Indians Tidbits (2006 season)..

[billmac91]

sorry, a little bit off topic....but who do you hate more.....red sox or the yankees



i've really disliked boston way more than new york for as long as i can remember. It's like the netire baseball world revolves around boston, even moreso than new york...is theo going to stay, is the curse going to be broken, whats manny going to do, whens the next time curt shilling will rip baseball for steroids use - than keep his mouth shut at the congressional hearing....i really cannot stand them, and if coco were to end up there id have a hard time pulling for him just like manny.......ive enjoyed pulling for giles, thome, lofton, etc. since their days removed from cleveland

 

[TheStoicPaisano]

and if coco were to end up there id have a hard time pulling for him just like manny

Well, you have a decision to make now.

Sox reach deal for CF Crisp
By Tony Massarotti
Boston Herald Baseball Columnist and General Sports Columnist
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=2><SPACER height="2" width="1" type="block"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Sunday, January 22, 2006

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=right> E-mail article</TD><TD width=10><SPACER height="20" width="10" type="block"></TD><TD vAlign=top align=middle> View text version</TD><TD width=10><SPACER height="20" width="10" type="block"></TD><TD vAlign=top align=left> View most popular</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>With the return of Theo Epstein all but formalized, the Red Sox now appear on the verge of concluding a heretofore tumultuous offseason by acquiring both center fielder Coco Crisp and shortstop Alex Gonzalez.
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=8><SPACER height="8" width="8" type="block"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> And not a moment too soon.
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=8><SPACER height="8" width="8" type="block"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> According to baseball sources, the Red Sox and Cleveland Indians have agreed in principle on a deal that will bring outfielder Crisp to the Sox in a multi-player trade. The deal was agreed upon several days ago under the condition that Cleveland be able to acquire another outfielder to replace Crisp, presumably Jason Michaels from the Philadelphia Phillies. <TABLE cellSpacing=5 cellPadding=6 align=left><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle bgColor=#efefef>

<SCRIPT language=JavaScript><!--// OAS_AD('Middle'); --> </SCRIPT> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=8><SPACER height="8" width="8" type="block"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> There was some indication that the Phillies and Indians were hoping to complete the deal for Michaels as soon as last night. Cleveland was believed to be sending one of two relievers - left-hander Arthur Rhodes or right-hander Rafael Betancourt - to the Phillies in exchange for Michaels.
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=8><SPACER height="8" width="8" type="block"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> In the event of a breakdown in talks between the Phillies and Indians, Cleveland was believed to have serious interest in free agent outfielder Jeff DaVanon as a replacement for Crisp.
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=8><SPACER height="8" width="8" type="block"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> The Red Sox will send a package including reliever Guillermo Mota and prospect Andy Marte to the Indians. The inclusion of Mota in the deal explains why the Sox signed free agent reliever Julian Tavarez to a two-year contract despite having a bullpen that already included Keith Foulke, Mike Timlin, Mota, Rudy Seanez and, perhaps, Jonathan Papelbon.
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=8><SPACER height="8" width="8" type="block"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> Marte was acquired by the Sox earlier this offseason in the deal that sent Edgar Renteria to the Atlanta Braves. At the time, one Sox official described Marte as a “bargaining chip,” an asset the club now has to implement given the departure of center fielder Johnny Damon.
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=8><SPACER height="8" width="8" type="block"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> Beyond the acquisition of Crisp, the Sox also are about to sign free agent Gonzalez. The 28-year-old former Florida Marlins shortstop, is a free-swinging, career .264 hitter with little power, but he is regarded as a very good defensive player. He will likely bat ninth in a revamped Sox lineup that should feature much-improved infield defense. [continue]

http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view.bg?articleid=122417

 

[NJ-Buckeye]

I could be wrong, but isn't Marte one of the top rated prospects in the minors.. definitely on the Sox...

I just looked.. Baseball America rated this kid as the #9 of all prospects in 2005...

This kid could own the corner for the next 10 years...

Plus it's a good move for Coco.. he'll get to play the position he is best at... including in the order...

