Indians Tidbits (2008 season)

[Mac]

it's amazing how much easier the game is to play when there are no expectations anymore.

Of course that's how it is. Don't forget we're talking about Cleveland...It's the same with the Browns and Cavs. Watch these guys finish the year over .500. It'd have to be considered a good, yet bad year

 

[Mac]

Fransisco with another bomb....2nd 2run HR tonight

 

[NFBuck]

Ben Franciso is a keeper. He may never be an All-Star, but he's a damn solid corner outfielder, the kind of guy that can give you a .280-.290 average, hit 20-25 homeruns and drive in 90 runs.

Shoppach has been mashing. Victor may have no other choice than accept at least some playing time at 1B when he gets back. Shoppach provides much better defense back there too. I loved CoCo and hated that trade at the time, but Shoppach is more than validating it at this point.

If the chickenpen doesn't cough this one up, despite trading C.C., despite losing Pronk and Victor for a majority of the season, despite trading a clubhouse leader and despite one of the worst bullpens in recent memory with no closer the Tribe will be 1/2 game better than the Tigers. Fuck m*ch*g*n and every team in it.

 

[Mac]

I totally agree with you about Fransisco...he may not be a Vlad Guerrero but he'll do what is needed of him.

 

[buckeyemania11]

Ben Franciso is a keeper. He may never be an All-Star, but he's a damn solid corner outfielder, the kind of guy that can give you a .280-.290 average, hit 20-25 homeruns and drive in 90 runs.

Shoppach has been mashing. Victor may have no other choice than accept at least some playing time at 1B when he gets back. Shoppach provides much better defense back there too.

If the chickenpen doesn't cough this one up, despite trading C.C., despite losing Pronk and Victor for a majority of the season, despite trading a clubhouse leader and despite one of the worst bullpens in recent memory with no closer the Tribe will be 1/2 game better than the Tigers. Fuck m*ch*g*n and every team in it.

I agree on Shoppach, he looks like he is going to be a solid option at catcher

also agreed on Fransisco he has had a nice season and looks to have a bright future

little dissapointed with Guttierez though, I thought he would have a better season than he has

so barring a major epic collapse this is 19 wins for Cliff, one more win and he will be the first 20 game winner for the Indians since Gaylord Perry in 1974.

 

[Mac]

I think there might have been too much pressure on Gutt this year. Especially at the beginning. People were expecting him to produce pretty big. It hurt that he never got rolling in the beginning, and he hasn't been able to do much. Remember this guy is young. He'll bounce back. Maybe take a little pressure off his back, and I think he'll do just fine

 

[NFBuck]

I agree on Shoppach, he looks like he is going to be a solid option at catcher

His splits indicate he's a better hitter vs. Lefties (as you'd expect). Victor hit's slightly better vs Righties. Maybe a platoon situation with Victor sliding to 1B when lefties take the mound.

little dissapointed with Guttierez though, I thought he would have a better season than he has

As am I. He was the guy I was expecting a breakthrough season from. He has been hitting a little better lately though, so he may be able to hold down a spot until the youngsters are ready.

so barring a major epic collapse this is 19 wins for Cliff, one more win and he will be the first 20 game winner for the Indians since Gaylord Perry in 1974.

Unbelievable what a difference a season makes. 19-2 on a pretty bad team...

 

[tsteele316]

here's what will really happen in '09:

1. the team will not make any moves for an outfield bat because of the performances of gut and francisco. gutz will have another year of .240 hitting and francisco will sophmore slump and hit .250 with 12 hr.

2. jensen lewis will go borowski in the closers role.

3. cliff lee will regress to merely human, and anthony reyes will remind everyone while st. louis was happy to send him packing.

4. marte will still suck.

in all seriousness, what will happen is that enough young guys will show promise that not many moves will be made, then people will be bitching next season about the front office doing nothing.

 

[buckeyemania11]

2009 is a odd year

the trend lately has been we end up sucking huge dong in even years for some reason

2005- good season

2006- suck

2007- good season

2008- suck

2009- if trend follows, good season

probably doesnt matter

but hey we can dream

 

[osugrad21]

ABJ

Lee's 19th win helps Indians get past Tigers Pitcher outstanding again. Ninth win in row pushes Tribe into third
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sports writer

Published on Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008
DETROIT: Cliff Lee's teammates are trying to help. A pitcher does not live by fastballs and curves, alone. Especially a pitcher on the verge of winning 20 games and possibly a Cy Young Award. He needs runs.
Lee got plenty of those Tuesday night, as he won his 19th game of the season, and the Indians won their ninth in a row, beating the Detroit Tigers 10-4 at Comerica Park.
It was another typical Lee performance. He gave up two runs, six hits and one walk in 72/3 innings.
''He threw more than 20 pitches in only one inning and then it was 21,'' manager Eric Wedge said.
''Cliff was very efficient. When you talk about what he's been doing, his consistency is as impressive as anything.''
Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

CPD

Surging Indians pound Tigers as Lee wins his 19th

by Paul Hoynes Tuesday August 26, 2008, 11:06 PM


Duane Burleson/Associated PressCliff Lee worked into the eighth inning, scattering six hits and a walk in taming the Tigers Tuesday night at Comerica Park in Detroit.
DETROIT -- The Indians, a team that traded away their most attractive veterans and raised the white flag in July, continue to find ways to make this season interesting. Monday night, it was Grady Sizemore becoming the second 30-30 man in franchise history by starting the game with his 30th homer of the season to go along with his 34 steals. Tuesday night, Cliff Lee earned his 19th victory in a 10-4 win over Detroit at Comerica Park.
The victory, the Indians' ninth straight, moved them past the Tigers into third place in the AL Central. It's the first time they've been in third place since June 17.

Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

CPD

Well armed? Tribe ponders six-man rotation in September

by Paul Hoynes Tuesday August 26, 2008, 8:01 PM


Chuck Crow/The Plain DealerAaron Laffey's expected return to the Indians next week could prompt manager Eric Wedge to go with a six-man rotation for the final month of the season.
DETROIT -- Manager Eric Wedge said there's a chance the Indians could go with a six-man rotation in September. The sixth pitcher is expected to be left-hander Aaron Laffey, currently pitching at Class AAA Buffalo. "It's a possibility," said Wedge before Tuesday's game.
The Tribe's current rotation consists of Cliff Lee, Fausto Carmona, Jeremy Sowers, Anthony Reyes and Zach Jackson. Reyes and Jackson were acquired in July trades and have pitched well.
"We'd go with a six-man rotation and evaluate the pitchers we have," said Wedge.
Said GM Mark Shapiro, "We acquired Jackson and Reyes because our starting pitching at the upper minor-league levels was thin. They have both pitched well and put themselves in the mix for next year's [big-league] rotation."

The Indians created part of this by trading CC Sabathia in July and Paul Byrd earlier this month. Sabathia and Byrd are free agents at the end of the season and were not expected to re-sign with the Tribe.

Cont...

 

[LitlBuck]

Well, they passed the ultimate test. I watched and they still won. Amazing!

In the third inning, Carroll strolls to the plate and I think to myself why isn't Marte playing third base tonight since I think he had 2 hits the night before. Three pitches later JC hits his first home run of the season. Wedge is a genius

I feel the same way about Francisco that the majority of the U. of the guys do. He might hit for a lower average next season but the power were still be there. He is just awfully strong.

I also think that Gut might hit for a better average next season. This last month he really has been improving and with his defense I would be set aside with him bedding between 260-270 with 15-20 home runs.

I also agree with you guys regarding Shopach. I would like for him to split time with Victor next year behind the plate and let Mart?nez safe some wear and tear on his body by playing first base. I am not that big of a fan of Garko. Maybe he should be our backup catcher

I don't think anyone expects Lee to have the same season next year that he is having this year. I will be satisfied with 15 wins and I know I might be asking too much.

The guys are really playing well now and I don't know if it's because all the high expectations are off now or if this is a indication of what we might see next year. Even with that they still need to bolster the bullpen, add a quality starting pitcher, and get someone who can play third base and hit the ball. I will be very interested to see how Hafner performs in September. If he doesn't hit, they might need to go out and find another bat but with Shopach and Mart?nez hitting that does provide an option.

 

[Piney]

Well, they passed the ultimate test. I watched and they still won. Amazing!

In the third inning, Carroll strolls to the plate and I think to myself why isn't Marte playing third base tonight since I think he had 2 hits the night before. Three pitches later JC hits his first home run of the season. Wedge is a genius.

Wedge seems to be at his best when there is no pressure on the team.

I feel the same way about Francisco that the majority of the U. of the guys do. He might hit for a lower average next season but the power were still be there. He is just awfully strong..

I have always thought Francisco will do well and while he might not have a high average he can provide some nice pop at the bottom of the order.

I also think that Gut might hit for a better average next season. This last month he really has been improving and with his defense I would be set aside with him bedding between 260-270 with 15-20 home runs.

See, I don't have this faith in Gut that everyone else has. He has never impressed me at the plate and have always liked Francisco more. In reality he is a decent defensive extra outfielder in my book and that is about it.

I don't think anyone expects Lee to have the same season next year that he is having this year. I will be satisfied with 15 wins and I know I might be asking too much.

Yeah, I don't expect him to be this lights out next year. But really he is a good #2 or #3 in a rotation but never an ace.

The guys are really playing well now and I don't know if it's because all the high expectations are off now or if this is a indication of what we might see next year. Even with that they still need to bolster the bullpen, add a quality starting pitcher, and get someone who can play third base and hit the ball. I will be very interested to see how Hafner performs in September. If he doesn't hit, they might need to go out and find another bat but with Shopach and Martinez hitting that does provide an option.

I really think it is the high expectations as this team was wound so tight they just couldn't hit. And Wedge seems like the type of manager that does not help and adds to that tightness.

 

[NFBuck]

My God is Shoppach on fire!

Oh, I take back what I've said about the Tribe having he worst bullpen in baseball...the Mets may be worse.