Leadoff with Lee 12.9.14

By @cleeverizon

- All reports indicate that Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel will be the starter against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Even though Brian Hoyer is 2-0 against Cincinnati, his play has been struggling for the past five weeks. Maybe we will find out more today if Manziel will named, officially. But for sure by Wednesday. I have heard several reasons why Manziel didn't play last week from going to the Cavs game, which turned out to be unfounded speculation, Mike Pettine overruling offensive coordinator Mike Shannahan or consulting with veterans on the team. My team source did indicate that The Johnny Era is about to begin, but also stated we thought the same thing last week too.

- The Browns will face the Cincinatti Benagls this Sunday at home. In a interview with WLW-AM in the "Nati". Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis was quated saying "You gotta defend the offense, you don't defend the player. Particularly a midget" Lewis was referring to Johnny Manziel. If this isn't enough to get Manziel going, I don't know what is. He has been working with a chip on his shoulder the entire year. And if He wants to make a statement,Johnny Manziel will rise to the occasion.

- Late last night, the Chicago White Sox pulled off two major moves. The biggest of which was acquiring starter Jeff Samardzija from the Oakland Athletics. Last season with the Cubs and A's, Samardzija was 7-13 with a 2.99 ERA. He is to make $9 - $10 million in 2015, which is the final year of his arbitration eligibility.

The second move was signing for New York Yankees reliever David Robertson, via free agency. Robertson, 29, was 4-5 with 39 saves and a 3.08 ERA.

- Yesterday the Cleveland Indians traded minor league prospect Joey Wendle for 1B/OF Brandon Moss of the Oakland Athletics. Moss had a .234 batting average, 81 RBIs, 25 HRs and 117 hits in 500 at bats last season. Now all the Tribe needs to do, is figure out if they want to move Nick Swisher and/or Carlos Santana. Both of which I heard have been rumored to be in separate deals.

- Over the weekend the Tampa Bay Rays signed former Indians bullpen coach Kevin Cash to lead their team as the new skipper. The former catcher played 8 seasons in the MLB and retired in 2011. In 2012 he was named the Indians bullpen coach. Cash also was a finalist to become the Texas Rangers manager in 2014.

- Trade Dion Waiters or nah? The Cavs control him until 2016 and he will become a restricted free agent. Meaning the Cavs can match any offer made to Waiters by any other team. A rumor yesterday afternoon was to trade Waiters to the Memphis Grizzlies for 7 foot center and former Ohio State product Kosta Koufos. Waiters has averaged 14.6 point per game prior to this season. He's down to 8 points per game, but you must consider the addition of Lebron James and Kevin Love have a lot to do with his declined scoring. But last night, the Cavs won 110-88 against the Brooklyn Nets with Dion Waiters being the standout with 26 points. LBJ added 18 points, 7 assists and 4 rebounds, Kevin Love pitched in 19 points, 14 rebounds and my 6th man on the year, Tristan Thompson, had 14 points and 12 rebounds. So you want to trade Dion for who? Come again my friend!

For a closer look at Waiter's contract, click here.