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Indians Tidbits (2006 season)..

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11/29/05


White Sox and Indians to play season opener
Tuesday, November 29, 2005 <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>CHICAGO (AP) — The World Series champion Chicago White Sox will play the major league season opener on Sunday, April 2, against the Cleveland Indians. The game, which starts at 8 p.m. EDT, will be televised by ESPN2. The White Sox and Indians, originally set to play April 3, 5 and 6, will instead finish their series on April 4 and 5.
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11/30/05


INDIANS UPDATE: Tribe is courting Byrd
Wednesday, November 30, 2005 <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]The Associated Press [/FONT]
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BYRD​

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Free agent starter Paul Byrd visited Tuesday with the Cleveland Indians, who are still searching for a closer and have been reluctant to throw big money at any pitcher this offseason.
Byrd went 13-12 with a 3.74 ERA in 31 starts last season for the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels are interested in re-signing the right-hander and are expected to increase their one-year contract offer.
Baltimore and Texas also have deals on the table for Byrd. He and his wife, Kym, spent time with Indians General Manager Mark Shapiro, toured Jacobs Field and the Cleveland area during the visit.
Byrd, who turns 35 on Dec. 3, is familiar with the Indians’ organization. He was drafted in the fourth round by Cleveland in 1991 and spent four seasons in the club’s minor-league system before he was dealt with three other players to the New York Mets in the 1994 trade for outfielder Jeromy Burnitz.
The Indians have not yet made an offer to their own free-agent starters, Kevin Millwood and Scott Elarton. Shapiro is expected to meet with his agent, Scott Boras, at next week’s winter meetings in Dallas.
Shapiro’s No. 1 priority is finding a closer, but to this point, the Indians have been shut out.
They offered B.J. Ryan a four-year deal, and may have been willing to make it a five-year package. Ryan agreed to a $47 million, five-year deal with the Blue Jays on Monday.
Cleveland’s other options as potential replacements for Bob Wickman include Trevor Hoffman, Tom Gordon and Todd Jones. The Indians also have to replace Bobby Howry, who finalized a $12 million, three-year contract with the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday.
Dodgers talk to Skinner The Los Angeles Dodgers have received permission to interview Indians third base coach Joel Skinner for their vacant managerial job. Skinner joins Jim Fregosi, John McLaren, Grady Little and Manny Acta as candidates for a position that’s been vacant since the team parted ways with Jim Tracy on Oct. 3.
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12/3/05


Shapiro in discussions with Byrd, Wickman
Saturday, December 3, 2005 <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]By Andy Call REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER[/FONT]


CLEVELAND - Surprising, challenging, unusual, extreme.
Those are only four of the adjectives Indians General Manager Mark Shapiro used Friday to describe baseball’s winter free-agent market. Teams are throwing more money and more years of guaranteed contract at available players than anyone expected.
Still, the Indians press on. Shapiro confirmed he has made a contract offer to free-agent right-hander Paul Byrd. Other formal offers are likely, too — following, during and after baseball’s winter meetings, which begin Monday in Dallas.
“The dollars that have been handed out, and the years, have been very surprising,” Shapiro said. “We are operating in an environment where I don’t feel comfortable with anything we’re talking about.”
Owner Larry Dolan has given Shapiro more money to work with, bumping last year’s $42 million payroll to roughly $55 million for 2006. Shapiro has identified his priorities as to where that money will be spent — a starting pitcher, a closer, a hitter to occupy first base or right field, and a veteran relief pitcher to help cushion the loss of free agent right-hander Bob Howry.
“Finding one starter and a closer should be foremost among what we need to do,” Shapiro said. “There are multiple alternatives out there. The only driving feeling I’ve got is, I don’t want to be left without any of them.”
Shapiro confirmed negotiations with Byrd as well as talks with veteran closer Bob Wickman, also a free agent.
Byrd, 35, made $5 million last year when he was 12-11 with a 3.74 ERA in 31 starts for Anaheim. He was drafted by the Indians in 1991, but traded to the New York Mets in 1994.
Shapiro said he did not wish to speak for Wickman, but it was “clear” to him that the 37-year-old right-hander wishes to pitch at least one more year.
The Indians reportedly have also contacted free-agent closers Trevor Hoffman and Todd Jones, and spoke with Tom Gordon before he signed Friday with Philadelphia. Cleveland is likely to go into spring training with one open spot in its rotation for a competition among its young pitching prospects. When asked about the possibility of bringing back No. 5 starter Scott Elarton, Shapiro said, “We have one starter bullet to fire.”
Shapiro addressed a number of other issues Friday, including:
n Denying that Boston has asked permission to interview farm director John Farrell for its open GM job.
n Endorsing bench coach Joel Skinner’s candidacy to be manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
n Repeating his assertion that top hitting prospect Ryan Garko needs to return to Class AAA Buffalo for more seasoning before being brought up.
n Clarified that the Indians never made a formal contract offer to outfielder Brian Giles, but noted Giles would have been “a great fit” if he had decided not to re-sign with San Diego.
Reach Repository sports writer Andy Call at (330) 580-8346 or e-mail [email protected]
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12/4/05

