shuffled around the NFL, either through trading, like the Saints' trading of talented but injury prone running back Reggie Bush to the Miami Dolphins, or through free agency, where players can pick which team they sign a contract with any of the teams who offered him one. This frenzy has millions of Americans throwing their fantasy football guides out the window because players have switched teams and that almost always means a change in production. Here are some of the most important signings/trades/rumors circling around the league....

The Washington Redsins have traded former Pro Bowl quaterback Donovan McNabb to the Minnestoa Vikings for a fifth round pick and an undisclosed pick contingent in his performance. This is definitely an upgrade from Joe Webb, and wideout Percy Harvin should see a jump in stats, as should Adrian Peterson.

Former Vikings Sidney Rice and Tavaris Jackson have signed with the Seattle Seahawks. The former 2009 Pro Bowler rice averaged less than 600 yards a seaon when Jackson was the starting quaterback. Knock him down some spots on your draft board.

Kevin Kolb, once the heir apparent to McNabb, will be traded to the Arizona Cardinals by Friday in exchanged for big play corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. This is a huge boost for Larry Fitzgerald and the talented Kolb, as well as the Eagles' defense.

However, if rumors are true the New York Jets'defense will be even stronger. Rumor has it that shut down corner Nmamdi Asomugha could sign with the Jets and create the best corner duo of all time with Darelle Revis.

Don't count out the Dolphins and Titans though. Miami already has the makings of a good offense with Brandon Marshall and now Reggie Bush, but with quarterback Kyle Orton joining the team, there could be some fireworks! The Titans are also playing their hand well. They signed former All Pro quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to be their starter, and to mentor first round pick Jake Locker. This worked for Carson Palmer in his heyday,and this greatly increases the potential of every player in the Titans' offense, as well as next year when Locker could be handed the reigns.

This truly has been a wild few days.

America's REAL Team

      When you think of America's team, you most likely think of the Dallas Cowboys. However, I recently found out about the Wounded Warriors Amputee Softball Team, whose ranks consist of veterans who sacraficed a limb for his country in Iraq or Afghanistan ater playing either highschool or college baseball. I cannot express the immeasurable gratitude that I and   all of our country have for those who fight for our freedom, and these men are the epitome of resilience and strength. They also insist they play only able bodied teams, such as local fire departments and recently the FBI, who they beat 35-10. You may not fully understand the fight and sheer athleticism these young men possess until a baserunner with a prosthetic leg dives headfirst to avoid a tag or a one armed fielder drops his glove and hurls the ball to his cutoff man. Their service has not gone without notice, as Louisville Slugger has donated over $20,000 in equipment, and they have been invited to play at Nationals Stadium later this year. These men are true heroes. The Wounded Warriors Amputee Softball Team is truly America's real team.

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