The Tribe Daily - A Daily Assault on One's Lifespan

Back in the saddle, sorta...

2012-01-25T17:02:00.002-05:00

Whoa, this place is dusty. It's still here, so that's a good thing. One thing that's still standing!

I hope you follow me on Twitter... If not you'll probably be shocked by this.

Whoa what's this? A post on The Tribe Daily?

Yup!

If you do follow me on Twitter, there is also a chance you missed it.

The last post on this blog was December 8th, which feels like a year ago. That isn't a silly "but it was last year" joke. It really has felt like a full year ago. My life has changed since we last spoke, as on that same day (and mostly into the next morning) my house burned down.

When I say burned down, I mean, caught on fire, and partially burned down. The garage for all purposes is not there, at least the roof and all the insides. Most of the rest of the house suffered internal damage beyond repair, with only one room looking as if nothing happened. Everything else, burned, gone, whatever.

So that's where I've been this past month. I didn't ditch the site and if anything, a rather intriguing offseason (of not so much the moves that happened, but didn't happen as well as all the other cases of identity crisis) has gone un-touched by me on this space and TCF.

Which saddens me as it is gone, just as my hat collection is.

Fear not though, as I'm getting on my feet and my family has started to rebuild our lives (our house is a different story as we still go through that). Right now I still don't have a computer at home that I can use, so my work is limited to the 10-12 hours I spend on campus, but homework and work take priority over anything right now.

I'll be back soon though, in full force.

For now, I wanted to discuss a few of the events I haven't had the proper time/space to dive into.

Photo - AP, via ESPN.com

The first is this Fausto Carmona thing. I kind of wrote a satirical piece on TCF's wire the other day about it. You can read that if you wish. I think Paulie C., as he always does, kind of hit the nail on the head for the most part though. It's just odd, but it happens and it happened quite frequently in Carmona's time. Just look at the case of Wally Bryan/Jose Ozoria with the Indians a few years back. Think of all the guys who didn't make it to the big leagues, who did do this thing.

It was commonplace for awhile, but teams and the MLB have started cracking down, becoming better policemen for this issue and taking more caution in terms of signing these foreign players and dealing with scouts/agents/who have you.

What I find interesting though is how the Indians have not completely cut ties yet with the man who I have no idea what to call. They acquired Kevin Slowey, which leads you to believe they are either A)Preparing to not have him because they probably won't have him or B)Preparing for the possibility of not having him and just being overly cautious. You really cannot know or tell given the situation.

My question though goes a little deeper. It goes back into the psyche of Carmona/Heredia... Was this not the same man who had some issues just years ago that forced him into seeing the team shrink? This was the same pitcher that essentially had to be rebuilt because his confidence and his personality were so shaken he couldn't throw a strike.

Does that problem go into this? This issue? The fact that Carmona has been living a life that, essentially was his, but it wasn't? Carmona isn't Carmona and as Paul put it in his piece, it was his talent, but without the name Fausto Carmona, there is no Fausto Carmona. Without the age of Fausto Carmona, there is no Fausto Carmona.

The pitching legend of 2007 and the midges never happens.

Perhaps 2007 doesn't happen at all.

Maybe Carmona's problems are Heredia's solution? Maybe now that Fausto Carmona can now be Roberto Hernandez Heredia, maybe 2007 Fausto Carmona can become 2012 or 2013 Roberto Hernandez Heredia.

Am I saying he's fixed or that he's going to come back and be 2007 Carmona? No, because that would be crazy.

But maybe this is so messed up and Carmona's mind has been so shattered, that maybe if he can get everything with his identity squared away and be allowed to pitch... Maybe just maybe he can just tap into what he has back there. So he's really 31? Who cares, he's shown success at the major league level. Maybe Roberto Hernandez Heredia could be the best offseason acquisition the Indians could have made. Maybe he will get cut, the Indians will save some cash (and go get a bat) and he'll drift away into obscurity.

Who really knows at this juncture. I hope for the Indians and Carmona's sake that this story is far from over. Maybe Carmona doesn't deserve a second chance, but perhaps Heredia deserves just one.Who's to say we wouldn't have done the same thing if we were either in his position or at that stage of our lives.

---

I sent my Twitter feed into an uproar last night (which was a mistake as I was on my phone) when I went on a sectioned rant about Prince Fielder. I know fans are upset that the Tigers got him, heck I'm not elated either.

But the thing that probably set me off was reading some Indians fans dooming and glooming and going on the typical "Dolan cheap" string. I have tried to combat this before and I had reached a point where I would just ignore the asinine people who'd bring it up.

Photo - Getty Images via Big League Stew

But it got to me last night and I couldn't hold back. For people to actually get upset with THE INDIANS because THE TIGERS signed someone is just ridiculous.

I understand the gripe from some people, about the complacency in regards to adding a first baseman. The rational protest to Dolan is Cheap or whatever it is people want to bring up. I get that and I understand it. I don't agree with it, but I get it.

That isn't what set me off, but it is the angle some people came at me with in response and I appreciate that view point, and it brings up some logical ideas that are worth exploring.

The first is, why aren't the Indians doing anything? I mean it is almost the end of January. But I have a question for you there... Why did it take Prince Fielder so long to sign? And it seems as if it took a Victor Martinez injury to push the Tigers to sign him. The guy played his cards right. Who knows, if he would have signed immediately after Pujols, he might have not got the deal he got with the Tigers, because Detroit did not have the need for him.

It mystified me as to why Prince was still out on the market as he was the top guy at first. Was there simply no one willing to fork over the dough? Perhaps, considering the biggest contenders were Seattle, Washington and until they netted Yu Davis, Texas. Washington and Seattle? Oh man, no wonder he didn't sign quickly. It turns out holding out for what he did was the best move he could have made, as the Tigers need created some extra bidding and soon enough, Prince has some money to match his name.

So that in a rather large nutshell is why the Indians haven't made a move in the first base market.

I know what you are saying, but you just got upset at the people that thought the Indians had a chance at signing Prince Fielder... Right, but in order for the Indians to make a move, they essentially needed the Prince to fall. After Prince goes, everyone else can set their market. Some will not wait, but if you are going to go after a Kotchman, you probably have to wait until he's one of the best people available. Kotchman isn't going to decide until he knows who definitely has interest and say someone lost out on Prince wanted the next option on the list. They might pay a little more.

They may not, which would go in the Indians favor as he'd come cheaper, which is why the Indians have held ground.

If Kotchman doesn't come to fruition they can then go to their next option, who is doing the same thing Kotchman is doing, wait for the domino above him to fall.

So, again, I can see and understand some viewpoints being brought. But there is some rationale that goes deeper into simply just "AHHH THEY SIGNED PRINCE, WHAT THE HELL ARE WE... NOT DOING?!"

I think things are a little magnified because it was Detroit, who really is this team's biggest competition (or is it, the Indians are their biggest competition?) in terms of the division. It might have been Castrovince (and I believe it was) or it could have been Bastian, but someone said that the Tigers getting Prince wasn't a move to win the division, the Tigers got Prince to win the World Series.

They already won the division without him, they know they can do that.

Did the Victor injury get them a little scared about their offense? You betcha, because that offense is what won them division, that and their MVP/Cy Young pitcher.

But I ask you this now.. What if that guy goes down? What do they have? A stellar offense? Last time I checked, it takes a lot more than a few mashers like Miggy and Prince to win a title. It may get you to the postseason, and it may get you deep if they both get hot. But you need pitching and that is one area that Detroit is still lacking in.

Of course this move effects the Indians, but do not think it is the dagger. There is more to this story because the book hasn't even been opened, let alone written. The Tigers have not won any division, you have not witnessed your team lose anything yet.

How can I say that and be positive? It's baseball damnit, that's how. If my heart gets broken, oh well, it won't be the first time and it won't be the last. But to abandon all hope before your ship has even been struck is senseless. This team can put something together and the offseason is not even over.

---

Quick Hits

- Back to Carmona: Manny Acta came out and said that Fausto is important to the Indians rotation. Well ya... Whether he bombs or not, the chance of him not bombing is there and if he doesn't bomb, that's another arm to count on. The Indians do want Carmona as they are trying to get him there, but the Slowey move does tell us, they are ready for him not to be around if it is the case.

- The added layer that Carmona was paying the real Fausto Carmona for his identity seems to make me think even more that this has been a big notch in that whole Carmona psyche thing. Maybe I'm pulling wildly at straws here with it, maybe I'm not...

- Slowey cost the Tribe My Favorite (Zach) Putnam, which is sad because he A) Went to Michigan and B) Is awesome. But he'll go on and have some success if given the chance to be a middle guy in the pen, I can feel that. Its a shame the Indians lost a nice portion of depth in young bullpen arms (Josh Judy, Cory Burns, Putnam) and all they have is Slowey and Aaron Cunningham, but again, the season hasn't been played yet.

- JULIO!!!! Julio Lugo was signed to a minor league deal and he is added to the group of Jeremy Accardo, Fred Lewis, Andy LaRoche, Jose Lopez, blah blah blah. I like the Lewis move, and the Lugo one is interesting. Really interesting because the Blue Jays signed Omar Vizquel to a minor league deal.

I know that will perplex some people, considering they are kind of in the same position in terms of being infielders. But Omar tweeted that the Indians didn't have a spot and that tells you all you need to know. The Indians cannot sign a guy like Omar Vizquel and expect to cut him. The Blue Jays? They can do it, they can sign Vizquel to a minor league deal and if he doesn't make the team, he doesn't make the team. But if he doesn't make the Cleveland Indians? The world implodes.

Julio Lugo? Eh, cool. Of all these Minor League FAs, I like Freddie Lewis the best.

- Excited for Tribe on Tour as I'll be partaking once again this year at Summit Mall in Fairlawn. I'm really excited for this year's batch. As fun as it was to meet Choo, I really am looking forward to some of these personalities that are going to be there. Vinnie Pestano alone for me is going to be fun.

Offseason Rundown: Trust Us, We Know What We're Doing

2011-12-08T08:49:00.000-05:00

On the heels of our #MysteryTrade momentum, let's get serious as the Winter Meetings wind down. At least for a few minutes.

[WINTER WRAPUP]

The Winter Meetings are coming to an end here and you should have expected this. Did you really think a deal was going to get done? Did you think something hugely significant was going to come out of this that involved the Indians?

Now that doesn't mean significant progress has been made on some fronts. That is primarily what the meetings are for, laying the groundwork for free agent deals and potential trade avenues. So let's dive in to some of the numerous quotes from general manager Chris Antonetti and manager Manny Acta.

The first is that Antonetti expects to have something done before leaving Dallas.

"I would expect to have something done," Antonetti said. "Now, whether that's a Minor League free-agent signing, or if it's a trade, I don't know. I'd say we have a handful of trade proposals right now out there, at least. Actual proposals. There are a couple that are up to us and there are a handful that are up to other teams."

Bastian seemed to lean toward it being a minor league deal, which would be par for the course with the Indians, would it not?

The second part of that quote, you can take it for what you will. We had a lot of fun with the Mystery Trade stuff yesterday, and some people have actually gone as far as thinking something is actually going to come from that. Again, Antonetti wouldn't say something like that if it was eventually going to happen. That just isn't the way the Indians roll.

Although in that light, Antonetti doesn't seem to be as well trained in Shapiroese as Mark Shapiro was/is. Of course given that it is called Shapiroese, there is no one better at it than Shapiro himself. He made no bones about the fact that the Indians do not plan on selecting anyone in the Rule 5 draft. Way to tip your hand Chris.

Bastian seems to elude to the fact that Carlos Pena AND Derrek Lee are out of the Indians price range. I can buy Pena, but Lee? Is that aging vet really going to command that much on the market? Pena should get upwards of $10 million or at least could in my mind. Is Lee really going to get that much too?

Lee made $7.5 million last year at the age of 35 and with it he hit .267 with a .325 OBP. He was decent. Is he really worth that same price tag this year and is that too expensive for he Tribe who plan to have about that much to play with?

I find that a little hard to believe... But we proceed with that assumption. The feeling is if the Indians are going to make an addition, the market for what they are IDEALLY looking for is so shallow that they'd go for a trade (given also their depth in the pitching department to be a good fit with another team), but then again, a trade is just as hard to find. You need to have a willing trade partner who has what you want, who also desires something that you are willing to part with.

It could be just as difficult trying to find a right-handed hitter with pop that can play first base and left field.

The name that was brought up the other day as having been offered to the Tribe was Carlos Lee, but again, the salary played a significant part in that deal not happening. If the rumor is true that the Astros were willing to take on half of Lee's salary, we can assume anything that costs $9 million and up is out of the question.

Photo - Jordan Bastian via Twitter

Jon Morosi of FOXSports is back saying that Astros will eat salary to move him, but again, they'll need to eat a little more than they might have wanted to if the Indians are going to be a match.

Lee would be a nice fit if you can find a way to get the Astros to eat a lot of his salary. He could primarily play first base, shift out to the outfield when you want to get Santana at first, wouldn't predominantly play there at all. It would be a good match.

In addition to looking incredibly awesome with his stellar looking tie and lovely bald head, Manny Acta was also talking. He said that the depth to the rotation staff is really going to be huge for this team moving forward. I'm looking more at what he had to say in regards to Jimenez starting winter ball (come Dec. 20th).

"It's very important," Acta said of having Jimenez pitch some this winter. "He feels that it's going to get him in the best shape possible for Spring Training, and he has experience with that. His best season with the Rockies, he pitched winter ball up until the end of the playoffs over there."

The widespread belief (or if you want to categorize it, hopeful reasoning?) is that Jimenez fell behind last year with injuries and never really caught up with himself, perhaps trying to do too much at times. Let's hope that is the case and that this year from start to finish will get him in order.

So if you proceed with that line of thinking, you have two top of the rotation guys, a veteran, a middle of the road guy who does nothing but give you a chance to win, and an enigma bringing up the rear.

I'm cool with that. It's better than what this team has started with in the past is it not? A Cy Young winner and four guys who we hope will be good. A Cy Young Winner, an enigma, and three randos. Five guys... Four decent starters and Jason Johnson. Whatever right? Baby steps. Baby steps.

In addition to talking about Ubaldo and the rotation, Manny Acta was on MLB Network's Intentional Talk and revealed that Travis Hafner likes Lady Gaga.

Great time doing @intentionaltalk, but now I'll probably have to wrestle Hafner for saying that he likes Lady Gaga. I don't like my chances. - @Mactriber_11

I'll be honest, I lost a little man-love for Hafner with that. But it isn't anything we already knew after the "Bad Romance" song swept the clubhouse last year after wins. Hafner's always behind the inside jokes.

More Wrap-Up:

HOYNSIE (It's more fun when I say it in all caps) said the Indians talked to Dan Wheeler's agent. Why? I'm not sure. Wheeler was offered arbitration (which he should take, duh) and the bullpen is deep. Even HOYNSIE knows this.

It would appear that Albert Pujols will not be going to Miami, which is a bit of a kick in the pants for Indians fans hoping it would happen at the oft chance that Gabby Sanchez would be made available in a trade.

But Mark Buehrle is, which is good, because he is no longer in the AL Central and can no longer torment us in Cleveland with his awesomeness. I feel slightly bad for White Sox fans losing a guy they adored, yet I have no sympathy when I think more about it.

I know people keep bringing up a Hanley-Cabrera swap in the #MysteryTrade suggestions, but look here. It makes no logical sense from the Indians perspective, especially when you break down in a few aspects...

1.) You put a lot of work into Asdrubal Cabrera, both on the field and off. He's matured in a few different ways, both on the field with how he's play and the way he took care of his body and off the field with the way he leads the team. On the flip-side, Hanley Ramirez has had recent issues with not running out plays, playing sloppy, bad attitude, etc. That isn't a fair trade in that aspect.

2.) The money doesn't even come close to adding up. Hanley Ramirez has three years left on his contract extension and he's owed $46 million dollars. Yikes. Cabrera has one less year of control left, but they are both arbitration.

You also have to look at it this way. The Marlins are looking to move Hanley to third, not second, which is where they'd have to move Cabrera to if they acquired him. It just overall doesn't make a lot of logical sense. It's a nice, interesting idea (and if they cleared up Hanley's contract, maybe they would be more apt to opening up the idea of acquiring Pujols AND CJ Wilson.

Photo - Getty Images via Yahoo! Sports

But it ain't happening. Cabrera is staying...

[RANDOM RUNDOWN]

On that note, Asdrubal Cabrera made his Winter Ball debut last night for Venezuela. He ripped it up, 3-4 with a double and he scored all three times. Great start, great start chap.

The Rule V Draft is today as the Winter Meetings come to a close and as mentioned earlier, the Indians will not be selecting anyone. That doesn't mean there isn't anything to worry about though as they could have players selected. Last year they lost Josh Rodriguez to the Pirates and Jose Flores to the Mariners. Of course each was returned at some point.

Rodriguez is on the list created by Jonathan Mayo as potential picks this year. Why he's listed as a member of the Indians is beyond me. But he could get picked again, so good luck to him.

The concern is with losing Bryce Stowell or Rob Bryson to be quite honest. Other than that, I wouldn't worry a whole heck of a lot about this year's Rule V Draft.

This should effectively end our little week of fun with the Winter Meetings. We'll see what comes of this "deal in the works" and if it really is just a minor league deal and if any groundwork was laid for a potential deal, but it looks like we'll go into the new year still waiting for a new addition, because if the Indians are not going to have the money for a Carlos Pena or a Derrek Lee, the market has to thin out.

Offseason Rundown: Mystery Team? How about #MysteryTrade!

2011-12-07T08:03:00.000-05:00

You have to love the Winter Meetings. They produce so many unfounded rumors. It's hard to get excited about something because you don't want to buy into something that will inevitably not even true and if you do, you will be extremely let down when you find out that some rumor was just an errant rumor.

[MYSTERY TRADE]

And that's why I simply laugh at this idea of a Mystery Trade.

Chris Antonetti got Twitter all a-stir when he said... this... Via Bastian

Antonetti said Tribe has one trade proposal that "you guys wouldn't believe. I could probably give you 50 guesses & you wouldn't get it."

Okay so 50 guesses?

Fausto Carmona for Joey Votto?

Travis Hafner for Roy Halladay?

This isn't getting anywhere.

Luis Valbuena for Cash?

Wait that happened already.

I got it... Chad Huffman for Jason Heyward... Perfectly fair.

Jokes aside, why would Chris Antonetti say this? I mean, is he just trying to get everyone off his tail and thinking about something else? I mean this is clearly not going to happen because if Antonetti says that we wouldn't believe it, it either means... A) Indians were offered a trade that is completely ridiculous that no one would believe nor accept, therefore it is not happening or B) Indians offered a trade to a team that you would not believe almost got accepted, but again, is not happening.

In addition to that though, Antonetti added that he was active in discussions on the trade and free agent front. And as mentioned earlier weird things happen at these meetings. I mean, we've all been in a fantasy football or baseball league and gotten a ridiculous trade offer, right? Or made one, right?

I mean hey, you get Billy Beane a few drinks in him and who knows. Maybe that's how the Matt Holliday trade happened, you know?

So let's get goofy with this, it is the offseason after all and if all we are going to get is a Mystery Trade out of this, we might as well abuse it.

We're now taking your best #MysteryTrade proposals on Twitter. Remember they have to be something you would never believe. They can be real, fake, involving Andy Marte or any other sort of useless baseball equipment. Here are some of the better ones that were submitted last night. As you can see there is a mix of ridiculous and serious. Mine mostly border on the side of ridiculous or Andy Marte.

we got someone from the giants, no not those giants....... #tanaka'sback - @Gozjr
Kipnis and Masterson for Matt Kemp. - @SkatingTripods
its gotta be hanley for asdrubal and jeanmar haha - @Tbolt7
roberto alomar for matt lawton and billy traber and alex escobar ; oh wait its 2011 not 2001 - @nextyearinCLE
Albert, Omar, Manny, And Thome for ... Nothing but broken hearts - @Richie927
Trade the rights of the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame to St. Louis for Albert Pujols - @SamAmeen
How about Carlos Baerga for Trevor Crowe and a couple of King Cobra 40s? #MysteryTrade - @Rocket2Me

Make sure you include the hashtag #MysteryTrade so we can make it awesome.

[WINTER MEETING RUMORS]

On a serious note, there are some real rumors that came out. One came from FOX Sports' Jon Paul Morosi that said the Indians were looking at right-handed hitters Derrek Lee, Andruw Jones and Mike Cameron. Lee is on our offseason chart and has garnered some interest from the Pirates, the team he was traded to at the deadline last year.

Photo - Getty Images via Infosurhoy.com: "It's CLOBBERIN TIME!"

There was a rumor from Danny Knobler of CBSSports that the Indians were approached with a Carlos Lee offer from Houston, with the Astros paying half of the salary on Lee this year ($18.5 Million) but Knobler claims that it was too much for the Indians still. $9 million is within the budget line thought of, but after Lee hit just 18 home runs last year, I'm not sure that is what the Indians are looking for for that price. Lee will turn 36 in June next year. So he is definitely on decline.

And I don't think this is the Mystery Trade either, Lee and half of his contract does not seem like a deal that is "unbelievable" in any sense.

This could be the "activity" that Antonetti was talking about in terms of discussions. It would not be out of the realm of possibilities that Antonetti is kicking the tires on these types of players. They'd be more cheaper options, but again, probably most feasible. Lee on the other hand? The Indians would need to give the Tribe something more worthwhile or take off some of that salary.

Morosi went on to add that the Indians are willing to deal their bullpen depth to get the bat they want. The Indians, if they do make a deal, would likely do just that. If you remember to last week, I brought up the Chris Perez thing and it seems like a lot of people would be okay with that. It would take a lot to get me over that emotionally, but you simply cannot deny the idea of the return on a closer and how that sandwich artist that sets him up could easily slide into ninth inning duties.

One team was taken out of the race for a closer, as they join the Marlins in teams who have solidified their need for a closer and that is the Toronto Blue Jays. They acquired Sergio Santos from the White Sox to close out games for them.

Bastian said that a few teams have called on Chris Perez about his availability and noted that the Jays were not interested and nothing else significant has come out on that front.

The only thing you need to remember now is that just because a team calls on a player, doesn't mean the team he is on is interested in dealing him.

One thing that you have to continue to wonder is if the Indians will use this depth they talk about in their pitching staff to swing a deal for a first baseman and then use the money not spent to sign a first baseman to sign a pitcher. That could be a route given the depth of the starting pitching in the free agent market compared to the first baseman market. Not that it is incredibly stellar, but it is more deep.

[RANDOM RUNDOWN]

The Indians finally made their move to clear room for Grady Sizemore's re-addition to the 40-man roster and as expected by some, it was Hector Rondon that got ousted. Rondon is still in the recovery stages of Tommy John surgery and now he has another set-back in his latest issue, a fracture in his elbow. This will keep him out anywhere from five to nine months depend on who you ask. There is little to no chance that a team selects him given this development with a new injury. Rondon had surgery in November.

Bastian adds that if Rondon clears and is outrighted, he will not receive an invite to big league camp and will start his spring in Minor League camp. He won't pitch well into the season if he pitches at all.

Tough road for someone who was, just a few years ago, the next Indians starter. The Indians haven't had much luck in that regard. After Adam Miller, it was Hector Rondon. We've seemed to move onto a new era of starters now and Rondon's outrighting just kind of puts us at that point.

The Indians met with Jack Hannahan's agent Joe Speed about Hannahan's contract situation. Some work has to be done with players who are arbitration eligible by Dec. 12 and the Indians and Speed reportedly did just that.

In other arbitration news, it seems as if the Indians are going to shy away from the contract extension, just a day after there was talk about the Indians interested in extending Shin-Soo Choo. Hoynes notes that instead of buying a few years of free agency with extensions, the Indians have simply stopped making these deals with their players after Fausto Carmona.

Maybe so, but maybe the Indians haven't had a reasonable person to extend? Asdrubal Cabrera is the only one you can really make a case for and he hasn't had a two consistent seasons in a row to make anyone believe he deserves a contract extension.

Choo? They've tried, but Boras has had no interest in that.

Who else were you going to extend? Back in the early 2000's they had players to do that. CC, Cliff, Peralta, Hafner, Sizemore... They call came a long at different times. The Indians really only have had two of those players that you could consider and they both had circumstances that made it not possible or not a good idea.

Now it seems like a good idea, at least in the case of Asdrubal Cabrera and it may even seem possible in the case of Shin-Soo Choo. Hoynes goes on to note that an agent said it would be a good time for Cabrera to get an extension from his own perspective. The agent said it would be too expensive for the Indians right now.

In addition to trying to add a first baseman, the Indians are looking to be really flexible. So Jason Donald is getting time in the outfield and now it looks like Michael Brantley will get time at first base this spring.

If Brantley does play some first base this year, like Donald in the outfield, it will probably be minimal. It is not intended to switch Brantley to first, why would you do that to an excellent center fielder? You wouldn't, but like they did with Carlos Santana, Brantley has some ankle injury issues and you'd like to preserve him while keeping his bat in the lineup.

Offseason Rundown: Waltzing in a Winter Wonder-land

2011-12-06T09:02:00.000-05:00

Reyes is a Marlin, Manny is coming back, and "Winter" meetings are going on in a place that likely doesn't know what a real winter feels like. Yup, MLB offseason.

[WINTER WONDERMENT]

Photo - Chuck Crow via Cleveland Plain Dealer

The Winter Meetings do begin this week, so you can expect a whole lot of rumors and probably very few actual moves to get done. This is the time that rumors fly and sometimes they get to uncontrollable and sometimes puzzling heights.

So just tread with caution. Don't believe everything you read or take major stock into something unless the reports get really deep and more than just one or two people say it. Even then, tread lightly.

Jordan Bastian has a little bit of a Meetings preview up at Indians.com, highlighting a few of the Indians needs/target positions.

As we've been discussing, the need is still there for an outfield/first base type bat. Ideally this desired player would play both positions, hit right handed and also come very very cheap. Someone tell the Indians if that player is out there.

Bastian also highlights that depth for the pitching staff is needed, which is always needed for any team at any point in the year. You won't see many of those deals made though. Those are late in the offseason, veteran minor league contracts if anything.

Fausto and Hafner are brought up as possible trade chips, but you probably won't see either dealt. And of course at the conclusion of the meetings, the Rule V Draft will be held, but the Indians do not figure to be players nor are they expected to lose anyone major.

The most important note is at the end, which indicates how much the Indians may have to spend. If you do out the estimates, they are expected to pay anywhere from $20-25 million in arbitration deals, which would bring them right around $60ish in total payroll as of now. Bastian seems to think they'll be around the $70 million mark in terms of a budget, so anyone that can do math knows they'll have around $10 million to possibly spend.

If that's the budget, I'm sure they definitely can find the bat they need with that money. The next step is finding the fit. Like I said, if anyone knows of that ideal player, they better let the Indians know, ASAP.

There are two players the Indians have at least poked their head on and one of them is on our Offseason Chart and both of them are former Indians. One is Casey Blake, who was made a free agent after the Dodgers bought him out of his $6 million contract. Blake would definitely fit the role of someone who can play first base (even third) and the corner outfield spots. He's a right-handed hitter, a nice veteran and we know what he can bring to the table.

But he's also 38-years-old, and coming off a season in which he played just 63 games, after eight seasons playing at least 100. So we'll see there. Speaking of injuries, Ken Rosenthal has the Indians as one of four teams that have inquired in with Mark DeRosa and his surgeon. DeRosa was semi-decent when he came over from Chicago a few years ago before he got dealt to St. Louis. But he's been a walking medical report since he signed in San Francisco.

MLBTR says he may have to sign a minor league deal, which at that point is something you probably do just for the hell of it. The Indians need a more stable option though, so again, that would be a cheap, veteran type move you make later.

In other rumor news stemming from the first day of Winter Meetings, the Indians are reported to have interest in Casey Kotchman and Josh Willingham. Kotchman would be a good fit at first as someone who provides an above average defensive glove, but his year in Tampa was a bit of a surprise offensively. If he can do what he did last year, .300 type average, high .300's in OBP, decent pop (10 HR/24 2B) then he would be a nice fit.

Willingham on the other hand would be a outfield option and Bastian says that the interest has been "mild."

Another name that came up? Kevin Kouzmanoff, who could probably make a switch over to first base. Bastian says its nothing serious. Is anything every serious?

Look, it's names. They're going to come up, even with the Indians. As Jordan also said, names are going to come up and the Indians are going to be poking their head in on any and every first base options (aside from Prince Fielder, unless his price tag drastically drops down, which won't the way the Marlins are spending).

Of course when you talk to Chris Antonetti, Matt LaPorta is still in the fold, although on less comfortable terms. If anything, the Indians finding a first baseman is for flexibility, but we all know it is for certainty to start most of the time than it is to be a "flexible" option.

The idea keeps coming up and now with Bastian is that Gabby Sanchez is a fit if the Marlins sign Albert Pujols. Paulie C. was the first to originate the idea in his offseason map, so if it ever comes to fruition, credit him with the vision to see that one. But the Marlins still have to nab that first baseman before we can think of Sanchez being available.

Bastian says it would probably take a starting pitcher.

So that brings up another idea. What if the Indians were to trade a starter for a first baseman and then sign a starting pitcher instead? It all depends on what is out there for what price and it just continues to go along the lines of "getting creative."

It would be tough to say no to trading Josh Tomlin for Sanchez, for the simple fact that Tomlin is one of those guys you have a hard time parting with out of pure joy of watching him. But if you can upgrade your team, it's hard to say no.

[STAFF ALIGNMENT]

The Indians announced their coaching staff alignment for the upcoming season. There has been some shake-ups, but not much after Edwin Rodriguez was announced to be taking over for the departed Aaron Holbert and all the Major League coaching staff shake-up.

Mike Sarbaugh will return to Columbus and be flanked by Phil Clark and Ruben Niebla. Chris Tremie is also returning to Akron with Tony Arnold and Rouglas Odor.

As mentioned Edwin Rodriguez will be in Carolina and he'll be joined by Scott Erickson as his pitching coach. The name might look familiar if you are a baseball fan and remember Erickson from his run in the 90's when he was a legit starter for Minnesota and Baltimore. He's a 20-game winner for Minnesota (and he holds a World Series ring) and had a solid run with Baltimore in the mid-to-late 90's. Erickson was a starter and bounced around the last few years of his career, last pitching nine games as a reliever for the Yankees in 2006.