Byrd's agreement with Indians worth $14.25 million

DALLAS -- Free-agent right-hander Paul Byrd and the Cleveland Indians reached agreement Sunday on a two-year contract worth $14.25 million.

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The deal includes a club option for a third season.

Byrd can earn as much as $22 million if the Indians exercise his option for the 2008 season. If Cleveland declines it, the 35-year-old Byrd will receive a $250,000 buyout, a sum that is included in his guarantee.

Byrd was 12-11 with a 3.74 ERA in 31 starts for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim last season. He is entering his 12th season and embarking on his ninth tour -- he's made more than one stop with the Braves, Phillies and Royals. He was 8-7 with Atlanta in 2004, having missed the 2003 season because of elbow surgery.

Byrd made $4.5 million in his one season as an Angel.
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12/5/05

The Indians also are looking for a closer and may have taken significant steps toward accomplishing that task over the weekend.

FoxSports.com reported that General Manager Mark Shapiro and Manager Eric Wedge met with free agent Trevor Hoffman for 4 1/2 hours Saturday in San Diego and again on Sunday. Shapiro, according to the report, was to have met with Hoffman’s agent Sunday night upon his arrival at baseball’s winter meetings in Dallas.

Boston, Detroit, Baltimore and San Diego also are courting Hoffman. The Indians have talked with right-handed closers Bob Wickman and Todd Jones as well.

Shapiro said this week that locating a starter and closer were his top priorities. The club also would like to add an effective hitter but may not have the money to sign top free agents for all three spots.
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12/6/05


Sabathia finally gets shot at playing for U.S.
Tuesday, December 6, 2005 <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>
CLEVELAND - C.C. Sabathia has gotten tired of waiting for that gold medal.
Cleveland’s 25-year-old left-hander participated in a pre-Olympic qualifying tournament for the U.S. team in 2000, but was recalled by the Indians before the Olympics began and has never received the gold medal he was promised.
“That’s why I’m excited,” Sabathia said Monday after learning he was one of the players invited to represent the U.S. in the first World Baseball Classic in March. “It’s awesome to be on the list to be considered.”
The Indians confirmed second baseman Ronnie Belliard will play second base for the Dominican Republic. Catcher Victor Martinez and relief pitcher Rafael Betancourt are on Venezuela’s preliminary roster. Free-agent infielder Jose Hernandez, who played with Cleveland last summer, is on Puerto Rico’s preliminary roster.
The first 16-team world tournament will take place March 3-20 at sites in Tokyo, Arizona, Puerto Rico and Florida. The semifinals and finals will be in San Diego.
“It’s spring training, so I’m sure we won’t be out there throwing seven or eight innings,” Sabathia said. “I’m happy just to be considered.” ANDY CALL
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12/8/05


Indians sign Wickman
Thursday, December 8, 2005 <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]By Andy Call REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER [/FONT]