Good move for both squads

 

[NJ-Buckeye]

Guillermo Mota

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/news/040730penny.html

written July 30, 2004..
Mota, a 31-year-old righthander, has emerged as one of the game's best setup men over the last two seasons. He's tied for the big league lead with eight relief wins in 2004, paces the National League with 63 relief innings and ranks eighth in the majors with 17 holds. He's 8-4, 2.14 with one save in 52 appearances. He has a 52-27 K-BB ratio in 63 innings, and has limited hitters to a .228 average and four homers. Mota has explosive stuff, blowing away hitters with a mid-90s fastball and a high-80s slider. Eric Gagne also taught Mota his changeup, giving him an extra weapon. If Armando Benitez' elbow woes persist, Mota could close for Florida. He has a $1.475 million salary for 2004 and will be arbitration-eligible again after this season. He has a career mark of 19-18, 3.29 in 304 appearances.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

link

1/22/06

BASEBALL INSIDER
A World of difference to relievers: Indians more important


Sunday, January 22, 2006

Paul Hoynes
Plain Dealer Reporter

Relievers Fernando Cabrera and Rafael Betancourt want to pitch in the World Baseball Classic in March, but the Indians come first.

Cabrera made Puerto Rico's provisional roster. Betancourt was picked for Venezuela's roster. They were at Jacobs Field last week to have their conditioning checked with spring training less than a month away.

The rosters eventually will be cut from as many as 60 players to 30 before the start of the tournament March 3 in Tokyo.

"My goal is to make the Indians this year out of spring training," Cabrera said. "I hadn't made my mind up about playing for Puerto Rico until I talked to some of the people in the federation."

Cabrera, who may be the Indians' closer of the future, told them he would not sacrifice his spring training to play for Puerto Rico.

"I asked the members of the federation if I could join the team just for the games," he said. "I'm not in the position where I can leave the Indians for a week."

The federation granted Cabrera's request. Cabrera is excited because Puerto Rico will host the first two rounds of the 16-team tournament involving Pools C and D. Cuba, the Netherlands, Panama and Puerto Rico are in Pool C. Australia, the Dominican Republic, Italy and Venezuela are in Pool D.

General managers, managers and owners are concerned about the tournament because of the threat of injury. Manager Eric Wedge has told all Indians players competing to be cautious.

"Eric asked me if I was going to go," Cabrera said. "He told me that my priority is here. He told me, If you can't pitch on a certain day, don't pitch. If you feel tired, don't pitch.' I know the level of intensity will be different when you're playing for your country instead of a spring training game."

Each roster will have 13 pitchers. Pitch limits will be used.

At the end of last season, Betancourt said General Manager Mark Shapiro and Wedge told him he had a spot on this year's bullpen. Betancourt and lefty Arthur Rhodes will get a chance to replace departed Bob Howry in the eighth inning.

"It would great to play for your country," said Betancourt, who did not play winter ball in Venezuela this winter. "It's very exciting, but my plan is to get ready for spring training. I'm going to treat this like my first spring training. I'm going to come in and fight for a job."

Betancourt said he knew he'd made Venezuela's provisional roster, "but I haven't heard anything else."

Other Indians players on provisional rosters include catcher Josh Roberts (Australia); right-hander T.J. Burton (Canada); second baseman Ronnie Belliard and shortstop Jhonny Peralta (Dominican Republic); catcher Einar Diaz and outfielder Cirilo Cumberbatch (Panama); infielder Eduardo Perez (Puerto Rico); pitcher C.C. Sabathia (USA); and catcher Victor Martinez and outfielder Franklin Gutierrez (Venezuela).

Teams from Pool A (China, Chinese Taipei, Japan and Korea) will open the tournament in Toyko. Pool B (Canada, Mexico, South Africa and USA) begins play March 7 in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Ariz. Pool C starts play in Puerto Rico on March 7, while Pool D opens on the same date in Kissimmee, Fla.

Eight teams, two from each pool, advance to the next round on March 12. The championship is in San Diego on March 20.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

link

1/22/06

They want Coco:

The Red Sox have been persistent in their desire to get Coco Crisp to play center field since losing Johnny Damon to the Yankees. The Indians have been reluctant to part with Crisp because they don't have an outfielder to replace him.

The Red Sox reportedly have been tempting the Indians with infield prospect Andy Marte and setup man Guillermo Mota.

The Indians may have considered trading Crisp if they had been able to sign Brian Giles or Nomar Garciaparra to play the outfield. Manny Ramirez could certainly replace Crisp, but the Indians don't want to assume the last three years of Ramirez's eight-year, $160 million contract and his "Manny-being-Manny" attitude.

