Plenty, and some of the “new” started even before the official “What’s New” event at the ballpark this afternoon. 

Earlier this morning the Indians optioned Tom Mastny to the Bisons prompting many of my broadcasting brethren to send emails that included the phrases: “can you guys get any better” or “will you loose any games this year” and our GM’s favorite prognostication, “why play the season, pick up the Governor’s Cup when you’re in Richmond during your first road trip.”  Mike is getting a little antsy since the Herd hasn’t hoisted a trophy since 2004 and let’s be honest, I’d like to add another championship ring to my collection too.   

Overall I agree, the way the roster has taken shape the last week-plus, the Bisons look incredibly strong.  The rotation will rival any in Triple-A (and a few in the Big Leagues), the bullpen looks solid and the guys playing the field all proven credentials. 

The roster will be a feature in the next few days in large part because Cleveland skipper, Eric Wedge has said he’d like to have the roster ready when they break camp to play their exhibition games in Atlanta and that starts Friday. 

Back to the new: The Bisons unveiled a large majority of the new goodies that will be part of this season.  We even thought the famous fridaynightbash!® could use a little tweaking, so we did and you won’t believe who gets in FREE (click here to find out).  From food, on-field promotions, in-game entertainers, and the new gear it’s a pretty impressive line-up. 

Keep this in mind, there are a few more HUGE surprises coming to help celebrate “The Year of the Bisons Fan!” 

With the final day of Spring Training around the corner, the Bisons roster is really starting to fall into place.  In large part, the Bisons benefit from the battles forged from the spots the Indians had to fill.

One of the biggest decisions to be made happened yesterday with Cliff Lee being awarded the fifth spot in the rotation.  The other two candidates, Jeremy Sowers and Aaron Laffey, will throw every fifth day for the Herd.  Another debate was settled late this afternoon. 

The Indians optioned 2B Josh Barfield to the Buffalo Bisons roster as many of you were on the drive home.  In the same move, RHP Scott Elarton was also reassigned to minor league camp.

Read the complete release here and find out more about Barfield and Elarton.

Following today’s game former Bisons skipper, Eric Wedge told the media more moves will be made Wednesday with hopes of having the Indians roster set prior to breaking camp and entering exhibition play in Atlanta. 

The next 48 hours should give us the final few moves to put the final pieces into place for the Bisons roster that will open the season in Norfolk. 

Buffalo Bisons first baseman Jordan Brown hit three home runs today as the Herd defeated the Toledo Mud Hens, 6-2, in an exhibition game from Lakeland, FL.

Brown, 24, hit two solo home runs and a two-run shot for the Bisons, finishing the game 3-4 with three RBI. He also drew a walk as the Bisons evened their spring training record at 3-3-1.

Brown figures to be in the mix in Buffalo this season after a stellar campaign with Double-A Akron in 2007. He was the Eastern League Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year and mid-season and post season All-Star. His .333 (161-483) batting average led all Double-A hitters. He also had 36 doubles, 11 home runs, 76RBI, 63 walks and a .421 on-base percentage with the Aeros.

In 2006, Brown was named the Carolina League Most Valuable player after hitting .290 with 15 home runs and 87RBI with Single-A Kinston. He was Cleveland’s 4th round pick in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft.

OF Jason Cooper (2-3, 2 2B) and C Wyatt Toregas (3-4, RBI) also had solid offensive games on Monday.

On the mound, RHP Adam Miller started the game and allowed two runs on three hits in 3.0 innings (3K). Edward Mujica (2-0) earned his second spring win with Buffalo with 2.0 shutout innings of work (2H, 1K).

The Cleveland Indians today announced that LHP Jeremy Sowers and LHP Aaron Laffey have been optioned to the Buffalo Bisons roster.

Sowers was the Bisons 2006 Warren Spahn Most Valuable Pitcher while Laffey took the honor last season.

Sowers, 24, split last season with the Bisons and the Indians and was 4-5 with a 4.10ERA in 15 starts with Buffalo (96.2IP, 112H, 56R, 44ER, 24BB, 51K). In his final nine games from July 21 to the end of the season, the former 1st round draft pick was 4-1 with a 2.95ERA. He finished 3rd on the Bisons in innings pitched (96.2IP) and 5th in strikeouts (61).

In 2006, Sowers was 9-1 with a 1.39ERA in 15 games with the Bisons, leading the team in wins and finishing 3rd in innings pitched (97.1IP). When he was promoted from the Herd on June 23, 2006, he led all of Triple-A in ERA.

Laffey, 22, flew up the Indians system in 2007, starting the year at Double-A Akron before making his Major League debut. In between, the southpaw went 9-3 with a 3.08ERA in 16 games with the Bisons (96.1IP, 89H, 36R, 33ER, 23BB, 75K). He became the first Bisons pitcher in the Modern Era to win six games in a single month, going 6-0 with a 0.87ERA in June. He won his next three decisions, becoming the only starting pitcher in the Bisons Modern Era to win nine consecutive decisions. He finished the year 1st on the Bisons in complete games (2), T1st in wins (9) and quality starts (10) and 3rd in strikeouts (75).

Laffey was named IL Pitcher of the Week on August 9 and after the season was given the Bob Feller Award as the Indians Minor League Pitcher of the Year.

The Indians spring training Major League roster is now at 29 players and 6 non-roster invitees.

BISONS NEWS BEAT:  This just in… I’ve learned the highlight video from the Family Fun Open House is online for your viewing pleasure. 

Packing can be summed up in with three letters… ugh.  I never get used to it and we’ve moved enough the US Post Office has a flash card of all our forwarding addresses.  My wife and I have gone into overdrive packing as we get ready to move next weekend.

As we move closer to Opening Day, I’ve gotten questions like, “who cares when you’re packing, when are the Bisons unpacking?”  A little harsh but I’ll answer the question. 

The Bisons will break camp and arrive in Buffalo Monday and have preseason workouts on Tuesday and Wednesday.  There will be plenty of unpacking just to repack and travel to Norfolk to open the season.  Trust me, between the blog and Team Bisons.com, you’ll know just about every move the team makes once they’re in town. 

Taking your questions is something Duke and I enjoy doing during every broadcast.  Moving ahead we’ll handle your questions in two ways. 

• Uno: We’ll compile all the questions you send in and answer them each week in our Saturday Mailblog session. 
• Dos:  Throughout every broadcast we have Q&A sessions.  We check the broadcast booth inbox throughout the entire game.

You can send us an email or txt me: broadcast@bisons.com.  Make sure you include your name and hometown when you send us a note so we can thank you for your effort.  It’s just easier to thank “Mr. Shaw” versus “SweetSammy @ email.com” – trust me!