Lake County will have a shake-up with Dave Wallace, who coached the Scrappers last year, moving up to full-time duty as the Captains manager. He's joined by Jeff Harris and Jim Rickon. Ted Kubiak is moving down to the short-season Mahoning Valley squad, with Greg Hibbard and Tony Mansolino assisting. Anthony Medrano is staying on as the Rookie League manager in Arizona.

The interesting addition to that rookie league squad is Steve Karsay as pitching coach. Indians fans should definitely remember Karsay from his stint in the Indians bullpen. Karsay has an incredible 1999 season with the Tribe, winning 10 games out of the pen and carrying a 2.97 ERA in 78 innings. He never really had a better year prior or after that, but he bounced around spending time in Oakland and the Yankees as well with Cleveland.. He's one of the people to undergo elbow and Tommy John surgeries in his career than then bounce back to have a good season.

the Indians also added Rob Leary as their field coordinator, a position he held with Boston for several years before working the past two seasons on their major league staff.

All in all the Indians were probably hurt by Tim Belcher stepping down, but they seem to be in good shape. I really like the Erickson hire as he could probably be a Tim Belcher like addition if he sticks with it and gets experience. A former major leaguer with success that can transition to the coaching world.

[RANDOM RUNDOWN]

The Indians are stocking up on minor league catchers with relatively little if any major league experience. In addition to bringing back Michel Hernandez and Luke Carlin, the Tribe signed Matt Pagnozzi. He's no Sal Fasano caliber of Italian, but he'll have to do.

Pagnozzi is not even 30 yet, but he's another depth option for the team as they try and fill out their Triple-A and Double-A catching roster. Given the number of catchers that went down last year, I'm sure the Indians want to be as prepared as possible. He's played for Colorado and Pittsburgh and was drafted by St. Louis in 2003.

He's also certainly not Tom Pagnozzi (his uncle who won several Gold Gloves as a catcher).

Shin-Soo Choo is fulfilling his abbreviated military commitment, which he did not just avoid by winning the gold medal but rather got it adjusted to something way shorter and way easier than he would have had to face had he not won the gold medal. He'll be back in the states and beginning his hitting program by the first of the year.

There is also some idea that the Indians are interested in an extension, but as always it takes two to tango. I'm interested to see if the way the Indians treated Choo during his DUI arrest has changed his opinion on Cleveland and if all of a sudden he's a little more warmer to staying here. If he's now thinking that Cleveland isn't that bad of a place because the team he is playing for really does have his best interests at hand.

We'll see.

Photo - Getty Images via Yahoo! Sports

After he's done taking in Jets games and golfing, Ubaldo Jimenez will make 4-7 starts in Winter Ball to kind of ramp up his start to 2012. He's always said that last year he didn't get a chance to pitch in Winter Ball effected his performance last year, so the Indians thankfully worked with him to get him out there for a sense of regularity.

Asdrubal Cabrera will also play Winter Ball, but in Venezuela. As good of a year as he had, the Indians felt he tapered off a little bit and they want to get him to a point where he can be prepared to play into September and October. Cabrera is a great player, but he's still not the complete player he can be. It's taken a lot of work, so it's good to see the Indians looking for another way to get him in top shape.

And then there is the case of Carlos Santana, who played so much last year that the Indians would prefer he not play in Winter Ball. A catcher who played as much as he did last year certainly does not need it.

[TWITTER RUNDOWN]

In case you are wondering, I am keeping a log of all the players offseason happenings via Twitter. Vinnie Pestano is certainly filling up the log with his exploits and interesting sandwich creations.

Aside from the apparent "Beat Reporter Vs Indians Management" Olympics that seems to be brewing between the duo of Jordan Bastian and Chris Assenheimer with Manny Acta and Mark Shapiro, LeVon Washington is stealing the offseason.

I was asked by Twitter friend Michael Ondo if I was keeping a log of all of the "WashTime" tweets by LeVon Washington. Quite frankly, I am keeping a running log in my head of all of LeVon Washington's tweets. The man is pure entertainment. Cole Cook and Will Krasne are still the best at Twitter, but if I want pure late night entertainment, I'm pulling up the LeVon Washington feed.

WASH TIME!

What the hell is Wash Time you ask?

You are not worthy of asking if you do not know.

In other words, only LeVon Washington really knows. And we can only assume it includes him "going ham" because he is not only "WashGod" but "WashWindian".

Crank up!

On a serious note.. This WashTime stuff is really filling up my timeline to a point of overkill. Apparently Washington is going to be giving out "WashTime" shirts to his followers. He has over 600, so. I hope for his wallet's sake he isn't on planning on giving one to everyone.

Offseason Rundown: Sizing up Sizemore and New CBA

2011-11-29T08:00:00.000-05:00

The semester that has engulfed my personal clock is finally coming to an end this week. Just think that at the start of it, we were discussing Indians baseball and towards the middle of this next one, we'll be discussing Indians baseball. Right now? Indians offseason, of course! I know everyone around these parts is talking Urban Meyer, but my team won on Saturday, so I'm just going to bask in that glory for the first time in eight years and go onto some Tribe talk.

[DOWNSIZING]

In the end of it all, Grady Sizemore is back for four million dollars less than the Indians were scheduled to pay him.

In possibly the ultimate end of it all, Grady Sizemore could earn that four million back.

Photo - AP via Yahoo! Sports

Essentially what the Indians did is tell Sizemore that they were not going to pay him that, by his injury standards, pay him an astronomical contract. But they would pay it to him if he remained healthy.

Basically Sizemore doesn't even have to play good, he just has to play. All of Sizemore's incentives are based off plate appearances. he does have small $500K bonus if he wins Comeback Player of the year, which would mean he needs to perform well, but he can still earn $3.5M if he plays enough.

You can't fault the Indians line of thinking though. If he plays, he is likely to play well. If he isn't playing well, the Indians simply won't play him. I'm sure the Indians would gladly fork over the extra $4 million to get a healthy Grady Sizemore that produces. That will probably mean he helps them to the playoffs. If not, they trade him to someone who could use him and get something in return.

This is Indians Front Office 101, only on a bigger scale with someone who wants to be around in Cleveland.

And we touched up on this last time, but it seems like Grady Sizemore almost felt compelled that he owed Cleveland this. I would also believe Antonetti personally flying to Arizona to inform Grady that they were not picking up his option played a big part in keeping the bridge with Sizemore open.

For once, it is nice to hear someone say the following.

"I just wasn't ready to say goodbye. I wasn't ready to move on," Sizemore said. "I just had a hard time letting go of Cleveland and saying goodbye. I'm familiar with them, and I still consider it home. They know me better than anybody. It was just hard to leave."

Then you have Antonetti talking about how he was not sure if Grady would be open to returning. I'm sure the other teams pocket books had something to do with that.

"I'm not sure I was overly optimistic about it," Antonetti said. "Fundamentally, there was that mutual interest in both parties for Grady to remain an Indian. But we are very well aware that when players go to the free-agent market a lot of things can happen, and there are different factors that come into play."

To me, reading that it sounds as if Antonetti wanted to keep Sizemore from the very start, but knew full-well he could not make any additions what so ever if he brought Grady Sizemore back for $9 million dollars without any sort of cushion. So he took the risk of letting Sizemore walk and if he did, he'd find another project to go after.

It also would seem as if Grady Sizemore had the Indians in mind the entire time. This deal got done quickly and quicker than other teams like Boston thought. Although Boston was not a serious contender, Philadelphia, Chicago (Cubs), and Colorado all were.

You can check out the expanded salary document that is attached to my expanded salary, bonus and service time chart. I have all of Sizemore's incentives listed. He'll make $250K for 450 and 475 plate appearances and then it goes up to half a million for every next 25 plate appearances until he reaches 650.

If you want some perspective, he hasn't hit 500 since 2009, which if the Indians got that production they'd probably be content. But this is someone who reached the 700 mark four times between 2005 and 2008. So if he does that and reaches 650, then something definitely went right and they'll get some good production out of $9 million.

But if he isn't healthy, there is no way he reaches 450, which he did not reach in any of his injured stints.

The deal makes fundamental sense all around for both parties. Grady knows that this is his only shot at this point to get a big contract. He knows the Indians will give him an opportunity and that if he wants to make a lot of money with a nice long-term contract (and he's entering the back part of his prime years after this season, so this is his last shot for that) he needs to sign a one year deal and re-establish himself.

I do think $5 million is a lot for someone with some injury history, but because this is Grady Sizemore, it twists my arm a little more into accepting it. Paulie C. probably put it best that neither side is estatic about the deal, but they also are not thinking that this was a horrible deal.

The work is not done though. With Sizemore back (he'll play center field, a topic we'll have to revisit later) and Brantley coming off a late injury issue, I'd feel a lot more comfortable if the Indians got another bat that could play the outfield, or best scenario first base and the outfield.

[BARGAINING...COLLECTIVELY?]

First things first. People are going to continue to analyze this new collective bargaining deal and around Cleveland, scrutinize how it hurts/helps the Indians. I'm not going to do that, because I have absolutely no clue if it will help or harm the Indians in certain spots.

Here's what we I do know and think though.

- Another wild card. Just more of an opportunity for ~~another AL East team~~ the Indians to get into the postseason. You win one game and your in, awesome.

- The Indians are probably hurt by the fact that a team can sign one of their Type A free agents and they no longer get their draft pick. But that system was messed up anyway. The one year the Yankees signed Burnett and Teixeira, the team that really needed the pick (The Blue Jays) did not get it, the Angels did. Hogwash. There is also no more trading a player with the promise the other team gets draft picks if the player walks at the end of the year because said player needs to be on the team the whole season.

- There are now some limits on draft pick spending. Based off where a team picks, they have an assigned spending limit. That means teams like the Indians can no longer overpay high school talent that they select in the 50th round. Well, they could, but they can't sign any of their other picks.

- There are steep taxes now if you spend over-slot, which is still stupid and still favors big spenders. The Indians can never think of going over slot, while teams like the Yankees can. Just do away with taxes and put a hard cap on the damn thing. I still do not understand the scope of all these rules, so I will not pretend to dive into them and know what I'm talking about.

- I am a big fan of this "competitive balance lottery" however. Teams like the Indians have a chance to win extra draft picks. And it's nice because if the team does not want the pick, they can trade it.

- There is also an adjustment to the international spending just like the draft spending. Teams will be restricted in terms of how much they spend based off how much they win. It is rather cool that teams can trade spending limits though. I could see this hurting a team like the Indians though because if they spend for International Free Agents and they ended up winning, then that would hurt them and their way of acquiring talent.

- The one that I can definitely say will impact the Indians is the minor wrinkle about minor league contracts for veterans. Now there are built in clauses about making a major league roster to where a player can opt out and receive a $100K bonus if they are not on a major league roster by June 1. The Indians like to have a lot of depth guys in Triple A, always have. So they may end up spending a little more to keep those guys.

Bottom line, there are some real interesting things included in the new CBA that can and probably will impact a lot of teams. But this game is always changing and the new CBA is just part of that change. The Indians will have to adapt, which I have no doubt that they can. Teams will adapt and find out new plans of attack if their old ones do not work.

And it sounds like that with the new drafting restrictions will significantly impact the draft pool anyway and just force more players from High School to just go to college. So really, it impacts the Indians just as much as it does the rest of the MLB. If anything, the Indians and other teams will just start drafting the players they want to give big money to in the first ten rounds.

[RANDOM RUNDOWN]

You probably noticed the uniform changes the Indians announced by now. In case you did not, it will be return to old-school, sort of. Instead of all the flashy gray and silver or whatever it was around the classic script Indians across the chest, it will be simply two colors. The home whites now sport a Script Indians in red with blue outline and blue piping around the collar and sleeves while the navy alternates will have red Script Indians with a white outline and gray piping around collar and sleeves.

Photo - MLB.com/Cleveland Indians

I like it. It's more clean when you compare it to everything. It kind of looks like the jerseys the teams of the 90's sported. They are minor changes and they compliment the other uniforms with the block lettering well. And Chief Wahoo stays, so that makes the Wahoo lovers happy. Of course it makes the haters angry that it is still around, but that will continue to be phased out as they really push Block C.

They have also been making the minor tweaks to the piping and outlines for the past several seasons, so this was coming.

Jon Heyman says that Carlos Pena can get a multi-year offer on the market. I'd rule him out for the Indians if that is the case. The years is the thing.

On Twitter the other day, I saw a MLBTR post about Yonder Alonso, a first base prospect for the Reds, being shopped for pitching. I decided to make a comment based off the fact that MLBTR mentioned in the Indians. Now of course this is where speculation starts and "______ TEAM IS TRADING FOR YONDER ALONSO" ends.

It was probably unfair of me to throw out a name involving the Indians, but I did anyway considering others have this offseason. Many hold the belief that Chris Perez should be dealt for two reasons. The first is that he'll net you a good return and if you can get a capable bat for a closer, you do that deal. The second is that he's going to regress and that Vinnie Pestano is certainly capable of taking over the closer's role.

Look I have no doubt that Vinnie could do the job, but I'd rather not test that theory unless absolutely needed. The bullpen was the best thing about this team last year, so excuse me if I'm not ready to damage the depth without being absolutely certain about Pestano and the return you would get for Perez. If you were to hypothetically deal Perez for Alonso, then I'd be worried about Matt LaPorta syndrome. Granted Alonso looks more polished than LaPorta, but we said that about Andy Marte and look where we are.

Bottom line, I don't think Chris Perez is going anywhere, nor would I deal him unless some team came out with an offer that you simply do not say no to. But no one is going to do that. Perez would be the only arm in my opinion that the Reds would think about dealing for in-exchange for Alonso, because Ubaldo and Masterson are certainly not on the table. If Cincinnati was crazy enough to ask for Fausto, then you do that deal, but right now, I don't think that avenue is a match. The Reds can ask for the world, because they got a MVP over at First Base right now, so Alonso isn't exactly a big need for them.

In minor Indian news, Luis Valbuena is gone. I know you are so excited about this, so am I. The Indians dealt the man we call Baby Louie to Toronto after the Tribe designated him for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.

John McDonald, Jayson Nix, now Valbuena, the Blue Jays certainly like our utility infielders don't they? This was for the best though as Valbuena simply no longer fit into the plans of the Indians. He was too inconsistent and with guys like Donald, Phelps, and Hannahan, there was no point in keeping him around unless it was in the minor leagues for depth. Juan Diaz's inclusion onto the 40-man, basically says, we got ourselves a deep shortstop option if we need it, so we don't need you Valbuena.

I will miss the nickname, but not the anger that it is said with when he botches a routine grounder.

Offseason Rundown: Grady Sizemore Nearing Return

2011-11-19T11:00:00.001-05:00

Things are going to go smooth in this first edition of the Offseason Rundown and do you want to know why? I entered in my password correctly on the first try with no sort of interruption. You see my password is long, elaborate, coded with weird characters, and the title of a song from the 1990's. I know I just dropped a hint, but if someone is able to crack that and get into my blogger account, more power to them?

[WE KNEW YOU'D BE BACK!]

Grady Sizemore can't stay away can he? Several reports have been swirling since last night (Ken Rosenthal and confirmed by Sizemore's Agent) that Grady Sizemore and the Indians are nearing agreement on a one-year contract. Of course Sizemore's option was not picked up just a few weeks ago and he became a free agent. As of earlier in the week, there were as many as eight teams interested in Grady Sizemore, with the Colorado Rockies seemingly being the team that was in the news the most. The Red Sox were also up there, but now it is the Indians as the team that looks to be giving Sizemore the deal he will sign.

Photo: Getty Images via Yahoo! Sports

There's a few things at work here... The first is the fact that anywhere he goes, he's going to virtually get the same contract, right? I mean, if Boston wanted to they could probably give Sizemore more guaranteed money if they really wanted him. But that is not what Grady is looking for. Grady is simply looking for an opportunity to re-establish himself. Is Boston really a place he can do that? If anything, Colorado made more sense, but in Cleveland he knows his surroundings, he knows the circumstances, heck, he knows he'll have a spot in the lineup. He knows the training staff.

And in all likelihood, the Indians will be giving him incentives (Hoynes saying that it could reach the $9M he didn't get when his option was declined) that if he is healthy, he could probably reach, which means if he does what he intends to do, he gets paid either way. And if he does what he intends to do, the Indians have a force in the lineup, they, if everything else goes right, get what they want and get to playoffs, and everyone is happy.

That's the happy story side of all this. The unhappy story in this if you believe Grady Sizemore is a waste of time and there is no reason to be bringing him back. I guess if that's the case, you will have to go be unhappy somewhere. I don't think this signals the Indians disinterest in adding another bat though and some reports have them not ending here. Antonetti has also already said the Indians can get creative and we'll get to that in a bit.

There is also an interesting nugget that Buster Olney revealed in his blog post Saturday morning. He has some friends of Sizemore saying that Grady feels he owes the Indians something for his injury history.

Awhile ago back when Sizemore was lighting up the city and a future star in the making, there was this doom and gloom type of mentality that seems to come with all good things this city gets (understandable so, but also very silly to think about years in advance, no wonder this city is always depressed). The idea was that Sizemore would play his ass for a few more years, be really good, get us somewhere and then take millions and millions of dollars in free agency. Or the Indians would trade him for prospects right before that would happen. Something along those lines.

I always believed, and this carried into the recent years in which Sizemore is hurting every other day, that Sizemore felt a little different about this organization thanks to the type of players this regime has acquired and the attitude they've sort of built up. An attitude that maybe the Cleveland Indians are just a little bit more important than other things, as long as everyone is treated fairly.

I think the Indians have treated Grady Sizemore fairly and that has probably been something he's realized on more than one occasion when he's sat around on the disabled list. And now in a position where he could say, whatever I'm going elsewhere because I'm getting more money, it is good to see Sizemore realize the time and money that was previously invested in him and at least say, I kind of owe them something, right?

Right Grady, right. Welcome back, even though you never went anywhere.

[ROSTER SHAKE-OUT]

With the Indians adding everyone that they did in September, a lot of intrigue and suspense was taken out of Friday's roster decisions. There was two spots open on the 40-man, which could have meant anything given that the Indians seem to be a little bit more active in this whole "Hot Stove" thing. Those spots could have gone to player that needed Rule V protection, or they could have been saved for future planned additions.

Photo: MILB.com

Or they could have used both spots, created another one, and used that newly opened spot as well. Which is what they did. So there is your intrigue, there is your, shock. The Indians did not surprise many with the addition of Scott Barnes, who is closing in on being just another option for the Indians in the major league rotation. He joins like likes of Jeanmar Gomez, David Huff, and Zach McAllister as potential arms the Indians could call upon if they need it. Remember, it's good to have depth. I'd say, I thought the Indians might think about not rostering him because of the injury and think a team would pass, but better safe than sorry.

Some of the other names up for rostering included Bryce Stowell, Rob Bryson, Bryan Price, all bullpen arms. I thought of them all Rob Bryson was sure to get locked up, but that was not the case. The Indians went in two different directions and added shortstop Juan Diaz (acquired in the Russell Branyan trade with Zeke Carrera) and pitcher Danny Salazar. What, really? Yep. What this essentially came down to in my mind was need more than anything. If someone like Stowell or Bryson get picked, I think the Indians think there is no real loss in that. They have already added guys like Hagadone and Putnam, so they have quite a bit of depth in the relief aspect.

They don't have many true shortstops behind the guys like Donald and Valbuena (more in a second) and a guy like Diaz is just that, a true shortstop and now he is on the 40-man roster and just a call-away.

The Salazar move is extremely puzzling though. Salazar has been lighting it up at instructs, but he didn't pitch at all last season. And the highest he's been is Lake County. The chances of him getting taken? Slim to none... And if he does, as surprisingly as Jose Flores was last year, the chances he makes the roster? Even more slimmer to none.

In the grand scheme of things, is it that big of a deal? Probably not. We're talking a few spots. If the Indians need another spot or two (and the way things are shaping up with Sizemore, they'll need at least one), more room has to be cleared, but we're talking moves like the one they made to get a guy like Salazar on. Luis Valbuena was jettisoned and if he does clear waivers, as a first time outright, he'd be sent to Columbus and still remain property of the Cleveland Indians. Will someone claim him? At this juncture, it would not surprise me, but who knows what other teams out there looking at someone like Valbuena as a better option to what they have, or with open roster space.

Also of note, Scott Barnes is now the first listed pitcher on the roster, so. Have fun.

[STILL SANDY]

Can Boston pick a manager already? Seriously what is taking them so long.

The Indians were dealt a little bit of a nervous blow when the Chicago Cubs tabbed Dale Sveum and in turn, left the Boston Red Sox without someone they were looking at. Now the Red Sox continue to truck on with dreams of Bobby Valentine, and more realistic candidates like former Indians minor league manager (and current Blue Jays coach) Torrey Lovullo and current Indians bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr. Of course, Alomar won't get hired by the Cubs, but it looks like he had less of a chance in Chicago than he does in Boston.

Word is, the candidates are going to get another round of interviews. Now I would like Sandy to get a manager job down the road, because he deserves it and he seems to have the chops for it. But two things. I don't want that day to come. And when that day does come, A )I'd prefer it not be with Boston and B) I'd also prefer it to not be with Boston. No really, this situation is a mess right now and with the Red Sox entering this new sort of era, it does not look like it's organized and.. just simply put, it's Boston. There's a lot of high-paid guys and really no room for Sandy to be Sandy. Teams like that just need managers that manage the talent given. Sandy deserves a chance to manage a team that he can mold, a situation to someone like Manny Acta, coming in and getting to shape his team in his way.

Sandy won't get that opportunity in Boston. So with a selfish reason, and a logical one, let's hope Sandy Alomar Jr. Gets to be the bench coach for the 2012 season.

[RANDOM RUNDOWN]

Possible Target Discussion..... Carlos Pena was a central figure in our offseason discussion a few days ago and his name has now been brought up by both Paul Hoynes (meh) and Jordan Bastian. Mind you, both merely suggested it, not reported any interest by any party.

As Bastian later mentions in his blog post, the fact that Michael Brantley can play center or left field means the Indians can get creative. They can go out and get an outfielder that plays left or center or a first baseman, or someone who plays both. And now with Sizemore back in the fold as more of a incentive guy, they could probably realistic think of Pena if he's in the price range that is not between "Dumb" and "Stupid". Of course when you are dealing with Scott Boras, dumb nor stupid is never out of the realm of possibilities.

A few days ago, before the Sizemore thing erupted, Jason Kubel's name was brought up by Hoynes at the GM Meetings. He also called Thomas Neal, Travis Neal, so I have no interest in diving into that rumor.

I recently discovered Ubaldo Jimenez is actually on Twitter. Who knew? I certainly didn't. Jimenez is headed to Winter League in the Dominican with guys like Fausto Carmona, so that will be good to see.

Manny Acta placed fourth in the AL Manager of the Year vote. Of course I thought he definitely deserved to be higher than that after what he did, but of course Joe Maddon was a deserved winner.

In other manager news, under the radar pick up of Edwin Rodriguez by the Indians. Rodriguez will manage the Carolina Mudcats, which will be the new Single-A affiliate of the Indians, replacing the Kinston Indians. Rodriguez managed the Marlins last season before being fired and was once the hitting instructor for the Mudcats when they were in the Marlins system as a Double-A team back in 2004. Just a case of someone looking to get back on his feet as a coach in the big leagues. He replaces the departed Aaron Holbert, who left for the Braves system.

Non-Indians Offseason Notes... Big fan of the addition of two wild card teams and the fact that the two wild cards teams in each league play each other in a one-game playoff. Does not water down the regular season (actually makes it more important to win your division) and adds to the drama. Glad they also moved the Astros to the American League, enough with this 6 teams in the NL Central and 16 teams in the NL. Balance things out.

Big move by the Twins to get Ryan Doumit. I mean, healthy he's a great guy to have backing up either Morneau or Mauer at either spot, or someone who can play DH if both are healthy. The problem is you are trying to back up an injury prone pair of players with someone just as injury prone. Yikes.

2011 Offseason Preview

2011-11-14T08:00:00.000-05:00

Hey, hey, HEY! HEY! I saw what happened yesterday. So you mean to tell me that you are ready to be a baseball fan again? Awesome, great, sounds good. What perfect timing too because the General Manager meetings are starting today. Seems fitting to kick things off with the official unveiling of the offseason chart.

Every year I like to establish an offseason guide of possible targets. We don't normally usually see many of the targets actually acquired, but it is a good way to organize the comings and goings of this team during the offseason.

If you visit to the right and see the Offseason Outlook link, you'll be taken to this year's Offseason chart, which as always, is a work in progress throughout the entire winter months. We've got the targets, the new names coming in, the old names going out, even coaching moves. Not only that, but keep an eye on the 40-man roster to see who is on the bubble, who needs to get added (before the Rule V Draft in less than a month). Not to mention the Indians are going to be dishing out some money to arbitration eligible players such as Asdrubal Cabrera and Justin Masterson, so you'll need to keep an eye on that this offseason as well.

Let's break it down, step by step. I don't nearly have the time to go through each position like in year's past as in-depth as I tend to do and on top of that, the Indians already made probably their biggest move. So let's take a look at what we're dealing with

TARGETS BY POSITION

First Base

There's a few big names floating out there at the first base position. They go by Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols and where on the chart it has OUT OF PRICE RANGE, if I were to list both of those guys, they wouldn't even fit in that category. Heck Michael Cuddyer is a reach, that's for sure, but he would be the ideal fit due to his versatility.

Photo - Getty Images via Zimbio

So we're left with some real ehhhh candidates. The one that stands out to me more than anyone is Carlos Pena. Does he hit for average? No. Does he strike out a lot? Yes. Perfect, he fits in with the rest of this team. He's hit at least 28 home runs though the past five years. He hit .255 against right-handers with 21 home runs in 2011. He'd be the right-handed bat this team could use and he would bring you some power (and not mention, a decent glove) at first base. Matt LaPorta does not seem to be cutting it for me, so I'm ready to see someone brought in. Pena is a bit of a pipe-dream, but it would be one pipe-dream that I'd love to see come true. He'd fit perfectly as someone that plays every day against the right-handers, while Santana plays first against the left-handers, enabling Lou Marson to slide in and play.

Pena would come at a cost, that's no doubt, he made $10 million last year, but it was a one year deal. So it's conceivable to think that Pena would be a one-year stopgap option and looking at the fact that you saved some money in not bringing back Sizemore, there could be wiggle room.

Other options from there are more of the cheap ones. Guys like Xavier Nady, Jorge Cantu, Dan Johnson, and Brad Hawpe all seem like they'd be guys you'd take a chance on. Nady and Hawpe are even a little more intriguing because of the versatility in playing the outfield as well, which is also one of the Indians other alternative needs. It could potentially save them the roster spot to have someone who can play the outfield as well.

One veteran name that would probably get some love (and would fit the Indians MO given his price) is Derrek Lee. He's simply a veteran that would come on the cheap, but his play in Baltimore did nothing to inspire any confidence that he can be even a stop-gap.

Getting Creative: As always, the Indians need to explore the creative options and if they were to go that route, there are some options out there. Mark Reynolds could probably play first and he is sort of in the Carlos Pena mold that he will strike out a lot, nor hit for a high average, but he'll bring some big pop and a high on-base percentage. There could be other options out there, but it really isn't for many people to know, especially at this stage of the game.

Outfield

This may be more of a sleeping giant of a position that the Indians go after than you would think. With no Grady Sizemore, an oft-injured Nick Weglarz in the minors, Choo's disappointing year, Shelley Duncan being your next in-kine in most cases, and Zeke Carrera... Well, this team may need another bat out there.

Some good fits would be again, one year type players. A reuniting with Mark DeRosa? Someone like Fred Lewis would be a different fit. We of course cannot rule out a return by Grady Sizemore, but it looks more and more unlikely by the day with other teams pursuing him. The Indians may be looking to just cut ties all together and go for someone more durable. Which also makes it unlikely that they get a Mark DeRosa, or even someone like Connor Jackson, who again is someone who can play first base.

That may even mean Kosuke Fukudome is the best candidate out there. Fukudome was not only durable and much of a work horse after coming over, he was pretty good. And with a spot realistically open in the outfield, he might be enticed into coming back. We know what a fit he would be for the Indians, we know what he brings. So obviously it would work. It just becomes a matter of money and positioning.

I'd say though, perhaps the favorite if you would ask the Indians of a dream situation, if they had the money, is Josh Willingham, free agent from the Athletics. There were ideas of bringing him in at the deadline, but the Indians went for a cheaper option in Fukudome and it turned out pretty good. But with Willingham, not only do you run into issues with his fee, you run into the fact the's very well going to be a Type A Free Agent, which means it costs you a draft pick.

Getting Creative: There are no shortage of options when it comes to outfielders who you could trade for. You could even go in several different routes. You could try and pry guys like Seth Smith or Chris Heisey away from their respective teams (Colorado and Cincinnati), but they might be looking for a swap that involves more major league talent. Both are younger options that would be more than a one-year type of an acquisition.

Photo - Getty Images via Zimbio

Florida has a few players who've seemingly fallen out of favor in Chris Coghlan and Logan Morrison (also someone who could play first base). Coghlan is a former Rookie of the Year just two years ago who likely would not cost as much as someone like Morrison, but comes with some risk as to what he really is.

The Indians could go the route they did with Derek Lowe and try and get someone like Alfonso Soriano who has a huge contract and hope a team like Chicago is just looking for salary relief. Especially with someone like Theo Epstein now there and probably looking to spend, if he can save money by just getting rid of someone (even if he still has to pay) he may do it. Soriano can hit the long ball still (hasn't gone below 20 home runs since 2001).

And of course then there is a name like B.J. Upton, which came up a lot both during the time leading up to the deadline and shortly after the official declining of Grady Sizemore's option. He seems to be a favorite of Indians fans and could be a nice fit as someone who just needs a change of scenery. His numbers and potential present some interesting ideas in terms of what his value would be on the market in the offseason from a team like Tampa.

Pitching

I'm not even going to bother bringing up and diving into names like Aaron Harang and Rich Harden, which I have listed. If any of those guys (or guys like them) are out there on minor league deals, I could see the Indians have some interest. At this point, the rotation is set and the only thing the Indians are looking for is depth. You can never have too many depth options at that position.

