Indians Tidbits (2009 season)

[billmac91]

Agreed. If he can produce somewhere in the vicinity of .250-25-85, I'd be thrilled.


Agreed again. I'm not wanting Shapiro to throw a heap of cash his way. Last season was most likely an aberration. Like you said, a good chunk of innings, 15 wins and an ERA around 3.75-4.00 seems reasonable.


The quality arms are there, but will they produce? That's the question. Wood staying healthy in necessary to compete for the division. Lewis was solid down the stretch last summer, but he's not likely to be able to shoulder that load for any significant amount of time. Smith was an upgrade. I'm still not sold on Kobayashi. Raffy Perez was decent last year and if he can find a happy medium between '07 and '08 would be a solid asset.

As a side-piece on Hafner, I am willing to cut him some slack right now. They say the toughest thing to do in sports is hit a 95 mph fastball. I can't imagine how difficult it is to put a bat down for 8 months and try and get the timing back.

Normally, I would just look at it as an excuse to suck, but in this case, I'm buying. It's hard to believe how good he was, and how bad he became. Still not sure if the Buerhle slider to the dome had an effect, or if really is the shoulder, or a combination of both. But if he could come anywhere near .275 with 25-30 bombs, it'd be HUGE.

Baseball is such a momentum sport, and the epitome of a year to year league. I fully expect Tampa to finish third in the east, some bottom dwellar from last year to win their division, and maybe the Indians maintain their evey-other year approach of being good.

It'd also be great to see Fausto return to his old form....for my fantasy squad as well.

 

[LitlBuck]

good post.

When does Choo have to report to the Korean army? Is that after this season?

Supposedly, he has to report in 2010. If Korea would have won the WBC, that commitment might have been waived or drastically reduced. I wouldn't be surprised if the Indians worked out something with the Korean government. Maybe give them Borowski to serve:)

 

[LitlBuck]

Adam Miller-- one can only hope

Cleveland.com

Surgery might not be needed for Cleveland Indians prospect Adam Miller
by Paul Hoynes/Plain Dealer Reporter
Friday March 27, 2009, 5:38 PM

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Indians prospect Adam Miller is doing his best to avoid a career-threatening operation on his right middle finger.

Lonnie Soloff, the Indians' head athletic trainer, said today that Miller has had nine throwing sessions, including three off the mound, since March 18 to determine if he could change his release point enough to compensate for a lack of mobility in his finger.

"Each time he's made improvement," said Soloff, "We've seen incremental gains in control, command and velocity."

Miller, according to Soloff, has changed his release point. Before his surgically repaired finger stiffened early in spring training, the ball came out of his right hand exclusively on the right middle finger. Now he's using his index finger as well.

"We can tell because there is a callus on the index finger," said Soloff.
Miller has been throwing fastballs and change-ups. He'll start throwing sliders today and Sunday in flat-ground sessions. On Monday he'll throw fastballs, change-ups and sliders off the mound.

"The next step will be batting practice or a simulated game," said Soloff.
Soloff said the Indians never thought Miller would get to this point. They felt surgery would be needed.

Continued

 

[NFBuck]

Cleveland.com

The kid is just snake-bitten. They say he's doing better, but give it two or three weeks and it will be something else. :frown2:

 

[buckeyemania11]

Barfield gets the 25th roster spot

Barfield back in big leagues | indians.com: News

 

[NFBuck]

Barfield gets the 25th roster spot

Barfield back in big leagues | indians.com: News

We'll see how long that lasts. He provides some decent versatility and speed. Question is, can he hit the ball?

 

[Mac]

We'll see how long that lasts. He provides some decent versatility and speed. Question is, can he hit the ball?

Wouldn't be surprised to see he either released or sent down early in the year. However I think he's 2nd to go, with Dellucci numero 1. With only 4 OF on the active roster were going to see Dellucci often, and I hope he tanks. Can't stand him, bring up some YOUNG TALENT!!

 

[NFBuck]

Wouldn't be surprised to see he either released or sent down early in the year. However I think he's 2nd to go, with Dellucci numero 1. With only 4 OF on the active roster were going to see Dellucci often, and I hope he tanks. Can't stand him, bring up some YOUNG TALENT!!

