Thursday, May 2

Author: James Mastrucci

James Mastrucci covers the Browns, Cavaliers, Guardians, Monsters, Hornets, Packers, Bengals, Steelers, and Ravens. Find written work at This Is Believeland, Away Back Gone, Lombardi Ave, Swarm and Sting, and Full Press Coverage.
Three players assigned to Monsters
5Feb By James MastrucciNo Comments
Monsters

Three players assigned to Monsters

The Columbus Blue Jackets have assigned Matiss Kivlenieks, Andrew Peeke, and Jakob Lilja to the Cleveland Monsters. Some familiar faces are making a return to the Cleveland Monsters. Goaltender Matiss Kivlenieks, defenseman Andrew Peeke, and left winger Jakob Lilja. The return of Matiss Kivlenieks provides a bit more clarity when it comes to who will start in net over their next four games. Four games in seven days would have been a tough ask for Veini Vehvilainen. Kivlenieks can easily come in and split goaltending duties over their next four games at home before their tough road trip next week. The impending return of Joonas Korpisalo may have made this move possible. Korpisalo seems to be returning sooner rather than later allowing this move to happen. Defenseman Andrew Peeke...
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Tristan Thompson wants out of Cleveland
5Feb By James MastrucciNo Comments
Cavs

Tristan Thompson wants out of Cleveland

Tristan Thompson wants out. After the news came out earlier that the Cavaliers were shopping their longest tenured player, it is not all that shocking that he has told the team he wants to be traded.  https://twitter.com/TheNBACentral/status/1224777627094913025?s=20 Tristan Thompson could be intriguing for a contending team in need of a big man. Thompson is an absolute rebounding machine. The ability to keep possessions alive on the offensive end can make the difference between winning and losing a game. Teams who miss out on Andre Drummond may end up turning their attention to the Cavaliers big man.  According to reports, Cleveland is seeking a 1st round pick in return for Thompson. The Cavs are team that really don’t seem willing to back down from their demands. Whether or no...
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The Indians should look into acquiring Brian Goodwin
5Feb By James MastrucciNo Comments
Guardians

The Indians should look into acquiring Brian Goodwin

The Cleveland Indians should look into trading for outfielder Brian Goodwin. Goodwin could be on hs way out of Los Angeles after a series of trades. Brian Goodwin may be on his way out of town after the Los Angeles Angels acquired Joc Pederson from the Dodgers. Pederson was traded across town after the Dodgers agreed to a deal that brought Mookie Betts to Los Angeles.  Goodwin is now in an outfield that has Pederson, Mike Trout, Justin Upton, and Jo Adell. Assuming Adell makes the team out of Spring Training, Goodwin will be hard pressed for playing time which could open the door for a trade and the Cleveland Indians should be interested.  The Cleveland outfield  is not an inspiring group. Oscar Mercado in center is the only full time lock at the moment, Jordan Luplow is a...
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Kevin Love to the Los Angeles Clippers?
5Feb By James MastrucciNo Comments
Cavs

Kevin Love to the Los Angeles Clippers?

The Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly interested in Cleveland Cavaliers big man Kevin Love. Will the Cavaliers backtrack and trade Love? The Los Angeles Clippers have expressed interest in acquiring Kevin Love. https://twitter.com/TheHoopCentral/status/1224788295466401793?s=20 The Cleveland Cavaliers have been hesitant to deal the five-time All-Star during this season, having said so fairly recently.  The Cavs prefer to hold on to Kevin Love for the time being. Cleveland is willing to wait until the season is over before evaluating a trade for Love. That’s what they are saying at least. This could all be posturing on Cleveland’s part. Attempting to artificially inflate his value by saying he’s not available. It’s really the only way to increase the value of player that is...
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Cavaliers travel to Oklahoma City in search of win
5Feb By James MastrucciNo Comments
Cavs

Cavaliers travel to Oklahoma City in search of win

Losers of four straight games, the Cleveland Cavaliers travel to Oklahoma City to take on the Thunder and get an elusive win. The Cleveland Cavaliers have only won once in their last 12 games and are taking on a team that has only lost once in their past eight games in the Oklahoma City Thunder. With trade rumors surrounding Tristan Thompson and John Henson, things may be a bit more difficult for the Cavs. Being in a transitional phase generally makes things more difficult than usual. Add in playing a team with a winning record and it's certainly an unenviable situation. The Thunder are averaging 116.5 points per game while only giving up 107. Oklahoma City has failed to score 110+ points only once in their past eight games. A 107-97 loss to Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks. ...
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Tristan Wirfs to Browns in Dane Brugler’s 3rd mock
4Feb By James MastrucciNo Comments
Browns