You can ditto that for the relief pool. I'd specifically bring up two names though. Pat Neshek would be a reclamation project I'd look into if I were the Indians. And also local boy Adam Russell could be on the radar if he can't find a spot elsewhere.

ARBITRATION

Photo - Getty Images via Yahoo! Sports

SS, Asdrubal Cabrera: I think if there is one deal to be given out this offseason, it would be to Asdrubal Cabrera and no one else. That being said, the Indians will most definitely try and look into it and I think it would benefit them if they could look into getting something done. All in all, Cabrera will probably still not get the most money from the arbitration process.

3B, Jack Hannahan: It would behoove the Indians to get Jack Hannahan back and given that his offensive numbers are not out of this world, he'll come very cheap.

OF, Shin-Soo Choo: The down year will effect the price tag he gets and it gives Scott Boras a little less leverage if they were to discuss a long term deal. Not that they would at this juncture. It seems very likely that Choo is headed to Free Agency in a few years.

SP, Justin Masterson: Some are calling for Masterson to get a deal. I need another year before I can say that. Still Masterson will get a much deserved raised.

RP, Chris Perez: A Super Two guy actually entering his second of four years of arbitration. There is an idea that you could trade Chris Perez and bring a nice bat, but I'm sticking with Pure Rage. Extension? Nah, I don't like giving relievers extensions, it makes no sense. Chris will still get paid.

RP, Rafael Perez: You almost have to at this point. What reason could you say against it? He's not going to get overpaid by anyone and he turned in perhaps one of his best years.

RP, Joe Smith: He'll get a nice raise in the process after his incredible year. That's about it.

RULE V ELIGIBLE

We always cover this in-depth more into the winter when the roster deadline approaches, so expect more very soon. But to give you a quick preview via the eye-ball test. Bryce Stowell, Rob Bryson, Scott Barnes, and Bryan Price are the four names that stick out. The fortunate thing is that the Indians rostered a good portion of guys already and are not left with many tough decisions. Because of their depth in relievers, they could probably leave a guy unprotected and not be real sad if he got taken, especially since it would still take a whole lot to lose that guy.

I think out of them all, Rob Bryson is the one that needs protected that will get protected. He was in the CC Sabathia deal and the Indians probably are desperate for a return on that investment. A guy like Scott Barnes could always get taken and stuck in the bullpen, although coming off an injury, teams would shy away from that idea.

TRIMMING THE FAT

In order to add some guys, if that does indeed become the case. The Indians will still have to make some roster cuts with their current 40-man sitting at 38. The names that really stick out are pitchers Kelvin De La Cruz and Corey Kluber. De La Cruz is still in Akron and has been on the 40-man for a few years now. It will likely not take much to sneak him through waivers the way he's been performing the past few years.

Kluber is another name that could probably slide through. Nick Weglarz is an interesting name, but ultimately someone the Indians probably wait for as long as possible. Thomas Neal would probably be sent through before Weglarz.

And of course, I would trade Luis Valbuena for a pile of rocks. David Huff and Jeanmar Gomez are also candidates to get traded, so of course, their spots are naturally up in the air.

MINOR LEAGUE FREE AGENTS

The Indians already re-signed Michel Hernandez and Ben Copeland and Hernandez got an invite to spring training. He's another one of those guys like Damaso Espino who plays very well in the minors and is a great guy to have around to eat up innings in spring. Nick Johnson never made the roster, so he'll be a free agent that the Indians could probably bring back again. Joe Martinez and Adam Miller are probably names you want to bring back and perhaps the most well-known.

One name that has already said good bye is Travis Buck, who signed with Houston. But more importantly, this may be the year we finally say good riddance to Jeremy Sowers.

Season Wrap-Up 2011: End of the Year Feathers

2011-11-10T08:11:00.000-05:00

Another year, another exhausting effort that I like to call the End of the Year Feathers.

If you remember, it's a time we celebrate, bemoan, agonize, dream, wave goodbye, ponder, and do all sorts of other stuff in regards to the 2011 squad we called the Cleveland Indians.

It was another fun season here at the blog, more so than any other because of the winning team and readership definitely has gone up as it has every year. So thank you to all the new people who've stumbled upon this place, whether it was from or because of The Cleveland Fan, or elsewhere. And if you are a regular reader, you know it's far from the end.

One thing I'm looking to do is maybe add on another writer. So if you like the Indians and like to write, give me a shout. I'm not going to let just anyone on and yeah you won't get paid. But I don't get paid for this either. It's a labor of love. If you are just looking to get your name out there and get some practice, or you just like to get your thoughts out about the Tribe, then you can contact me at nino@thetribedaily.com. We can chat.

As always, this is the point where we start to look forward to the offseason. The feathers officially wrap up 2011 and we now move on to 2012 and the team that we think it will be.

As a reminder, our feathers go on a five scale rating and we incorporate everyone who had a significant role in the team. If you get five feathers, you done good. If you got one, you didn't. Three is average and that would lead you to know what four and two mean.

And as always, two special feathers are given out at the end, a Gold Feather for the team's most valuable player and the Silver Feather for the team's unsung hero. I will also formally give the Golden Fedora out to the reader's choice of Team MVP/Best Player.

As you need to know, here are the requirements for being considered for and statistics used and the brilliance that is our end of the year feathers. Traded players (sorry Orlando Cabrera) don't qualify as usual.

150 ABs (Or Half a Season) to be considered for Feathers
30 IP (Or Half a Season) to be considered for Feathers
Hitters: AVG/OBP, R, HR, RBI, SB
Pitchers: Record, IP, SV/SVO or Holds, ERA/WHIP, K

Asdrubal Cabrera - .273/.332, 87 R, 25 HR, 92 RBI, 17 SB
Last Year: 3
Well well well. The Asdrubal Experience returns to the category of five feathers. Cabrera was clearly the most consistent offensive threat this team had all year. He won several games with some clutch hits. Overall it was a good year. Not only did he bring the lumber with his power, he boosted the steals number and just overall put together a real solid year. Add in some good defense and there is a no-brainer here.

The question now becomes: Will Cabrera get an extension? He's proved that when healthy, he is one of the best players this team has. Add in the fact that he's really become a leader as he's matured and become one of the longer tenured members, he certainly deserves it. He's also getting closer and closer to free agency, so a deal for Cabrera could be something that is explored this offseason.

Justin Masterson - 12-10, 216 IP, 3.21/1.28, 158 K
Last Year: 3
You could not ask for another more from Justin Masterson. He really became this team's ace over the course of the season and it started from the get-go. He had a great April and then continued to show he was no longer someone who should be pushed into the back end of the bullpen, he's a starter and a damn good one. Masterson had many strides, but none was better than his improvement against left-handed hitters. In 2010 left-handers hit .290 with 10 home runs off him and he walked 46 hitters. A year later, he gave up one less home run and the average virtually stayed the same. The big difference was the fact that he walked just 27 hitters in 475 at-bats compared to the 46 in 389 at bats in 2010. He faced more lefties, walked significantly less and is a big reason for the turn around in success with Masterson.

Joe Smith - 3-3, 67 IP, 16 HLD, 2.01/1.09, 45 K
Last Year: 3
I'm not the biggest Joe Smith fan, but what a year he had. The biggest difference from the past two seasons and 2011? Health... Many thought that in 2008 with New York, the Mets ran him into the ground. In 2009 and 2010 he had issues, 2009 being a year he could never get fully healthy. In 2011 he was just that and from the start he showed it. He did start on the disabled list, but in the past the injuries were ones that had lingered. In 2011 he came right in and did his job.

Smith's most impressive feat was his scoreless run from May 12th to July15th, spanning over two months in which he did not give up an earned run and carried a .193 average against in 25 innings. Smith's success may also be attributed to the fact that he was mainly a righty killer and the Indian shied away from asking him to take on lefties as much. He faced just 90 left-handed hitters compared to 177 right-handers and the ones he did face, he held them to a .152 average. Add in the fact he gave up just one home run all year and you got yourself a incredibly reliable reliever who had a fabulous year.

Vinnie Pestano - 1-2, 62 IP, 23 HLD, 2.32/1.05, 84 K
Last Year: NF
What more could you ask from from Vinnie Pestano in his rookie campaign? He just kept getting better. Keith Law says he can't have success just throwing fastballs, well uh, I'd say a 3.32 ERA through 62 innings and being one of Acta's most trusted arms late in the game is pretty good. Pestano's key to success involves his deceptive and quick delivery. It catches up on hitters pretty quick and that's something that will be tough to adjust to. Some hitters, the really good ones, may be able to figure him out, but it isn't likely that Pestano regresses much from here on out. And if he does, he's a smart enough pitcher to make the adjustments himself.

Tim Belcher & Scott Radinsky - 4.23 ERA (23rd), 1.34 WHIP (21st), 1024 K (29th)
Last Year: NF
I did not include Scott Radinsky last year and instead of separating the two, I grouped them together and gave it a collective five feathers. Here's the deal, Radinsky has just as much to do with the bullpen, if not more, than Belcher does. And the bullpen was the most consistent and dominant portion of the team last year. Throw in a rotation that did way better than anyone could have ever expected and you have yourself a great pairing. It is a shame that Belcher stepped aside, but Radinsky should be fine stepping up and filling his shoes.

Belcher received the Silver Feather last year for all his work with a rotation that was not very good coming into things. He deserves even more praise for overseeing the emergence of Justin Masterson and Josh Tomlin and the work he did with Carlos Carrasco. It will be a shame he won't be around to help Ubaldo Jimenez through this turnaround, but there is no doubt Radinsky can take that task under. Of course he also has to try and help put Fausto Carmona back together, once again.

Jim Thome
Let's be honest. He didn't qualify, but it just seems right. Thanks for everything Jim.

Travis Hafner - .280/.361, 41 R, 13 HR, 57 RBI
Last Year: 4
I mean, year after year I've given Hafner this four feather status and it mainly has to do with the expectation. Everyone has begun to expect nothing from the guy and this year he not only produced a little more than last year, he helped others produce. The OBP really started to get back up there and you started to see Hafner become more of the Hafner of old in terms of plate discipline and working the walk. He's also started going the other way with the ball to raise his average up back to the levels we are accustomed to. The power is there, it will never been 40 home run power again, but its power nonetheless. Another injury (unrelated to shoulder thank you very much) put a mark within his season, but it's good to have a little bit of the old Hafner back.

Jason Kipnis - .272/.333, 24 R, 7 HR, 19 RBI, 3 SB
Last Year: 4
Jason Kipnis technically did not meet requirements, but he put up numbers better than some of the people who did, and I said I'd talk about him. Kipnis established himself as the second baseman of the future with very little doubt. Kipnis did so good in his short stint that I'm just going to give him four feathers. Thanks for coming.

Carlos Santana - .239/.351, 84 R, 27 HR, 79 RBI, 5 SB
Last Year: 4
Ayeee Vamanos! The only thing keeping Carlos Santana from five feathers was the smidge of disappointment in him not coming through with a little more consistency. Point blank, Santana put up a fabulous year. He gets on base, knocks in some runs with some real majestic shots out of the ballpark. But he needs to get more consistent. His bat can carry a team, but when he goes through cold streaks (and he does by evidence of his .239 average) he can hurt the team. His defense is sub-par at the catching spot, but you know he has a good relationship with some of the pitchers.

Carlos can be an MVP candidate if he can put it all together and be consistent. I mean, he nearly hit 30 home runs this past year and had a OBP over .350. Just imagine if he could get a few more hits under his belt.

Josh Tomlin - 12-7, 165 IP, 4.25/1.08, 89 K
Last Year: 3
You can try and get rid of him, but he just keeps coming back. Well no one tried to get rid of him or anything, but the sentiment is that Josh Tomlin is not a major league starter. Well foo on you if you think that because Tomlin just proved he is over the course of a full season. He's of the ilk of a Greg Maddux, someone who will just out-pitch you and rely on his control rather than trying to do too much or strike someone out. He wants contact, his goal is to get you out as soon as possible. Tomlin cannot go deep into the pitch count, as we've realized, so the fewer pitches he throws per pitcher, the longer he is able to go. And that's been a formula for success for him as he continued his streak of games pitched having gone at least 5 innings all the way until his final start of the season against Seattle when he fell an out short.

This past season he walked just one hitter or less in all bit three games, two of them coming in his first two starts when he walked three in each game. If that does not tell you the type of control the guy has, nothing will. That's his game and that's what he used to find success this season. Respect.

Chris Perez - 4-7, 59 IP, 36/40 SV, 3.32/1.21, 39 K
Last Year: 5
I was almost ready to give Chris Perez five feathers, but the way Pestano and Smith pitched in the pen, it did not seem right to put them on the equal level. Look though, Chris Perez was good. He blew four saves, but he did end up losing seven games, which means he did not do as good in terms of some of the games he came in and it was tied. If that's the only complain with Chris Perez, then, you'd take that, right?

Chris was down in his strikeouts, oddly, like really oddly. Way down. He struck out 61 hitters in 63 innings last year. His number was cut down quite a bit. But Perez walked a little less and still managed to do his job more times than not. It's good to have a reliable closer, ain't it?

Rafael Perez - 5-2, 63 IP, 12 HLD, 3.00/1.24, 33 K
Last Year: 3
It sure is good to have Rafael Perez back. We're not talking 2007 dominance, come in with the bases loaded and no outs and get out of it Rafael Perez, but we're talking serviceability, more than capable left-handed reliever who does not strictly face the left-handers, but also can pitch multiple innings, even on back to back days if needed. You need arms like Rafael Perez, especially when they are capable of being as good as Rafael Perez is capable of being. In 2010 he had his return, completely changing his whole outlook around. This year he improved even more and started to get back onto that level we became accustomed to seeing in 2007 and 2008.

Tony Sipp - 6-3, 62 IP, 24 HLD, 3.03/1.11, 57 K
Last Year: 3
Another left-hander who just does not get the left-handers out. That's what is so great about this bullpen. They've got all the pieces they need and Tony Sipp is a real integral part. Really, it may have varied at points, but Tony Sipp is the guy that Manny Acta probably trusts the most when it comes to the eighth inning. If the situation is right, Sipp is the guy that you probably want out there more times than not. He proved that this year as he too had a bit of a bounce-back. He had some issues last year, some ups and downs, but largely was impressive in his first full season. This year he took another step and was really good at times. This bullpen can hopefully stay together for some time and if that is the case, Sipp will continue to be a big part of it.

Manny Acta - 80-82 (2nd Place, 15 GB)
Last Year: 3
I mean, do we have ourselves a winner or what? I'm not sure what to really say about Manny Acta. He's molding this team in his own and in just two years, he's made so much progress with this club. I'll make this brief. We've got ourselves a manager. Could you feel confident about Eric Wedge in saying "This guy can not only take us to the World Series, but win it."? I know I couldn't. With Manny Acta, I can envision him standing up there with the Commissioners Trophy. I just can.

Michael Brantley - .266/.318, 63 R, 7 HR, 46 RBI, 13 SB
Last Year: 2
It is hard to not give Michael Brantely a little more love, but I'd say he rounded out at about average. It wasn't above average, and it certainly was not below expectations. I'd say with a little more, Brantley can easily top this area. He plays good defense, now pretty much the guy in center, and this year he showed he can be the leadoff guy. There is one area that I'm a little disappointed in and it is with the speed. Not sure if it's the buggy injuries that are holding him back, but the stolen bases are not what you expect from someone who piled them up at the minor league level. Not to mention, he stole 10 a year ago in significantly less games. Brantley needs to get moving a little more because for him, any steal is like adding on to his total of double. Doesn't 50 doubles look a lot better than 37?

Ezequiel Carrera - .243/.301, 27 R, 0 HR, 14 RBI, 10 SB
Last Year: NF
Pip-Zeke! Who would have thought this kid would have had a part in a few wins this year? His debut pretty much sparked a win and from there on out he showed he could play. Will he ever hit a home run at the major league level? Maybe, but that matters none. When Trevor Crowe went down with the injury that claimed most of his season, the possibility came up for Zeke to get a shot at some point. He did and he did not waste it. That eventually led to him being a player when Sizemore and Choo both went down and even Brantley was battling some injuries. He's definitely going to be in the mix next year for something and with his nice speed/defense combo, I'd say he's got the inside track to be the fourth outfielder.

Kosuke Fukudome - .249/.300, 26 R, 5 HR, 22 RBI, 2 SB
Last Year: NF
Fukudomeeeee! I looked at these numbers and was like.. Wait a minute. It seems he was a lot more productive than that. And that really is because he was. I mean those numbers are far from flashy, but after the Indians acquired him, Fukudome was reliable. He hit a lot better than most of us thought he would. He played solid outfield at any of the spots Acta put him at. It was just a perfect fit and it would be cool to see him back in Cleveland next year. He's a good ball player and he really added some consistency and durability to the team in the second half.

Jack Hannahan - .250/.331, 38 R, 8 HR, 40 RBI, 2 SB
Last Year: NF
At the risk of sounding silly (I've already done it with the past two players), SUPER MANNAHAN!!!!!!!! This guy. This guy. I mean. Eight unsuspecting home runs and 40 RBI aside, this guy plays defense. And does he play it well or what? It's scary to think what would have happened if there was some black hole named Luis Valbuena starting at third base for this team. Justin Masterson may have been demoralized to the point of not having a good year, Josh Tomlin may have never made it past five innings in most starts, and who knows what other good thing may have not happened. Am I exaggerating a little bit? Sure, why not. But thank this man for his year. He was a splendid joy to watch at the hot corner, a huge contrast to the eyesore (collectively?) that was there in 2010

Lou Marson - .230/.300, 26 R, 1 HR, 19 RBI, 4 SB
Last Year: 1
Someone who hit .230 is getting an average grade? Yeah and you know why? Because last year, he hit like dirt. Marson does so much though, it's hard to ignore his talent behind the dish. When this guy is back there, it seems like the pitching is always better. He's got a laser of an arm (Laser Lou, right?) and can really guard the plate. He's the total package as a catcher, so really, all he doesn't have to do is not suck hitting. That's what we said last year, but he sucked. He was horrible. This year, he carried his own weight. He gets on base at a reasonable rate (the hits helped) so really, that's what I'd care most about.

Lou was able to initially play mostly against the left-handers, which he hits really well. Overall this year he hit .297 against the left-handers, which is far and away better than the .191 average he has. Point-blank, he needs to play mostly against lefties to be most effective.

Shelley Duncan - .260/.324, 29 R, 11 HR, 47 RBI
Last Year: 3
Cawwwww! Hawk Blood! Winning! All That! Shelley Duncan is the man. In fact, I would prefer to just use this entire paragraph to talk about Shelley Duncan in regards to how awesome he is rather than how good of a year he had. Look, Duncan is what he is. He's a great bat off the bench and some solid veteran leadership. He did more than you could have asked for in September when he just started to light it up. The fact that he was sent down to Columbus for a bit saddened me. He deserves and should be on this roster. You need payers like him, in my opinion at least, if you want to make a postseason run. He's someone everyone likes and that's invaluable. Not to mention, who else are you going to use as your pinch hitter? Who betta than Shelley?

Carlos Carrasco - 8-9, 124 IP, 4.62/1.36, 85 K
Last Year: 3
Boy I don't know what to say here. Carlos was good. There was a point in the season after he had come off the disabled list, that Carrasco was the team's best pitcher. It was looking scary good that the Indians had a one-two punch like Carrasco and Masterson, then a guy like Tomlin. Then it started to come unglued and now Carlos Carrasco is gone for 2012 as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.

But give some serious credit to what Carlos was able to do before the injury. He did go on the disabled list with some minor issues earlier in the year, but nothing he didn't overcome. The elbow was a new injury and it really bites that his progress and growth is being put on hold for him to rehab from this.

David Huff - 2-5, 50 IP, 4.09/1.42, 36 K
Last Year: 1
I spoke about David Huff in the Columbus recap, so I won't spend a whole lot of time, but David Huff really showed something. The guy came back this year and got himself out of Manny Acta's doghouse, which says a lot about his character. I'm still not sure if he'll be an Indian (or Clipper or whatever) next season. But it's good to know David has matured into someone with some real strong character.

Chris Antonetti - Signed 3B Jack Hannahan, SS Adam Everett, OF Austin Kearns, OF Travis Buck, 2B Orlando Cabrera, RP Chad Durbin; Traded SP Aaron Laffey for 2B Matt Lawson, OF Abner Abreu and RP Carlton Smith for OF Kosuke Fukudome, 2B Orlando Cabrera for OF Thomas Neal, SP Drew Pomeranz, SP Alex White, SP Joe Gardner and 1B Matt McBride for SP Ubaldo Jimenez, Cash for DH Jim Thome
Last Year: NF
Some people will look at that last one and just say, Jim Thome, thanks for that, A+. Most will look at the Ubaldo Jimenez deal and automatically grade Antonetti. I'd say all in all though, it was a pretty wild first year at the helm for Antonetti. You cannot overlook some of his better signings though. The half-season addition of Orlando Cabrera stabilized that middle infield people. It let the Indians not have to worry about third by placing Jason Donald there, of course we all knew how that ended up though with Hannahan taking over. And Hannahan was Antonetti's doing, he signed him. So give credit where credit is due, those two moves alone impacted so much. The defense let players like Masterson thrive, and they even contributed offensively.

I'd give him a win on the Fukudome deal, of course it remains to be seen how Abner Abreu pans out, but the Indians got what they wanted and shouldn't miss either piece. Then of course, you have Ubaldo Jimenez. You can't grade that, you just can't right now. If it would have pushed the Indians into the postseason, I'd have given Antonetti five feathers. But it didn't. It also did not push the Indians out of the postseason either. So that's why I sit him at the average scale. I loved what he did in the first offseason and season in his control and can't wait for his encore, especially since it's already started off pretty well.

Lonnie Chisenhall - .255/.284, 27 R, 7 HR, 22 RBI, 1 SB
Last Year: NF
Not everyone is Jason Kipnis. Sometimes there is an adjustment that needs to be made. Chisenhall has seemingly gone through those adjustments last year. He came up, started, got hit in the face, came back rather quick and showed a lot of toughness. Hannahan retook the third base spot for awhile, then he got hurt and it was time for Chisenhall to take over. You see his full-season numbers up there, well here's what he did in September: .279/.295, 13 R, 4 HR, 14 RBI. A majority of those numbers came in September when he started to "get it" and you have to feel really good about that moving forward. Also feel good about the .260 average against left-handers, which was his main struggle in Columbus.

Shin-Soo Choo - .259/.344, 37 R, 8 HR, 36 RBI, 12 SB
Last Year: 5
Is this right? Is this just to be putting Shin-Soo Choo below average? I think so. Considering he didn't even reach what I would consider average. Choo under-performed even when he was healthy. And he was not healthy for the majority of the year. Throw in the injuries and then the DUI situation and this was just more than a down year for Choo. This is the team's guy. This is the guy in the lineup that you depend on and just imagine how much better the offense is if he is at his full potential, or even close to his full potential. Choo is better than this. It could have been the pressure of now playing for his country now that he has military immunity, or whatever. Whatever it is, I think we began to see Choo kind of turn a corner and put everything behind him, until his season was cut short due to injury. Let's just forget about 2011 Choo, and move forward.

Grady Sizemore - .224/.285, 34 R, 10 HR, 32 RBI
Last Year: NF
Last year, Grady Sizemore did not even play enough to be feathered, so consider this a good this a good thing that he's even here. I think first game, Sizemore comes back and hits that home run and everyone is salivating at the prospects of this season. We got a healthy Hafner, Santana and Cabrera are awesome, and Choo has yet to get it really going. Add in a healthy Sizemore? This team might have made the playoffs if that stayed true all year, might have even gone further than that. But Grady couldn't keep it up. He scuffled, got hurt again, and now we are here and he's officially a Free Agent. The book is not closed on Sizemore yet, but it seems unlikely at this point that he's going to come back. If that's the case, then thanks to Grady Sizemore for the past few years. We know what type of player he can be, but it's unfortunate that the thing that makes him great, has also potentially derailed his career.

Jeanmar Gomez - 5-3, 58 IP, 4.47/1.51, 31 K
Last Year: 3
Not going to spend a lot of time on Jeanmar Gomez, but you have to like the way the guy pitched this season. It was not stellar and I think we know at this point what Gomez is all about. But for what he is, a spot-starter, he does a good job. Gomez came in at several points and made some good starts, one in May specifically. He got a string of starts in September with Tomlin down and he did well there too. With Lowe in the fold, I wouldn't be shocked to see the Indians try and move Gomez though.

Ubaldo Jimenez - 4-4, 65 IP, 5.10/1.45, 62 K
Last Year: NF
Oh, Ubaldo... I'm just going to point this out. In five September starts he was 2-3 with a 4.60 ERA, 24 strikeouts, 16 walks. I'm a little mortified by the walks. I mean When you strikeout as many hitters that Ubaldo did (180) in a full season, I guess you can afford to walk 78 hitters. But this guy needs to be THE guy next year. I'm sure the trade kind of rocked him, he's adjusting to a new league, a new city and to that end, he wasn't have a great year anyway. He's going to winter ball this offseason, something he did not do last year, so he'll get to work on some stuff and hopefully we'll start to see the real Ubaldo Jimenez. This guy is a bonafied ace and if you can stick him at the beginning of your rotation and follow up with Masterson, Tomlin, Lowe, and hopefully a slightly righted Carmona, you are in business.

Chad Durbin - 2-2, 68 IP, 3 HLD, 5.53/1.64, 59 K
Last Year: NF
Yeah.... Here's the odd thing about Chad Durbin. It seems like whenever he came in for a meaningful situation, like with runners on or when the Indians really needed him to get the job done, he did it. Yet he ended up with a 5.53 ERA because when he got hit, he got hit. He knew how to party, that's for sure. Look I'm not going to talk bad about Durbin. He won't be here next season, or at least with all the bullpen depth, I don't think he will be. But there is one thing that I think he did this year that was invaluable. He was sort of the veteran leader. I mean, Chris Perez is the closer and the defacto leader and he runs with that. But Chad Durbin is the knowledgeable veteran, almost as if he's a wise uncle and I've heard numerous relievers at time credit Chad for things. So hats off to Durbin in that regard and thank you for your service. I still have to stuff a Jhonny Peralta shirt in my mouth and run into a wall because we signed you, but that's besides the point.

Frank Herrmann - 4-0, 56 IP, 5.11/1.54, 34 K
Last Year: 3
Frank The Taaaank. I'm almost sad to put him on the same level as Chad Durbin, because he did way better than that. But here's the deal with Herrmann. He's a depth guy. He gives you some innings. His job was to come in late or come in early when you needed some innings. Acta gave him a few opportunities as a late inning reliever, but most of the time, it did not work out. I love Herrmann, he brings a good role to the team, but he got hit more often than not this past season. He's another guy that is good for what he's there to do, but if you try and do anything else with him, he's probably not going to get the job done.

Bruce Fields/Jon Nunnally - .250 AVG (15th), .317 OBP (17th), 704 Runs (16th)
Last Year: NF
I really don't have much to say here. Why is an offense that ranked higher than the pitching lower in the feathers? Simply put, this is the American League, your hitting will always outrank your pitching, even if the pitching is better. Nunnally started the year out and when the Indians were not satisfied with the production, they made a change. Fields was named in the interim and now as the full-time guy. Look, we'll see what Fields is made of, but let's be honest, it's a batting coach. His job is to get players out of slumps and fix people who are broken. Each has their own philosophy and as long as he doesn't turn a good hitter into a bad one, then I have no problem. I didn't think Nunnally did any of that, but sometimes you do need to change things up and get a new voice. So, that's that.

Travis Buck - .228/.275, 18 R, 2 HR, 18 RBI, 1 SB
Last Year: NF
So much for that. When the Indians brought in Travis Buck, it looked to have been a quality steal as he was hitting the ball all over the park in spring training. The Crowe injury, combined with Sizemore starting the year on the disabled list opened the door for Buck to slide right in and be a member of the roster on Opening Day. Turns out he just needed a clean bill of health (check) and a change of scenery (check).

Yeah, well, about that. The pressure kind of got to him and things didn't work out, which is why Buck has one feather and a .228 average.

Matt LaPorta - .247/.299, 34 R, 11 HR, 53 RBI, 1 SB
Last Year: 2
Does the production warrant one feather? Probably not, but you know what, I'm not handing out gift baskets or charity items at this point. LaPorta was not good. He was a disappointment. He got sent down to Columbus and when he stayed there for more than a few days, it showed just how much disappointment the Indians had in him. This is not acceptable, no more. It would behoove the Indians to go in a new direction this offseason, because it is not looking like LaPorta is the answer at first. He has power, but it's becoming a bit of an Andy Marte situation. There's a bit of an issue with the swing and whether it's over-thinking, trying to hard, or whatever, it's not working with LaPorta.

11 HR, 53 RBI. Yeah that's okay. But I'd expect that in a half of season from my first baseman, at the very least.

Fausto Carmona - 7-15, 188 IP, 5.25/1.40, 109 K
Last Year: 4
I feel bad for doing this, but it has to be done at this point. Fausto was bad last year. He needed to be at least the rotations second best pitcher. If you would have said to me Fausto Carmona would lose 15 games, but the Indians would win 80, I'd have called you a lunatic. Fausto was the one solid in the rotation and he ended up being the one dud. It's amazing how he's gone from end to the top back to the end in a year, but really, there is no real explanation at this point.

The Indians picked up the option on him, so he'll be back, we think. But this has to change. He can't be that again next season. It's hard to pinpoint what exactly is going on with him because although the walks went down, he pitched in less innings. His WHIP did not bloat up into the territory it did in 2008 and 2009, just a tad higher than 2010. Really it's a puzzle. A puzzle that only Fausto Carmona knows how to solve.

Mitch Talbot - 2-6, 63 IP, 6.64/1.85, 36 K
Last Year: 3
Mitch Talbot was what you would call... Dookie? Is that proper? Feces? I'm sorry Mitch, but, it just didn't work out.

Justin Masterson
I find it hard to give the "MVP/Best Player" type award to a starting pitcher, but I can't say enough for what Justin Masterson did. I mean look beyond the numbers. The fact that he was able to stabilize a rotation is so huge. I think it's also important to note that this is someone who's become a leader in the clubhouse. Look no further than him getting the entire team to pull together money for Jack Hannahan to charter a plane back home to see the birth of his son. This award, with so many people putting up great numbers, can go beyond the numbers. And I'm doing it with Masterson.