Eh, Dellucci is due about $4M this year, he isn't attractive trade bait and at least provides a left handed bat with some power off the bench. I doubt he's gone very easily...unless he tanks like you said. Barfield has also been seeing time in the OF as well. I don't see a lot of young talent on the farm that they'd want to call up just to sit on the bench. Maybe Crowe as he seems to have the least long-term potential and could make a decent 4th OF after some more seasoning. LaPorta and Brantley are both (hopefully) future starters, so I don't see them coming unless Francisco or Choo struggle or get hurt. Brantley may not be ready until later this summer, LaPorta seems the closest.

 

[osugrad21]

ABJ

Indians 2009 Spring Training
Solid defense core virtue for Indians Pitchers let batters put ball in play, so fielding skills are at a premium
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sports writer

Published on Monday, Mar 30, 2009
MESA, ARIZ.: Start with the premise that defense is boring. Except for the handful of plays shown nightly on SportsCenter, a ground ball to second is a ground ball to second is a ground ball to second.
Every one looks pretty much like every other one ? unless the second baseman muffs the ball, the batter legs it all the way to third when the right fielder throws the ball in the dugout, then scores on another ground ball to second.
Whereas defense might not be the most exciting topic in the sports world, it is a vital part of the game. Just ask manager Eric Wedge, whose Indians must perform creditably in the field to keep the starting pitchers out of trouble.
The strikeout pitch is not something the Tribe rotation will resort to routinely. Cliff Lee, Fausto Carmona, Carl Pavano, Scott Lewis and Anthony Reyes pitch to contact, as the
saying goes. These pitchers want batters to hit the ball ? actually mis-hit the ball ? to the defense.
''We put a lot of emphasis on starting pitching and defense,'' Wedge said Friday. ''It's important. You can't give teams extra outs, especially in the American League, because you're going to get hurt.''
Most American League lineups are adept at taking advantage of defensive mistakes. And pitchers who try to induce contact early in the count (read, Indians starters) are put in grave jeopardy when the defense fails to catch and throw competently.
Cont...

 

[LitlBuck]

Dellucci on 15 day DL

Even if it is only for a short time I would like to see what Crowe can do.

Cleveland.com

Cleveland Indians place OF David Dellucci on disabled list; Trevor Crowe recalled
by Paul Hoynes / Plain Dealer Reporter
Monday March 30, 2009, 1:53 PM

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The Indians today placed veteran outfielder David Dellucci on the 15-day disabled list and recalled Trevor Crowe from Class AAA Columbus.

Dellucci's injury means Crowe will open the season with the Indians as an extra outfielder. The Indians play their first game of the season April 6 against Texas at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Dellucci strained his left calf on Saturday and was scratched from the lineup against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Tucson, Ariz. Dellucci is in the third and final year of an $11.5 million contract.

Crowe was the Indians No. 1 draft pick in 2005. This spring the switch-hitting Crowe impressed the Indians with his speed and ability to play all three outfield positions. He leads the team with six stolen bases.

The 25-year-old Crowe will start in left field today when the Indians play San Diego at Goodyear Ballpark. The game will be seen on SportsTime Ohio at 7:05 p.m. ET.

Crowe, who was optioned to Columbus on Saturday, is hitting .289 (13-for-45) with a double, triple, homer and three RBI in 17 games this spring. He's scored eight runs.

Dellucci is hitting .240 (6-for-25) with one double, two homers and five RBI in eight games this spring.

 

[NFBuck]

Even if it is only for a short time I would like to see what Crowe can do.

Cleveland.com

Hopefully Trevor seizes the chance and provides a solid bat and some speed off the bench. He doesn't have Dellucci's power, but he provides more versatility (can play all three OF positions) and speed. I've never been a Dellucci fan and hated the signing from the start, but he's somebody we're likely saddled with.

 

[LitlBuck]

Cleveland.com

Cleveland Indians spring training morning briefing
by Paul Hoynes/Plain Dealer Reporter
Monday March 30, 2009, 9:52 AM

? Now pitching: Right-hander Carl Pavano (1-0, 7.49) today makes his sixth start of the Cactus League season. In 17 innings, he's allowed 14 earned runs on 22 hits. He's struck out six, walked five and the opposition is hitting .310 against him. In his last start, Pavano allowed two runs in six innings against the Padres. Pavano will face right-hander Kevin Correia.

