MLB Whistle Stops

The Tribe has signed 4th rounder Kyle Blair out of the University of San Diego.  Ranked #84 pre-draft by Baseball America, Blair will receive a hefty $580K ($334K over slot) bonus.

Former Indian and #1 overall pick Bryan Bullington picked up his first major league win yesterday as he dazzled the Evil Empire with 8 2-hit, shutout innings.  Congrats getting over than hump, Bryan.

On a point I'm sure to rant more on sometime, Kevin Slowey was pulled after 7 no-hit innings yesterday.  Pulled.  As in manager Ron Gardenhire decided not to give the kid a shot to finish it.  Granted Slowey had thrown 106 pitches.  Granted Slowey had missed his last start due to elbow tendinitis.  Granted he would have still needed 6 more outs to complete the gem.  But, c'mon man, is this what we've degraded into?  Gardenhire has to feel the weight of the franchise on his back and not trust Slowey to tell him if there's pain?  Pitch counts and caution have their place in extending a pitcher's career, but, a long time ago, a smart man taught me to focus on "strength, not length."  Might Slowey pitch another 65 career innings because he got yanked?  Sure.  Will he ever have the opportunity to toss a no-no again?  Likely not.  I recognize that it's a team sport.  I know the pinnacle is a World Championship.  I recognize that the Twins are in a pennant race (whatever that means anymore).  But baseball, and life, is made up of a series of moments, of opportunities to be seized.  Disregarding these leads to a banal life of tedious regret.  Sadly, Kevin Slowey was denied the chance to carpe diem.