Joe Smith
I really have bagged on Joe Smith the past two seasons. Part of it had to do with the fact that he could not stay on the mound, but I'd also say that part of it had to do with the use. I don't understand him being used against left-handers when the majority of lineups are made up of right handed hitters and he completely shuts them down. He did get some lefties this year, but look how much he pitched and look how many right-handers he faced. He shut them down. He's hidden in that bullpen in that role, but he does his job and he does it very very well. I couldn't really think of a better pick for this one, and with the bullpen doing such a great job, it only seemed right to pick the guy who probably gets overlooked the most in Mafia.

Asdrubal Cabrera
You picked him! With nine votes to Joe Smith's one and Shelley Duncan's one, Cabrera is the Manny Acta Golden Fedora of Greatness overall winner. Cabrera won in May and was the only Indian to be nominated each and every month we gave out the award. Consistency, consistency, consistency. Asdrubal Consistency. Right? Right.

Season Wrap-Up 2011: Columbus Clippers

2011-11-09T08:02:00.000-05:00

Here we are again. One year later and once again, the Columbus Clippers are champions.

COLUMBUS CLIPPERS
Level: Class AAA
League: International League (West)
Finish: 88-56 (Won West Division)
Playoffs: Won International League, AAA National Championship

POTY Feathers: OF Jerad Head and SP Jeanmar Gomez

Head: .284/.338 AVG/OBP. 24 HR, 67 R, 70 RBI, 3/4 SB
Gomez: 10-7, 2.55 ERA, 21 GS, 137.2 IP, 49/107 BB/K, 1.25 WHIP

Like last year, when I gave feathers to Jose Constanza and Vinnie Pestano, I'm giving feathers to the two guys on the club that probably get the least credit. I mean, Gomez will get credit, but he was good. Like really good. He did not have a real bad split on his stat sheet. He was stellar in April, decent in May, solid in June, even better in July, and good in August. The Venezuelan was pretty good in addition to going 5-3 with the big league club.

Then you have the offensive guy in Jerad Head, who just gets overlooked year after year. He's always a reserve. He's someone who plays, but does not get talked about. It was "out of need" that he got a shot at the big leagues. Every level the guy has produced. Is he a major league caliber player? Probably not, but he plays well at the Triple-A level and he's a big reason the Clippers have been able to repeat.

He spent a good portion of his season in 2010 in Akron, then he moved on and was a big part of the postseason run for the Clippers. This year he was one of the guys from the start and while he was not a big part in the postseason like last year, he sure did help the Clippers get there.

Give some credit to these two. Who knows what their major league future is, but they sure can play some ball and they are a a reason the Clippers are back to back champs.

OVERVIEW

Mike Sarbaugh for President, right? Sarbaugh 2012? It would almost be a wonderful tragedy if Mike Sarbaugh ends up as the head guy of the Clippers in 2012, but it may just happen. Three in a row?

We'll save that talk for later. But can you say enough about the job he's been doing in this organization? He's winning titles every year. There must be something about him and the way he commands a dugout. It's special. This group wasn't nowhere near as talented as the bunch he had in 2010 and not only did he take the team back to the playoffs and to the title game, this Clipper team dominated from start to finish and won their division by a large margin.

And then to be constantly disrupted by calling up players to the Cleveland team due to injuries and what not, it was just an added hurdle he had to guide his team over and he did it.

Now, let's not shower Sarbaugh with all the compliments, the team does deserve credit for actually going out and performing. This was a historic year, because the Clippers would go on some serious runs this season, ones that almost made you wonder if they were ever going to lose another game.

Then they got to the playoffs and they just did it again. It did not matter who or how, it just happened. Sweep Durham, dropped one to Lehigh Valley, and then of course a win over Omaha to win back to back National Titles.

Three in a row, let's do it.

PITCHING

You are looking at another rotation with some strong individuals. Once again being in a position to hold the depth to Cleveland, the rotation started out the season with some key players such as David Huff, Jeanmar Gomez, Zach McAllister, and Corey Kluber. The bullpen also was set to have some arms such as Josh Judy, Zach Putnam and Jess Todd. Of course some of those plans worked out, some didn't. But the Clippers won.

Zach McAllister

For the first few months, there really was no one better than Zach McAllister. He ended up leading the Clippers in wins with 12 and he lost three games, which is the same amount of complete games he had. In fact, he was 7-1 in the months of April and May and gave up 18 total earned runs. McAllister got a few shots at the big league level, his first not going so well, and after that he wasn't as invincible at the AAA level as he was to start the year.

He was one of the guys in the playoffs last year and he made two starts again in this postseason, winning a game and and losing another. Given the injury to Carlos Carrasco, he is one of the first guys on call for the Indians.

Corey Kluber

I kind of consider Kluber and McAllister in the same light. They both came over last year and it seems right to pair them up. McAllister had a great year. Kluber as the complete opposite. With the Clippers last year he made two starts in the regular season, so we did not see a whole lot of him. This year, it was a struggle. A year after striking out 165 hitters and walking 56, he struck out 22 less and walked 14 more in 10 less innings. You have to wonder if the move up a league really effected him that much.

And of course at the end of the season, with Kluber on the 40 man, the Indians called upon him and he had a few relief appearances and it was not good. It's time to start wondering if the return on Jake Westbrook was a complete dud.

Joe Martinez and Justin Germano

Two guys who are just looking for a way back to the big leagues. One is now overseas in Asia playing back in Japan, the other went on to have a stellar postseason. Justin Germano and Joe Martinez are swing guys. They each started and came out of the pen. Martinez was thrust into the starting role with injuries and call-ups and when Scott Barnes went down, he pretty much was forced to step up and he ended up being the guy in the Clipper rotation. He pitched the National Title game and was 2-0 in the postseason with a 1.80 ERA in several starts.

Germano threw a perfect game, enough said.

These two are such great guys to have on your Triple-A squad. They are depth guys. If you ever have an issue at the major league level. Germano even started there. But if they don't make it there, they are really good AAA players who can help the young guys, as well as take a beating if need be. And these guys did that and then some. They really are an important piece to the Clipper team.

David Huff

I give David Huff so much credit. This is someone who was pretty much in the dog house. He did not put himself into the good graces of Manny Acta and even Chris Antonetti. But you know what, Huff went back to Columbus and he became a better pitcher. In 2009 and 2010 he was okay, moderate. He got a few chances in Cleveland and it was mixed results. Some good, some bad. It just overall wasn't a whole lot to say, okay he's going to be one of our guys.

Take your hat off to what he did in Columbus this year. He went to work and while it did not translate into him becoming Cliff Lee V2, it translated into David Huff becoming a better pitcher. He cut his ERA at both levels down a whole heck of a lot, but the key for me was the walks. He really got out of control last year and he needed to reign himself in. He did that. Not sure what the immediate future is for Huff with the Indians, but I credit him for what he's been able to do.

Scott Barnes

To me, this is one sort of "breakout" that really went under the radar and it was likely because he did not put up numbers that made you say "whoa" and he got hurt to end the season. But Scott Barnes put himself in serious consideration for being a member of the Indians rotation at some point. Barnes is a strikeout artist. He's struck out at least 120 the past two seasons with Akron and the Giants San Jose team. Last year he struggled though in that he was giving up the long ball and just not being overly impressive.

This season after a quick two game dominance at Akron, the time had come and he moved up to the Triple-A level and there was very little adjustment. He topped his 100 strikeouts in 99 innings and with the Clippers, he was quietly doing his job in a rotation full of people who did the same thing. This is one kid I'm really excited about moving forward. Unfortunately his season ended early, but he should be back next year.

Zach Putnam and Josh Judy

This duo is on the cusp of the major leagues. Heck Judy made it last year and pitched in more than a few spots. Putnam got the call in September and struggled, but showed his stuff (nine strikeouts, no walks). I fully expect both to be in contention for that bullpen opening that will be there in Cleveland this spring.

But with Columbus, they tag-teamed the closer role for most of the season. Putnam saved nine, Judy with 23. Judy had the better of the season with 60 strikeouts in 52 innings and a 3.12 ERA. Putnam had 68 strikeouts in 69 innings with a 3.65 ERA. Both are some legit late-inning relief options at the major league level though and both are the strikeout guys that the Indians are starting to move toward in the back end.

CC Lee and Nick Hagadone

CC Lee should have started in Columbus, but it took one last run at Akron with dominance to get that opportunity. He finished with a 2.50 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 39 innings. That is the definition of dominance. And it's not like that was a surprise. He struck out 82 in 72 innings in a full-season last year with Akron. So should it be of any surprise that he went 4-0 with a 2.27 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 31 innings with the Clippers?

Well maybe a little, because that's out of this world. We talk about the new fad of strikeout relievers, this may be the best one. That's 99 strikeouts this season in 71 innings. He eats innings as a reliever, he strikes people out, barely walks anyone. I mean, this guy is looking like a legit stud at the back end. and when you talk about the best of this bunch of relievers, Hagadone might be right behind him as the best of them all. Hagadone too started in Akron, but he needed to after transitioning to the relief role at the end of last year. And it was not long before it was apparent that Hagadone too was ready for a new challenge. Nick struck out 24 hitters and walked just 7 in 22 innings. There was a point in the season when he hadn't allowed a walk or a run.

Then he went on to Columbus with a few adjustments, but he still had the strikeout working, he still limited the walks. His quick nine game stint in the majors was alright, and you definitely consider him in the mix for a bullpen spot.

The future is bright in the bullpen, that's for sure.

POSITION PLAYERS

Last year I did this little thing about asking who led the IL in batting and all that. The Clippers were tops in runs, average and on-base percentage. And it turned out that their leading run producer was Jordan Brown, with just 67 RBI.

Well guess what, that's kind of what happened again. They led the IL in both OBP and runs, and were third in average. And once again, their leader in RBI? Luis Valbuena with 75. I rest my case. Even though I really wasn't making one.

Luis Valbuena

I'm confused as to what the hell is going on. Luis Valbuena hit .302 with the Clippers this past year. He carried a OBP of .372 and hit 17 home runs. Led the team in RBI, hit 22 doubles. I can't say a negative thing about him. He committed just nine errors. He was the Clippers best player on offense, point blank.

You big fat jerk, you Baby Louie you. This isn't like a .313 average he hit in 2010 in 25 games. This is a full season. Is he a AAAA player? Someone who can play very very well at the AAA level, but when they get to the majors, fall flat on their face? Perhaps. It's looking like it. Are the Indians going to give him an other chance? It remains to be seen. After this season, I'd take him at his highest value and deal him because you have a second baseman, you have a shortstop, and you have more than enough utility options in Cord Phelps and Jason Donald, in addition to someone like Hannahan you can bring back to back up at third base,

That seems like the smartest move at this point. Valbuena in Columbus is not as valuable to you as he could be in a trade. But we'll see.

Chad Huffman

Run producer. That's what Chad Huffman is. He knocked in 58 runs this season, eight of them came in one game even. He added on five more in the postseason with a pair of home runs. Run-producer. Not sure what the Indians plans are for Huffman. He was acquired for depth and when the depth was needed, they used Travis Buck, Zeke Carrera, and then even Jerad Head before they used Huffman. And Head was in the same spot as Huffman, not on the 40 man roster. That may be a good thing, as they knew they had to take Head back off the roster after they used him, so it may mean they have plans for Huffman.

Cord Phelps

He played in 35 games for Cleveland, even hit a big home run to help the Indians win a game. But he struggled. Was he pushed too much? That isn't to say it wasn't the time, but the Indians maybe put too much pressure on him too early. Asking him to start at second, but then switching him in and out with Orlando Cabrera. It was kind of a mixed single. Oh we want you to be here, but only half the time. So when he did the shot to start, it might have been a little bit too much pressure for him.

Phelps was a monster in 97 games for the Clippers. If he was there the whole year, he could have probably been the IL MVP the way he was hitting the ball. He hit .303 in April and .324 in May with 7 home runs and 38, yes 38 RBI. He was on a fantastic pace.

Phelps always carries a high on base number and he will strikeout, but he'll walk a lot. His surge in power was nice to see (15 total home runs compared to eight and four the past two seasons) and of course, he can play a solid glove at any spot, including the outfield. This is someone that has a spot on the team in the future if you ask me. He's going to be a real useful player for the Indians in some way.

Jared Goedert

Rare Breed back in town. After starting the year on the disabled list, the 60 day DL to boot, Goedert got a quick rehab stint in Akron and then came to Columbus to take over duties that were soon vacated by Chisenhall as he got the call. We got 15 home runs from the Rare Breed, who hit 27 last year between Akron and Columbus. We're still not sure what we have here, but he carried a .346 OBP a similar average to last season and he produced with the long ball. His power at least may be legit, but the question is, can he hit them at the next level?

Lonnie Chisenhall and Jason Kipnis

I'll keep it brief because they will get feathers but they both played a whole heck of a lot of ball with the Clippers this season and were big reasons that the club got off to such a great start. Kipnis more than Chisenhall, but they both were there for a few months. Kipnis played in 92 games, so he was there through the All-Star break. He put up some great numbers, along the lines of Cord Phelps. Chisenhall came a long at a slower pace, his main struggle with the left-handed hitters (.200 average compared to a .294 average against right), but we saw him start to correct that with the Indians.

Tim Fedroff

Fedroff became a bit of a legend around Akron for what he was doing. In 70 games he hit .338. .338! That's crazy. It led to a .399 OBP and simply put, Fedroff could hit. He as around the .275 maker the past two seasons, and when he arrived in Columbus, he ended with a .272 average in 62 games, so maybe it was more of a super-hot streak than it was the real Fedroff, but I'd say he has the potential to hit higher than the .270 area.

Fedroff was back at it in the postseason with nine hits, knocking in a few runs. It will probably be a repeat of Columbus next year, but you have to think that with Sizemore potentially gone, if any depth is needed, he'll be one of the new guys to get an opportunity if need arises.

Luke Carlin

I neglected to mention Luke Carlin last year in a separate little section of his own. Truth be told, he was one of the most consistent players for this team. He hit .213, so what? He plays good defense and you could always see guys like Huff and Jensen Lewis crediting Carlin for his work with the staff. Here's the thing though. He garnered 44 walks, struck out just 45 times. That's kind of what you want from a catcher. A solid on-base percentage. Can't hit? No big deal, get on base for us, play good defense and that's all. Carlin was a stop-gap for Chun Chen, who will probably arrive and become the starting catcher, but Carlin would definitely be a cool backup to have next year.

Not to mention, he led the team with Huffman in postseason RBI with five and he did it in just four games.

FINAL THOUGHTS

What more can I add? This team was good. Again. They did it two years straight now and it would not shock me if Sarbaugh took another batch of players and did it one more time. He seems to have that kind of magic.

Season Wrap-Up 2011: Akron Aeros

2011-11-08T08:00:00.000-05:00

Excuse me if you aren't used to this, but the Akron Aeros are in a bit of a funk. For the second straight season they missed the playoffs. It's almost as if the success this club had transferred to Columbus. The Aeros finished .500 in 2010 and in 2011, you could consider it an improvement with a 73-69 record but it's just not the same Aeros team we've become accustomed to.

AKRON AEROS
Level: Class AA
League: Eastern League (Southern Division)
Finish: 73-69
Playoffs: Missed Playoffs (7 GB of Harrisburg in Southern Div)

POTY Feathers: SP T.J. McFarland, SP Austin Adams and RP Cory Burns

McFarland: 9-9, 25 GS, 137.1 IP, 3.87 ERA, 103/50 SO/BB
Adams: 11-10, 26 GS, 136 IP, 3.77 ERA, 131/63 SO/BB
Burns: 2-5, 35 SV, 59.2 IP, 2.11 ERA, 70/15 SO/BB

Behold the two-headed monster in the rotation. Austin Adams has really progressed into one of the top notch prospects this organization has with Alex White and Drew Pomeranz gone as someone who can throw hard. Adams was a piggybacker last year and now he's headlining Akron's rotation. McFarland is more of an interesting story. He pitched in Kinston last year, kind of doing relief work and then getting the opportunity to start. He ran with it and even got a crack at Akron. But they started him out in Kinston to being the year and he proved that he had no business to continue at the Single-A level.

And now we have the duo doing damage. McFarland and Adams are legit. McFarland may be more of a middle relief option and if anything, Adams could be a late reliever if the whole starting thing doesn't work out. But Adams has to be on the radar now as a potential starter. Coming into the year he was a part of that bunch in Mahoning Valley in 2009 and last year he was stellar after getting the opportunity in Kinston to start rather than split starts with Marty Popham. He went 6-1 with a 1.53 ERA in 12 starts.

There's no question he's not a piggybacker anymore.

Then you have the man at the end of it all. The new Akron franchise leader in single season saves, Cory Burns. Year after year this guy keeps doing it. Moves up a level, becomes the closer, gets the job done. It's kind of odd, sometimes not always pretty, but he does his job. What's great to see is the fact that he's never given up more than three home runs in a season and he's never walked more than 15 and that was this season with four more innings pitched than last year.

Cory Burns for president.

OVERVIEW

It really is not fair. As soon as they got Drew Pomeranz, he was gone. Around that time that Pomeranz was dealt, there were some injuries and it just created a perfect storm of unfortunate roster situations. What's crazy is that it kind of pushed the Aeros into a run. The Aeros not only lost the newly called-up Pomeranz (who was an incredible boost to their floundering roation), but Joe Garnder and Matt McBride. McBride was probably the most consistent offensive producer and Gardner, while not having a great year, was still a guy that went out every five times.

But that's that. The Aeros had a mass influx of players like Ben Copeland, Raul Padron and Michel Hernandez and it helped their offense, immensely. In fact, that was what this team was about, pitching. Their offense was hard to watch at times. Like Lake County hard to watch.

PITCHING

It turned out to be the backbone of the team. It wasn't out of this world, but it kept this team afloat. At times, the bullpen was as lock down as you can get. Leading up to Burns, there was stretches that the bullpen could not be touched. The starting rotation was not bad either.

Matt Packer

The Pack Man made quite the ascension up the ladder in 2010. He pitched in just five games for the Scrappers in 2009, came into 2010 as a reliever type for the Captains. By the end of the year, he was in Akron's rotation. He made just five starts, but he skipped Kinston and showed, hey, he could pitch.

This season, he proved it again. Where they the most stellar numbers? No, but Matt Packer is a solid left-hander that does one thing really well: eat innings. He could look like he's going to have a horrible night, but somehow he ends up getting through it and giving you five or six innings. He led the team with 169 and he made 27 starts. He was a rock in that rotation. Yeah 4.31 ERA is not the best, he lost 12 games, but you could do worse. Future long reliever? Maybe, but he's a left and he is durable, he's a keeper.

Paolo Espino

This guy. Let me tell you about this guy. Actually why should I? You should know how awesome he is. Starting or relieving, he finds a way. He's Josh Tomlin really. He gets bounced around all over the place, but he pitches and he wins, and he does his job. He started just five games for the Aeros, but he pitched in 81 innings. He constantly comes in when the starter gets pounded and he throws four or five shoutout frames. He walks just 25 hitters (his season high is 47 last year), strikes out over a 100 (season high was also last year, 124), gives you your innings in relief or as a spot-starter. What more can you want from a guy?

This year he started once again in Akron and was stellar. He went 6-0, carried a 2.44 throughout the whole year. He also had a stint in Columbus that was really successful. Give him a crown or something. He deserves it.

Kelvin De La Cruz

Ah boy. The problem here is that he's on the 40-man roster. He's still really young, and young for this level. But things are starting to get a little worrisome for Kelvin De La Cruz. He essentially skipped Kinston after having started just two games in 2009 before getting hurt. He started six games (dominated, 2-2, 2.91 ERA) before being moved quickly to Akron. Struggle.

This year, he got off to a peculiar start. And in the end, the numbers were actually not bad. But there is some oddity to the youngster that is Kelvin De La Cruz. He started, had some issues in simply walking too many people. He walked 57 hitters in 86 innings. He just could not keep his pitch count in check (also struck out 95) and it led to short outings. So the Indians tried to move him into the bullpen, but there was also an injury and basically, were at a state of uncertainty with the DLC. It remains to be seen what the Tribe does with him this offseason (they sure could use that 40-man spot than using it up on a AA pitcher) and beyond.

Bryan Price, Matt Langwell and Eric Berger

This trio, did it. They did it. The lead dog to me is Eric Berger, who was 2-0 with a 2.53 ERA in 57 innings. He even made a few spot starts. But the left-handed Berger has made a successful transition into a relief role and has been great. He struggled as a starter last year, kind of lost the momentum he gained as one in Mahoning Valley, Kinston, and even Akron in 2009. But last year he was up and down. Now a reliever, he's getting the job done. He even saw some time in Columbus, although he struggled, he stepped into that spot to at least get the experience.. Berger may have extended his career opportunity with the move.

Although he had some injuries, Bryan Price really had a eye-opening season. He didn't strikeout many, he didn't walk many, he just got the job done. A 2.79 ERA in 51 innings, is doing it. Price now has two full years in Akron under his belt, so you have to wonder, especially with a few relievers from Columbus moving up, if his time is coming.

The final piece probably went under the radar, but did maybe the best? Matt Langwell was 4-1 with a 2.66 ERA for the Aeros. He struck out 54, 71 hitters total this season between Akron and Columbus. He was another stable part to that bullpen and since he too is a little older, it may be time to start pushing.

Eric Berger's Mustache

A+

Steven Wright

The Knuckleball Reformation Projection that is Steven Wright made several stops, but he had a good portion of his time in Akron, starting seven games. He had his success at Lake County, then went on to pitch in a few for Kinstonm eventually making it to Akron. Wright's transformation into a Knuckleball pitcher is still a work in progress, but he's also an older player. So we'll see what he does as he gets another offseason with the style under his belt.

Adam Miller

Yes! THAT Adam Miller. He didn't throw a pitch in 2009 or 2010, at least not one recorded for any of the Indians affiliates. In fact, the last time he recorded a pitch for a minor league team, it was for the Buffalo squad in 2008. That's been awhile.

Miller made his long anticipated return to professional baseball, playing in-game against real competition with Kinston this season. He got outs, so the Indians moved him up. But here's the thing. He didn't have overwhelming success when he arrived in Akron. In fact he didn't really have any success period. He struggled. We'll see what happens moving forward, I'm sure the Indians are not ready to close the book on this story quite yet, but you have to wonder if this whole new finger thing is going to work.

POSITION PLAYERS

This offense was much like Kinston's. They never really had that one guy they could count on. They also were in a situation they never really had many consistent players. Matt McBride was that until the trade and they had Tim Fedroff to pace them early on, but he soon went on to Columbus. They even got a resurgent Beau Mills back, but he too went on to Columbus to do better things. Eventually it was Chun Chen, some kids and some career minor leaguers that were strung together with chewed gum and pipe-cleaner. But it worked for awhile.

Chun Chen

There's a frustration level with Chun Chen because his production came in spurts. He hit 16 home runs, 24 doubles, knocked in 70 runs. It's not bad. This is someone who hit 12 home runs last year and knocked in 69, so he's got his production up. But it's someone who hit .315 between the two Single-A levels and carried an OBP over .400. He dipped it to .330 this past season. The alarming thing is his 122 strikeouts.

Did he become home run happy? A lot of them came in bunches. Who really knows the case there, but he still was Akron's best offensive player when all was said and done. He'll probably be the starting catcher in Columbus next year (they have no one else ahead of him) and we'll start to wonder if he's going to get moved from that spot if he continues to hit and run produce.

Juan Diaz

For a shortstop, 37 extra base hits is not bad. Knocking in 60 runs? Heck, I'll take that. The past year when he split between the Mariners organization and with Kinston, he hit .284 with eight homers and 60 RBI. Almost identical prouction numbers, only a dip in average and OBP. He took a step up in walk too. Diaz is a solid little player and with no real SS depth in the upper levels, he too could be on the move to Columbus. He plays some good defense with a solid glove and can hit a little too. He's not going to be a future multiple time All-Star, but he has a chance.

Beau Mills

He's baaaaaaaad and he's baaaaaaaack! Big Bad Beau Mills has returned to. Well he is starting to look like the first round pick again. Back in 2008 he was Carolina League player of the year after he knocked in 90 runs and hit 21 home runs for the Kinston Indians. He carried a .373 OBP. Then he got to Akron and things climbed down. He still hit 14 home runs and knocked in 83 runs, but it was not the same. The average took a dip and while the strikeouts did to, the walks and average dove.

Then in 2010 it was more of the same in a decline. He still had those producing numbers, but the power started to exit and so did the hitting. This season he started out in extended by rehabbing an injury. Then he got the call to Akron and he turned it up. He hit 11 home runs in 61 games, seven more with Columbus. He cut way down on his strikeouts and seems to be swinging the bat with the authority he did years ago. He finished with 40 extra base hits on the season in just 96 games. Beau is back!

Kyle Bellows

Quite possibly the best defensive third baseman the organization has. But man he cannot hit. A .229 average was the finished product, but he was hitting .183 in April and .152 in May. Talk about a rough few months. On top of that he walked just 36 times this season. The average was not incredible for Kinston in 2010, but he did knock in 66 runs and scored 48. He could at least carry himself. This past year, not so much.

John Drennen

Honestly, I'm getting tired of writing about him year after year. Parts of four years in Kinston and now parts of three years in Akron (let's face it, 85 games at least in the past three years). Throw in a 50 game suspension for banned substances and I really don't care if he hit a home run off Roger Clemens anymore.

Drennen had his opportunity. He didn't run with it this season. Disappointment zone, again.

Jordan Henry and Donnie Webb

I like both these guys. I like the smaller outfielder who can run and scrap for hits. That's both of these guys. Henry probably more than Webb. Jordan Henry was last year's mascot and he did not disappoint. He started in Kinston, completely jumping Lake County after playing 67 games in Mahoning Valley. It was not long before he was in Akron and overall, he put up a .312 average and .411 OBP as well as notching 29 steals out of 35 attempts. Big things for 2011 right?

Nah, Henry took a drastic drop in average, having really fallen off in July and August. He did steal 33 bases and get on base at a .354 clip, but not the same Jordan Henry catalyst. Still, he can contribute. So can Donnie Webb, although he didn't quite have the year you were looking for as someone who they tried to get into the lineup whether it was at DH or at OF. Webb played in Kinston last year for 77 games, had an injury issue. Ended up hitting .267, but a far fry from the year he was with Lake County in 2009.

Webb was a part time player, point blank. He stole 14 bases, scored some runs, but he was a backup and that's probably all he really is.

Ben Copeland, Raul Padron and Michel Hernandez

I really have little to say about these three.. But you have to acknowledge the effort and boost they gave to the team when they came in. They really saved that offense and perhaps, were the reason the Aeros made a late push. These three had a lot to do with the offense actually producing in the second half.

Nick Weglarz

Damn you Weglarz. What has happened to you? The thought was that Weglarz would start the year on the disabled list and arrive in Columbus when ready. Not the case, he went to Akron for a "rehab" stint. That turned into an extended stay due to some struggles/lack of space. Well Weglarz never made it, got hurt again and just overall was a disappointment.

The guy was highly regarded in this organization, the future at the DH position for this squad. Now he can't get off the disabled list and it happened in just a few short years. You can see he still has the plate discipline and perhaps the fear of the pitchers as he had a .360 OBP, walking 36 times (which was nine shy of most on the team in just 41 games), but the health, not so much.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Kinston is graduating a few decent offensive players like Tyler Holt. Some regular faces may be back in the pitching rotation and they'll get some guys that Kinston had in their bullpen full-time. The Aeros may be returning to the playoffs next year if all the chips fall right and some of the talent projected come in and do what they can.

Akron isn't used to this whole losing thing. Granted the team has not had a losing season, it hasn't been a playoff game in Canal Park, which does not seem right.

Season Wrap-Up 2011: Kinston Indians

2011-11-06T08:28:00.000-05:00

The last hurrah. The Kinston Indians are, or at least will be no more. With the Indians moving Advanced-A affiliates to new ownership, Kinston will likely be losing their ball team. The Indians will probably be changed to something else and a brand new franchise will take over the operations. If this was the last hurrah, it was a great one, although it came up just short of a title, Kinston really gave it one last run for the fans who have been loyal for years.

KINSTON INDIANS
Level: High Class A
League: Carolina League
Finish: 76-62 Overall (38-31 1st half, 45-31 2nd half)
Playoffs: Southern Overall Winner, Lost 3-1 to Frederick in Mills Cup Finals

POTY Feathers: 3B Adam Abraham and RP Preston Guilmet

Abraham: .252 AVG, .360 OBP, 17 HR, 72 RBI, 63 R, 5/7 SB
Guilmet: 1-1, 35 SV, 2.16 ERA, 58 IP, 11/60 BB/K

There really never was one force for this squad all year. But there was one consistent hitter and one given at the end of the game. Adam Abraham was a constant contributor throughout the entire season in the Kinston lineup. His biggest asset is his ability to create the walk. Abraham walked 70 times this season, which boasted his OBP to .360, more than healthy. Then he hit 48 extra-base hits to be the best run-producer the team had from start to finish. He does not get a whole lot of publicity as one of the more top prospects, yet year-after-year he contributes. This was by far his breakout year after hitting 13 home runs a year ago for Lake County, but that was after repeating the level.

Preston Guilmet was kind of new to this whole closer thing last season.. He started 15 games for Mahoning Valley in 2009 as a part of that rotation that was unbelievably good. Then he got moved to the bullpen and started to shine in Lake County. This year he became a full-time closer with Kinston and he keeps getting better. The Indians may have turned a decent starter into a well above-average late inning reliever. Guilmet saved 35 games, held opponents to a .202 average, walked just 11 hittes all season and struck out 60. It was less than 79 he struck out last season in 6 less innings, but as a closer your job is to get saves and he did that.

OVERVIEW

This was a team from start to finish that was one of the best in the Carolina League. They finished the first half strong and carried it into the second half to win that title and be the overall winner of their division by defeating Myrtle Beach.

It matched them up in the playoffs against Frederick and in the end, the Keys were just better, dispatching the K-Tribe in four games of a five game set. Truth be told, this team survived most of the year without any headliner in the rotation or prominent bat. Then they got players like Aguilar and Rayl and got even stronger. Oh yeah, Drew Pomeranz was around for most of the first half, making 15 starts. But he won just three games for the club. This team thrived off their bullpen. Their offense was dead last in the Carolina League and their starters, there was no one who stood out aside from Pomeranz.

