No Dice on Haren in Tribe Uniform

The Oakland A's and Arizona Diamondbacks finalized a deal on Friday that sent Dan Haren to the Diamondbacks for six prospects, all ranging in talent and success in the minor leagues.  This comes as particularly disheartening news because it was revealed this week that the Cleveland Indians were one of the teams looking to deal for the A's ace.  Additionally, it seemed that the Tribe was beginning to gain the inside track, as they were able to offer top-line prospects and players with major league experience.

The idea of a rotation that included the likes of C.C. Sabathia, Fausto Carmona, and Dan Haren made Cleveland fans everywhere feel an extra surge of anticipation for the upcoming summer.  However, as it was not the case, the primary focus once again turns to the signing of C.C. to a long-term extension.  Dan Haren was supposed to be that insurance policy if Sabathia went somewhere else - who can the Tribe turn to now?  Cliff Lee?  Just "hoping" that he returns to form (which was never the form of a lights-out, dominant pitcher anyway) won't be enough against the trendy new favorites of the AL Central in the Detroit Tigers.

With an offense as powerful as Detroit's, it would have been oustanding for Mark Shapiro to pull off a deal for Haren.  But Oakland GM Billy Beane was probably asking for too much, including the likes of Asdrubal Cabrera, the Indians' second-half savior of 2007.  One has to certainly give Shapiro credit for not wanting to give up too much in the deal, but his limp trigger finger has its frustrating moments.  If getting Dan Haren, the starter for the American League in last season's All-Star Game, meant parting ways with Cabrera, you would still have to think it be a good deal for the Tribe.

Now is the time to move on from these heart-breaking off-season rumors.  With the holidays approaching, all Tribe fans should be wishing for the eventual gift of a C.C. extension, essentially guaranteeing a competitive Tribe for years to come.