Indians Tidbits (2006 season)..

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12/13/05

There’s still a little Indian in Hargrove
Tuesday, December 13, 2005 <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]By DON DETORE REPOSITORY SPORTS EDITOR[/FONT]


CANTON TWP. - It has been more than six years since Mike Hargrove was unceremoniously fired as manager of the Cleveland Indians, despite guiding the team to five consecutive division titles and two World Series appearances.

Since then, the team has won just one division title and lost its only playoff series.

That doesn’t stop Hargrove from rooting for the team that launched his managerial career nearly 15 years ago.

“Any bad feelings that I had — and I really didn’t have that many — have long gone away,” said Hargrove, about to enter his second season as manager of the Seattle Mariners.

“I have nothing but respect for Wedgie (Manager Eric Wedge), (General Manager) Mark Shapiro, (Assistant General Managers) John Mirabelli and Chris Antonelli and the whole organization,” Hargrove said. “They have a good, sound organization.

“I still follow them closely.”

Though he’s managed in two cities since his tenure with the Indians ended in 1999 (he managed the Baltimore Orioles in 2000-03), Hargrove still is closely associated with the team he played for and managed.

His 721-591 managerial record ranks second in team history for most wins (behind Lou Boudreau’s 728) and his .550 winning percentage ranks third (behind Al Lopez, .617, and Oscar Vitt, .570).

Hargrove’s annual appearance at the Hall of Fame Luncheon Club meeting at the Four Winds restaurant — Monday’s was his third straight and fifth straight for his wife, Sharon — again was dominated with talk about past or present Indians.

n On Manny Ramirez’ future: “You don’t trade player for player anymore,” he said, “as much as you trade a contract for a contract. Manny is making $18 million a year.”

n On his relationship with Albert Belle: “As a manager, you liked having him in the lineup,” he said. “When he went off on someone or something, I just went in another direction. ... We had a good relationship.

n On the White Sox’ acquisition of Jim Thome: “As Jimmy gets older, the holes he had in his swing get bigger, but when (a pitcher) misses, he can still crush it,” Hargrove said. “When you win the World Series like the White Sox did, you can make those kinds of trades.”

n On C.C. Sabathia: “Everybody talks about his nasty stuff. He became more consistent this year. He’s a good one. If he would just wear his hat straight ... ”

Hargrove said the Mariners have some of the same promising talent as he helped to develop with the Indians in the 1990s. Some of that talent includes shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt, whom he said has the defensive ability of Omar Vizquel; center fielder Jeremy Reed, who hit .397 in 18 games last year; and third baseman Adrian Beltre, who struggled after joining the Mariners after spending almost a decade with the Dodgers.

“And he’ll only be 27 when the season starts,” Hargrove said of Beltre.
The Mariners finished 69-93 last season, last in the American League West Division in Hargrove’s first season. Still, it was a six-game improvement over 2004.

Over the offseason, the Mariners re-signed 43-year-old pitcher Jamie Moyer and Japanese catcher Kenji Johjima. They want to add a left-handed hitter and a starting pitcher to build around veterans Ichiro Suzuki, Richie Sexson and Raul Ibanez.

“We want to be competitive next year,” Hargrove said, “and if we catch a break, we think we can contend.”

He thinks the Indians not only can contend, but also recapture the Jacobs Field magic he helped create in the 1990s.

“They’ve got a great manager and an outstanding collection of young talent,” he said, specifically praising Grady Sizemore, Jhonny Peralta and Victor Martinez. “Those kids should have that team strong for a long, long time.”

Next week’s speaker is Todd Blackledge, the North Canton Hoover High School product who works as a college football analyst for CBS.
You can reach Repository Sports Editor Don Detore at (330) 580-8344 or e-mail: [email protected]
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12/16/05

<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Recovered Reliever Resumes Rehab
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[NJ-Buckeye]

OK.. now I'm getting concerned... I understood the need to worry about payroll until we were positioned to truly make a run for the ring... well, IMO we are ready to make the run... so what are the Indians doing?

they are going to save themselves right back into second place... and possibly out of the playoffs... again...

we still are looking for the premium starter... and our right side is suspect at best... both right and first... are we waiting yet another year before the farm system fills those needs..

any of you guys dine regularly with Shapiro and can provide insight??

 

[NFBuck]

Yeah, I'm quite suprised they have remained so idle this offseason. Signing Byrd for $14M was very bleh, especially considering that Millwood and Elarton aren't coming back. All the excitement I had at the end of the season is quickly waning. I'm sure they will be competitive, but I really thought Shapiro would try to make a splash this offseason to get over the hump. We'll see I guess.