The Red Sox acquired Marte from Atlanta for shortstop Edgar Renteria at the winter meetings. They acquired Mota, Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell from Florida.

Marte is a third baseman, but the Red Sox talked about playing him in the outfield this year. The Indians feel Marte will have to spend this season at Class AAA regardless of his position, which doesn't do them much good if they're going to challenge Chicago in the AL Central.

Of course, a third team always could be brought into the deal to provide the outfielder the Indians need.


<SCRIPT language=JavaScript1.1 src="http://ads.cleveland.com/RealMedia/ads/adstream_jx.ads/www.cleveland.com/xml/story/s5/s5tri/@StoryAd"></SCRIPT><!-- CLEVELANDLIVE/ALLTELRC02CL05 -->

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

link

1/22/06

Money talk:

The Indians received their arbitration hearing dates Friday for Crisp and Ben Broussard. They are scheduled for February.

Crisp is seeking $3.05 million and the Indians countered at $2.35 million. The difference is $700,000.

Broussard is seeking $2.6 million and the Indians have offered $2.2 million.

Chris Antonetti, assistant general manager, is negotiating the contracts with Crisp and Broussard. He says a multiyear deal has been discussed with Crisp and his agent, Steve Comte, but it did not appear anything was close.
Scott Boras represents Broussard.

"I'm keeping myself out of the loop," Broussard said. "Business is business, and you've got to have a tough skin."

Platoon:

The Indians talked about signing Kevin Millar, but only briefly. Perez was their first choice to platoon at first base with Broussard.

Millar agreed to a one-year, $2.1 million deal with Baltimore on Jan. 12. The Indians thought Millar was looking for a starting job and may have had a hard time platooning. Perez, meanwhile, is used to the job.

Last year, Perez and Travis Lee, Tampa Bay's first base platoon, combined to hit 23 homers with 77 RBI. The Indians feel Broussard and Perez could top 30 homers and push 100 RBI. Broussard hit 19 homers and drove in 68 runs last season.

Platooning bothered Broussard last year. He said last week at Jacobs Field that he's not going to let that happen this year.

"All I'm going to be concerned about is being ready to go every day," Broussard. "I don't care if I have to pinch hit, play defense, whatever."

Broussard says he's perceived as a "mellow" guy. He doesn't disagree, but he's going to be more determined this season in his pregame preparation.

"I know what I want, and I know what's expected of me," he said. "I'm not going to let anything get in my way."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

[email protected], 216-999-5158

 

[sears3820]

Want to lay some vCash on that, Frank?

As much as you want.

 

[billmac91]

if we accept this trade it might be one of the worst moves ive seen in a long time....jason micheals cant hold coco's jock, and coco is still improving.......i hate having this ullshit budget, larry dolan sucks

 

[osustamm]

It sure won't help out next year... But it could help us out greatly in the future. I followed Coco when he was playing in the Minors for St. Louis (his 100+ steal seasons) and the Tribe got him at a great price.

I think Marte could end up being a Thome like of hitter for the next 10 years.

I like Coco though... who knows...

 

[Piney]

I actually like this trade. We sure up the future at 3B with a superstud prospect who is close to playing in the bigs and we get the setup man to replace Howry. Yeah we might lose a bit in the outfield but I doubt that we settle on this Michaels guy as a replacement but there might be more trades coming soon.

Anyone have more info on this Michaels guy?

 

[TheStoicPaisano]

jason micheals cant hold coco's jock, and coco is still improving.......i hate having this ullshit budget,

You need to look at Michaels' numbers and the salaries of the guys involved again, I think. Dislike the trade, OK, but this isn't a salary dump, and Michaels is a decent player, though he's never been handed a starting spot.

 

[osustamm]

Jason Michaels:

29 Year old Righty w/ an above average bat.

Last year he batted .304 w/ 16 doubles, and 4 HR's in 289 AB's. He walked as many times as he struck out giving him a .399 OBP. Hit well versus both left and right handed pitchers.

Defense is ok w/ a .982 carrer fielding percentage.

Looks like a good player but on rotoworld it said he punched a cop. We sure don't need stuff like that going on in Cleveland.

He should be a pretty good 2,6 or 7 hitter.

 

[vrbryant]

Hate the move.

 

[BuckFanAtAkron]

I also hate the move but you never know and i feel it always come down to the fuck face owner. dolan