The Indians quickly moved on to Plan B on Wednesday night, filling one of their most pressing needs with a familiar face.
Cleveland announced it had signed veteran closer Bob Wickman to a one-year, $5 million contract. Another veteran closer, Trevor Hoffman, had turned down a three-year contract proposal from the Indians just hours earlier.
“Having Bob return as our closer satisfies one of our stated offseason needs and better defines the roles of the returning members of our bullpen,” Indians General Manager Mark Shapiro said.
The Indians had identified a starting pitcher and a closer as the two primary spots to fill when the offseason began. Right-handed starter Paul Byrd signed with Cleveland on Monday.
Wickman, who will turn 37 in February, has been Cleveland’s closer since midway through the 2000 season. His 124 saves with the Tribe rank second only to Doug Jones (129) in club history. Wickman missed 2003 due to “Tommy John” elbow surgery.
The 2006 contract is a straight one-year deal with no option for 2007. Wickman earned $2.75 million in 2005.
He filed for free agency in October. Wickman said in September that, if he didn’t retire, he would consider pitching for only four clubs in 2006 — all of them within a reasonable distance of his Wisconsin home.
Wickman saved 45 games in 50 opportunities for the Indians last season, tying Francisco Rodriguez for the American League lead in saves. He is 124-for-138 (90 percent) in save situations since being traded to Cleveland by Milwaukee.
Hoffman has recorded 434 of his 436 career saves with the Padres, and ranks second to Lee Smith on baseball’s all-time save list.
“I’m just really happy that I’m not having to traipse my family across the country, although it was a tremendous opportunity with the Cleveland Indians,” Hoffman told The Associated Press. “In particular, the class that they showed throughout the process and the respect that they showed went above and beyond, and I truly appreciate it. But it came down to me making a decision for my family and not disrupting what we have going on.”
The Indians had reportedly offered Hoffman three guaranteed years for $21 million to $24 million. He took less to stay with the Padres, accepting two years worth $13.5 million and an option for 2008 that could be worth $5.5 million.
“While we are disappointed to have missed out on the opportunity to make Trevor Hoffman a Cleveland Indian, we understand and appreciate the thoughts behind his decision to stay in San Diego,” Shapiro said. “We too appreciate it when our players make those decisions for those same reasons.”
Shapiro also had been talking to representatives for free agent closer Todd Jones. The Indians avoided going to salary arbitration with Wickman by signing him before Wednesday’s midnight deadline. Cleveland did offer salary arbitration to right-handers Kevin Millwood and Scott Elarton, assuring draft-pick compensation if those two free agents sign elsewhere. Cleveland did not offer arbitration to outfielder Juan Gonzalez and utilityman Jose Hernandez. Reach Repository sports writer Andy Call at (330) 580-8346 or e-mail [email protected]
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Figures... when Cleveland tries to sign their own guys they have no loyalty and don't take a few million less to stay where they were comfortable. But when Cleveland goes after someone they get denied because the player chose to take less money to stay where they are comfortable...

Sometimes I hate being an Indians fan :smash:
 
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Piney said:
Figures... when Cleveland tries to sign their own guys they have no loyalty and don't take a few million less to stay where they were comfortable. But when Cleveland goes after someone they get denied because the player chose to take less money to stay where they are comfortable...

Sometimes I hate being an Indians fan :smash:
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I'm sure this won't help, but Boone renegotiated his contract last year for more years at lest money because he likes playing for the Tribe. Wickman also resigned for less that he could have received elsewhere even after the Indians tried to find anyone else to close for them.
 