 

[tsteele316]

OK.. now I'm getting concerned... I understood the need to worry about payroll until we were positioned to truly make a run for the ring... well, IMO we are ready to make the run... so what are the Indians doing?

they are going to save themselves right back into second place... and possibly out of the playoffs... again...

we still are looking for the premium starter... and our right side is suspect at best... both right and first... are we waiting yet another year before the farm system fills those needs..

any of you guys dine regularly with Shapiro and can provide insight??

this FA market is pathetic. why dole out assinine amounts of cash for guys that may only be marginally better than what is there now?

 

[Piney]

this FA market is pathetic. why dole out assinine amounts of cash for guys that may only be marginally better than what is there now?

Right on the mark. We went after BJ Ryan & Trevor Hoffman. Would you pay a closer $10 million a year for 5 years for BJ Ryan??? And Hoffman took less money to stay home. Besides those 2 guys no other closer really looked good, so we sign Wickman for one more year so we can try free agency next year, trade for a closer mid-season or hope someone emerges.

Millwood wasn't coming back as soon as Burnett got that ridiculous contract. You really think Boras will not go hard for $50 million for Millwood? And do you think a pitcher that missed large portion of seasons over the past 4 years and after just one healthy season is worth that kind of money? So we got Byrd while not replacing Millwood completely we are hoping that Lee & Sabathia continue improving and one of our kids come in to be the 5th starter.

Howry? Do you really want a pitcher back that was abused as much as he was abused this past season? And sign him for $5 million a year for multiple years? I would not bet against him getting hurt sometime this year.

Besides those guys has there really been any big name free agents that would help us? The only thing I would have explored more would be trades. Especially on how the Marlins were unloading players left and right. But I can see us spending money to keep our own players by locking up Cliff Lee before the season starts.

 

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12/20/05

Posted on Tue, Dec. 20, 2005
Karsay, Graves return to Tribe

Relievers invited to spring training

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->Mark Shapiro has shown a propensity for keeping it in the family this offseason.

The Tribe general manager signed his third and fourth former Indians player Monday, as relievers Danny Graves and Steve Karsay accepted minor-league deals that include invitations to spring training.

``These are two guys I believe in,'' Shapiro said. ``I've seen them succeed. In the world of bullpen guys, and with the volatility of pitchers out there, these two guys have as good a chance as any.''

Graves and Karsay have, at times, been lethally effective but not lately.
Last season, the Cincinnati Reds released Graves after he posted a 1-1 record, 10 saves and a 7.36 ERA in 20 appearances.

He was axed the day after an ineffective outing against the Indians. As he left the field, he had a visible confrontation with a fan.

``A guy leaned over the dugout and racially abused me,'' Graves said Monday. ``I regret doing it. I shouldn't have done it. But in the heat of the moment, I did.''

Graves also publicly criticized the fans for booing the club.

``I've always been a vocal person in the clubhouse,'' he said. ``I don't think I said anything bad. The team didn't appreciate the fans booing. But I was the one who said it, so I was the bad guy.''

Graves was eventually signed by the New York Mets and compiled a 0-0 record and 5.75 ERA in 20 outings. He also spent time at the Mets' Triple-A affiliate in Norfolk, Va.

Karsay has made only 27 appearances with the Texas Rangers and the New York Yankees since 2003 because of injuries to his right shoulder.

Last season, he pitched six times with the Yankees, posting no record and a 6.00 ERA. He also pitched in 14 games with the Rangers, going 0-1 with a 7.47 ERA.

``Both players were healthy last year,'' Shapiro said. ``We got great reports on both.''

Graves, 32, was the Tribe's fourth-round draft choice in 1994 and spent 2 ½ seasons with them. With the Reds, he twice was selected for the All-Star Game and owns the franchise record for saves (182).

Karsay, 33, was a key member of the Indians' bullpen from 1998-2001, compiling a 3.23 ERA. He also has pitched for the A's, Braves, Rangers and Yankees.

Graves and Karsay join ex-Tribe players Lou Merloni and Tim Laker as non-roster spring training invitees.

 

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12/23/05

Indians on WBNS-AM again

Friday, December 23, 2005

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Up to 20 Cleveland Indians games could be available on free television next season, and most games will be broadcast on local radio station WBNSAM for the next two seasons.

