Indians Tidbits (2008 season)

[osugrad21]

ABJ

Angels rally to beat Indians By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter
POSTED: 12:30 a.m. EDT, Jul 23, 2008

ANAHEIM, CALIF.: Old habits die hard. The Indians' offense struggled for much of the season before breaking the bonds of slumpdom about six weeks ago.
Even so, there will be games when the Tribe's bats go cold, and not just in the face of superior pitching. Tuesday night was one of those games, and it resulted in a 3-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels at Angels Stadium.
Matt Ginter made the most of his temporary pass from the minor leagues. He was called up from Buffalo on July 12 after C.C. Sabathia was traded to Milwaukee. He knew he had little chance to remain on the roster, because Fausto Carmona was almost ready to flee the disabled list.
Now that Carmona has been scheduled for a start on Saturday, it's unlikely that Ginter will have anywhere to go but back to Triple-A. In two starts, Ginter faced two solid offensive teams and acquitted himself well against both.
Against the Angels on Tuesday night, he gave up three runs and seven hits in six innings, walking none and throwing two double-play balls.
Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

ABJ

Blake making his case to stay Numbers giving Indians good reason to consider keeping versatile infielder
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter

Published on Wednesday, Jul 23, 2008
ANAHEIM, CALIF.: With his contract set to expire in October, there is no guarantee that Casey Blake will return to the Indians next year.
Here is what the team might be missing if Blake is jettisoned: He is third in the club in runs (45) and homers (11); second in doubles (23), walks (33) and on-base percentage (.363) and first in RBI (58), batting average ? players with more than .250 at-bats ? (.287) and in average with runners in scoring position (.402).
The rest of the team is batting a collective .254 with runners on second or third.
''I don't really think about it,'' Blake said of his impending free agency. ''It's a long way off. I think I'll be in a good position, but I've learned not to look ahead too far and not to look in the past. I try to live in the moment.''
To Blake's advantage is his versatility. He can play third, first and the corner outfield positions with above-average skill. His one handicap: He will be 35 in August, so it would be unrealistic for him to expect more than a three-year deal, and more likely, he will be offered guarantees of not more than two seasons.
Cont....

 

[osugrad21]

CPD

Cleveland Indians win streak ends at three games

Wednesday, July 23, 2008 Paul Hoynes
Plain Dealer Reporter

Anaheim, Calif. -- Matt Ginter made his second good start as a patch on the Indians rotation Tuesday night at Angels Stadium, but his teammates wasted too many early opportunities against struggling Jered Weaver.
The missed chances hurt later as Jeff Mathis hit a leadoff homer in the fifth inning to break a 2-2 tie and the Angels bullpen guarded it with bared teeth to beat the Indians, 3-2.
Darren Oliver (4-1) won it and Francisco Rodriguez saved it in the ninth despite walking Grady Sizemore with two out. Rodriguez, with 41 saves, is on pace to save 68 games this year. Bobby Thigpen holds the MLB record with 57 in 1990.
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[tsteele316]

Nope, as long as the Dolans and Shapiro are calling the shots, we're never gonna sign anything more than the Dellucci's and Borowski's of the world. That's why it's important to improve the scouting and drafting in the organization.

IF and I do mean IF, they don't spend much in FA because they are going to go with young guys in the farm, then fine.

If they don't spend much because they sign a bunch of reclamation projects looking for lightening in a bottle, and guys like Sipp and Adam Miller sit in the minors all year, then bullshit.

 

[billmac91]

Anyone remember the article from overa month ago talking about the Indians not hitting their projected sales forecast?

They were banking on having another successful year, and having some extra cash to sign some free agents. It's too bad because I think we would have had a legit shot at Mark Lemke, Eddy Guardado, and Juan Gonzalez.

 

[LitlBuck]

IF and I do mean IF, they don't spend much in FA because they are going to go with young guys in the farm, then fine.

I really don't think they have enough quality position players done on the farm that would allow them to make a run next year.

I think if they send, or tried to send and lose him, Ginter it would be a big mistake. I would rather have them send Sowers back to Buffalo. Also, they might think about sending Garko back for some refinement.

 

[Bernini]

Man, I don't care if the PTBNL is the next Jeff Bagwell, the Sabathia trade was worth it if he's this dominating in the NL.

4 games pitched already in the NL and 4 wins. He just pitched a complete game shutout where he didn't even reach 100 pitches. Mowing down cats with 96 MPH fastballs at their eyes and unhittable cutters at 81 low in the zone. The Brewer lineup has to feel supremely confident every time CC steps on the mound because they might not have to mount hardly any offense whatsoever and they'll still likely win. The Crew are making a strong case to be considered favorites in the NL.

 

[billmac91]

I would think an NL team would be much more aggressive in pursuit of C.C.

He owns the NL in interleague play. I get the feeling AL teams have "learned" how to approach him. He's been pitching well lately, but AL teams just have a book this year. NL teams don't.

Too obvious??

I should get dinged for quoting myself, I now feel like Jay Mariotti.

If C.C. keeps throwing like this he should get consideration for NL Cy Young. I realize his first half was mediocre, but he has rejuvinated Milwaukee, and is pitching his ass off.

I do think some of it has to do with the NL's Unfamiliarity with C.C.

I'm happy he's doing well. He gave everything he had to Cleveland. Milwaukee is who I will be pulling for the rest of the year.

 

[NFBuck]

I'm happy he's doing well. He gave everything he had to Cleveland. Milwaukee is who I will be pulling for the rest of the year.

Nothing wrong with tooting your own horn every once in a while.