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12/9/05


Don’t bet on Millwood, Elarton
Friday, December 9, 2005 <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>
By ANDY CALL
REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER
At least three of the pitchers who helped the Indians compile the best ERA in the American League last year probably won’t be back in 2006.
General Manager Mark Shapiro said Thursday it is unlikely that veteran right-handed starters Kevin Millwood and Scott Elarton, both free agents, will return to the Indians. Right-handed setup man Bobby Howry has signed with the Cubs.
“From Day 1, I’ve never felt like we could do everything we needed to do,” Shapiro said. “There is not a lot of quality on the free-agent market, and we do have a lot of competition for the guys who can impact us.”
The Indians signed right-handed starter Paul Byrd on Monday and brought back closer Bob Wickman on Wednesday after being spurned by San Diego closer Trevor Hoffman.
Millwood, who led the American League in ERA last summer (2.86), is seeking a five-year contract.
“I’ve kept the possibility of us signing Kevin open,” Shapiro said. “At this point, the likelihood is very remote to almost impossible.”
Elarton has been a solid No. 5 starter for two seasons (11-9, 4.61 ERA in 2005), but that success means another team will either offer Elarton a multi-year contract or more money than the Indians are willing to spend.
“It’s the exact same situation we faced with Omar Vizquel,” Shapiro said. “We like the guy. But there are limited dollars, good minor-league alternatives and needs in other areas of our major-league club.”
Elarton’s spot could be opened to a spring-training competition among young starters Jason Davis, Fausto Carmona and Jeremy Sowers.
Shapiro said he would prefer to have a veteran to replace Howry, although young relief pitchers like Fernando Cabrera have shown promise.
“I would feel more comfortable with one more veteran reliever, but we could put a very good bullpen together with the bodies we have,” Shapiro said.
The Indians might pursue a hitter, particularly one to play right field or first base. Manager Eric Wedge said this week the team has some interest in former All-Star shortstop Nomar Garciaparra to play right field. Recent media reports seem to indicate, however, that another team will offer Garciaparra either more money or the chance to play a more familiar position.
“It gets back to the age-old value equation for us,” Shapiro said. “We’ll go where we find the greatest value and where our money can make the biggest impact.”
The Indians plan to increase last year’s $42 million payroll to about $55 million for 2006.
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The Indians did not lose any players in Thursday’s Rule 5 draft, nor did they take any from other organizations. Shapiro said the team had anticipated some top minor-leaguers would be chosen by other clubs.
“I’m ecstatic we were able to hold on to a guy like Ryan Mulhern,” Shapiro said of the Class AA Akron left fielder, who slugged an organization-high 32 home runs last season and drove in 94 runs. “It could be that the major-league rosters are just a little more clogged this year.” Mulhern and Sowers were named the organization’s player and pitcher of the year Thursday. Reach Repository sports writer Andy Call at (330) 580-8346 or e-mail [email protected].
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StadiumDorm said:
Ummm... can we get a hitter please? Casey Blake, Aaron Boone, and Ben Broussard are the same fucking player. A player that hits under .240 i might add.
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the tribe just cant compete in this market. look at the blue jays dolling out cash like there's no tomorrow. they will still be a 75-80 win team at best because they break the bank for mediocrity. folks complain about milwood, but last year wont be duplicated. he is a major risk at 4 or 5 years. byrd isnt spectacular, but he's only under a 2 year contract and isnt that bad for a #3 or #4 starter. Elarton will get a nice contract somewhere, but it will be way too high for a #5 starter. Resigning him effectively eliminates one of the young guns getting into the starting rotation soon. What Cleveland has done with the pitching staff has been smart financially and overall.

As for batters. Outside of them chasing Nomar to play 1st or RF, they arent really in the market for much. They are expecting Boone to be improved this year as he was pretty solid after mid June. They are simply hoping that Blake can be more like 2004 Blake than 2005.

However, Cleveland has already topped the $1 million mark for ticket sales next year, that is just from season ticket holders. They will likely top $2 million by opening day once individual game tickets start going. They will definately rake in the cash this year. There will be no excuse for Dolan to not start poning up to get talent.

As an aside, I find it absolutely hilarious that the Yankees lost more money last year than many team's payrolls. Serves them right.
 
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12/10/05


Merloni gets minor-league Tribe contract
Saturday, December 10, 2005 <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>
Utility infielder Lou Merloni agreed Friday to a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians, returning to the team he played for in 2004.
Merloni played in just five games for the Los Angeles Angels last season before tearing ligaments in his right ankle on May 1.
He will have a chance to win a roster spot in spring training, and the versatile 34-year-old may also help the Indians in their pursuit of free agent Nomar Garciaparra. Merloni and Garciaparra were teammates with the Boston Red Sox and remain close friends. Cleveland is interested in signing Garciaparra, who played last season for the Chicago Cubs. The Indians envision him in a utility role or the club could move him into right field and use Casey Blake as a part-time corner infielder or outfielder. In 2004, Merloni batted .289 with four homers and 28 RBIs in 71 games for the Indians. He batted .327 against left-handers. A .272 career hitter, Merloni began his career with Boston in 1993. He has 66 homers and 124 RBIs in 414 career games.
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