Got an Indians question? Send it in. Submit your question at cleveland.com/heyhoynsie, and Plain Dealer Indians beat writer Paul Hoynes will choose at least one to answer each Sunday here in the Sports section. All of Paul’s answers are archived online.
Mark Shapiro and the Indians are looking ways to reconfigure empty luxury suites at Progressive Field. (Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer)Q: Hey, Hoynsie: You wrote recently that GM Mark Shapiro is looking for new ways to fill some of the empty luxury suites at Progressive Field. Well, I’m here to help. All Mark has to do is to call those luxury suites “Time Shares” and he’s in business. Think of the ad Mark can run: “One hundred furnished time shares in the heart of downtown Cleveland. Experience acres of green solitude, particularly during summers. Only $2,500 a year, or will trade for mediocre prospects.” Can you call up Mark and run this by him? He never takes my calls anymore. — James Overton, Cuyahoga Falls.
A: Hey, James: If I asked him that, he probably wouldn’t call me back anymore.
Q: Hey, Hoynsie: Kerry Wood’s horrible ERA and lucrative salary make him impossible to trade. What are the chances he is designated for assignment? He is hurting the team and I think Chris Perez is ready to be the full-time closer. — Nick Marek, Woodmere.
A: Hey, Nick: No way do the Indians eat more than half of Wood’s $10.5 million contract. You’ve heard this before from me, but I think Wood needs consistent work. You saw what happened last week when he converted three saves in as many days.
I agree about Chris Perez. His time is coming.
— Hoynsie