Thome's deal talks will be delicate

The news from Cleveland Saturday was both exciting and disturbing.
Jim Thome, who is eligible for free agency this off-season, told the Indians, through his agent, to make him an offer before he is eligible to entertain deals from other clubs.
On the surface, one would assume this is a good thing. Thome has said his preference is to remain with Cleveland.
And it very well may be that, if the Indians make a pitch and Thome is satisfied with the numbers, he could sign before the free agent market is opened, 15 days following the conclusion of the World Series.
The chances, in reality, however, of that happening are slim.
Will test the market
As much as Thome has said he wants to remain an Indian, it's certain his advisors are strongly urging him to test the open market, just in case someone like Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos makes the proverbial offer that can't be refused.
Also, the odds are great that any early offer from Cleveland will still be on the table throughout the winter, should Thome not get an attractive offer from another club.
On the flip side, it can also be debated as to whether the Indians would be wise to make an early offer to their slugging first baseman.
If general manager Mark Shapiro puts a deal on the table before the market opens, and it's far less than Thome is expecting, he risks alienating the slugger.
On the other hand, Shapiro could put together a contract that is too big he ends up overpaying. (Which leads to this question: Considering Thome's popularity and the club's desperate need to have a power hitter, is it possible to overpay him?)
Come in under budget
Shapiro surely will be talking with other club officials around the majors to gauge what kind of money will be floating around the free agent market this winter. He said Saturday that evaluations are being made as to when he will make an offer.
Like any other business, Shapiro has been given a budget by owner Larry Dolan. He must gauge how much money he can offer Thome and at the same keep or acquire other players.
Certainly, there are loopholes and some creative ways that clubs can structure contracts so as to come in under budget.
Indians fans don't want to hear any of that, though. The knee-jerk reaction is to say, pay Thome whatever he wants.
But, to do so without responsibly adhering to some fiscal common sense in regards to the remainder of the roster would ensure a far longer return to competitiveness.
Ban noise makers
The most depressing sight in the baseball postseason so far are those annoying noise makers, particularly at Edison Field in Anaheim, Calif.
How sad it is that the fans can't make enough noise on their own, as Indians fan did so well in their post-seasons.
In that respect, one must also give credit to Yankees fans, who are as intimidating as any crowd. (But, do batteries count as artificial noisemakers?)
Couch is the man
Love him or hate him, Tim Couch is the once, present and future quarterback of the Cleveland Browns.
Granted, his reaction Sunday night after being booed was rather curious. That was surely not the first time a professional athlete was criticized for what the fans felt was a poor performance.
(However, anyone who cheered when he was hurt and lying on the field should be ashamed. Browns fans are quickly gaining a reputation for their boorish behavior at games.)
Boo him if you wish, but if and when the Browns contend for the NFL postseason, it will be with Couch at quarterback, not Kelly Holcomb.
XRob Todor is sports editor of The Vindicator. Write to him at todor@vindy.com.