Tristan Wirfs to Browns in Dane Brugler’s 3rd mock

In Dane Brugler's latest mock draft the Cleveland Browns are addressing an area of need with the 10th overall pick, offensive tackle. The Athletic's Dane Brugler decided to go with a different pick at 10 for the Cleveland Browns. Brugler had Cleveland taking Andrew Thomas out of Georgia in his second mock draft. This time around it is Iowa's Tristan Wirfs. Brugler is just the latest draft expert to mock Wirfs to Cleveland. Matt Miller also had the Browns selecting the offensive tackle out of Iowa in his latest mock draft. Dane Brugler had projected trades in his mock, which can be a bit annoying. Often times they are completely out of left field and non-sensical. Overall it really impacts how a mock draft goes and can be irritating to go through. Brugler had Cleveland staying still,...
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USA Today projects Indians to finish 2nd in AL Central
4Feb By James MastrucciNo Comments
Guardians

USA Today projects Indians to finish 2nd in AL Central

The Cleveland Indians are projected to finish in second place in the American League Central according to USA Today Sports. USA Today Sports has released their standings projections for the upcoming baseball season. The six-person panel has the Cleveland Indians finishing with a record of 86-76, good for second place in the American League Central. https://twitter.com/usatodaysports/status/1224710469639950336?s=20 This projection has the Minnesota Twins repeating as division champions. The Chicago White Sox also nearly catch the Tribe at 83-79. It is easy to understand this projection. Minnesota and Chicago made massive improvements to their rosters while the Indians did not do all that much. Cleveland traded Corey Kluber to Texas for Delino DeShields and Emmanuel Clase and...
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Browns picks in Matt Miller’s seven round mock draft
4Feb By James MastrucciNo Comments
Browns

Browns picks in Matt Miller’s seven round mock draft

Bleacher Report's Matt Miller has released his seven round mock draft and has some interesting picks for the Cleveland Browns. 10th: Tristan Wirfs, OT Iowa This seems like a very popular pick at 10. Many have mocked Tristan Wirfs to the Browns at 10. The reason? The Cleveland Browns desperately need offensive line help. Cleveland taking Tristan Wirfs would provide Baker Mayfield with some much needed protection. 41st: Ashtyn Davis, S California  Another position of need is safety. Damarious Randall is most likely gone and the other options are less than inspiring. Drafting Ashtyn Davis makes a ton of sense. This is another selection that has been gaining traction as of late. Dane Brugler previously had Davis to Cleveland at 41 in an earlier mock. 74th: Curtis Weaver...
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Monsters: Veini Vehvilainen’s start schedule
4Feb By James MastrucciNo Comments
Monsters

Monsters: Veini Vehvilainen’s start schedule

Just how frequently will Veini Vehvilainen start in goal as the Cleveland Monsters home schedule has them playing four games in seven days? Playing four games in a rather short period of time is nothing new for the Cleveland Monsters. More often than not, there is usually a back-to-back involved. This time is a little bit different. Cleveland will play games on an every other day basis over seven days. The only other time this occurs this season is March 29th-April 4th. This presents an interesting situation in regards to how often Veini Vehvilainen will start in net. There are a couple of determining factors at play. Other available goaltenders The only other goaltender with Cleveland at this moment in time is Brad Thiessen. Thiessen performed well against Utica on February 1st,...
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Cavaliers discussed John Henson with Knicks
4Feb By James MastrucciNo Comments
Cavs

Cavaliers discussed John Henson with Knicks

The Cleveland Cavaliers have held trade discussions with the New York Knicks regarding backup center John Henson.  It certainly seems that most veteran players on the Cleveland Cavaliers could be on the move. Well, except Kevin Love. Cleveland has already been shopping Tristan Thompson and was held out of Monday’s overtime loss due to an injury. Whether or not it is trade related may be a different story.  Now there is another veteran big man possibly on the move. John Henson.  The Cavs reportedly have discussed John Henson with their opponent from Monday night, the New York Knicks. While the talks have cooled per Chris Haynes, that doesn’t mean they won’t pick back up before Thursday’s trade deadline.  Henson is currently in the final year of a four-year $48 ...
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