Agree with what I quoted above. I'm rooting for C.C. and the Brewers and will always root for Mr. Sabathia. I still remember watching him pitch in a game for Mahoning Valley as a young pup back in '99.

 

[osugrad21]

ABJ

Laffey's faltering may alter rotation It might not be Ginter who loses a roster spot when Carmona returns
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter

Published on Thursday, Jul 24, 2008
ANAHEIM, CALIF.: Hold everything.
Indians deep thinkers might be switching their attention to Plan B in the wake of Aaron Laffey's second consecutive meltdown Wednesday against the Angels, who rallied three times for a 14-11 win.
Though it was never publicly announced, manager Eric Wedge and General Manager Mark Shapiro figured that when Fausto Carmona was ready to come off the disabled list, Matt Ginter would take the hit and be designated for assignment, because he is out of options.
But Ginter has been downright uncooperative. He pitched twice as a fill-in starter after C.C. Sabathia was traded and performed well in both starts. In the meantime, Laffey has struggled. And he has options, so the Tribe is not in danger of losing him should he be returned to Buffalo for further seasoning.
Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

ABJ

Upbeat attitude goes long way for Tribe Despite depleted roster, Indians enjoying wins. Team loose, having fun
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter

Published on Thursday, Jul 24, 2008
ANAHEIM, CALIF.: Why are the Indians winning?
As a result of the decision to audition players for next season, the Tribe is playing with a patchwork lineup; virtually any realistic hope for a postseason berth is gone, and key players remain on the disabled list or have been traded or released.
Yet players are loose and the mood in the clubhouse is upbeat.
''At a certain point, we got past C.C. [Sabathia] being traded,'' manager Eric Wedge said Wednesday. ''That kind of thing does hang over you. It's not unusual, especially for a player of C.C.'s caliber. Not just because of what he meant on the field, but what he meant to everybody personally.
''We talked about things [after the deal]; they needed to get back to being themselves. Have fun and execute on the field.''
With a week to go before the trading deadline, someone else in the Tribe clubhouse could be headed elsewhere, but the frame of mind prevalent among the players does not reflect any uncertainty.
Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

ABJ

Tribe's closer searchprobably to continu... Published on Thursday, Jul 24, 2008

Tribe's closer search
probably to continue
after season finishes
ANAHEIM, CALIF.: Is next year's closer on the current Tribe roster? Probably not.
''A lot would have to happen for us not to go out and get a closer,'' manager Eric Wedge said Wednesday. ''Somebody would have to take hold of the job and lock it in, and that's a lot to expect in only 21/2 months.''
Closer is not the only bullpen job open.
''There are a lot of roles open, wide open,'' Wedge said.
That said, Wedge sees many of his relievers making progress.
''The way (Masa) Kobayashi struck out the side the other night (for a save),'' the manager said. ''And I think everybody would say that (Rafael) Perez is better now than earlier in the season. Edward Mujica also has definitely evolved. And I truly believe that Rafael Betancourt can get back on track.''
TRIBE HAD ITS CHANCE ? Two of the Angels' top starters have always struggled against the Indians. Ervin Santana's career record against Cleveland fell to 0-6 after his loss on Monday night, but John Lackey dodged a bullet Wednesday.
Despite giving up six runs in five innings, he got the win to improve his career record against the Tribe to 4-5 with a 3.41 ERA. He had never before given up six runs and still won, and he had not allowed six runs this season.
Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

CPD

Cleveland Indians lose to the Los Angeles Angels, 14-11, as pitching fails

Laffey, bullpen fail to hold early leads
Thursday, July 24, 2008 Paul Hoynes
Plain Dealer Reporter

Anaheim, Calif. -- Contem plating the fi nal score of Wednesday's game between the Indians and Angels, it would be hard to convince anyone that the Indians held leads of 2-0, 4-2 and 6-5.
It says much about the state of Aaron Laffey's game and the season-long performance of the bullpen that they did.
The Angels overcame those deficits and everything else the Indians had to offer in a 14-11 victory at Angels Stadium. What they did to Laffey and the bullpen was not pleasant.

Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

CPD

Ginter impresses, but Indians lose

Thursday, July 24, 2008 Paul Hoynes
Plain Dealer Reporter

Anaheim, Calif.- Matt Ginter made his second good start as a patch on the Indians rotation Tuesday night at Angels Stadium, but his teammates wasted too many early opportunities against struggling Jered Weaver.
The missed chances hurt later as Jeff Mathis hit a leadoff homer in the fifth inning to break a 2-2 tie and the Angels bullpen guarded it with bared teeth to beat the Indians, 3-2.
Darren Oliver (4-1) won it and Francisco Rodriguez saved it in the ninth despite walking Grady Sizemore with two out. Rodriguez, with 41 saves, is on pace to save 68 games this year. Bobby Thigpen holds the MLB record with 57 in 1990.

Cont...

 

[OHSportsFan]

So it looks like the Tribe will have to part ways with Shin-Soo Choo by '10 thanks to the Korean military...

from Rotoworld

Shin-Soo Choo said Wednesday that he must serve two years in the Korean military beginning no later than 2010.
Choo indicated that his service time requirement could be dropped significantly if he performs well in the Olympics, but that's not a possibility given that he's on the Indians' 25-man roster and out of minor league options. "If you win any kind of medal in the Olympics, you might only have to serve four weeks," said Choo. "The Indians couldn't send me to the minors because I'm out of options. There's too much stress to worry about it now."

Just turned 26 and is hitting .252 with 4 HRs and 23 RBIs in just 41 games. He's showed some good potential, too bad he might not get to have a complete career.