Guys like Guilmet and the people leading up to him really carried this team as they got into the later innings and were able to keep it close enough to get the job done. All-in-all it would have been nice for the fans in Kinston to get a tittle before baseball leaves completely for the foreseeable future, but the effort the K-Tribe gave was certainly a nice end note for them.

PITCHING

Their rotation headliner was promoted then traded, which left the club with really two consistent starters thanks to injuries. So the fact that some people like Brett Brach and Marty Popham stepped up, was really really huge.

TJ House

That log-jam we talked about last year with House did prevent him from advancing to Akron initially, but it was House's inability to separate that allowed him to get promoted. There was certainly some opportunity in Akron, especially after the big trade, to move up and House was probably candidate number one had he produced. But a 6-12 record and a 5.19 ERA is hardly anything to write home about. Again he led the team in innings pitched, but he also led the team in walks and all starters in WHIP.

He's still young though, so he'll likely spend a third season in Kinston (or Advanced-A level, since it won't be "Kinston), at least until he proves he can move up. His strikeouts were way down, so that is concerning.

Clayton Cook

I would not call Clay Cook the most consistent starter in the rotation, but he made 25 starts, had an ERA under 5.00 and struck out 106 hitters. He was decent. But with the Captains and Scrappers the past two seasons,, he was much better. The numbers are in line with each other, although his walks and strikeouts went way up in just a few more starts, and that is a little odd.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Clay repeat initially, but I also wouldn't be shocked if the Indians just pushed him forward.

Marty Popham and Brett Brach

Last year, it was Marty Popham piggybacking with Akron stud Austin Adams. This year, both he and another fellow 2009 Scrapper rotation star (with Clay Cook) were both saviors to the Kinston rotation. Popham saw four levels last year, pitching for each affiliate outside of the Scrappers. This year he did that again minus the Captains. The fact that these two are pushed all over the place may indicate they are not long-term prospects for the major league level for the Cleveland Indians.

But they contribute. Popham was a reliever, but with the need, he pushed himself into the rotation and went 6-2 with a 4.15 ERA in 16 starts. Brach was perhaps the most deserving of a call-up when needed, but because of the fact that Kinston was contending and Akron was not, he may have stuck around a little longer. He did get that promotion and ended up making a few starts to end the season and pitching not all that bad. He was a super-fill in for Columbus at one-point (pitching well too) but mostly, he tried to stabilize the K-Tribe rotation with solid numbers.

Giovanni Soto

Real depressing that this guy got hurt. Soto started 11 games, after coming over from Detroit and starting 6 games for the Captains. We haven't seen a whole heck of a lot from him, but the left-hander can pitch. An injury limited his season, but he did pitch decent in what little time he did play. It really makes you hungry to see more of him because there is no telling what he's really capable of.

Chris Jones, Toru Murata and Francisco Jimenez

Here is the core of that K-Tribe bullpen. There really were led by the older-but still younger Murata from Japan. Murata came in for his first professional season in America after pitching in Japan with Yomiuri and he was good. He made a few starts, but he really settled in as a bullpen guy and became one of the most trusted arms because of the length he could provide. He really is the reason a lot of those games were able to be close because he could come in for a starter who only went five or so innings. He ended up with 58 strikeouts and just 10 walks in 49 innings. Impressive.

Another star in regard to giving length was Francisco Jimenez, who also made seven starts towards the end of the season. As a starter he was actually even better than he was a reliever. He gave up just one home run as opposed to three as a reliever and he had a ERA that was way lower. Jimenez overall was 4-3 with a 3.23 ERA and he struck out 91 hitters between two levels in 88 innings.

Then there was Chris Jones, the other lefty. Jones is of course now property of the Atlanta Braves after being traded in the Derek Lowe deal, but Jones was a big part of the Kinston club. He went 7-1 in relief and was just a solid guy from start to finish. He was more of a long reliever, but also could come in and work a single inning, especially towards the end of the season when he became one of the more reliable arms.

Jose Flores

Not sure why the Seattle Mariners chose Flores in the major league portion of the Rule V draft this past offseason, never having pitched about the Low-A level, but they did. Bottom line, Flores is not much of a high-end prospect and his 6.02 ERA in 42 reliever appearances this season just proved that.

Kyle Landis and Tyler Sturdevant

While the trio mentioned earlier was the core, these two were the hammer and the... Well, maybe they were both hammers. You get it. Landis and Sturdevant saw some time in Akron, but ultimately were Kinston guys this season. Landis has spent the past several years bouncing around between Kinston and Lake County but this season was probably just a blessing overall. Landis had a rare nerve problem that actually put his baseball future in doubt, but he came back not skipping a beat. You have to believe that after that and coming back to post an even better line in Kinston (9-2, 2.15 ERA, 61 K in 50 innings) he's destined to be a permanent member of Akron's bullpen next season.

Ditto for Sturdevant who isn't getting any younger himself. He did not have as good of a year as Landis, he had a better one, which is why he got the opportunity to pitch in both Akron for an extended period of time, but a quick stint in Columbus as well. Sturdevant was in Kinston and Lake County for a small time last year and put in a great combined effort. This year, he smoked everyone in his time with Kinston and went on to put a decent run in Akron. If history is an indicator, next year in Akron, he'll do very very well.

POSITION PLAYERS

This offense was dead last, but it does not mean they were horrible. They had some players, they just lacked the real number one run producer. Had Aguilar been there all year, it would have been a way different story and it perhaps would have made this team the best in the entire Carolina League.

Tyler Holt

T-Holt! He's not a run producer, so he will often get overlooked, but Tyler Holt was the catalyst for the Kinston lineup this past season. He led the team in runs and stolen bases and was the primary leadoff guy for the club. I'd say a 34/40 ratio is also pretty impressive in steals. Holt made his debut last year in Lake County and in 22 games, he was impressive. It pushed him to Kinston to start the season, starting higher than any other player the Indians drafted in 2010 other than Pomeranz.

He'll go onto Akron next year for sure. He gets on base at a high rate and makes things happen. You want to see a future leadoff hitter? Look no further than Holt.

Casey Frawley

Mighty Frawley, this kid is like a. He's like a legend. 13 home runs a year ago, 74 RBI, there was no way he could do that again, right? He hit 47 extra bases and was like, the best offensive threat the Captains had in their title run, and he's a 170 pound (if that) shortstop. This year his average took a serious dive for the worst at the next level. He did not hit 13 home runs, he hit 11 and his extra base number decreased to 35. But that is not bad by any stretch. Frawley is an interesting prospect. He probably does not have much of a major league ceiling, but he can keep moving up. I'd say though with the season he put in this year, he'll at least repeat or perhaps move into a utility or shared role in Akron if there is no room.

Jeremie Tice

I really like Jeremie Tice. In 2008 is when he busted onto the season as a sixth round pick. He does not have a really high ceiling by any means. He got hurt in 2009 and last year he really put things together. This season was a bit of a regression as he spent the whole year in Kinston after playing in 51 games and hitting .283 with a .337 OBP. But again, he only played in 77 games. Tice can be a decent producer if healthy, but that seems to be the problem, health. He again missed time this year, significant time, otherwise, he put up decent numbers. We know he can hit the long ball and knock in runs and get on-base. We just need to see him stay on the field.

Tyler Cannon

The Cannon man. Largely a utility player, he started his year with the Captains and eventually, could not be contained. Due to the errors and weak bat of Nick Bartolone, he got more of a shot to play and he quite simply, dominated. In 30 games he carried a .456 OBP and a .366 average. Then he moved up to Kinston where he actually continued to play a little more than just as a backup. Cannon ended up hitting .256 in 92 games with the K-Tribe. He's nothing special, but for backup infield depth in the system, you can't really do much better. He's just a solid player.

Roberto Perez

We don't really care about his .225 average, the two home runs or 30 RBI. None of that really matters. Roberto Perez was put on this earth for one purpose. To be a stud defensive catcher. And that's what he is. Interestingly enough for the Arizona Fall League in just 12 games, he hit three home runs, which is one more than he hit all season in 94 games for Kinston. That's in Arizona though. He does not have much of a ceiling with the bat, never has, probably never well.

But he does one thing really well in place of that. He walks. He had a .360 OBP in Lake County last year (80 walks, 88 strikeouts) and this year it was at .365 (62 walks, 79 strikeouts). So what if he can't hit for crap? He gets on base to at least make himself useful offensively. Yet, we all know what his primary role is. And he does a incredible job in that role.

Delvi Cid and Chase Burnette

What is up with these two? Delvi Cid started the year on the injured list, a year after stealing 71 bases for Lake County. This year he hit .197 when he returned and was more of a backup reserve that he was a starter. He did steal 28 out of 36 bases. He caught caught 16 times out of the 87 times he ran last year though.

Burnette struggled. He was pretty much the first baseman to start the season after and impressive showing (8 HR, 28 RBI in 64 games) for the Scrappers last year. He skipped a level after just a few games with the Captains in 2010. So you are expecting big things from this guy, obviously. Four home runs in 74 games, a .230 average and barely more RBI than he had in 64 games for the Scrappers. A .277 OBP to boot?

It led to an early demotion to Lake County after the beast that is Aguilar forced his way up. Who knows what is up for Burnette now. He didn't do much in his 34 games with the Caps (.203 average, NO home runs) to suggest he's even ready for that level. Maybe he gets a pass, but it would be some thing to start last year in Kinston and the next in Lake County.

Bo Greenwell

This was a rough go for Bo Greenwell. A year after breaking out in 66 games with Lake County, then going on to continue his great season with Kinston, his repeat performance in Carolina was a bit of a step-back due to injuries. Greenwell never really got things going, then he got hurt. He missed most of June, all of July and came back at the tail-end of August, when the season was pretty much over. He got off to a hot start in April and then tapered off. So it really was a bit of a lost season for Greenwell. You could see him start next year in Kinston, but move very quickly to Akron if there is room.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The only way things could have ended better for the fans of Kinston would have been to have a Mills Cup. Of course that was dashed in the finals, but it was quite a run from a team that you could have not expected it from. Of course a lot of these players were on that unexpected Midwest League Champion team in Lake County, so it says a lot how some of these guys continue to produce and win games without being highly regarded prospects.

We don't really know what this team is going to be called in 2012. It's going to be a whole new ball game. You know the true loyal fans of that Kinston franchise are going to be hurting for baseball now that the Indians are gone, which completely sucks for them. But it was nice to give them one last hurrah that went deep into the postseason and was a winner.

Season Wrap-Up 2011: Lake County Captains

2011-11-04T08:28:00.001-04:00

For the first time in their history, the Lake County Captains did not win the Midwest League when they've had the chance. Yeah okay, so they won it for the first time they were in it in 2010, but that is a minor detail that we can overlook. It was a rough year for the Captains overall. They did not have a good second half and their first half, well, it wasn't much better.

LAKE COUNTY CAPTAINS
Level: Low Class A
League: Midwest (Eastern Division)
Finish: 53-86 Overall (28-41 1st Half, 25-45 2nd Half)
Playoffs: Missed Playoffs

POTY Feathers: Jesus Aguilar and Mike Rayl

Jesus Aguilar W/LC: .292 AVG, 19 HR, 69 RBI, 58 R, .370 OBP
Jesus Aguilar Overall: .284 AVG, 23 HR, 82 RBI, 70 R, .359 OBP
Mike Rayl W/LC: 5-5, 2.83 ERA, 17 GS (82.2 IP), 13/84 BB/K
Mike Rayl Overall: 6-8, 3.42 ERA, 25 GS (123.2 IP), 26/121 K

A pair of players that started with the Captains to begin the season eventually got promoted to Kinston for that playoff run were clearly the best offensive and defensive players of the year for Lake County. Things just got worst when they were no longer around. Aguilar had perhaps the best offensive year out of any Tribe minor leaguer and you'd be hard-pressed to find another pitcher who had a better season than Mike Rayl.

Aguilar, in addition to ripping it up for Lake County, started to catch fire and really belt the ball around during the postseason. He led all Carolina League hitters in postseason home runs (4) and was second in RBI (8). Aguilar is a power threat and he's making some waves in the organization. If he keeps it up, he's going to be on the fast track to being this club's first baseman of the future, because currently, there is none.

Rayl has a chance to really make some waves himself. With Alex White and Drew Pomeranz gone, especially Pomeranz, there's room around the Indians farm system for some starting pitchers. And here's the thing, Mike Rayl is a left-handed pitcher, something else that the Indians have a whole heck of a lot of. And with Pomeranz gone, there really is no pre-eminent left-handed pitchers among the prospects. So Rayl has some room to grow and gain some respect.

If he keeps it up, he'll get it. Rayl was great last year for the Captains, but it really is early to be crowning him with anything. Rayl was a 2009 draft pick and while he got some time as a starter in 2009 with the Rookie squad and in 2010 with Mahoning Valley, this was his first full season. He started 14 games to the tune of a 2.81 ERA with the Scrappers in 2010 and then this season, got his opportunity as one of the key guys for the Captains.

Rayl was the anchor of the Captains rotation. Some of the pitchers around him were higher picks and probably had a little higher expectations, but Rayl was the guy for the Captains.

OVERVIEW

Last season's debut was a Midwest winner. This season it was a crash back down to reality. The reality is they inherited a lot of players that were on that bad Mahoning Valley team or the rookie league squad. There was not just inexperience, but injuries. Players like Cook and Blair got hurt in the rotation, guys like Alex Lavisky were not what they were expected to be. It just was not a squad that was primed to attempt to repeat.

But it was still a team with some bright spots to look forward to. A lot of players went on to help Kinston make their playoff push, so there is somethings to like here about Ted Kubiak's bunch.

PITCHING

As is always the case, Lake County fields good pitching. But this past season, it was so-so. The Captains had a lot more barn-burners than they had close contests that we've become accustomed to. They had a few offensive players that really pulled their weight, but the pitchers, just could not live up to their usual standards.

Michael Goodnight

There was Michael Goodnight though. The guy with the perfect name for a closer may eventually be a reliever, but for now he's a starter and he was the two in the one-two punch with Mike Rayl. Goodnight struck out 123 hitters in 135 innings between the 27 games he pitched for Lake County and the one he started for Kinston.

He lost 12 games, but it certainly was not because of anything he did wrong with his 4.15 ERA. He does walk a few, but you have to like the how he doesn't give up a huge amount of home runs and how he eats innings. He led the team in innings pitched and was just an overall workhorse for the club. You have to think he'll go onto Kinston next year to be a starter and from there, who knows what if he keeps getting better.

Cole Cook and Kyle Blair

These two are a real pair. They are both higher picks (fourth and fifth round) from the 2010 draft and they both fell into similar situations this season. Cook and Blair struggled early, having some issues after pitching a combined five games last season between Mahoning Valley and Arizona League. So two guys really getting their first real taste of professional ball, it was not easy early going. Blair did have a good April, having made a few good starts until he started to loose control, literally. He went from walking six hitters in one month to 16. Cook on the other hand was a little different in that he never really struggled, but he could not get some consistent footing in his performance. It was decent, but it was below expectations.

Then injuries hit both of them, probably just as they started to figure things out. Cook ended up starting 19 games and not pitching past July while Blair had a brief hiatus before returning to the squad in late August as a reliever. All said and done, Blair finished with a 5.02 ERA with a 5.98 ERA as a starer and a 1.89 ERA as a reliever in 19 innings. Blair can be a starter, he just needs some time to iron things out. He has the strikeout pitch, but he also has the ability to walk people when he shouldn't. Cook is more of a control guy than Blair is, but still, very similar.

I'm interested to see where these two start out next year. It will probably be in LC just to get started, but if they hit the ground running, they could finish the year in Kinston's rotation.

Jordan Cooper and J.D. Reichenbach

As a result of the injuries above, it was really J.D. Reichenbach and Jordan Cooper that got the opportunity to step up. J.D. was another one of those UDFA's from that Scrapper bunch in 2010 and he really put together a great season to keep himself on the radar. He was a swing guy, having pitched in the relief role, or as a spot starter and he did so at three levels (even though only three appearances came outside Lake County). Reichenbach doesn't do anything real special he just gets the job done.

Cooper is very much the same way. Not going to walk a whole mess of hitters, not going to strike out a lot of people either. But he's going to come in and do a decent job. He was a starter and a long reliever this past year, but mostly starting in the second half of the season. I think if the Indians had their choice though, he'd be a reliever because he was much better as one in 25 innings with a 1.80 ERA.

Dale Dickerson and Nick Sarianides

This was the season-long 1-2 punch leading up to Clay Ehlert all year. The duo of 2009 draft picks made up a majority of the Captains bullpen this past season. Start with Dickerson who carried a 2.45 ERA through 69 innings. He was a 16th round pick and after struggling for the Scrappers last year, he came in to this Lake County season and was one of, if not the best reliever on this team. Sarianides got a taste of Kinston, but before then was 5-4 with a 3.86 ERA in 67 innings.

Clay Ehlert

The unsuspecting closer of the Captains, Clay Ehlert. Clay is quite the story. The Texan was a UDFA reliever for the Indians last season, pitching in 22 games and putting in a good effort as the closer, converting nine saves to the tune of a 3.27 ERA. Then he got the opportunity to not only pitch for Lake County, but pitch as their closer.

He ran with the opportunity. He saved 16 games, more impressively was 1-2 with a 1.68 and a .194 average against. He walked just seven hitters. He doesn't have much stuff, won't struck out a bunch of people, but he got the job done.

Kyle Petter

He was not around long, but he was a guy who made quick work of his time in Mahoning Valley and then went on to do just as well in Lake County. He pitched in 33 innings with a 2.70 ERA and he earned two saves. HE struck out 62 hitters in his 42 total innings for three clubs. Look out for this left-hander moving forward.

POSITION PLAYERS

As is the case with most Captains teams, their success is largely due to their pitching. And while that was certainly the case again this year, the club sent some very talented hitting prospects to Kinston after a quick start that was largely due to some potent offense. Still there were some key offensive players for this club that were there from start to finish, they just aren't the high-end major league potential players that the club lost early.

Carlos Moncrief

Carlos Moncrief is an interesting player. We're talking about someone who was just in his second full year as a position player. He was drafted way back in 2008 in the 14th round, as a pitcher. But after a few years of that, he became an outfielder. He had a middling average, was on base a little over .300 and hit five home runs for the Scrappers in 2010. For the Captains last year, he was really important as the guy who was pretty much their catalyst at the top. He scored the most runs on the team and stole the most bases. Other than Aguilar and Anthony Gallas, he had the highest OBP of everyone with at least 100 at-bats. He did not hit for a high average, but he was a guy that enabled some run-producing.

He also had a little pop from his center field position, which is a nice little bonus. When you hit 16 home runs as more of a speed guy, you have some real added value. In fact, he had just one more extra-base hit than Aguilar, which shows you just how spread out Moncrief can be. Not bad for a pitcher.

Giovanny Urshela

After the season Gio Urshela put up in 2010 for the Scrappers, 2011 was a bit of a disappointment. Still a very young kid, just turning 20 last month and playing the entire season as a 19-year-old, Urshela came into LC expected to be one of the better players at third. He had struggles and it was largely due to a few bad months. He was pretty good to start out the season in April, then took a little bit of a dive before a great July. Then he had the horrible August. It all equaled a year in which he hit just .238 with a .262 OBP. He hit nine home runs, but really just did not produce the runs you expected him to.

The good news is he does not strike out a whole heck of a lot, but the bad news is that he does not walk, at all. He walked 12 times in 2010 with the Scrappers in 58 games. He walked just two more times in 126 games with the Caps this past season. Weird. But it looks like Urshela is a contact guy. Let's hope moving forward he finds way to make more meaningful contact.

Alex Monsalve

With Lavisky taking the dive, it was Alex Monsalve who stepped in to handle catching duties. He originally was in a weird C/DH platoon that involved Lavisky, but once that demotion happened, Monsalve was more of the regular guy. He's a solid defender and decent with the bat. He strikes out a lot but he can swing the stick a little. He's a solid player, and now with everyone likely moving up, he will too.

LeVon Washington

So, we got this guy. Affectionately refers to himself as L-Wash. He's a bit nutty. Okay he's really nutty, but we think he can play some baseball. LeVon Washington was an active guy on Twitter this season. So much so some fans got at him to concentrate more on baseball and less on Twitter. But that isn't the issue here. Washington has some skill. He hit for dirt, but he walked 49 times in 79 games for a .331 OBP. Just think if he can get the average up a little. He stole 15 bases, knocked in 20 runs, was able to hit some doubles, triples, home runs.

Like Moncrief, he does a little bit of everything and he has a much much higher ceiling. He just has to get everything together. There's a reason the Indians took him in the second round last year and the Rays took him in the first round a few years ago. He's got that "swag" he talks about. He just has to channel it. Would not be shocked to see him back in Lake County to start the year.

Brian Heere and Argenis Martinez

This pair quietly contributed to the team in their own ways. Argenis Martinez actually made the Midwest League All-Star team for his first half. With Lake County he hit .235, but he knocked in 24 runs and got on base at a .329 average. Nothing spectacular, but a decent defender at second base. He went on to Kinston to put up the same type of numbers in 32 games, but Martinez is more of a reserve player that can play a few different spots.

Ditto that for Brian Heere in the outfield. Won't hit many home runs, won't hit for an incredibly high average, but can get on base a good amount, won't give you some horrible at-bats, and will play decent glove in all the spots. He's a real small guy, but again, a solid contributor off the bench as a reserve.

Anthony Gallas

Cleveland's (okay, Strongsville) own Anthony Gallas was undrafted just a season ago out of Kent State. This season, he soared through the system, having made quick work of the Captains level and moving on to Kinston. He struggled with the K-Tribe, having hit just .197 with a .287 OBP. But he started strong in Lake County. He hit .314 with a .393 OBP and he notched 107 total bases in 207 at-bats. Of course when he got called up to Kinston, it was downhill from there and it remains to be seen if he was simply a man amongst boys in Lake County (eh, he is 23 playing at a level of players usually 2-3 years younger than him) or a true diamond in the rough. The stint in Kinston does not bode well for him though.

Ronny Rodriguez and Nick Bartolone

So here's a little story about a young chap named Rango. Given the name "Rango" by his teammates and embraced by all, Nick Bartolone. Well okay look, I'm a little peeved. Every year I pick one minor league player to be the ultimate fan of, hence why we call them the Mascot. And Nick Bartolone really disappointed. He is really the first one to have a bad year after being named the Mascot. And for having a cool name like "Rango" to boot? It was not just the offense, which was not expected to be stellar by any means, it was the defense, something Bartolone was supposed to be known for. Thanks to an injury to Tony Wolters, it was Bartolone's job at short to start the season. Then he botched every ball hit his way, going as far as making three errors in a single game.

Thirty-eight. 38. THREE-EIGHT. JOE SMITH! That's how many errors Rango made last year. That's incredibly horrible. But it's also unfortunate because it pushed Bartolone over to second base, mainly to make room for Ronny Rodriguez, who came up and impressed. Rodriguez in just a short time hit 11 home runs and knocked in 42 RBI. He didn't walk much and he whiffed quite a bit, but he has some pop for such a little guy. He also has some speed, having hit 28 doubles and seven triples. To have just a few less extra-base hits than Aguilar and Moncrief and to have played in in 98 games, says a lot.

FINAL THOUGHTS

That Mahoning Valley bunch in 2010 was sadly a true indicator as to what the Lake County Captains had to field in 2011. It was not horrible, definitely not as bad as what the Scrappers had. But it was not good. A lot of it had to do with more than what they didn't field though. Injuries to some of the big picks of the 2010 draft was a big reason for the struggles and inability to repeat in the Midwest.

Washington, Wolters (who never started the season there due to injury), Blair, Cook, all had injuries. All expected to be a part of the Captains as key pieces after not really contributing at all for Mahoning Valley. So again you had to rely on the likes of Cooper, Reichenbach, Ehlert, Bartolone, Heere, etc. There were some real bright spots like Aguilar and Rayl for as long as you had them, the emergence of Moncrief as a position player, and others like Michael Goodnight and Ehlert.

But now the sights need to be turned to 2012 when the Captains inherit a whole mess of offensive talent from Mahoning Valley. Add in some returning and healthy pitchers and this team could really be strong next season. Much stronger than 2011 for sure.

Season Wrap-Up 2011: Mahoning Valley Scrappers

2011-11-01T08:00:00.000-04:00

The Scrappers had horrid year last season. It was not pretty A pretty putrid offense and a pitching staff that was really, well it wasn't good but it was better than the offense. This year though, the draft brought in some quality bats and it turned into a good season all around.

MAHONING VALLEY SCRAPPERS
Level: Short Season Class A
League: New York-Penn League
Finish: 41-34 (3rd Place Pinckney Division)
Playoffs: Missed Playoffs

POTY Feathers: C/DH Jake Lowery

Lowery: .245 AVG, .377 OBP, 6 HR, 43 RBI, 43 R, 3/5 SB

Salute the Duke, right? Jake Lowery was a under the radar pick by the Indians. The Indians picked and signed a younger product with a high ceiling in Eric Haase, not to mention had Alex Lavisky already in the system. But Lowery came in and showed to be a serious run-producer for the Scrappers. The James Madison product was probably the best hitter and perhaps single player on the Mahoning Valley squad this past season.

OVERVIEW

After the season before with so many young high school players selected and signing near the deadline, the Mahoning Valley team was depleted. This year though, with so many of those players now in the fold, and a strong class of college players that signed early, Mahoning Valley had a force of a team. They ended up finishing third in the division, but the Scrappers had a lot of young and hungry hitters that formed a capable lineup.

The pitching was not the strong suit, but it was at way better than what the previous years squad rolled out. This team made their money on offense as the second highest scoring team in the NYPL and ranked sixth out of 14 in team ERA. It's a strange turn of events as the pitching was better in the previous year, but it was actually really bad. It just looked better because the offense was that horrific.

PITCHING

It remains to be seen who from this group are going to move on and stand out, but the Indians drafted a few guys who can pitch. They also had some guys who have been a part of the organization come in and get their first taste of action like this.

Rob Nixon, Will Roberts and Mason Radeke

This trio was drafted at different portions of the draft this past summer. The high pick was Will Roberts and because of Virginia's run in the College World Series, he did not join the team right away. But when he did, the fifth round pick contributed as a starter in all but one game. He went 1-3, but carried a 3.27 ERA over 41 innings. He struck out 29 and walked just seven.

The next highest pick was Mason Radeke, who also joined the club a little later. He too was effective in his nine starts, going 2-0 with a 4.53 ERA in 43 innings. He had a little bit more walks and had an issue giving up the long ball, but his 30 strikeouts is impressive. Radeke was drafted in the 35th and Nixon was in the 46th round.

It always goes to show you that the highest drafted player isn't always the best. Nixon was around for the entirety of the season, making 15 starts and carrying a 7-3 record with a 4.82 ERA. He struck out 48 and the right-hander was simply an innings eater.

Danny Jimenez and Joseph Colon

A pair of three year veterans of the Indians organization in Danny Jimenez and Joseph Colon. Jimenez spent his first two seasons in Rookie ball and Colon did not pitch in 2010 for one of the affiliates. Jimenez had a stellar year, probably the Scrappers best starter. He started 12 games, but made 17 overall appearances, carrying an impressive 2.39 ERA and a 4-3 record. The left-hander struck out 50 hitters and as a starter, his ERA was actually 1.95.

Colon meanwhile made 14 starts and struck out 57, leading the team. He has some control issues as he walked 31 between MV and his one game in Lake County, but his stuff is clearly something that the Indians like about him.

Nate Striz and Tony Dischler

A pair of 2010 draftees that are sort of repeating the MV level. Both did not see a lot of action in 2010 due to signing late, but both have good arms and are high impact relievers that the Indians like. But both also struggled in Lake County this season when given the shot.

Dischler made three appearances for the Captains before the Indians pulled the plug on him and send him to extended. He reappeared for the Scrappers and while he did not impress, he looks to have made strides as a reliever. Dischler had a 4.15 ERA in 39 innings. Nate Striz meanwhile had a longer stint with the Captains, going 0-2 with a 6.88 ERA in 34 innings, but with the Scrappers, turned it around to a 3.26 ERA in 47 innings. He also struck out 49 hitters and more importantly, gave up just one home run.

Cody Allen, Enosil Tejeda and Grant Sides

This trio of relievers all had different roles in the Scrappers bullpen. Sides did not pitch much, originally slated to be more of a late inning guy. But he didn't have a vast amount of success. Sides was the 12th round pick of the Indians and probably had a little more expected out of him than 23rd round pick Cody Allen. But it was Allen who really had a great year for the Scrappers, then went on to bounce around at three other levels in spot duty. He did make 7 appearances for the K-Tribe, throwing 17 scoreless frames and picking up a pair of wins. Allen was 3-1 with the Scrappers and a 2.14 ERA over 33 innings.

Enosil was the best reliever of them all though. Tejeda co-led the team in strikeouts as a reliever, made the most appearances and was 2-2 with a 2.91 ERA. He was the key guy for the pen all year and his most impressive stat, 1.06 WHIP. He was the closer most of the season, saving 12 contests and really being the anchor of that Scrappers pen. It follows up a year in which he was 7-3 with a 1.76 ERA in 12 starts for the Dominican Summer League.

Harold Guerrero and Ramon Cespedes

Cespedes is a name that has been around awhile. Last year he saw time with Lake County and the Rookie squad, but this year he was more of a regular contributor to the Valley. He was 1-1 with a 4.24 ERA in 16 games.

Harold Guerrero has also been around and he's struggled for awhile. In 2008 and 2009 he pitched for the DSL and went a combined 1-12. but in 2009 he carried a 2.60 ERA in 12 starts. Last year he pitched decent for the Rookie team as a reliever, which set him up to start for the Scrappers in 2011. He had mixed results as a reliever and starter. Guerrero overall was 2-4 with a 6.14 ERA.

Will Krasne and Drew Rucinski

Every year, the Indians have a few UDFAs, especially on the pitching staff and this year, they had Drew Rucinski and Will Krasne both make impacts. Rucinski was around the Rookie squad and Lake County, but made 15 appearances out of the pen for the Scrappers. He was 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA and 30 strikeouts to just five walks. Guys like this are good in college and can translate well to the short season levels playing against other college draftees, and a good portion fizzle, but someone like Rucinski certainly now deserve a chance to continue on in this organization. Krasne spent his entire year with the Scrappers and while he is secretly my new best friend due to our common interests, he was 3-5 with a 4.01 ERA in 22 games. He did walk more than he struck out, so that's an issue, but he has the best Twitter name ever (@PinkPoloShorts) and that's all that counts.

