Outfielder Grady Sizemore is a quality prospect in High A league. He's only 19, which is amazing for his talent. He has a very good eye, speed and good build. He won't arrive in Cleveland for 4 or 5 years but he still remains one of the gems of the Indians' organization. First baseman Lee Stevens was thrown into the deal for salary reasons. He's had some good power numbers (10 homers, 31 RBIs) but his batting average is terrible (.190). If Stevens can catch fire in the Indians' lineup the deal can tilt in favor of the Indians. Starting pitcher Tim Drew has been doing very well in Triple-A Buffalo and can become a number 5 starter in the Major Leagues in 2004, if not next season. Drew is a very good prospect but still could use some polishing at the minor league level. Look out for him in the future. Right-handed pitcher Bartolo Colon was the staff ace of the Cleveland Indians. After all the years the Indians wanted him to become the leader on the staff, they finally traded him away. He's a hard-throwing (up to triple digits in terms of miles per hour) righty who also throws a 79-82 changeup and a 85-88 curveball. He usually changes speed with his fastball, going from 88 to 100 in one pitch. Few players challenge Colon on the basepaths because he uses the slide-step. Colon also he very good defensively. So, why would the Indians make a deal like this? One reason is that Colon will cost to much money to lock up after the 2003 season and would live the Indians for free agency, returning only draft picks. Colon is looking for a 5-or 6-year deal worth $12 million per year. The Indians can also free up some money now that can be used to lock-up a core of young players. Why would the Expos make a deal like this? Last season, the Expos were the main targets for contraction and are still on the block to be folded after this season. So what must they do? They have to win. And now. That means their farm system is almost expendable since they have to win now. Another possibility is that MLB made this deal is to drive up the value of the Expos, so whenever the team is sold to an investment group in DC, the team could then be sold for a profit. Of course, our commissioner is an honest man and wouldn't do something like that. I recently spoke to Michael Wiggins, a friend of mine and an Indians fan, and asked him what he thought of the deal. He responded by saying: It's not good for Cleveland at all to make this trade. It's totally lopsided. I then spoke to a loyal Twins fan who responded to the same question by saying: "The kind of deal that the Indians made has to have a direct impact on the fans, they have got to be a tad disgruntled, they were only a handful of games out, and if you are a Twins fan like myself, you've got to feel better about that." The Indians keep saying that the 2004 or 2005 season is when they should next contend for the postseason. The division is weak (even weaker if the Twins get contracted) and no one team seems to be running away with the lead. It certainly looks like the future (not this season, but 3 or 4 years from now) of the Indians is bright. Not the same for the Expos.                                                                                                  "The Razor"

Colon Trade Speaks Volumes for Expos,Indians continued from The Razor's section.

Bartolo Colon Starting Pitcher Montreal Expos 11-4 2.74 ERA.