Also, should the Indians have waited for John Farrell to become available as a manager?
View full sizeJohn FarrellQ: Hey, Hoynsie: Did the Indians' front office attend the winter meetings? -- Rob Lewis, Cleveland
A: Hey, Rob: You have a lot of nerve. The Indians acquired Paul Phillips at the winter meetings.
Q: Hey, Hoynsie: Do you think the Tribe pulled the trigger too soon in hiring Manny Acta last year? Toronto acquired John Farrell as their manager this off-season. -- Gareth Harris, Westlake
A: Hey, Gareth: Farrell was a candidate for the Indians' job before they hired Acta. He removed himself from consideration. What did you want the Indians to do? Go a year without a manager so Farrell could turn them down again this winter?
Q: Hey, Hoynsie: Wondering when you think the Tribe will contend again and make the playoffs? -- Johnny D'Ambrosia, Garfield Heights
A: Hey, Johnny: Contention and making the playoffs are different things. I think the Indians have a chance to contend in 2012. If they don't make the postseason by 2013 or 2014, you're probably looking at another rebuild unless the finances of the club change dramatically.
Q: Hey, Hoynsie: With ex-Indian Ryan Garko surprisingly heading off to South Korea, is there any truth to the rumor that the Indians' brain trust surreptitiously sold Garko to the Korean army to take Shin-Soo Choo's place? -- Eddie Johansson, El Dorado, Texas
A: Hey, Eddie: Somehow I missed that on the transaction report.
-- Hoynsie