Buffalo Bisons manager Torey Lovullo was once again facing a question about the person he'd been hearing about all week-pitcher Aaron Laffey. And once again he gave the same answer. But was that answer the truth or just another dose of the company line?

The rumor lines between Buffalo and Cleveland have been buzzing ever since Laffey was removed from the July 22 game against Syracuse after throwing just 48 pitches over 2.2 innings. Laffey had regularly been at a 90-plus pitch count. As most Bisons and Indians fans know by now Lovullo took the ball from Laffey that afternoon and patted him on the back. When Laffeygot to the Herd dugout he was greeted with high-fives from his teammates. It had all the ear-markings of a player who was just called up to the big leagues.

That's where the mystery begins.
Cleveland PR insisted that Laffey was not called up and that he was on a pitch count because he had thrown his warm up pitches prior to his originally scheduled start the day before and he would be needed on short rest to throw again on Thursday the 26th.

Shale we count the holes in that answer? Suspicion arose because Laffey in fact did NOT throw warm up Saturday because the Dunn Tire Park grounds crew was all over the infield area trying to repair the damage that was done when an irrigation pipe burst over night and flooded the field.
No on field warms ups (other than a few guys doing soft toss) took place. Both teams did BP in the inside cages. That's it.

When the media arrived in the Bisons clubhouse after the July 22 game we were told Laffey was packed up and gone. He was actually found in the team weight room, saying good-bye to teammates. Laffey spoke, but was non committal about what he was told what the immediate future held for him.

Rumors abound that the Indians are in the process of finalizing a deal that would open a roster spot for Laffey sometime this week. In fact, the belief among Buffalo and Cleveland beat writers is that a deal was expected to be done early this week which is why Laffey was pulled on Sunday. To keep him fresh for probably duty with the Tribe this week.
But all week long Indians brass-from manager Eric Wedge to director of player development Ross Atkins-have insisted Laffey was not called up. Are they splitting hairs? Yes, he hasn't been called up, yet.
Technically he is still on the Bisons roster but physically he seems to be in limbo between Buffalo and Cleveland. Waiting and wondering about his future.
Odds are actually good that Laffey will throw in Buffalo Thursday-the only thing to prevent it is if a deal is done before noon Thursday.

Scouts have been crawling all over Dunn Tire Park this home stand. The most notable one has been from the Washington Senators, who are shopping closer Chad Cordero. A deal with Washington makes sense as the Indians are definitely looking to upgrade the closer's job which is currently held by the effective yet shaky Joe Borowski.

The most prominent rumor has Cordero coming to Cleveland with one or more of the following-outfielders Ben Francisco, Franklin Gutierrez and pitcher Cliff Lee going to D.C. in return.
If a  deal gets done, a roster spot opens and Aaron Laffey is getting mail at Jacobs Field.



After the Bisons 5-3 loss to Charlotte on Wednesday July 25 I asked Lovullo if Laffey was still scheduled to go Thursday Lovullo said a "Yes" that didn't exactly smack of certainty. It was more like I'm tired of this question.
One way or another we'll get an answer soon.