POSITION PLAYERS

Every week it seems like they added a new player that was impacting the lineup. This bunch was very good and they had no shortage of talent players at every position on the diamond.

Jordan Smith

No one had a more impressive short stint than Jordan Smith though. He did not hit a home run, but 20 doubles (and a .300 average and .403 OBP) made him one of the most lethal forces of the lineup. Jake Lowery was probably the most productive player, but the best hitter was Jordan Smith at third base. He's also a left-handed hitter and the ninth round pick led the team in RBI. Watch out for this guy, because he is going to make some waves in the coming years.

Cody Elliot, John Barr and KC Serna

These three players all joined at some point and contributed. Elliot was pretty much around the whole time and he was more of a defensive presence in the outfield. But he did a little with the bat and at least pulled his weight. Eventually it was John Barr coming in (also stalled like Roberts because of Virginia's CWS run) and picking up where he left off for the Cavaliers. He was a .241 hitter with 24 RBI and a .335 OBP.

Serna was a kick-up in presence as a reserve infielder, playing second and short. He had a decent stick for someone who could come in and play anywhere and his most important asset, his speed. He stole 12 bases for the club and scored 20 runs.

Todd Hankins

An original and a 15th round pick was a nice little player down at second base for Mahoning Valley. He didn't light the world on fire, but he stole 14 bases, knocked in 43, scored 42, and generally just doing a little bit of everything. He's a small guy, but he packs a little bit of a punch and brings a good set of wheels.

Alex Lavisky and Tony Wolters

A tale of two 2010 high round picks. Lavisky is the one with the money (A cool $1 million signing bonus) and the expectations. So much so the Indians started him at catcher in Lake County. He did not play well at all. In 49 games he hit .207 with an incredible 66 strikeouts. So when the short-season started, they bumped him down and things just got worse. He did hit 13 home runs this season between the two levels, knocked in 52 runs as well. But the overall problem is the 137 strikeouts and the .203 combined average. He just swings and misses way too much and he isn't exactly completely polished as a defensive catcher either. So there's work to be done with the young, very young, Lavisky.

Then there is Tony Wolters, who probably would have joined Lavisky in Lake County had he not broke a bone in his hand early. Wolters had a taste of rookie ball in 2010, so when he debuted for the Scraps in 2011, he took off running. Wolters will probably start his transition to second base with first round pick Francisco Lindor now in the fold, but mostly manning short, little Tony hit .292 with an impressive .385 OBP. Wolters stole 19 bases and scored 50 runs, which led the team. He also led the team in hits and was most likely the best defender on the field. Wolters will no doubt start in Lake County next year and with Lindor on his heels, may be in Kinston before the season is over.

Bryson Myles

Want to know the scary and best part out of the offense that Mahoning Valley had? Perhaps their best player was not as productive as he could have been due to some nicks and bruises. Bryson Myles was the sixth round pick for the Tribe and he came in with perhaps the most potential of any player on the team. He stole 20 bases, hit .302 and scored 36 runs in 50 games. All in all a good short season. But he has so much more potential than that. It's scary good!

Aaron Siliga

Speaking of potential, young Aaron Siliga is still not 20-years-old. He was not a main factor for The Valley, but he played in 47 games and got considerable time for awhile. However he hit just .171 for the Scrappers. He struggled, but he has a lot of potential. He'll probably start in extended and maybe make a repeat appearance next season for the Scrappers.

Jerrud Sabourin

Jerrud Sabourin is the other UDFA the Indians had in Mahoning Valley that made some waves. He's filler, but he hit .225 with a .306 OBP and 27 RBI. He filled in at first base for a team that did not really had one or drafted one.

FINAL THOUGHTS

First year manager Dave Wallace had an embarrassment of riches offensively. He didn't have a stellar pitching staff, but it was capable. All in all it was a nice debut for him as he transitioned from bullpen coach to manager of the short season squad.

This was a team that finished well above the .500 mark and just missed the playoffs. They have offense that will probably be scattered among Kinston and Lake County next season, and a few pitchers that will probably move forward. You may see a few guys like Siliga or Battaglia return to start the year, but generally as always, you never know what 2012's Mahoning Valley Scrappers are going to look like.

Indians Trade for Derek Lowe; Decline Sizemore's Option

2011-10-31T16:23:00.000-04:00

Not wasting any time at all. After declining the option on Grady Sizemore and picking up the one on Fausto Carmona, the Cleveland Indians struck the first deal of the Hot Stove season. A veteran pitcher is coming to Cleveland and it's now clear what mind-set the Indians are in as this offseason gets underway.

I knew it. I knew it. I knew it. This team wasn't going to sit back. They may not have a lot of cash to throw around, but you knew Chris Antonetti was going to get creative to improve this team if they were going for it. And you knew they'd be going for it after the Ubaldo deal in the summer.

Photo: Associated Press via Boston Herald

So here we are. The Indians receive Derek Lowe in exchange for Chris Jones, who pitched with Kinston last year in a relief role. Put up decent numbers, but pretty much not someone who you are going to be crucified for giving up, even if he turns into anything at the major league level (and that is a small chance, and if he does, it's nothing more than a reliever). They also take on just $5 million of his owed $15 million in salary for 2012. He will be a free agent after this 2012 season, so it is essentially a one-year rental. And it makes sense with Carlos Carrasco out for the year that you would get someone for one season.

In addition, the Indians picked up the slightly less expensive option on Fausto Carmona, which means that their rotation is complete baring any unforeseen circumstances. They also declined that $9 million dollar option on Sizemore, which is a no-brainer in my estimation. That doesn't mean anything in terms of him not being here next year, but I think both Sizemore and the Indians knew he wouldn't be back with the Indians for that much money and I do not think Sizemore would blame the Indians for not picking that option up.

So I wouldn't rule out his return.

Let's look at Lowe here first.

First off, you know you can count on him to be there. He's pitched in at least 180 innings since 2002 and he was just shy of 190, which is the number he's reached every other year except in 2011 and 2004. He's won a title with Boston, having pitched clinching games, he's been to the postseason multiple times with the Dodgers, Red Sox, and last year the Braves. In fact he has a 3.12 ERA in 12 starts (23 games). He's been around. Have the numbers he has put up the past few years been stellar and what he was doing from the years he was with LA and the final few in Boston?

No, but here's the thing with a guy like Derek Lowe. You put a solid defensive squad behind him in the infield and you will have a chance with him. Plain and simple, he's a version of Jake Westbrook and if last year was any indication as to what the Indians CAN field defensively, then I like the move for that simple fact. The Indians can field a solid defense behind this guy who is a ground-ball pitcher.

You also have to look at two other factors in this. just look at what they are giving up and what they have to pay. $5 million dollars out of the $15 he was owed? Can you find a pitcher like Lowe on the market for that price? I see Mark Buerhle, CC Sabathia (if he even gets there), CJ Wilson, Edwin Jackson, and that's pretty much it. Lowe is a quality arm that you know what you get and you are not paying an arm and a leg for. The prospect you gave up, Chris Jones, is a decent one, but not anyone that is making you ponder hard about making the deal for. This is a creative deal for an Indians who need to be making creative deals if they want to make moves.

Lowe just strengthens this team's pitching depth all around. It would have been another fifth spot rotation battle and with the way people went down last year, it just reinforces everything. Now you have Huff, Gomez, et al in Columbus just in case, rather than all competing for one spot and having to play musical starters if one did not work out.

Season Wrap-Up 2011: Third Annual All-Daily Team

2011-10-31T08:00:00.000-04:00

The official kick-off to the end of the season starts now and it starts in the most ridiculous fashion, as always. Introducing the 2011 Season Wrap-Up with the Third Annual, All-Daily Team. What? Okay, shut up already. If you still don't remember from last year, the All-Daily Team is my version of our organizational All-Stars.

I know this blog has evolved into a not-so-daily thing, but I think I do a pretty good job in-season of keeping things up-to-date. This team represents that idea. The idea of coming to work every day and doing a good job. The All-Daily team is made up of players that you know you can count on a daily basis to come in and work hard and try to produce. And yes, the criteria is all mine, so if I pick someone, it may not have that purpose, but just because I love that guy.

The All-Daily Team uses nicknames as well, because that's just how we do it.

FIRST TEAM
Catcher - Lou Marson
Louuuuuuuu... Maligned last year for his horrific bat, Marson actually carried his weight as a back-up stick behind the plate. More importantly though, he serves his ultimate purpose as an excellent caddie for his pitching staff.

First Base - Jesus Aguilar
Now taking nickname suggestions for Jesus Aguilar, who is on a real track now to be the Indians future at first base. Such raw power from his swing, he's been homering everywhere he's gone. From Lake County to Kinston, to the postseason to the AFL.

Second Base - Jason Kipnis
Already a favorite and quickly becoming the favorite with the way he plays the game. It isn't just the production, it's how he gets the production. This kid is a future stud. Also, cool batting stance.

Third Base - Jack Hannahan
There's a reason we call him Super Mannahan around these parts. It will be a shame if he isn't around next year to be all Super Awesome, but this year, he was. Because he was a part time player, and because no one outside of Oakland and Cleveland knows who he is, he'll stand negative 100 percent chance at a Gold Glove, but he very well may be the best defensive third baseman on skill alone.

Shortstop - Tony Wolters
You know those little gnats that fly around you and you try and grab so you can get rid of them, but you just can't. They're so annoying, right? Well that's kind of what Tony Wolters is like, but because we like him, he isn't annoying. But he's a little guy and he doesn't do much, but he can flat out play. He gets on base, moves around out there and finds a way to get home. Go home Wolty, go home!

Left Field - Tyler Holt
T-HOLT! The man with just as much, if not more, "swag" than LeVon Washington, Tyler Holt has a way of getting on base and make things happen. My outfield is looking pretty power-less, but Holt's presence makes it an All-Star Twitter group.

Center Field - Ezequiel Carrera
Zeke has caught fire. Not just actually, but the name Zeke has caught fire. I started the Pip-Zeke movement and he's just gone off since that drag bunt heard around... Cleveland. PIP-ZEKE! PIP-ZEKE!

Right Field - Tim Fedroff
Fedheems! The super galactic nano-hitter known as Tim Fedroff swings swings swings and hits hits hits. A .385 OBP is nothing to sneeze at and was .001 away from a .400 OBP in 70 games in Akron. MAN.

Designated Hitter - Shelley Duncan
Hawkman... Enough said friends.

Left Handed SP - Mike Rayl
With a name like Rayl, I should be able to come up with something, but it has been a struggle. Rayl was one of the best pitchers in the organization this year. He's also the only left-hander. Kidding, but, not really.

Right Handed SP - Justin Masterson
The Mastard! I'm going to champion Mastard Sauce until I'm overruled with it. I can't get behind some of the nicknames given to him because nothing is as wicked sounding as The Mastard.

Set-Up Man - Vinnie Pestano
Hey, Vinnie. The Gangster is as much responsible for Bullpen Mafia taking of as Justin Germano is. If he didn't join Twitter at the same time Germano did, I would have never Tweeted that. But you know Gangster does some great things on the mound to. You know, like, things that made him one of the best relievers in the AL, not just the best Rookie reliever.

Closer - Chris Perez
I will continue to plug the Facebook Fan page for his hair as long as I continue to place him as my closer on the All-Daily team. Seriously, who else can I pick?

SECOND TEAM
Catcher - Roberto Perez
Second straight year Perez claims the backup catcher spot. Simply put, this team was made for defensive studs like him. Defense and on-base percentage. That's how I like my catchers.

First Base - Beau Mills
Hey Beausef... We also call him Big Bad Beau around these parts and it was a resurrection of sorts in Akron. Then after hitting .300 with 11 home runs in just 61 games, the former first rounder went on to do some damage in Columbus. Hold the phone on the bust talk.

Second Base - Jason Donald
I could go in so many directions here, but I repeat last year's first teamer because quite frankly, I love me some Jason Donald.

Third Base - Adam Abraham
A Michigan Man will... Well I don't really know, but he his 17 home runs for Kinston this year. He's a bit of a stud if I do say so myself.

Shortstop - Tyler Cannon
I feel as if it is a waste to have someone named Cannon as a utility player, but you can't win them all, right? I'm not sure what he is, but Tyler Cannon just gets the job done. He scored a good chunk of runs and knocked another good chunk in. He plays all over the diamond, he played at multiple levels.

Left Field - Anthony Gallas
I'll ignore the fact that he went to Kent State. He hit more doubles than anyone alive in Lake County, then went on to struggle with Kinston, but he's still awesome.

Center Field - Carlos Moncrief
GOOD GRIEF MONCRIEF! The Mississippian used to be a pitcher and now he is a suitable outfielder with some pop from center field in the system. Definition of All-Day with his 122 games played for the LC.

Right Field - Kosuke Fukudome
FUKUDOME! God I love this guy. Fukudome! Fukudome! Bring him back! Bring him back!

Designated Hitter - Jake Lowery
Salute the Duke! Jake Lowery came right in from James Madison and was a terror for pitchers in the NYPL. Playing for the Scrappers, "The Duke" knocked in 43 runs in 69 games. Beasting.

Left Handed SP - Danny Jimenez
You are saying to yourself... WHAT WHO WHEN WHAT UBALDO JIMENEZ CHANGE HIS NAME AND THROW THE OTHER WAY!?!!?! No friends, that is not the case. But Danny Jimenez is a young man that is slightly younger than me and he throws left-handed. He also had a 2.39 in The Valley this year.

Right Handed SP - Cole Cook
If I was picking an All-Star team, I'd pick someone else because Cole Cook was injured and didn't put forth his best season. But he's an All-Star Twitterer and he throws hard, so I'm not going to argue with him. Plus he's funny.

Set-Up Man - CC Lee
The cruel joke of having someone named both CC and Lee has turned into a blessing. This little dude from Taiwan throws hard and he is a strikeout machine. I SAY MACHINE! Eat your heart our Brian Wilson.

Closer - Cory Burns
Two years in a row, Cory Burns should feel proud that he is second to the badass himself. Setting up and knocking down records, Burner keeps getting it done.

The Hawkman Triumph; Fedora Voting OPEN

2011-10-16T10:57:00.001-04:00

CAW!!!

With a dominating eight of 11 votes, The HAWKMAN has collected the final monthly Golden Fedora of the 2011 season. Congrats sir Shelley.

Now is the time to pick our Golden Fedora winner of the Year... All monthly winners received a spot in the vote and I've added my own personal Wild Card who did not win a monthly award, Chris Perez, to the vote. You have a week to do so. When we pick a winner, I'll officially do my end of the year feathers. Get to it! Poll is on the right side of the site.

BBA Award Ballot - Cleveland Chapter

2011-10-07T08:00:00.000-04:00

For the past few seasons, the Baseball Bloggers Alliance has been putting together their own version of BBWAA's end of the year awards that are officially given to MLB players. This blog has been a member of the BBA since it's inception and for the third year, I'm taking part in the voting. For the second year, I'm representing the Cleveland Chapter as the president and am posting the results of our collective poll for all awards. Our ballot counts as both of Cleveland's two votes, which basically means our winners get two votes. As always, we vote on just the American League. This year, like last, we decided to submit individual votes and take the overall point leaders of a weighted system.

I would like to thank Mike Brandyberry of Did The Tribe Win Last Night? and Mitchell Below from TribeScribe for participating this year.

The other blogs within the Cleveland chapter are The B-List, Indians Prospect Insider, and Deep Left Field, Did The Tribe Win Last Night?, and TribeScribe.

Connie Mack Award (Best Manager)

3. Manny Acta, CLE
2. Jim Leyland, DET
1. Joe Maddon, TB

Based off receiving three total votes, Jim Leyland broke a second place tie with Manny Acta. But it was Joe Maddon who reigned as our chapter's pick for top overall manager in the American League. I'm glad Manny got votes, even though one of those votes was mind. Hopefully he's well represented, because he did a heck of a job this year with a mess up of injuries and squad that wasn't supposed to contend. Maddon has done a fantastic job though and totally deserves the honor. The Rays made an incredible run to get into the postseason and he no doubt had a part in that.

Also Receiving Votes: Ron Washington, Mike Scioscia

Willie Mays Award (Best Rookie)

3. Jordan Walden, LAA
2. Jeremy Hellickson, TB
1. Eric Hosmer, KC

As the one person who did not vote for Walden or Nova, I broke a third place tie between the two. Jeremy Hellickson received a first place vote, but it wasn't quite enough to take down KC slugger Eric Hosmer, who received two first place votes. I, with absolutely no shame or bias voted for Vinnie Pestano third. Why the heck not? He was there all year and was the best rookie reliever, in my opinion. Hosmer's rookie year was quite fantastic. Hellickson put up a great campaign as well, but Hosmer stepped in and fit right into that Royals lineup.

Also Receiving Votes: Ivan Nova, Jemille Weeks, Mark Trumbo, Vinnie Pestano

Goose Gossage Award (Best Reliever)

3. Chris Perez, CLE
2. Mariano Rivera, NYY
1. Jose Valverde

This was painless and easy for everyone as the final tally was the exact ballot for each voter. Valverde was the overwhelming favorite, and he didn't blow a save. So even though he spazzes out on the mound after each one of those saves, he deserves it. Pure Rage represent!

Walter Johnson Award (Best Pitcher)

5. Josh Beckett, BOS
4. CC Sabathia, NYY
3. James Shields, TB
2. Jered Weaver, LAA
1. Justin Verlander, DET

Like his teammate, Justin Verlander was the unanimous pick for best pitcher in the American League. Jered Weaver was also a clean sweep at second place, so there was clearly no question about who the top two pitchers were. You'd be insane to think Verlander wasn't the best, seriously.

Also Receiving Votes: Jose Valverde, Doug Fister, Dan Haren

Stan Musial Award (Best Overall Player)

10. Mike Napoli, TEX
9. Dustin Pedroia, BOS
8. Robinson Cano, NYY
7. Curtis Granderson, NYY
6. Michael Young, TEX
5. Miguel Cabrera, DET
4. Jacoby Ellsbury, BOS
3. Adrian Gonzalez, BOS
2. Justin Verlander, DET
1. Jose Bautista, TOR

Close, but no cigar for Justin Verlander on sweeping the Cleveland Chapter's top two awards on the ballot. Verlander was two points shy of winner Jose Bautista. Verlander got a first and a second place vote, as did Bautista. The over-riding factor was Bautista's third place vote, of which Verlander did not get. It was a two-horse race between the two. And finally, two of us, me being one of them, included Asdrubal in our ballots. It's the tenth place vote, why wouldn't I?

Also Receiving Votes: Evan Longoria, Jose Valverde, Paul Konerko, Jered Weaver, Ben Zobrist, CC Sabathia, Asdrubal Cabrera

Manny Acta Golden Fedora of Greatness: September 2011

2011-10-05T08:00:00.000-04:00

You may have heard the term "Golden Sombrero" used in baseball talk. It is in reference to a hitter striking out three times in a game. Well on this blog, we have the Golden Fedora, which is far better and more coveted.

The Manny Acta Golden Fedora of Greatness is handed out every month to the Cleveland Indian who was the team's MVP in that particular month of play. I nominate five players, you vote on them for one week and we name a winner.

At the end of the year, we take all six winners, vote on a Team MVP and then have a party.

September's Nominees

Hiya... For the final Golden Fedora, we're witnessing the first nomination of The HAWKMAN. He's joined by some pretty legit competition. After we Fedoraize someone, we'll be picking an overall winner. Get it!

Asdrubal Cabrera

For September .234 AVG, .280 OBP, .709 OPS, 9 R, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 4/16 BB/K, 1/2 SB

2011 Season: .279 AVG, .339 OBP, .804 OPS, 78 R, 21 HR, 78 RBI, 40/103 BB/K, 16/20 SB

Nominations: 6 | Wins: 1

Here he is again! It wasn't his most stellar month, but even a down month for Cabrera is good enough to receive his sixth nomination. The man has been here every month, so he's remain consistent to say the least. He did it battling an elbow injury as well.

Lonnie Chisenhall

For September: .279 AVG, .295 OBP, .761 OPS, 13 R, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 2/17 BB/K, 0/0 SB

2011 Season: .255 AVG, .284 OBP, .699 OPS, 27 R, 7 HR, 22 RBI, 8/49 BB/K, 1/0 SB

Nominations: 1

The Rook has some spunk. With Jack Hannahan missing some time, Lonnie Chisenhall got the keys to the wild hot corner and he started to find his groove offensively. Chisenhall belted four home runs, but still need to work on that whole plate discipline thing.

Shelley Duncan

For September: .265 AVG, .340 OBP, .943 OPS, 14 R, 7 HR, 23 RBI, 9/21 BB/K, 0/0 SB

2011 Season: .260 AVG, .324 OBP, .808 OPS, 29 R, 11 HR, 47 RBI, 19/46 BB/K, 0/1 SB

Nominations: 1

Cawww! The Hawkman came alive! After hitting just four home runs all season, Shelley Duncan channeled his inner-Hawk to come up big for the Tribe in the final month. After spending some time in the minors, Duncan made up for some lost time with the increased playing time.

Carlos Santana

For September: .231 AVG, .372 OBP, .888 OPS, 21 R, 6 HR, 13 RBI, 20/23 BB/K, 1/1 SB

2011 Season: .239 AVG, .351 OBP, .808 OPS, 84 R, 27 HR, 79 RBI, 97/133 BB/K, 5/8 SB

Nominations: 3

Ayeeee Vamanos! Carlos Santana continued his strong season-ending run with a huge September. The catcher belted six more home runs to finish with the team lead and did things that we haven't seen since Victor Martinez's prime years with the club.

Vinnie Pestano

For September: 10 G, 0-0, 4 HLD, 1.93 ERA, 9.1 IP, 5/14 BB/K, 4 H, 0.96 WHIP

2011 Season: 67 G, 1-2, 2 SV, 23 HLD, 2.32 ERA, 62.0 IP, 24/84 BB/K, 41 H, 1.05 WHIP

Nominations: 1

The young shining face of the Bullpen Mafia finished how he started. Pestano had one of his better months of the season and finished off his impressive rookie year in grand fashion.

You can vote for the Manny Acta Golden Fedora for the Month of September over on the side of the site. You have one week to vote and the winner will be announced formally next Wednesday.

One for the Road: Taking Second and Going Home

2011-09-29T07:35:00.000-04:00

You up? Good... Time to wrap this baby up, let's go, one more time for the regular season.

September 28th, 2011

Cleveland Indians - 4
Detroit Tigers - 5
W: Ryan Perry (2-0) L: Vinnie Pestano (1-2) S: Jose Valverde (49)

[BOXSCORE]

Hmm... Well... The season is over friends. It's almost hard to talk about this game here because... The season is over!

I guess we'll just start it off this way... I, like Manny Acta, am disappointed that the Indians did not finish this season with a .500 record. I know, some people are probably saying to themselves, "It's one game."

Yes, but it does signify something and in Acta and the team's mind, there's some validation in it.

"I'm disappointed that we couldn't at least finish with a .500 record," Acta said. "I thought we played too well for too long to end up this way."
Now make no mistake about it, when he says "end up this way," that in no means is some horrible awful ending. It is actually just one game and the Indians have a lot to be proud of. Jim Leyland took his hat off to the Indians and is prepared for them to be back next year.

"You know what?" Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "Most people picked the White Sox or Minnesota [going into the season], and really -- and rightfully so -- the talk of baseball for about four months was the Cleveland Indians, not the Detroit Tigers."

Before we go down any of that road though, let's talk about this game, because there was some significant stuff in there that we need to recap before we move on, recap this season, and preview next.

Photo - AP via Yahoo! Sports

It was a most interesting start with Manny Acta getting ejected. Some speculate, or at least assume, that since Acta got ejected on purpose so he could let his long-time friend Tim Tolman manage a game. It was announced that Tolman will be stepping down as bench coach. Acta, pretty much said, laughable.

"I would never make a mockery out of a baseball game," Acta said. "If I wanted Tolman to manage a game, I didn't have to get thrown out of the game. I would've just handed the lineup card to him and let him manage the game. He didn't manage the game. I managed the game from the tunnel. All I did was sit in the penalty box, that's it."

He managed the game from the tunnel? Haha good to see that when the umpires eject someone, they make sure they leave.

(Acta pokes his head out from the tunnel)

"Hey... Hey Tolman! Take out McAllister... Bring in the rightie!"

On a serious note... Acta wasn't really sue why he got ejected. He was arguing balls and strikes, but didn't feel like what he did was something he should have been ejected for that quickly.

Anyway, the Indians got out to a nice lead on Rick Porcello. Zeke Carrera had a big triple in the third and in the fourth, it was 3-0 with a Super Jack single and a error by Wilson Betemit. Of course the Indians had a chance to add on with the bases loaded and one out, but of all people, speedy Zeke grounds into a double play.

The bottom of that inning was when the Tigers plated their only run against Zach McAllister, who went out and pitched his best game thus far in the finale. Heck, the run wasn't even an earned one and he walked just one person. The way the Tigers lineup mashed their way through this final month and in the previous two games how they roughed up the likes of Ubaldo Jimenez, you really got to credit McAllister.

It wasn't a B-Lineup either. Detroit had their full host of starters out from Miguel Cabrera to Victor Martinez. So give credit to McAllister, a great effort tonight in his last shot. Where guys like Gomez didn't make the most of their final final chance in 2011, McAllister certainly did, which is good to see heading into next year.

Offensively, Hafner had a few hits, scored a run, Hannahan had a few hits, knocked in two. Ultimately it came down to a rare bullpen collapse. Not a "hey let's test the rookies" or anything, this was a bullpen collapse. From Joe Smith blowing the lead to Vinnie Pestano losing the game, the Mafia in their last attempt of what was a stellar 2011, came up with a loss.

Let's not even talk about who did it to Vinnie in the eighth inning either. Okay? Okay!

All in all, it pretty much sums up the Indians season. Good start, rocky middle, close in the end, but ultimately just short. But it's something the team can hang their head high about.

"We made great strides," Acta said. "We fell short, but we had a lot of great moments. Some of the things that happened we couldn't control. Hopefully, we're going to be in it for a few years with the young core of players that we have here."

Some will look at the 11-game improvement and be like, yeah, big deal, 11 games. It's how they played those games though that really makes you believe there's something going on here. Travis Hafner said something about expectations for next year being really high and that this team is already thinking playoffs. Which is great. But for them, that was a goal this season.

"There are a lot of positives on the season," he said. "Our young players really developed. Our pitching staff really took some strides forward. We got off to a great start to the season. We had a lot of come-from-behind wins at home. I think we really got the excitement back as far as baseball in Cleveland. I think everybody's excited for next year. Obviously, our goal coming in was to win our division and make the playoffs. We came up short there, but certainly you look around and you see all the young talent that we have in the clubhouse and things definitely look bright for the future."

So now we look ahead right? I guess so. It was a fun season though. It was something that held our attention all the way into September. Some of us are still here, but when you can keep your entire fan base hanging around for a good few more months than you were expected to, that to me is a success.

I mean, how much more dull would this summer have been without the Indians? Even though a majority of the summer is actually when they started to kind of come down to earth, they were still in the race. The fun months were April and May, but it was still a glimmer of hope there.

And look at what happened last night. With two teams coming back from eight game deficits to win the both the AL and NL wild card. It just goes to show you that until you are mathematically eliminated, you are not eliminated in the game of baseball. So it truly wasn't until Detroit reached a new level on this season that the Indians really fell by the wayside.

All in all... We've got a 80-82 season, but also second place. We had a lot of injuries, but a lot of young players get to step up and get some valuable experience. You take the good with the bad and get that count started.

(It was at this point that I would have liked to include a countdown, but I don't have time to find one and the first one I found messed up.... Just know 189 days until Opening Day. Get with it!)

[COACHING SHAKE UP]

So, as mentioned, Tim Tolman is stepping aside. But he isn't stepping away. Th is is not a retirement or even a firing. Tolman has Parkinson's, so he's decided to step aside and transition into a baseball operations role with the team.

"I think it's time," Tolman said. "There's some slowness of movement involved that wouldn't allow me to do some of the things that I want to do on a daily basis. My feeling is that it's time for me to step away, make sure that I'm getting the right treatment and that we keep our handle on it."

Acta will now have to adjust to not having Tolman on his staff or in his ear. Tolman managed Acta in the minor leagues and was with him in Washington. Acta stated that Tolman is his mentor and he's going to miss having him on the bench with him.

"That was something that I envisioned since I started in the Minor Leagues," Acta said. "He's been my mentor throughout the Minor Leagues. He's a guy that when I was managing in the Minor Leagues, and I envisioned myself managing up here, I envisioned him being right next to me up until the end of my career.

"It's not going to be easy. He was the first guy I called for both managerial jobs that I have gotten already. I didn't envision it ending this way. It's going to be hard for me. He was a lot of help."

Tolman realizes that the team this year took a lot of good steps. Acta says he feels Tolman could still do what he needs to do to be the bench coach, but that stepping away would be the best move for his family.

"I have two families," Tolman said. "I have this family and my family at home. I have to take care of my wife, who's been great through this whole thing. I wouldn't be able to get through it like I did without her help.

"I felt like the body of work we had this year, with the way the team played, and Manny and I being together, I think that we did a great job."

Photo - AP via Yahoo! Sports

So what's this mean? Tolman steps aside and there is an opening on the staff. Well naturally, I think we all know where everyone's mind is going to go.

With the possibility that Sandy Alomar Jr. could garner some interest from the South Side and their newly open position, it makes sense to elevate Sandy right now. That's exactly what the club is going to do. If he doesn't end up getting or being considered for the White Sox job, this will be his next step in development, because you know that day will soon come for him. He's going to manage in the big leagues, it's just a matter of where and when and not if.

"Sandy's very talented," Acta said. "I think eventually he's going to end up being a big league manager. I think being a bench coach, it's a good step for him. He's very prepared. He's got passion for the game and he's one of those few gifted guys that not only was a very good player, but also has the passion and the willingness to put the time into preparing for his duties."

And of course, if Sandy goes get a chance, no one's going to stand in his way. The plan is to make Sandy the bench coach, but I'm sure the Indians will adjust if he moves on. Either way, the promotion means that unless he gets a managerial job, he's staying in Cleveland, that's for sure.