The Indians and WBNS reached agreement yesterday on a two-year contract to make 1460 the Columbus radio home of the Tribe. Just as in 2005, WBNS will not air every game because of commitments to Ohio State and the Blue Jackets. But general manager Dave Van Stone said the station expects to air about 135 of the 162 games.

"Obviously we brought a lot of listeners to WBNS," Indians spokesman Bob DiBiasio said, "and their all-sport format provided us a great opportunity for promotion."

DiBiasio said the Indians also have reached agreement with Cleveland television station WKYC to air 20 games next season, and they are negotiating with stations in Columbus and other markets to pick up those broadcasts.

Another 130 games will be available on cable, although no longer on Fox Sports Net Ohio. The Indians are expected to announce in the coming days that they are launching their own regional sports network, and they will make it available to every cable and satellite provider in the area. Each provider then would decide whether to offer the Indians network as part of its basic-cable package or a premium package.

DiBiasio would not comment on the specifics of the deal but said an announcement regarding cable broadcasts might be made today.
"Our goal is to have as many people be able to watch as possible," he said.

— Scott Priestle [email protected]

 

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12/24/05

Diaz back in Tribe uniform
Saturday, December 24, 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]

CLEVELAND - Catcher Einar Diaz returned to the Cleveland Indians on Friday, agreeing to a minor league contract with the club he spent seven seasons with before being traded in 2002.

Diaz will compete in spring training with Josh Bard for the backup job behind Victor Martinez. Diaz would get a $625,000, one-year contract if added to the 40-man roster.

The 33-year-old Diaz, who was St. Louis’ backup catcher last season, had his best season in 2001, batting .277 with four homers and 56 RBIs in 134 games with the Indians.

The Indians dealt Diaz and right-hander Ryan Drese to Texas for designated hitter Travis Hafner following the ’02 season.

Diaz hit .208 with one homer and 17 RBIs in 58 games — 30 starts — for the Cardinals last season. He is the latest former Indians player to re-sign with the club, which this week brought back relievers Danny Graves and Steve Karsay with minor league deals. Both right-handers, who previously pitched for Cleveland, have had injury problems in recent years.

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[NFBuck]

The Indians dealt Diaz and right-hander Ryan Drese to Texas for designated hitter Travis Hafner following the ’02 season.

Safe to say we came out on top in that trade.

 

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12/27/05

Indians to have own TV network

Tuesday, December 27, 2005

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CLEVELAND - The Cleveland Indians announced a deal with Time Warner Cable on Monday to start the club’s own cable television network in hopes of boosting revenue and competing with baseball’s big spenders.
The largest television package in team history includes 130 regular-season games and eight spring training games to be aired on cable and satellite systems. An additional 20 regular-season games will be shown on Cleveland station WKYC, returning the Indians to free TV for the first time since 2001.
The Indians, who finished second in the AL Central last season, have had a difficult time competing financially with larger-market teams. Cleveland’s $42 million payroll last season was barely one-fifth of the New York Yankees, who launched their own TV network years ago.
With help from the new TV network, which hasn’t been given a name, the Indians’ payroll is expected to exceed $60 million in 2006, team President Paul Dolan said in a teleconference Monday.
“We think this is the way to generate more revenue and we will put it back in the payroll in order to support the team,” Dolan said.
Although the Indians will have their own network with Time Warner, the deal does not mean fans won’t be able to watch the club on other cable outlets. The team plans to work out deals with other providers for the games on cable and free TV.
Dolan acknowledged some of those agreements might not be in place by opening day, but said the deal was essential for the club’s long-term stability in one of the nation’s poorest cities.
“What our overriding concern is that this is a market that is shrinking and this has impact on all levels of our business,” Dolan said. “This venture is a way for us to maximize the available revenues that are in the marketplace for baseball.”
Financial details of the agreement weren’t disclosed.
Under the deal, the Indians created a separate company, Fastball Sports Productions, to run the club’s television network.
Initially, the station will televise Indians games, pregame and postgame shows, and weekly and quarterly specials on the club, Dolan said. He hopes the station eventually will be a 24-hour regional sports network. “There is risk we won’t generate the revenue we think we will, but that risk should be in the first few years. We’re always thinking long term,” Dolan said. The club has been shopping for a new television contract since their deal with Fox Sports Net Ohio expired after last season. The Indians made $17 million last season with FSN.
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12/27/05

