ESPN reports that the Yanks have made CC an offer slightly larger than the deal Santana got from the Mets. So... how badly does he want to play in the National League? We're about to find out.

This article appeared in today's (Sunday's) PD. It contains, among other things, an unnamed scout's appraisal of some the younger players on whom the Indians will "count" next year. There's been some good discussion on this site of the limits of scouts' opinions, which are often subjective and are particularly hard to read if you don't know who the guy is, as in this case. But, a couple of things here surprised me a little: the scout is pretty lukewarm about Asdrubal's play at short this year and seems generally critical of his range. Maybe that's a reaction to his being "out of shape," but I wondered if that was actually something that the data bear out. The scout is also more enthusiastic about Zach Jackson than about some of the other Indians young lefties (he seems to like Laffey too). I guess if the comparison is to Scott Lewis and Sowers, that's not too surprising, but many people saw Jackson as just a fill in for this year; the scout suggests he may be a little better than that. I hope he's right!

One thing the scout says that sounds familiar: he advocates playing Victor at first and underlines Garko's limitations.

I don't think we've heard about this. It doesn't sound like anything serious (sigh of relief?)

Well, I guess Indians fans don't have to worry about a true Borowski replacement for next year. It sounds as if Jones is kind of bitter towards Tigers fans!

More news from Milwaukee -- David Riske is having surgery. Doesn't sound like things are going to well over there -- too bad for us.

I usually like Castrovince's comments on the Indians home page, but this one struck me as kind of over the top. Garko's "surge" is described glowingly here, with a note that he has OPS'd 808 in August. If he were to sustain that over the full year, that would tie him with Ben Francisco (or is it Fransisco?!) for 5th on the team (after Sizemore, Shoppach, Choo and Peralta). A season-long OPS of 808 would place him 6th among AL 1st baseman, ahead of Lyle Overbay in 7th.

All told, in other words, if this is the "good" Garko, he's not all that good. How can the team upgrade at 1B -- play Martinez there a lot and have Shoppach catch? Or, do we sign a free agent? Or, what?

The Bisons are activating 35 year old Tony Graffanino for tonight's game. Starting pitcher not yet announced -- could it be Jeff Weaver? A pre-game doo-wop concert is also rumored.

I guess Gibbons must like Adam Dunn?