? Triple time: In a minor-league game Saturday, Travis Hafner went 2-for-6 with a triple and two RBI for Class AAA Columbus against Class AAA Nashville. Hafner told Bart Swain, Indians director of media relations, "when I hit second, I found another gear." Swain said Hafner was smiling when he said it.

? Carmona update: Slowed by an injury to his left hip and an overall poor performance last season, Fausto Carmona went 8-7 with a 5.44 ERA. He walked 70 compared to 58 strikeouts in 120 2/3 innings. This spring, Carmona is 4-0 with a 2.45 ERA with eight walks and eight strikeouts in 22 innings.
"It hasn't been a clear path for Fausto this spring, but I'm encouraged," said manager Eric Wedge. "He's been able to be a better strike thrower. As important as anything to me, he's shown the ability to make adjustments whether it has been within one at-bat, one inning or one game. That's what has to happen.
"He's been able to slow the game down at times. He's such a great competitor that he has to make that work for him, not against him."
? Homestretch: The Indians have six exhibition games left, four in Arizona and two in Houston before opening the regular season April 6.
"We've got a lot of work to do this last week," said Wedge. "We want to be a little more crisp. Every individual needs to ask a little more of themselves in regards to their preparation to get ready for the season.
"They need to come together collectively. Our 13 position players have to come together. The seven guys in the bullpen need to be a unit. The five guys in the rotation need to be a unit."
? Huh? Here's what Wedge had to say about Josh Barfield, named as the Tribe's last position player Saturday, "He's a better game player than a practice player. I told him he has to become a better practice player to be a better game player. Try writing that."

 

[LitlBuck]

Happy days

Cleveland.com

Cleveland Indians trade Eddie Mujica to San Diego Padres
by Paul Hoynes/Plain Dealer Reporter
Wednesday April 01, 2009, 12:12 PM

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The Indians were true to their word to Eddie Mujica. After Mujica did not make the 25-man roster this spring, Indians
management told the right-hander they would try to trade him instead of placing him on waivers.

The Indians did that today, sending Mujica to San Diego. The Indians will receive a player to be named or cash.

Mujica was up and down several times between Cleveland and Class AAA Buffalo over the the last three years, but was unable to establish himself in the big leagues. Out of options this spring, the Indians had to either keep him on their 25-man roster, trade him or put him on waivers.

The trade could be the break Mujica needs. The Padres desperately need pitching and there has never been a question of Mujica's arm. He just hasn't been able to locate his pitches
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I wonder who that "player to be named later" will be. From the above article:

Sent packing After claiming right-hander Jae Kuk Ryu on waivers from the Padres on Thursday, he was saent back to the Padres 40-man roster. MLB voided the waiver claim. Ryu is coming off elbow surgery.

Yo, Vinnie: Right-hander Vinnie Chulk has been re-assigned to minor league camp. He's expected to open the season at Class AAA Columbus

.

 

[buckeyemania11]

Mujica throws basically a straight arrow fastball that hitters easily pickup (from the times ive watched him)

we arent losing much here

 

[LitlBuck]

Cleveland.com

Indians hitters show signs they're ready to go; Pitchers? Well, that's another story
by Paul Hoynes / The Plain Dealer
Thursday April 02, 2009, 1:11 AM

PEORIA, Ariz. -- There are three exhibition games left. The season opens Monday and several of the Indians hitters look ready to start playing for real.

Travis Hafner, on a slow track all spring following right shoulder surgery, hit his second homer in as many games Wednesday. He went 3-for-6 with two RBI as the Indians and Mariners played to a 14-14 nine-inning tie.
Hafner pulled his homer, a low slider from Seattle's Opening Day starter, Felix Hernandez, over the right-field fence in the third inning. It's one of the few times he's pulled a ball in the air with authority this spring.
"For him to go down and scoop that slider out was a good sign," said manager Eric Wedge.

Hafner singled to left in his first at-bat and added an RBI single to right in the fifth.

"The training staff has done a great job," Hafner said. "They laid out a schedule where I'd get a lot of [at-bats] over the last 10 days of camp. I'm in a good spot to start the season."

Hafner will play in a minor-league game today because the Indians play the Cubs in Mesa, Ariz., and can't use the DH. Hafner is hitting .260 (13-for-50).

Ben Francisco had a great day in the leadoff spot.

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