There aren’t five pitchers in the AL better than Trevor Bauer right now

I can think of a couple: Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar, and perhaps Corey Kluber.

Whatever happened to Chung Wah restaurant?

Just googled it-apparently was still around in 70's and 80's-wonder why I never knew about it when I was a kid.

China Gate was our family Chinese restaurant. Only on Thursdays, can't remember why

Wasn't the one in CHRISTMAS STORY a Cleveland Chinese restaurant?

From Jon Heyman

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jay Bruce has the Cleveland Indians listed as one of eight teams on his no-trade clause, but according to a friend of Bruce, he only added the Indians as the eighth team as a late replacement for the Blue Jays after hearing Toronto was interested (he apparently liked the idea of going to the Jays).

The friend says Bruce has no negative feelings toward Cleveland or the Indians and would be very likely accept a deal there.

Bruce, 29, is hitting .279 with 17 homers in 73 games heading into Thursday’s action. That batting average is more than 50 points better than he hit last year. He looks more like the player that was an All-Star in 2012 than the one the Blue Jays thought they were getting in an off-season trade that was nixed due to medicals of other players in the deal.

And the Indians need the help.

With Michael Brantley still out and a return date unclear, Cleveland is just getting by offensively with Rajai Davis, Tyler Naquin and Lonnie Chisenhall in the outfield. The depth took a hit when Marlon Byrd was cracked for another failed PED test. While the three Cleveland outfielders performed well in June, Bruce would be an added bonus to an offense 12th in home runs in baseball.

Bruce is in the fifth year of the six-year, $51 million contract extension he signed in 2012. He’s scheduled to make $13 million next season.

Don't mess with a winning streak!!!

As long as the present lineup continues to produce runs up and down the lineup, don't mess with it.

Bruce should be begging to play for a winner.

Brantley can take as long as he wants...no rush.

Forget the 32 year old Cuban unless he comes cheap and they can stash him somewhere.

Never knew the Indians were in on the Cuban?

Probably too expensive. Just another JoeZ pipe dream.

After Cuban free agent Yulieski Gourriel worked out for the New York Mets on Monday, Mets GM Sandy Alderson told reporters that the 32-year-old would like to sign with a team "in the next week to two weeks," per his agent. That said, who will make a run at the slugger?

Rumor CentralAccording to ESPN's Jim Bowden, the Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Angels and New York Yankees are all "in" on Gourriel. The Mets, Dodgers and Astros have already worked out the coveted Cuban, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports notes, while the Giants are expected to soon, per Bowden.

Meanwhile, the Yankees will host Gourriel for a private workout in Tampa next week, according to George A. King III of the New York Post.

I doubt we would outbid the Astros for him. Let alone the Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Angels, and Giants. Pipe dream indeed.

As I mentioned yesterday, there are affordable studs out there that could be had. We don't need to be fooling with decent guys like Velencia and Bruce or expensive 32 year olds.

We should go out and get a stud like Goldschmidt who is already signed at an affordable rate long term. We have the prospects to do it.

Speaking of adding a good hitter to this hot club ... Michael Brantley has resumed hitting drills.

He reported some soreness a week ago and got checked out and it was bicep tendonitis. He got a cortisone shot and is now progressing again. Should be ready for a minor league rehab assignment in 3 to 4 weeks.

Woo hoo

And Roberto Perez is expected to start a rehab stint on Monday from his fractured thumb.

I'm of the mind to say that if it works, don't fix it. Almonte and Brantley both promise to be on board in the second half. I would hate to sees Naquin come out of the lineup. I think he is part of the future, and is producing. As I read and watch the Indians, it seems like either Lindor or Naquin are part of the action, and often time both!

If you want to grab a reliever fine, but the problem for our relievers is they are not getting work. Damn that starting pitching.

I don't know if sitting pat is the right answer, but chemistry is a funny thing.

Great points, UD, and I would totally agree. But thing is, even with the team on this long hot streak we are still only the 2nd or 3rd best team in the A.L. The Rangers have a better record still, and I think we're tied with Orioles now. We may need to take this as a sign that we've improved and ready to contend but might have to get a little better.

Jim Duquette ‏@Jim_Duquette 2 hours ago
Most of Indians plans hinge on Brantley return and what they get out of Almonte - assessing that will help them decide what to do next, acc

Jim Duquette ‏@Jim_Duquette 2 hours ago
Indians are "quite optimistic" about Brantley return at some point, based on MB's symptoms

Yes, please assess that OF situation. Naquin's emergence, Lonnie's good play, the veteran presence of Davis ... and Brantley returning soon. Why do we need Bruce?

Picking up a big bat at 1B would improve two hitting positions, 1B and DH.

And wouldn't be hard at all to improve 3B. Unless they are planning on playing Ramirez there once Brantley comes back. The way he has hit in the clutch this year I wouldn't argue with trying that.

Zack Meisel
Indians starting pitchers during this 13-game winning streak:

97 innings pitched
55 hits allowed
1.86 ERA

My goodness.