[Johnson signing fills Tribe rotation

Tuesday, December 27, 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 - Perhaps no player in Major League Baseball needed a change of scenery more than Jason Johnson.
The 32-year-old right-hander had spent nine years pitching for some of the league’s worst teams — Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Baltimore and Detroit. Johnson jumped at the chance to finally hook up with a winner Monday, signing a one-year, $4 million contract with the Indians for 2006 with a mutual option for 2007.
Cleveland won 93 games last season. Johnson has never pitched a full season for a team that won more than 78.
“I told my wife, ‘It’ll be nice to be on a team that has a chance to win every time you take the field,’ ” Johnson said. “When Cleveland started to show interest, I was pretty excited.”
The addition of Johnson fills out the Tribe’s projected 2006 rotation. It also allows young pitching prospects Jeremy Sowers and Fausto Carmona to continue to develop by beginning the season in the minor leagues.
“It gives us a defined area of depth,” Indians General Manager Mark Shapiro said.
Johnson is 52-86 with a career 4.88 ERA. Those are not the only numbers that matter, Shapiro said.
“I looked at some of the numbers within the numbers,” Shapiro said. “He’s pitched for some bad teams, teams that averaged 92 losses. He’s given those teams some innings. If you go that deep into games, you give a good team a chance to win those games.”
There are good numbers within the numbers for Johnson. He has made 32 or more starts in each of the last three seasons, averaging 198 innings per year. His 19 quality starts last year with Detroit (8-13, 4.54) were only one fewer than Kevin Millwood and Jake Westbrook had in Cleveland.
“Jason made nine quality starts last year in games he lost, which is hard to do,” agent Tommy Tanzer said.
Many fans are familiar with Johnson because of his challenges, not his statistics. He has pitched while wearing an insulin pump the last two years due to diabetes.
“My dad told me to use it as a tool to make a difference in people’s lives,” Johnson said. “If I’m successful enough, I can be a role model for young kids with diabetes. So I use it as a tool instead of a crutch.”
Johnson’s primary tool on the mound is a sinking fastball. His ground ball-to-fly ball ratio (1.74) was second among AL starters last year only to Westbrook. Johnson added a two-seam fastball to his repertoire last season.
Shapiro had been frustrated this winter in his pursuit of an impact hitter. Adding some depth to the rotation was Plan B.
“We had intended to commit to a young player in the rotation and spend the money elsewhere, but those opportunities didn’t develop,” Shapiro said.
Tanzer said the 2006 portion of the contract includes a $3.5 million base salary. There is a $500,000 buyout of the 2007 option that will be applied if the club refuses the option, or if Johnson refuses the option after pitching more than 210 innings.
An additional $2 million in incentives is available. Johnson can earn up to $400,000 for making 29, 31 and 33 starts and an additional $1.6 million for 175 to 215 innings pitched. The maximum value of the contract would thus be $11.5 million over two years.
The Indians will probably open spring training with a rotation of Westbrook, Johnson, C.C. Sabathia, Cliff Lee and Paul Byrd. “We have five guys who can win games,” Shapiro said. Reach Repository sports writer Andy Call at (330) 580-8346 or e-mail [email protected].
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[Piney]

Buh Bye Millwood

And Johnson signs the same day that Millwood agrees to a 5 year $60 million dollar contract. Now everyone should know why that Millwood was unsignable. No way I give a pitcher with that many injury issues a 5 year deal just after 1 injury free year.

While Johnson isn't sexy he is a solid 5th starter.

 

[exhawg]

At least Millwood went to Texas. Even if he pitches as well as he did last year the Rangers won't compete. I would worry more if Millwood went to either of the Sox or the Yankees because he would make them better if he can recreate last season. The Indians still have a lot of good young pitchers in the minors so if one of the veteran signings don't work out they can always bring someone up. This off season it seems like the only way to get a good player is to trade and the Indians have plenty of young trade bait. I would like to see them sign a good hitting right fielder if there is one out there. We can only hope that the young players will continue to get better so that they will have a better team even if they don't make any major moves. They will be in the hunt so a mid summer trade might put them over the top to get in the playoffs. I would be happy if the Tribe can just keep all of the good young players they have and develop the younger players to fill the holes they have.

 

[tsteele316]

5 years at $12 mil per is assinine. IMO, there is no way that milwood duplicates what he did last season, even if he stays healthy, which is a very big assumption.

as for jason johnson, i understand somewhat. a one year deal for a modest salary. it's probably about the same as what elarton would have gotten annually, but they arent tied to him for 3 years like elarton wanted. this is basically some insurance so the tribe can bring along carmona and sowers slowly. it's hard to imagine that clevelands starting rotation will be as healthy as they were last year.