4 Responses to “Owner Dolan issues letter on Sabathia Trade.”

1. Douglas Rist Says:
   July 8th, 2008 at 10:27 am

   As a Cleveland Indians fan since 1948 when I was 8 years old, this is the worst I have seen, I think as much because I see no hope for the future. There does not seem to be anyone in the organization that is able to evaluate talent, and I agree with you that 2 first round draft picks are very iffy, for that very reason. The coaching staff seems to ruin as much young talent as it nurtures. Every one in Cleveland knows that if by some chance we do develop an above average player, we will not keep them because "we can not afford them". I am not smart enough to know what the answer is, but it seems fairly obvious because of the horrendous mistakes this organization has made, that a complete housecleaning of the entire organization, from Mr. Dolan through the minor leagues needs to be done. Each member of the front office and the entire coaching staff needs to be evaluated. Individuals that live and know baseball, that can evaluate talent, and that can develop young talent need to be brought in. Mr. Dolan, you need to decide if you are willing and able to spend the money needed to make this a competitive franchise. Cold, hard, evaluation is needed, not excuses. I feel very sad that the team I lived and died with has come to this.

2. sparky6047 Says:
   July 8th, 2008 at 3:14 pm

   Mr. Dolan, please answer these questions:
   What free agent have we signed since you have been here? Is your payroll lower than the Jacob's era? Hw much additional revenue have you gotten from STO? Progressive naming rights? BIG ticket price increases and concessions increases? all the new bill boards? Why are our minor leagues in the bottom half of talent?Since you are saving about 6 million on CC's salary and I know you will dump Blake, how much are you going to return to season ticket holders? Next years payroll will be lower, will ticket prices drop? MY suggestion to Cleveland fans, spend money on Cavs and Browns becasue they are trying to win - Boycott Dolan!!!

3. Marc Says:
   July 9th, 2008 at 4:31 am

   Part of the financial problem is this: Cleveland is the poorest city in the nation. 455 sellouts (that's 45,000+ per game) vs. an average of 20,000 per game—even during seasons when the Tribe CONTENDS, like 2005, and makes the playoffs (!), 2007. Criticize if you must, but that's more than HALF of your gate income G-O-N-E, even when you're putting a 96-win team on the field. Hey, man…I'd be watching my budget, too! No one's in this biz to lose money.

   Mr. Jacobs did not overspend his budget (ensuring his 8% return each year), and he timed his exit–raping the franchise of every last dollar (including the worthless "public stock sale" for an extra $50-mil in pocket money–just as Manny's huge contract was coming due. He never HAD to deal with talent leaving for free agency!! He passed that public relations nightmare on to a rookie owner. Put some of the blame where it belongs: the apathetic fans who won't support a winner, and Dick Jacobs, who was in it more for the money than the current owners.

   It's amazing how Cleveland fans completely overlook Jacobs' sins, all because we happened to have some great farm talent come together at the same time a new stadium opened and the football team bolted.

4. tony Says:
   July 10th, 2008 at 12:56 am

   Marc did you know that the Indians made the 3rd biggest profit in all of baseball last year. Yet Dolan sits here and still is cheap about his money. Jacobs is nothing but a business man, he just wants to make as much money as he possibly can. Man I wish Gilbert and Lerner would buy this team from him already

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