Regardless of promotion, it means there is an open spot on the coaching staff. If Sandy leaves, there will be two, but they most certainly need to find someone to coach first base. The nice thing is, Sandy is still the catching guy, Steve Smith is still the infield guy, and you will have your pitching coaches back for another go. Tolman was kind of designated as the guy who worked with outfielders and Manny roamed.

I know who the number one choice is for that first base job. I think you make sure Magic Mike Sarbaugh doesn't get away with another job and get him on the big league staff and do it right now. He's earned it. There's nothing left for him to prove in the minor leagues and it would be a shame to lose him to another organization at this point. Get him up to the big leagues.This should be an easy one.

[RANDOM RUNDOWN]

We talked a lot about strides a little earlier and to me, there was a real big stride that one player took. It had nothing to do with his performance, although that was certainly nice and we all know he took a huge step in that department. But performance aside, one player took a tremendous step in terms of being a leader for this team.

Asdrubal Cabrera demonstrated that in the finale, forcing himself into the lineup. Take in mind, Acta had "probably" ruled him out for last night's game.

"He came in and said he wanted to play," Acta said. "I was trying to rest him and play the kids, but he wants to play. He wants to be out there for the final game to set an example for the kids."

Cabrera said he is happy for his season and his numbers, but he's proud of two other things a little more. He is proud that the team finished in second and proud that he stayed on the field. And really, that's big. With all the injuries the guy went through this year and in previous years even. He had some dings and bruises through out the year, but he stayed healthy enough to play the entire season.

That shows guts and it shows the rest of the team that you are in it until they force you off the field. That's a mentality that kind of spreads and it sets a huge precedent with the other players. That is leadership whether you intend it to be or not.

Overall, Cabrera is a leader vocally and by example. He took a huge step this season in cementing his leadership of this team. He's our guy and his numbers not only proved it, his will and guts did.

The whole second place thing? Well, the Indians gathered around a television after their loss to Detroit to see what the White Sox were doing in Toronto. As if their playoff hopes hinged on it, right?

"I heard them," Indians manager Manny Acta said with a grin. "I heard all the oohs and ahhs and all the celebration. It's gratifying in a way. We were disappointed that we didn't make the playoffs, but we shifted gears and placed importance on finishing second."

You see, there is'a little more of a bonus ($10K per player) for the team that finishes in second. Acta and the team referred to it as "Pride Plus 10."

Ah yes, money. Of course!

Grady Sizemore will be in Colorado on Monday to visit Dr. Richard Steadman for a examination on his right knee. That is the same doctor who performed surgery on his left knee last year. So uh oh, what's up? Well right now, not a whole lot. It's just to get an idea of what the best route is to take in regards to that knee. There is no plans of surgery, and it's simply to get a doctor's opinion.

"We're going out there just with Grady's best interest in mind," Soloff said, "both short term and long term. We're open to [Steadman's] assessment and his recommendation."

You better freakin' believe that the Indians are going to cover every single base in terms of Grady and his health goes. With that $8.5 million club option out there (that I don't think they pick up regardless, we'll eventually get to that though), there is no way that the Indians are not going to do their due-diligence in regards to his health.

[WHERE WE GO FROM HERE]

Speaking of health.... I'm drained, tired, beat-up, exhausted. Mentally, this season has been fun, but it has also been draining. On a personal note, I've decided in recent months in a shift of career aspirations. Most of you who read this post every morning and all the other stuff I've done on the blog and at Cleveland Fan that I had aspirations of someday covering the game of baseball for a living.

Reality has sort of set in over the past few months and also has opportunities to pursue something I love equally, if not more. I love baseball. What I don't love is the prospect of some of the things that goes in to being a full-time journalist.

What I do love, is this. Doing this. And I'm happy to say I'm going to be doing this for awhile. I'm still a writer at heart and in a way, this works. I graduate from The University of Akron next spring (just think, when that's happening, we'll be will into our first month of the 2012 season) with a double major in Communications.

At this point, I still have to go through the application process, but a week after I graduate, the overall plan is to immediate start Graduate School where I'll be pursuing a masters in Higher Education. I've ultimately found a passion in life that I'd like to make a career. Baseball is still there though. In a way, this works for me. I love writing about the Tribe, but I love doing it my way. With the blog and thanks to awesome people like Rich and Brian from the Cleveland Fan, I can do it my way.

That's rare, that's really rare in the world of journalism. To get to do what you want to do. I have that opportunity. Is it one that I'll make a living off of? No, heck no. But I don't need to. I do this because I enjoy it and ultimately, I'm going to continue to do it. It's on my terms.

I'm living out my "dreams" as an intern right now covering High School games. I'm getting the full experience. It is great, I like doing it, but ultimately it isn't what I want to do for the rest of my life. This is what I want to do and I'm going to keep doing it.

So a separate set of thanks. To the people who've been with the blog from the start and especially the nut-jobs that follow my antics on Twitter. And of course to the readers at The Cleveland Fan who have joined in on my madness since I started last July. Thanks for putting up with me. I look forward to what I think we all is a even better 2012.

Morning Rundown will not be every day going forward, simply because the links won't be as plentiful. But it will remain a staple of what I do throughout the offseason, especially since it is expected to be, at least in my mind, one of the busier offseason the Indians will be a part of in a long time. That isn't to say they're going to be spending, but there will be some moves made and decisions to ponder.

Keep a look out for Morning Rundown at both the Fan and on the blog. But also look for other features by myself and if your reading this at the Fan, keep an eye out on Hitting the Fan. I will be sure to touch up on any breaking Hot Stove news revolving the Tribe as soon as possible.

Thanks for a wonderful 2011 to the readers and especially to the team, for giving people like myself something to write about. There's nothing worse than waking up in the morning or sitting up at night trying to write this when it revolves around a team that isn't interesting.

Thomecoming: Tribe Win Memorable Final Homestand

2011-09-26T08:29:00.000-04:00

We're doing things little different on the final Monday Morning Rundown of the season. Not your usual weekend's worth of game recaps.

[WHAT A WEEKEND]

Photo - AP via Yahoo! Sports

Say what you want about the Cleveland Indians organization, but there are a few things that you can always count on them to be and do.

They always not only treat their players with class, they know how to honor them. They know how to throw a celebration. They don't go over the top or do things that seem excessive and they do not do the celebration song and dance often. So when they do decide to do something for someone or something, it always means something.

And whatever they do. It is always fitting. Essentially, they turned this weekend into a celebration of two people who are really special to the franchise and its history. The pre-kickoff to all of it was the Omar Vizquel/Jim Thome meeting at home plate to exchange lineup cards, with Friday bringing the festivities.

Friday was Jim Thome's day. Simple as that. And does this guy have a knack for when to celebrate or what? The guy gets a statue in Heritage Park and to celebrate he hits a home run into Heritage Park. The man is unconscious sometimes. He has his biggest hits as if they were scripted in a storybook.

The statue. The statue is perfect. Putting it right where he hit his longest home run. How many guys get a freakin' statue? You gotta be real special to get that.

"That's surreal," he said. "Statues, that's as good as it gets. I'm speechless on that one, I really am."

The whole idea of this being possible did not seem like a reality to Thome, maybe because it wasn't. I mean when you think about it, every time Thome's name came up, it was pretty clear it was just dreaming from the typical fan. "Let's bring back the old days!" type of a mentality. The reality is that Travis Hafner takes up the DH spot and bringing Thome back, it would just clog up the roster and payroll.

But this was the perfect storm of events. Hafner's injury and the Twins falling out of contention. Again, it's storybook...

"I always wondered what it would be like," he said. "I never really knew if it was going to happen, to be honest. I kind of envisioned it, but until it happened, I never really put it into realization."

It happened and it was memorable. That's for sure. The statute will be of Thome and his signature batting pose, which to me is perfect. To get a statue you need to not only have that type of meaning and historic presence with a team, but you have to be iconic. That pose, that pose is iconic in a sense. It's something everyone can look at and say, "Yeah, that's Jim Thome."

The guy is going into the Hall of Fame and he's going in as an Indian. This final run here solidified his standing with the club and really, it probably opened up Thome's eyes as to how missed he really was. There was genuine pain when the guy left. So much so I think that is why some people decided to boo him whenever he returned. They felt hurt that he left.

The fact that someone ever booed him in Cleveland. Can't understand why.

"The way he carries himself is like everybody else," Alomar said, "like a normal person. He doesn't act like he's above anybody. It shows young players that you don't have to be this different type of guy to be a star player."

Thome is the guy that every player should aspire to be like as a person. He's humble and he's genuinely someone that you can get behind. Why he was ever booed is beyond me. There's people that ended on a bad note that you boo when they return because it's fun and games.

You don't boo Jim Thome. He did not leave for all the wrong reasons.

But enough about that. It was a weekend to cheer Thome and that is exactly what was done. So many people flocked to the park, which was good to hear. It was an occasion that old and young could go to and hopefully there were young people who never got to see Jim Thome in an Indians uniform in person see what so many people did and appreciated a decade ago.

And yesterday, if it was the end, and it likely was, at least for Thome as a member of the Indians. It was one heck of a fitting end. A home run could have been the only thing that was more perfect, but you take what you get.

Like I said, the Indians don't go over the top, so when they do something special, it really is special. If it was Manny Acta's idea, and it sounds like it was, it was brilliant.

Acta pinch-hit for Shelley Duncan and drew a walk. His last at-bat in Progressive Field, the park he hit so many home runs at, and even walked to first base so many times at. Then he stayed in the game.

Photo - Getty Images via Yahoo! Sports

Thome hasn't picked up a glove since 2007. But on Sunday, he trotted out to third base with Jack Hannahan's glove and played one pitch at the position he started at back in 1991 when he first started. 20 years ago he played third base for the Indians and yesterday, he did it again.

"To get that opportunity to go back out there, it felt really good," Thome said. "Just like old times."

Chisenhall shifted to left field, Thome played third base for one pitch and then exited. What a great idea by Acta. Joe Smith threw an inside strike, not doing what Acta asked him to do, just at the oft chance someone did hit Thome a grounder.

But if he did, so what? Thome says he would have made the play. I mean, he's got Jack Hannahan's glove after all. Gardenhire joked that he wanted Trevor Plouffe to bunt the ball down the third base line so they could be entertained. I'm sure that would have been fun to see.

But one pitch, one last trot back to the dugout and of course, one last curtain call.

Thome says he hasn't decided on this being it. If it is, he's going out in a way that everyone will remember and everyone will say is perfect. The only other ending that could top this one is a World Series, of course.. But he always has a one-in-thirty chance to do that every year, so you have to wonder if he's still in on that opportunity

It may just be a love of the game thing too. As he said, he loves to play. Right now he has his percentages higher towards coming back and if I had to put money down on it, I think he'll be back. This all feels like it is a retirement celebration, but it isn't. It's a celebration of Jim Thome being a member of the Cleveland Indians organization and there is likely no better opportunity to do it than now.

Thome will likely be back and he'll likely be back in Progressive Field at some point. It probably won't be with the Indians, but with Chief Wahoo on his head and Indians across his chest, you had to do what you did.

Photo - Getty Images via Yahoo! Sports

And to that end... How about him greeting fans as they enter the ballpark on Sunday? I mean, really? Some players at his stature may say "No, I'm too old for that, I'd rather not be out there." He could say that and the team wouldn't bat an eyelash. But no, he's out there with the rest of his teammates greeting fans and making memories for people.

Thanks to Jim for this ending to the season most of all. It's something joyful rather than somber. When we look back at how this season ended, we won't look back at a faltering team down the stretch that lost out to a hot Tiger team. We'll look back and remember that we celebrated Jim Thome the right way.

On Saturday the Indians also paid tribute to Mike Hegan, who is stepping away from the radio broadcast booth after this season. Hegan has been a long time member of the organization, either doing radio or television work for the club, most recently strictly radio. He's been giving way to Jim Rosenhaus lately in-game for a few innings and even for some full games.

Hegan was a player for the Indians way back when and will remain as an ambassador with the organization, doing special appearances and guest spots.

[PLAYING GAMES]

Not a bad weekend for the Indians in terms of winning either. The Tribe took three out of four, including a sweep of the double header on Saturday and are now a game above .500. Just one win against Detroit will notch them a .500 record, but I think we would all like a series win to end the season on a good note in terms of performance. Cleveland is three games up on the White Sox (sitting at 77-82 and unable to finish at a .500 record) so with one win they also claim sole possession of second.

It would also be good to finish at or above .500 for the simple fact of the AL Central. Wouldn't it look really bad if this division had four teams that finished below the even mark? I think it would. Save some face for the division at least.

Photo - Getty Images via Yahoo! Sports

It all started on Friday... We talked about the Thome celebration, before the game and during the game of course. It was Carlos Santana who threw the ultimate party for Thome though by hitting the walkoff shot in the ninth inning. Credit the offense for battling back. It was a battle early, Masterson didn't have it with the six walks, but the Indians battled the Twins step for step with the offense. Aside from Perez's run in the seventh, the mafia did their job and Chris got himself a win for a solid ninth.

Oh and hey Matt LaPorta, what is he doing here?

The fight wasn't over, the Indians supported David Huff big time in the first game of Saturday and that is a start he needed. With Gomez pitching so well, David needed to go out one last time and show he was still an option too. Huff didn't get the win, but he gave up just two runs off eight eights, but no walks. He also struck out seven. He got big hits from Jason Kipnis and the Hawkman.

Oh and hey Matt LaPorta, what is he doing here?

In game two, Mitch Talbot struggled in the opportunity he had to put his name into the rotation race. Who knows if the Indians will attempt to put him back into that race come next season, but he certainly didn't make a good case to be there.

Still the Indians battled back. One again getting some huge hits from Shelley Duncan, who has just been on fire this month, as well as Santana and Chisenhall. Done bigger than Duncan's double in t he seventh though that pushed across the tying and go-ahead runs.

When all was said and done, Zach Putnam won the first game and Nick Hagadone won the second, both rookies getting their first major league wins of their career. Congrats to them.

And of course yesterday the Tribe fell 6-4 in extra innings and it spoiled what was ultimately a fantastic weekend. It would have made it 100 percent perfect, but you can't have it all of course. Three our of four is not bad with a team that just shut down half it's roster and has freaking Mitch Talbot getting called up to make one start.

"We had a lot of fun here this year," Indians outfielder Shelley Duncan said. "I think we gave some momentum to the fans for next year. That's what I think came out of it. You could tell that it's like we rebonded with Cleveland.

"They've been missing out on a lot of stuff. A lot of it came back. Sometimes that's the key ingredient in putting together a winning team -- having that home city with you. I think a lot of it will carry over to next year."

We're bringing back Shelley Duncan next year, right? Duncan was at it once again, going 2-for-3 before being lifted for Thome. He hit his 11th home run of the season and knocked in his 22nd RBI of the month. That's 22 of 46, nearly half of his entire total for the season. Just incredible.

Duncan, Santana, and the two youngsters have really turned things up these past few weeks. Jason Donald, who had two hits on Sunday is hitting .354 in the month with a .391 on-base percentage. And Chisenhall who was 1-for-4 with a pair of RBI has a hit in every game he's played in except two going back to September 7th.

The young guys are showing us a lot of promise and making me feel even more better than I already felt about next year. Three more wins? Yes? Go for it.

[RANDOM RUNDOWN]

You really hope Trevor Crowe didn't do anything serious on Saturday. In the first game of the double header, Crowe made a dive at a ball and injured his left shoulder, not the same one that cost him most of the season. Crowe is done for the season.

"He was uncomfortable out there, and as soon as he came in, he was checked out by our medical staff," Tribe manager Manny Acta said. "He's getting some tests done right now, but he's gone, like a chicken through the corn."

Like a chicken through the corn? It must be the end of the season...

Crowe isn't the only one done, so is Grady Sizemore, who the Indians have just shut down. Nothing is wrong, they just don't want him to get hurt again. Man this team really is snake-bitten from all the injuries. I should probably take the rest of the week off before I get hurt and am rendered useless for 2012.

To get Mitch Talbot on the roster, the Indians moved Shin-Soo Choo to the 60 Day Disabled List and they also transferred Josh Tomlin to make room for Jerad Head, who was called up with Crowe and Sizemore done. Speaking of roster moves, I updated all my roster boards, which were nearly a month out of date, and everything is correct.

Would it surprise you if the Indians shut down Asdrubal Cabrera too at this point? Cabrera got hit on the elbow on Friday and he left the game on Saturday. Cabrera was unsure of his status for today's game, which basically means, he is unsure about even playing in this final series against Detroit.

Very humorous "wrap-up" sort of a post over at Big League Stew on the Indians 2011 season.

At the request of Cole Cook, I've added his blog as a permanent friend link on the side of the blog. Seriously, go read that. And if you haven't read anything he's posted yet, start with The Questionnaire.

According to MLBTR the Indians drew nearly half a million more fans this year than last year. Winning and a month of Jim Thome really didn't help all that much, did it? Still, it's good to see more fans in the seats. The Indians need that.

A Healthy Core: Cabrera Sets Marks, Fukudome Leads the Way

2011-09-23T08:35:00.000-04:00

Whoa, tell us how you really feel...

September 22nd, 2011

Chicago White Sox - 2
Cleveland Indians - 11
W: Jeanmar Gomez (5-2) L: Philip Humber (9-9)

[BOXSCORE]

Fukudome, Kipnis, boom hit the ground running.

Photo - Getty Images via Yahoo! Sports

The night started with a bang and ended with one as well. Heck, when you look at it in a certain way, the Indians actually scored more innings than they didn't. Subtract the second, third and fourth innings and the Indians scored in every inning.

Where's this offense been hiding? Maybe on the Disabled List, I don't know. But really, lookie here. The game started off with the back-to-back shots and that was the first time the Indians did that since 2007. But after the White Sox tied things up in the fifth, the Indians answered right back. Huge.

And from there, they went off. Imagine what a healthy core can do, right? Cabrera powered things, he must be feeling really rested and recharged. I'm not saying a healthy Tribe lineup is going to that every night, but. It can do that every night if it is healthy.

You never know where to start in a win like this one. You had so many factors at work, but Kosuke Fukudome was essentially the catalyst in this one. He's been a catalyst in many ways since coming over though. Acta said that there has been so much stability established by Fukudome since coming over.

"This guy shows up and plays every single game pretty much and every single inning," Acta said. "[He's hit] wherever we've needed him -- sixth, leadoff -- and the defense that he has played has been fantastic."

Fukudome says he's more aggressive in the American League. His uncertainty about the league made him be more aggressive and man is it showing the way he swings the bat. The good news is he still gets on base like he did with Chicago, so he's really found himself in Cleveland. I'd really like to have him back next year, especially with the way Grady, Choo, and Brantley have all had injuries to deal with and Sizemore just being flat out injury prone.

Whether or not the Indians will be able to keep him is a story we can talk about in the offseason, but flat out, I'd like to see him back next year. Hopefully the bugs do not deter him from considering a return.

"I do enjoy playing baseball here," said Fukudome, who then flashed his sense of humor. "I like it, but there's too many bugs."

Oh and the catch he made? In the fourth inning his diving snag to rob Adam Dunn. He does it all really. On base three times, scored twice, knocked in a few runs, made a big catch. All in a days work, right?

Fukudome was the catalyst, but Asdrubal Cabrera was the start of the offense on this night. He blasted the big three-run shot in the 7th that created the separation needed in the game and made some history in the process.

His 25th home run set the club record home runs by a shorstop, passing Jhonny Peralta. He also became the first Indians shortstop to hit 90 RBI in one season since 1948. The last to do it? Lou Boudreau of course. With eight more he'll joint the exclusive club of 100-RBI shortstops for the Indians, with Boudreau and Joe Sewell.

"What a night," Acta said. "Three-run homer and then the two-run single. This guy is putting together some really good numbers. ... It's been remarkable what he has been able to do offensively this year."

Oh and get this... He'd be the first Indian to knock in 100 runs in a season since 2007, when Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner both did it. Can you believe that? The Indians haven't had a 100-RBI guy the past three seasons? If you wondering if another club has done anything like that, Oakland and San Francisco both have. Oakland may break that streak this year with Josh Willingham, but they haven't had one since Eric Chavez did it in 2005. San Francisco has been so close so many times in recent years, falling short several times, but still not having a legit 100-RBI guy since Barry Bonds in 2004. Seattle has had Raul Ibanez in 2008, Pittsburgh had Jason Bay in 2006, and Houston with Carlos Lee in 2009.

So it isn't that uncommon and some teams have had longer streaks, but it is kind of weird to not see that feat done in four years.

I digress, Cabrera has had a wonderful season and it would be nice to see him top it off with a 100-RBI year just to show off.

Finally, let's talk about our little Jeanmar there. A few weeks ago it was David Huff. He was on a roll, everyone was penciling him into the rotation. Now, Jeanmar Gomez is on that type of role where people are penciling him into the rotation. I think Manny Acta put it best in regards to what Gomez has done.

"We're not handing out jobs right now in September," Acta said. "But he certainly has put himself in the mix to be competing in our rotation. He knows that."

David Huff didn't earn his job earlier and he didn't lose it with the way he's pitched lately. But what happens now can certainly add or take away from one's case. The same will go for Jeanmar Gomez. I like the kid, I do, but he hasn't earned the spot yet. You can't decide next year right now, so let's go easy on penciling him in. Gomez will be in that battle, so will Huff and a few others. They'll probably be the main competitors, but they haven't won anything.

Gomez was good last night, as he has been for several starts now. He's 5-0 over his last five starts and it hasn't just been offensive support, he's carried a 2.10 ERA. He's not overpowering by any means, but he just seems to get results.

As he turned over a Josh Tomlin-type leaf in terms of being a guy with pinpoint control? Not quite, which has me a little tentative to crown him.

All in all though, a great night and a great step towards finishing this thing off in second place. With no more games against the White Sox left, the Tribe is 1.5 game ahead of them with seven of their own games left to play. Four against the Twins this weekend and three against the Tigers next week. The Sox meanwhile have three against Kansas City and three against Toronto.

Thing is, Chicago is four games behind the .500 record, the Indians are just one. So in reality, Chicago has a lot of ground to make up with the Indians being so close to the .500 mark.Random Details...

Unnoticed in the offensive outburst was the 2-for-3, three run, one walk performance by the Lil Pip-Zeke, Ezequiel Carrera. We talk about solidifying spots, right now, Zeke is getting an upper-hand in the battle for the fourth outfield spot with what he's doing right now.

Not every night you win 11-2 and Hafner, Santana, and Sizemore combine to go 3-for-12 with one run scored and ultimately not playing a large factor in the scoring.

Jack Hannahan scored twice and was on base twice via the walk. I said it during the game last night on Twitter, but Hannahan makes those charging barehanded throws (a really difficult play) look entirely way too easy and routine.

Zach Putnam, 1-2-3 inning on 10 pitches, seven of those strikes. Turn it around Putnam, good work.

[THE MEETING AT HOME]

Photo - Indians via Twitter

It was perhaps a fitting way to kick off this weekend that is going to be used to celebrate Jim Thome. With Chicago in town one last time, Omar Vizquel of course with the White Sox, the Indians and Sox had a nice pre-game exchange of lineup cards with Omar and Thome.

"To be able to still play and to be able to take the lineup card and have him do it as well," Thome said, "is very special, especially here in Cleveland, where we played during the golden years of our career. To have fun with that is great."

"You don't realize what kind of team and what kind of teammates you have until you see it now from where we are," Vizquel said. "Now, you look back and say, 'Wow, those guys were amazing. We had one of the greatest teams ever.'"

Whoever thought of this idea. Brilliant. It was a nice touch. This was an opportunity you probably wouldn't have ever again. So really, it's a moment that can be etched in time. Omar plans on returning next year and Thome hasn't really decided either way yet. But with Thome having this last go around with the Tribe, or presumed last go around, if this is the end for him, it certainly is going to be a memorable one, even though he won't be going to the postseason or anything.

It has a little meaning to it and I defy anyone to tell Cleveland fans otherwise.

Oh and people that are complaining to Shapiro on Twitter that "they already heard" the surprise he was talking about. Please shut up. Seriously. Shut up. Cussing him out is downright silly.

[RANDOM RUNDOWN]

When the game got out of hand, it was probably exactly what Manny Acta wanted to see as the season comes to a close. It means he has to rely on Tony Sipp and Vinnie Pestano less. Acta will probably try and run guys like Kluber, Judy, Putnam, Hagadone, and any of the other youngsters out there before any one else.

"We're not in the race anymore," Acta said. "I have to be careful with those guys, because we have more baseball to play next year."

Remember when Joe Smith was like, crap, for awhile? Remember how the Mets abused him? Yeah, well that happened, so I cannot blame Acta for easing up. Especially how he's used those guys this season. Rafael Perez is one guy that will not worry me, because he is the rubber arm of the group. But Smitty had a stellar season (and has topped his career high in innings) and it would be wrong to push him. Pestano is a young guy so you don't want to push him.

Sipp, Smith, Raffy and Vinnie all are in the top 15 in the American League in appearances and Chris Perez is 20th.

And really, as I was alluding to the other day, you'd like for one of these young guys like Judy, Putnam or Hagadone to step up and claim spots... It would be nice to give guys some of those good opportunities, like when the team is looking to keep it close. However Acta isn't going to give up winnable games to test his young guys, he'll still stick to his rotation.

"When we have a chance to win the ballgame, when we're ahead in the game and the guys are rested," Acta said, "we're going to pitch our main guys. But we're not going to be throwing guys out there just to keep the game close."

Magic Sarbaugh has joined the Indians and will be with the club the remainder of the season. He has a first hand account of the "revitalized" and "new" Mitch Talbot that we're about to see tomorrow.

"He gained confidence with his fastball," Sarbaugh said. "He has plus movement on it, and I think pitching off of that, Mitch found out that it's a good pitch and gets the hitters to be a little more aggressive, so his secondary pitches became more effective."

Hey... What's his best pitch? The changeup, the changeup is his best pitch. What makes that pitch even better? A good fastball? What makes the fastball good? A good changeup? But if your fastball sucks, it doesn't matter. If he's got the fastball, the changeup is not just good, it's great. So let's hope all the adjustments he's made.

"I wouldn't say my whole front side is different," Talbot said. "I've still got that leg kick. It's a little bit less, but it's more just keeping my hips closed. My lead arm is a lot shorter. It's not a big flail."

Talbot is back on the 40, so that's good for him. Will he stay? A lot of guys got added that needed it, so certainly there may not be that many more people left to add. There will be some shakeup. Will he be in the rotation battle next year? Possibly, even if he isn't on the 40-man. He can do a lot with this start on Saturday, that is for sure.

Talbot could be in that rotation competition, and we talked about Gomez and Huff being in it. Don't forget about Hector Rondon, even though he is still recovering and rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. Rondon took a step towards that with two scoreless innings in the Arizona Parallel League a few days ago.

Good But Not Good Enough: Jimenez Falters Late In Loss

2011-09-22T07:35:00.000-04:00

UUUUUUUUUUUUU... What? No? He lost? How did he lose! He was doing so good. I just wanna UUUUU, let me UUUU please!

September 21st, 2011

Chicago White Sox - 8
Cleveland Indians - 4
W: Mark Buehrle (12-9) L: Ubaldo Jimenez (10-12)

[BOXSCORE]

Alright fine, I won't UUUUUUUUUU, even though it's fun. Seven big UUUUU's last night though. It was fun for awhile. The guy ultimately couldn't get out of that seventh and that was really what was the beginning of the end.

Photo - Getty Images via Yahoo! Sports

Ubaldo Jimenez pitched a great game innings 1-through-6. He was in-line for the win and after the big Travis Hafner home run in the sixth, it seemed like it was on lock from there on out, but that was not the case when Jimenez came out for the seventh inning.

"Ubaldo threw the ball well," Indians manager Manny Acta said. "He had a good fastball. He was able to keep it in the mid-90s the whole game, and he showed probably the best slider he has shown so far."

He simply let it get away from him and it was those weirdos who did it. Morel hits the double and De Aza has the single. You expect some of their heavy hitters to do it to a guy like Ubaldo, but not the guys like Morel or De Aza, so in that aspect it is a little frustrating.

Not only that, Flowers doubled in the fifth for the first run and it happened after another Viciedo single (who started the rally in the seventh too) so the frustration is sort of doubled. Jimenez pitched well. Like I said, from one to six, he was making work of the White Sox lineup. But so was Buehrle. Other than that big shot by Hanfer (which was more of a high pop that carried over the fence more than anything), he was solid.

"He did what he does best," Acta said. "He tries to keep guys off balance, and he did that very well today."

He always is solid though, isn't he? On this night, he ended up being solid enough to win, which is great. Ubaldo needs to be more than solid though. Given the situation he was put in (a 2-1 lead in the seventh) I would expect the ace of my staff to shut that down. I'd expect him to say, "Okay, it's my ball game now."

Big U didn't do that and it is rather disappointing. He said it was the best game he pitched since the trade and that he felt really good. He may have felt good and like he pitched a great game, but there were enough blemishes late in this one to make it just a mediocre game.

And that's really what it ended up being. Yes he looked good and he said he felt good, but we need to start seeing results as we head into next year. They've been coming through in a few starts here, but this guy is an ace and he needs to pitch like one.

Random Details...

De Aza and Morel... Seriously?

Chad Durbin, it was nice knowing ya. That experiment is over, right? Enjoy your last few days as a Bullpen Mafia member. It's been great, but it's also been bad and that was the problem.

If I told you the Indians struck out only four times last night, would you believe me?

Yes, because Mark Buerhle was pitching. Does that guy find a way to win or what? He notched 12 last night and still has his ERA under 4.00. Those guys are not studs, but they are consistent and someone every rotation should has. He's a winner. It's really what I think Josh Tomlin can be.

Eight hits and no one had more than one. So all but two starters (Duncan and Crowe) had one in the hit column, with Zeke nabbing one off the bench.

The post-game press conference with Manny Acta was pretty. Bore. It sounded like a two-way dialog between Acta and Hoynes. Might as well not have one at all, right? Hoynes had some real stupid questions and Manny actually sounded a little perturbed.

And now I present to you, a new and one-time feature. Thoughts about the White Sox lineup.

Hey I call Alexei Ramirez, Alex-I.. Because that's what he wants to be called. So do it. Do it. DO IT.

