Drew Gooden re-signed with the Cavs for three seasons for $23 million bucks.  The Cavs have done a good job keeping their corps together for a run at a NBA Championship.  Gooden has been a fine player for the Cavaliers the last two seasons.  He has played in 161 games (159 starts) and has made 50% of his field goals, and has averaged 12.6 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists.  Gooden is an unselfish player that works hard and makes his team better.

The lastest to go in the Indians firesale is second-baseman Ronnie Belliard.  Belliard was hitting .291 this season, he scored 44 runs, hit 8 homers and drove in 44 runs, his OPS was .757.  Belliard rejuvenated a sagging career on arrival in Cleveland.  In 390 games with the Tribe, Belliard hit .285, scoring 192 runs, hitting 37 homers, and driving in 192 runs.  Belliard will be missed.

The Indians got Hector Luna back in the trade.  Luna can play second, third, shortstop and the outfield.  He was plucked three years ago from the Indians in the Rule Five Draft.  Luna stayed with the Cards that whole season and has been a productive bench player for them.  This season Luna was hitting .291, scored 27 runs, hit four homers and drove in 21 runs with a .772 OPS.  In Luna’s career to date, he has batted 533 times, scored 78 runs, hit 8 homers, drove in 61 runs and stole 21 bases.  Luna’s career average in .276 and his career OPS is .734.

Luna might get a chance to replace Belliard at second-base.

The Indians have gotten rid of another productive veteran in Ben Broussard, who they traded tonight to the Seattle Mariners for outfielder Shin-Soo Choo.  Broussard was hitting .321 with 13 homers and 46 RBI as the left-handed part of a platoon at first base.  Broussard immediately improves the Mariners line-up as he will be reunited with his platoon mate in Cleveland Eduardo Perez.  It was a good move for the Mariners as they like young Adam Jones more than Choo.

Choo only batted 11 times for the Mariners before they saw enough.  Choo only had one hit.  Choo has played well at Tacoma (AAA) where he was hitting .323 with 13 homers and 48 RBI.  No word on whether Choo will start in Cleveland or Buffalo.  Only time will tell if Choo is part of the Tribes’ future or not.

The Indians traded their all-time save leader to the Atlanta Braves for a single-A catcher.  The move saves the Indians over 2 million dollars and was the only reason for the trade.  If the Indians would have kicked in some cash they could have gotten a much better prospect from the Braves.  Wickman (who was acquired for Richie Sexson….ouch) compiled an 8-16 record with the Indians but saved 139 games with a 3.23 ERA.

It could be a very depressing next two weeks for Indians fans as more players will be leaving for players you’ve never heard of.  Last years’ team was a tease.

James re-signed with the Cavs to a three-year $60 million dollar extension.  Both he and Dwayne Wade of the Miami Heat were set to sign 5 year, $80 million dollar deals like Carmelo Anthony, but their agents’ were very smart here.  The salary cap goes up every year, thus in four years they will be able to be offered alot more cash than they would have been paid.

It’s still fantastic news for Cavs fans, as the King will be around to get the Cavs a championship…..or four!