Paulie The Masochist continues his All-Star break look at where things veered off track for the Erie Warriors this season, and today focuses on the ineptitude, then the absence of Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez from the lineup due to injuries, and the impact it has had on this offense.  Paul takes a historic look back on exactly how big of a part of this teams run production this duo has been these past three years, and makes some comparisons to other slugger duos around the league.

T checks into his usual Thursday night spot with Minor Happenings, which is jammed with great nuggets this week about all the Indians affiliates and top prospects.  Tony talks about Jeff Stevens (guy we got in the Brandon Phillips trade) and Matt LaPorta being named to the USA Olympic team and also notes that two other Indians prospects will play for Team Canada.  Tony also has some early reports from Farm Director Ross Atkins on Matt LaPorta and the other new Indians acquired from Milwaukee.  Enjoy.

As we all know by now, the Indians are sellers in the trade market (which by the way ends two weeks from today) and for all intents and purposes are out of contention in the AL Central despite an encouraging sweep of the Rays leading into All-Star week.  In his latest for us, Todd Dery hits on some of the pieces penned about the Tribe over the break, and offers up his own thoughts on what he would do in the second half if he was running the Indians.

In a season once filled with so much hope, there's been a myriad of things that have contributed to the Indians poor start and subsequent deal of C.C. Sabathia to Milwaukee for prospects.  Most notably the bullpen, injuries to key players, the effects of organizational inactivity in the off-season, and the regression of certain non-injured offensive players.  With the All-Star game upon us, Paulie "The Masochist" Cousineau decided to tackle the reasons one at a time, and start with the bullpen.