Remember when Alex Rios was Alexis? I do. Haha Alexis. An negative-s away from Alex-I. Oh and he has braces.. Did you see that? Huh? Did you, did you?

Never trust a man named Flowers.

Adam Dunn really sucks this year, doesn't he?

When did David Beckham start playing baseball?

How is A.J. Pierzynski someone who still hits near .300?

/End of observations. Thanks...

[RANDOM RUNDOWN]

No Josh Tomlin after all. The Indians saw his rehab and apparently saw enough.

"Once we fell out of the race, we were not just going to call off his rehab," Acta said. "After he finished everything and felt well, it makes no sense for him to pitch another game."

Tomlin completed his rehab with a simulated game on Tuesday. He tossed 45 pitches and the Indians felt he was healthy enough, so they shut him down to risk any set back. They want him healthy going into the offseason, but wanted him to finish his recovery process. Of course after seeming like he'd get back out there, Tomlin needed some talking to and convincing, but he certainly will come around with the bigger picture in mind.

"The positive was feeling good today after that simulated game yesterday," Tomlin said. "Right now, I just want to be healthy going into the offseason."

With Tomlin out, the start will go to Mitch Talbot, who will be returning after a lengthy stint with the Clippers ball club. Talbot said the demotion got him going.

"It's kind of something to get you going. You realize you have some stuff to work on and you kind of get humbled a little bit and get going on fixing things."

"You're wondering if you're ever going to get it back or if you're never going to be good again," Talbot said. "But we figured things out and I have been good again."

Mitch had a 4.62 ERA for Columbus, seven of his appearances were starts and he's apparently made some mechanical adjustments that I'm sure many are eager to see.

Tomlin out, Talbot up, hopefully Asdrubal Cabrera back on Thursday. The shortstop felt better yesterday and hopes to be back out there, going as far as saying he think he'll start, for sure. Acta said yesterday that it would depend on how he comes in today.

"He could be used if we have to," Acta said. "I'm anticipating giving him the day today and then playing him tomorrow if he shows up even better than today."

Cabrera said he feels normal, so maybe the strained back he suffered was just a momentary twitch.

Keep mentioning Jason Donald, who had another base hit and a walk last night. He's the hands down front runner and I'd go as far as saying he's locked up a bench spot for next year. He is certainly taking advantage of the opportunity right now with players hurt and banged up and all the open playing time.

The guy deserves it. He was going to have his chance to start the season at third base and that was taken away from him.

"When I was going through some of that stuff, the main goal was to get healthy," Donald said. "I wasn't looking too far down the line, because I think that just causes more frustration. You want to be out there playing."

It is good to see him back healthy and doing what we all thought he could do. We need to see something out of that Cliff Lee trade, right? Who would have thought it would be Jason Donald and Lou Marson.

Two Zachs, One Win: Tribe Split DH with Sox

2011-09-21T07:43:00.001-04:00

Still with me? Season is almost over, you can make it!

September 20th, 2011 - Game One
Chicago White Sox - 3
Cleveland Indians - 4
W: Fausto Carmona (7-15) L: Gavin Floyd (12-12) S: Chris Perez (35)

[BOXSCORE]

September 20th, 2011 - Game Two
Chicago White Sox - 5
Cleveland Indians - 4
W: Matt Thornton (2-5) L: Zach Putnam (0-1) S: Chris Sale (7)

[BOXSCORE]

I'll be honest. It's getting difficult. To come here every morning and get through this. It's getting hard with games like the night-cap. It's easy with games like the early one. But I didn't see the early one because I'm a human being that goes to class and has work.

Photo - Getty Images via Yahoo! Sports

So in my mind, the Indians lost yesterday more than they won, even though they did both.

Let's just start with the first game, because there is something I must address. The Indians won the early game 4-3 off the strength of three home runs from Asdrubal Cabrera, Kosuke Fukudome, and a two-run blast by Travis Hafner. That's all.

"They weren't terrible pitches," said Floyd, who has surrendered a team-high 22 home runs this season. "They just kind of got the right part of the bat on the ball. So you just take it for what it is. I'm sure it could easily be fly balls. Today it wasn't."

Nope, sorry Floyd. That really was the offense. Jason Kipnis had a pair of hits and scored on the Hafner home run and Trevor Crowe had a hit. But that really was it. Both Kipnis and Crowe stole some bases, but this was a game of the long ball, for the Tribe at least. They needed what they got because Floyd did not walk a hitter and struck out seven. It really did come down to three good swings.

"We just got some good pitches to hit," Hafner said. "We were able to put some good swings on and hit a few home runs. Other than that, we didn't get a whole lot. We were able to hit some balls out of the park."

Hafner reported no issues with his foot and says it feels really strong. So that is great news moving forward and obviously after the home run, there is evidence that he can not only play, but be productive. So when you talk about reassurance for next season, there is some in regards to him.

And speaking of reassurance. Did Fausto Carmona give us a little with his start?

"Fausto did a nice job of battling the whole time," Acta said. "He had some traffic on the bases and was helped a couple of times by double plays, but you've got to give him credit. He didn't crumble in any of those situations."

There was a debate on the radio and even on STO last night after the game during Chuck's Last Call about Fausto. I wanted to hold off on this until the offseason, because I hate making those snap judgments when the season is still going on and not completely over. But I'm thinking more and more that picking up Fausto's option is a no-brainer. When you look at it, the pitching depth is being tested, especially after the trade of White and Pomeranz and the injury to Carlos Carrasco. There's some uncertainty with Josh Tomlin to boot.

Could you find someone cheaper? Maybe, but can they be better? Maybe. That's a gamble. It's $7 million and I say the risk is worth the reward. So that's kind of where I'm standing now, having flip-flopped my snap-judgment from last time out when Carmona sucked.

And it kind of leads me into game number two, which was started by Zach McAllister. The rook was making his third start and really, it was progress after what he did after the first two times out. McAllister in my opinion looked good. He looked more comfortable and I think he may be starting to figure it out in terms of the major leagues. That isn't to say he's ready, but I think he's over the fact that he's in Cleveland with the major league club and starting to settle into the idea of what he's doing.

He went into the sixth, threw 92 pitches and gave up a pair of runs. He only walked one, which is what I like to see and when he left, he was in line for the win.

"McAllister threw the ball very well," Indians manager Manny Acta said. "He was a different guy today. He was very aggressive. He got behind the ball and threw it with some conviction."

So McAllister, I think has put himself into an intriguing spot to contend for a rotation spot next season. Not just "Oh he's in the competition," but a more serious contender that will get several looks and be properly evaluated as someone who has just as much chance as anyone else.

Photo - Getty Images via Yahoo! Sports

His chance at a first major league win however was blown by another rookie. With the big three having already pitched in the early game, it was left up to Rafael Perez, Tony Sipp, and some rooks. The first rookie out of the box after Rafael Perez finished off the sixth (not cleanly by the by) was Zach Putnam. And again, Putnam struggled.

"When I needed to make a pitch down in the zone, I was just leaving things up," Putnam said. "Against that lineup, you just can't do that."

I really like Putnam, but as Manny said, it wasn't his day. Really impressed with the strides Judy and Hagadone are making though. Both came in and pitched well, Hagadone striking out a pair in 1.2 innings of scoreless ball. Those guys might be settling in and you have to think Putnam will get to that place too.

Random Details...

Vintage Bullpen Mafia in the first game. Joe Smith, Vinnie Pestano, Chris Perez, Boom, Boom, Boom. Clean and I mean clean three innings, no walks, no hits, Perez gets 35. Finish strong Mafia, finish strong.

The offense in the second game was really good. They got to a young guy in Axelrod in the fourth inning by just pounding away. It wasn't the long-ball attack the unleashed earlier, but rather a one of hit after hit. Jim Thome led that charge (and was 1-for-2 with a pair of walks, by the by) even Matt LaPorta had a big hit.

I hate to keep making him a side not, but JASON DONALD! People, wake up! The guy is a hitting machine as of late. Four more hits last night and a run scored. Animal. ANIMAL! Is he on the radar? Isn't it going to be nice to not have to find out who your utility player is going to be next year?

[COLUMBUS DOES IT AGAIN]

Photo - MILB.com/Columbus Clippers

I'm really going to just give Mike Sarbaugh the nickname right now. Mike "Magic" Sarbaugh, or "Magical" Mike Sarbaugh. Or just straight up Erving Johnson him, Magic Sarbaugh. Why the heck not?

Especially after Magic Mike guided the Clippers to their second straight Overall Triple-A National Championship. That is now two years straight that Sarbaugh has taken his squad to the very top of the Triple-A level. The most impressive thing with it is the fact that he has been given these teams that are kind of oddly put together. They've had some talented guys like Chisenhall, Santana, Kipnis, McAllister, Gomez, go on and on. But they've lost a lot of the big talent like Chisenhall and Santana.

More so than that, it's been a constant revolving door. I mean, how often were Travis Buck and Shelley Duncan filtered into and out of that team? It goes a little beyond talent at some point and it seems like regardless of who and what he is given, Mike Sarbaugh is able to make the best out of it. Triple-A and minor league baseball in general is different. However the fact that he can get this team and guide them two straight years with as much roster turnover the Clippers have had is downright remarkable.

Joe Martinez? Luke Carlin? I mean, love those guys, but how does he manage to get these results with this mix of guys?

The Clippers won 8-3 over Omaha in the game. It was in fact Joe Martinez who did it again, going seven innings and giving up three runs off six hits and three walks. CC Lee pitched two scoreless innings in relief. Luke Carlin hit a huge three-run homer to get things started and Beau Mills hit a solo shot and knocked in a pair.

Martinez took home the MVP award and after a rough start, credited Carlin with helping him make adjustments and turn the game around.

"Whenever you go into a championship game, you want to win," Columbus manager Mike Sarbaugh said. "I think that's why we play the game. But in this type of game, it's different, it's one game and that's it. If you get timely hitting like we did tonight and good starting pitching, which we got, you win."

The Triple-A National Title isn't very old at all. It's something they started recently and it's the second time in the six-year history that a team has won the game consecutive years.

So Congrats to Columbus and everyone that took part in the win, especially Mike Sarbaugh. The guy is simply magic.

[RANDOM RUNDOWN]

We talked yesterday about the surge Carlos Santana has been on. MLB.com has noted that the 26 jacks he's hit is a career high at any level. Santana says he isn't trying to hit the home run and that he never thinks or tries to hit one.

"I never think about trying to hit home runs," Santana said. "I try to make good contact with the ball and have a good swing and swing through the ball. I never think, 'OK, I need to get a home run' or 'Let's try to get a home run.'"

However Santana is also not surprised, saying he just tries to put a good swing on the ball. Between him and Shelley Duncan, they are just having a September surge that would have been nice a few weeks ago, but still welcomed none-the-less.

As hot as those two are, they haven't had the consistency that Asdrubal has had and he cherry topped his season. Yesterday, Asdrubal Cabrera tied a record for home runs by an Indians shortstop. He tied the record of Jhonny Peralta, who hit 24 home runs back in 2005. He now has a few weeks left to break that record.

Of course, in the process of that early game, Asdrubal also injured himself, putting a damper on his chances to do just that.

"I'm so happy that he was able to tie the record," manager Manny Acta said. "I hope he's OK and he can have one more week to take a whack at it, because I would love to have those records and power of the guys that are here and are going to be a part of our franchise for years to come."

Cabs said there was a cramp in his back, but that he is hoping to be ready for today's game. He was not scheduled to play in the second game of the double header yesterday.

Zach McAllister was called up for spot-starting duty on Tuesday and now Corey Kluber will re-join him in Cleveland with Columbus' season officially over. That should be about it in terms of call-ups at this point. He'll definitely be needed to be on call for Saturday with Tomlin scheduled to start one of the two games.

So, there's a blog out there that is better than this one. We all know, if you've frequented this blog, that Cole Cook is funny as hell. But he's funny in 140 characters or less, in his short little quips. Can he be funny all the time? Uh, what the hell kind of question is that? Of course he can and now you can read it. Cole has a blog that he's started. It really isn't about anything special, just whatever is on his mind. From his battle at Coffee Bean to what he does in a day in Arizona to how he shaves, Cook really has no boundaries.

I read all of his entries last night in one sitting. Seriously, go give it a read.

After All That: Huff Roughed Up in the Rain

2011-09-20T07:57:00.003-04:00

...Ahhh...What the heck Charlie Furbush?

September 19th, 2011
Seattle Mariners - 12
Cleveland Indians - 6
W: Charlie Furbush (4-9) L: David Huff (2-6)

[BOXSCORE]

So wait, did David Huff get out-pitched by Charlie Furbush, or did Charlie Furbush just suck less? Or did Charlie Furbush just spread out his suck?

Photo - Getty Images via Yahoo! Sports

Or what the heck. How do you classify this game?

Charlie Furbush? Really now? I'm not really sure what to say about this. You give up 12 runs to the Mainers and it wasn't even a full nine-inning game? Heck, you gave up nine runs, NINE runs, in one inning.

Do we even have to go over this. I feel like the balloon I filled up yesterday was popped abruptly. It was nice. I feel like a little kid, that just got a brand new shiny balloon. And Ichiro walked by and popped it with his Charlie Furbush needle.

Are you serious?

Manny Acta called it a very ugly day. It was ugly. It rained. Rain is ugly most of the time. What was uglier? David Huff or the rain? Not saying David Huff is ugly himself, but his pitching was. Okay wait hold on. I don't have many astute observations because I saw an inning of this game before the rain ended it.

"I left some balls up and over the middle and got hit hard," Huff said. "Even when I was down they got some lucky hits, some bloop singles... It was really frustrating. I'm really disappointed in myself."

Oh here we go. I hope Huff isn't falling into that crap he was when he went down that road where he got into Acta's doghouse. He is blaming himself though, so I don't think we have to worry about that. However I'm a bit puzzled at him saying something about "stupid pitch selection." Is he not listening to his catcher? Why would Huff be calling the pitches? Why would he feel the need to shake Lou Marson off?

Did Marson call a bad game? Doubt it.

Huff really handcuffed the bullpen. Even though the roster is expanded and most of everyone has been called up from Columbus and the bullpen has a lot of arms, this is no time to be doing this. There is a double header today and another one later this week. You need to at least go five in order to not stretch the pen so much.

Random Details...

Carlos Santana is on one heck of a roll right now, is he not? He hit 26 yesterday, going back-to-back with Asdrubal Cabrera who hit his 23rd.

If it seems like Santana has homered in like, every game lately, that's probably because he has. He's five home runs in the past seven games. More than that he's knocked in nine runs in the past eight games. Santana is on a level that we expected him to be at all season. Now the expectations isn't for him to do this consistently all season, but this was the type of production, or the type of spurt we had expected of him at some point.

Plainly put. This is the dangerous Carlos Santana we were hoping for all year. We finally got him. He's finishing this season really strong and it is really nice to see him finally put it together. When you look at this season at a whole right now... I think i'd take a catcher/first baseman that hits 25+ home runs, will knock in 85-100 runs, score 80+, and get on base at a .350ish clip. He can strike out 100 times if he wants and hit .240, but if he produces those types of production numbers, I'm good. Sure he is capable of more with the bat.

In fact, that's one thing that he was all about in the minors. Granted that incredibly high average isn't going to always translate as the power numbers grow, but you can expect more than a .240 average I think. You can probably hope for him to cut down on the strikeouts. But hey, he is going to finish with over 100 walks. His ratio of walks to strikeouts is what you really need to look at. And it is far better than what anyone else on the club will sport.

Something going unnoticed is the performance of Jason Donald. He was back in the two-spot and he collected three hits and scored a pair of runs. He's really taken off in September here, having some real good games and producing a real solid bat in a utility type position. The Indians are going to need someone like him off the bench. They've always looked at him as an above average utility player and with Chisenhall and Kipnis really looking like the future, Donald is looking like a really good bench option.

To have someone who could probably start on some teams as a backup? Yes please.

[RANDOM RUNDOWN]

It will be Zach McAllister coming up to start the second game of the double header today. This is the starting point for Z-Mac to make his case.With a rotation spot or two likely up for grabs, no one is out of the question in my mind.

"Obviously the year he had in Triple-A, he has to be given consideration [for next year]," Manny Acta said. "That said, it hasn't translated up here. We need to see better than we've seen the last two outings."

Acta is totally right. He's got to start doing it up here when called upon. He's made a few start for the Indians in spot duty, so it is hard to say, "Hey come on now..." But it would be nice if he had a few starts up here to end the season just to kind of see him get some consistency and see if he has it.

Also announced, Josh Tomlin. It would appear that he is going to be penciled in to start one of the game's on Saturday. This is actually a little worrisome. I know I originally said I'd like to see him back to at least prove he is healthy. But man, there seems to be some bad karma going on this season regardless in terms of injuries. I just hope he's okay.

"For me, it's huge," he said. "I want to compete, and I want to go into the offseason knowing everything is fine, health-wise, so I can have that calm about me."

Tomlin has to pass the test of throwing a simulated game today first. If all goes well, he'll start one game in the double-header and one game only. That will be it. Acta said that even though it is one start, the Indians are not "in the business" of shutting down healthy guys without a reason.

Acta seemed pretty confident that everything was good and if he goes through the simulated game, he'll hit the last check-point one would need to go through to start pitching again. Cross your fingers folks. Let's not get a bad break again. The season is almost over anyway. The injury gods have mercy on us, right?

With Hannahan out, Lonnie Chisenhall has been able to pretty much command the third base spot in the stretch here and he's starting to get it. Jason Kipnis came up and was lightning from the get-go. For Chisenhall, it's taken a little bit more time, but he's settling in.

"I know I feel better at the plate," he said. "When you go out there and get your chance, you've got to play well. Fortunately I've been swinging the bat well the last seven to 10 days. I'm happy with the direction I'm headed in right now."

The buggaboo for Chisenhall has been lefties. With Cleveland he's actually hit five of his seven home runs off the left-handed hitters. His average is lower than it is against right-handers, but his average is low as a whole to begin with. He has 10 hits total against lefties, so half of his hits have gone over the fence.

If the power is there, then you have to feel good about him getting the rest of it at some point.

All in all, it's nice to have no questions at third, second, or short going into next season. Those guys are young, but it is looking like you can count on Chisenhall and Kipnis to be parts going into next year. And if they one-up that and go from parts, to keys, then, hey, even better.

Pretty cool story about Jim Thome receiving a Charlie Manuel bat from his playing days. It isn't an instance where Charlie gave him the bat, but actually a reporter for a Japanese broadcasting group finding the bat, asking Manuel if it was okay, and giving it to Thome.

I know if I say, "Kelly Kelly was wearing a Lou Marson jersey" most of you would probably say....

Why did you say "Kelly Kelly" so matter of factly rather than, "who is Kelly Kelly" or "why are they named twice?" Look, I do my research.

As is usually the case, when a big WWE (that's wrestling) event comes to a city, there's usually members of a sprots team there. Travis Hafner is a huge fan as we all know by now, so he was no doubt there with Trevor Crowe and some others. According to Crowe, who tweeted a pic of Kelly Kelly (that's a female wrestler), she was wearing a Marson jersey.

It could be Crowe just being funny, or she really is wearing Lou Marson of all players. On a side note, one wrestler, Jerry Lawler is a big Indians fan and actually is friend with Pronk.

Think when they re-scheduled that Mariners game for this off-day, they scheduled it early just so Pronk could go to WWE Raw last night? Maybe. What I'm more concerned about is the fact that Kelly Kelly was wearing the old road jersey. Someone get that girl an updated jersey damnit.

I've now wasted entirely too much time on this topic. But you enjoyed it more than the game yesterday. Don't lie, you did.

Finish Strong: Tribe Sweep Twins With Big Inning

2011-09-19T09:15:00.001-04:00

Who would have thought that the Minnesota Twins of all teams are headed toward 100 losses?

September 18th, 2011
Cleveland Indians - 6
Texas Rangers - 5
W: Justin Masterson (12-10) L: Carl Pavano (8-13) S: Chris Perez (34)

[BOXSCORE]

Photo - AP via Yahoo! Sports

The sweep at the hands of the Cleveland Indians has pushed them pretty close. And it has also pushed our Tribe to the .500 mark and well on their way to finishing this season on a real high note and in second place.

Is second place meaningless? Perhaps, but in the grand scheme of things, it shows a whole lot of progress if you ask me. I don't know a team or a group of players that wouldn't feel good about a second place finish when they reflect back on the season. Was it first? Did they win the division? No, but they played damn good and it can give him a lot of confidence what they are capable of.

Especially since they did it with so many injuries and so many reasons not to.

It continues. The Indians had every reason to pack it in after the sweep to Texas. But this team, they just aren't going away quite yet.

"That's our new goal," Indians outfielder Shelley Duncan said following a 6-5 win over the Twins on Sunday. "We're going to take a lot of pride in finishing second. After the expectations people had for this team before the year, it would mean a lot to us. I also believe it'd mean a lot to the fans in Cleveland. They really got behind us this year."
See.. Shelley Duncan gets it. He gets it and this team gets it.

"I think finishing in second place would mean a lot to the guys in here, in terms of confidence for the organization and the fans."
Yep, he does... And his thoughts are echoed really. Manny Acta said the same, saying it was important to finish strong they are shooting to end this season on a positive note.

Nothing more positive than this turnaround here after a rough first half of the week. Not only did they come back and sweep the Twins, they did in grand fashion by scoring six in the seventh inning. Huge. It was a great weekend all around. It really is nice to see the fight still there, win or lose. Carl Pavano had stifled the Indians for much of this one. It was as much as a hit or a walk through the first six innings, then the walls fell in and Duncan stated and ended the demolition.

Duncan led off with a simple solo shot. From there, the Indians reached on an error, flied out, and grounded out into a force out. So, oh nothing, ho hum, get one run and it looks like it's going to be a quick inning with two outs.

Not. So. Fast. Marson singles and Fukudome walks and that is the end of Pavano. In comes a host of Twins relievers who all can't seem to find the zone and walk in two more runs. Thome singles off the fourth Twins pitcher of the inning, Glen Perkins, and then Shelley Duncan muscles a double to left to cap off the incredible inning.

"It's my fault," Gardenhire said. "I brought those guys in with the expectation they would throw the ball over the plate and take our chances. But they didn't do it, so I'll take the blame."

It really isn't Gadernhire's fault that any of the pitchers he tried couldn't throw strikes. But that's how it goes. Can you really stop Jim Thome from getting an infield single? If you can't, he must have placed it perfectly into a shift, or had jet packs on his shoes.

Let's go with the first option since that technology probably hasn't been perfected.

As much fun as that inning was, the game wasn't over. It was for Justin Masterson though, who went six innings and gave up three runs, but one of them earned off seven hits and a walk. Still, the six-run frame was enough for Masterson to be-line for the win.

"It was just one of those weird days," said Masterson, who is now tied with Josh Tomlin for the team high in wins. "It turned out to end up in our favor. I was hoping for four runs, and our guys were like, 'Hey, we'll score six for you.' You can't ask for much more than that."

It wasn't as easy as that though. In the eighth, Tony Sipp and Vinnie Pestano had some issues. They gave up two runs before ending the inning and making it a one run game. But Chris Perez was able to shut the door and pick up his 34th save, so all good in the end, but still not an easy one in the least bit.

Random Details...

Joe Smith, clean seventh, boom. What a stud year this guy has had.

Shelley Duncan has now hit 10 home runs, with a vast majority of them coming in like, the past day. I mean seriously, how much of a roll has this guy been on? He can get hot and he can hit. He really should stick around with this team for next year and should have never been optioned out this year. He's a big part of what is going on right now and I really believe that.

Big Jimmy with a great weekend. He played in two games in his return to Minnesota, hit a home run against Joe Nathan on Friday (which proved to be really huge...) and then knocked in the go-ahead run in this one on Sunday. Not a bad return. The guy definitely has a flare for the dramatics.

Doesn't the name 'Brian Dinkelman" remind you of. Well it reminds me of something that I just can't think of right now. What I do need is someone to explain him going 7-for-9 in the last two games. As many hits as he got and as many times as he was on base, he scored one and knocked in one. Crazy.

Minnesota really goes for those average looking guys. Like Dinkelman and Luke Hughes and Joe Benson. But man they just find these players that turn out to be contributors. Nothing flashy, just winning. Granted they are not winning this season, but more times than not.

Seriously. Their entire lineup. Look at it. Drew, Joe, Brian, Luke, Chris, Trevor, Ben.

Um. I'm not really sure what I'm talking about at this point. I just know that the Twins are least likeliest to win a pickup basketball game. Unless they are all deadly three point shooters, which they might be. Paolo Espino tossed seven innings and gave up one run off four hits and a walk. Espino was great and really, the guy has been solid all year, regardless of what role or level the Indians put him at.

[COLUMBUS REPEATS; K-TRIBE ERA ENDS]

Congratulations to the repeat International League Champions, the Columbus Clippers! Columbus didn't need many chances, they put the IronPigs away in four games and beat Lehigh Valley 4-1 on Friday.

CC Lee picked up a two-inning save, striking out four in the process. With Putnam gone, Lee was really the man. He's got a future shot at the big leagues. It probably won't come early next season, but it will come. He's good.

Chad Huffman and Beau Mills had great postseasons. It was Jared Goedert who hit a solo home run and Paul Phillips who knocked in a run though. What's really strange is that Lehigh Valley's starter was former Tribe farmhand Ryan Edell. Crazy.

And how about Mike Sarbaugh? He's got magic in his hands or something. He's now won five minor league championships, including the third straight season a Sarbaugh-managed team has took home a League title. He's only missed the playoffs once as a manager and has been to six championship series all together.

The Clippers are not done yet. They've got one more game to play and it will be Tuesday in Albuquerque against Omaha for the Overall Triple-A National Championship. The Clippers won this title last year as well.

Unfortunately, the K-Tribe could not end their run as an Indians affiliate with a championship, but it was a damn good effort. Kinston dropped the fourth game of the Mills Cup and lost to Frederick 11-3 and the series 3-1. They gave up eight unearned runs (ouch) total in the 11-run third (yes they scored all their runs in the third) and that was clearly not going to be anything the K-Tribe could handle offensively.

Still it was a great way to end the relationship. In the playoffs and making a run for a title. The K-Tribe fans deserved it and even though Grainger Stadium was closed out with the other team celebrating a title win, the fans deserved that kind of season. Unfortunately for them, the Indians are moving on, moving to a different stadium with a different affiliate in 2012.

[FROM HERE AND BEYOND]

Manny Acta can now talk as if the race is over, because it is. The Tigers clinched Friday night and officially claimed the AL Central crown for this 2011 season. Congratulations to them. Whatever.

Acta was just another manager saying that he felt his team could contend at the start of the season. But as the first few months materialized and the Indians stayed with it into the summer months, his words were much more than simply a manager saying what he has to say.

Now a days, Acta won't blame injuries, but he certainly will elude to it hindering the offense, which is his number one reason as to why the Indians fell out of contention.

"Our offense, overall, if you want to simplify one, probably is a big reason for [not making the playoffs]," Acta said. "You can't hit below .250 as a team and expect to win the division -- unless you have over-dominant pitching. But again, why was our offense that way?"

GM Chris Antonetti went a step further and said it had a significant impact on the team this year. Antonetti also noted that this was the third youngest team in the American League and they were in it all the way to September.

More importantly than all that and what's happened, Acta is already looking forward to 2012 and putting up the expectations.

"A lot of things happened throughout the year," Acta said. "So I'm thinking we're going to be even better next year. There's no way that any of these guys are going to take a step backwards. That's the same way I felt coming in this year.

"I can't control injuries and stuff, but I can't see it getting any worse next year."

Acta isn't going to sugar coat things. That may be a bold thing to say about being even better next year. But he is right. Could the injuries get any worse than they got this year? I mean, heck, you never know, but I doubt it.

The thing I'm hopeful for the most is the fan support. A friend pointed out this link about the 12 sports teams that are "running out of fans." Basically it is a look at the decrease in attendance and don't be surprised that three baseball teams top the list. And the number one team? Yep, the Cleveland Indians.

Basically they measure the percentage of attendance lost since 2001. The Indians decreased quite a bit. But that is expected. I don't think that means the Indians are "losing fans." We all know what happened. The Browns returned, the Cavs got LeBron, the Indians became third chair in a three-sport town.

So yeah, they saw a dramatic decrease in attendance. They are not "losing fans" though. That isn't to say, fans haven't been supporting them like they should, because quite frankly, they are not. This is the final homestand starting up here. There's a few doubleheaders, there are plenty of opportunities to go out and see the Tribe one last time. Start the initiative now and go out and see the club one more time. I'm trying to find time in my hectic schedule to do so.

Start the movement now. Get to the ballpark and give this team your backing. They are still fighting, so you should still be supporting.

[RANDOM RUNDOWN]

Winter Ball will certainly be a topic of discussion around here with who goes and who doesn't. Ubaldo Jimenez is pondering it. Jimenez has done it in the past and found it helpful and the Indians are mindful of that and would allow him to do so, even if there is risk involved.

I think he needs it. He mentally feels it helps him. When you have something like that, with a mental factor involved, with him already making it up in his mind that it helps him, then I think it is something you strongly consider letting him do.

Jason Kipnis won't let up. He's one of the last people I worry about getting complacent and not fighting for his spot and playing hard. He's one of those players.

"My mind-set is, it's still up in the air," Kipnis said. "I've got to go out and compete during Spring Training, and I've got to earn that spot again. No one just hands out Major League spots or starting spots. It's something I'm going to be working hard for, and I'll try not to leave any doubt that they want me in that lineup."

Yeah, like I said, not worried.

The Indians finished the Jim Thome deal. They gave the Twins $20K. Fantastic. The question now becomes, what is Thome going to do?

"I think it's really in Jim's hands," Antonetti said. "If Jim wants to play next year, I certainly think he'll have that opportunity. He's demonstrated this year that he continues to be a productive player when he's out there.

He reached his last plateau with 600 home runs, he really has only one thing left to do that there is to in a career like his. Win a title. If that's what he wants, he'll be back, because as Antonetti notes, he's going to find a job somewhere. Which is why Antonetti doesn't even say anything about evaluating or anything like that. He probably won't be in signing in Cleveland if he does want to come back to the game for another year.

The Hafner thing, it just presents too much of an issue and a roster clog if you have two guys who ONLY DH.

With that.. I'm officially retiring the Rafael Perez Tweet Watch. It was fun... But.. It wasn't fun.