Indians Tidbits (2009 season)

[tsteele316]

ehh. $1.5 million for a flyer on a rotation arm. I see no problem with the signing.

it's obvious they don't have the cash to pony up for a legit #3 starter. So, throw out some chump change and hope to catch lightening in a bottle. it's a one year deal, so i fail to see why it's worth griping about.

 

[buckeyemania11]

it's obvious they don't have the cash to pony up for a legit #3 starter. So, throw out some chump change and hope to catch lightening in a bottle. it's a one year deal, so i fail to see why it's worth griping about.

if we are banking on Pavano to be the #3 starter

we are in trouble...........

 

[Mac]

Okay, and this guy will get through 4 spring training games at most before he hits the DL

 

[NFBuck]

ehh. $1.5 million for a flyer on a rotation arm. I see no problem with the signing.

it's obvious they don't have the cash to pony up for a legit #3 starter. So, throw out some chump change and hope to catch lightening in a bottle. it's a one year deal, so i fail to see why it's worth griping about.

Agreed, the risk/reward here favors the Tribe. I just find it funny they go out and sign a guy who hasn't been a legit starter in half a decade. If he's finally healthy (doubtful) and all the injuries haven't totally ravaged his arm (again, doubtful), this could be a good pickup.

 

[AKAK]

Agreed, the risk/reward here favors the Tribe. I just find it funny they go out and sign a guy who hasn't been a legit starter in half a decade. If he's finally healthy (doubtful) and all the injuries haven't totally ravaged his arm (again, doubtful), this could be a good pickup.

The gamble here is that he bridges the gap to Westbrook's return... so... 2 way risk mitigation there... basically... gamble Pavano is gonna be worth a broke dick for 2-3 months, gamble that Westbrook is going to be effective...

Best case, Pavano is his old mediocre self, and Westbrook comes back early... whatever...

I understand the need for guys in the rotation... but... on the other hand if there are a number of young guys that are close to ready... so... if you absolutely had to rush a position group, that's probably the deepest one...

 

[Piney]

I don't mind the Pavano sign like the you all said. $1.5 mil on a flyer. And these type of guys are interested in the Indians because they have had a track record of being able to rehab these guys into a viable pitchers again (Millwood is the best example)

 

[LitlBuck]

If he starts 18 games, a $5.5 mil kicks in. I guess the chances of him getting that bonus are pretty slim based on his past arm problems.

 

[tsteele316]

If he starts 18 games, a $5.5 mil kicks in. I guess the chances of him getting that bonus are pretty slim based on his past arm problems.

if anything, it means cleveland will have him on a short rope, and give him the hook for a younger guy should he suck up the joint.

also if wetbrook is actually slotted to be back by the all-star break, that would probably be right around 18 starts for pavano.

however, the most likely scenario will be one of the following:

1. pavano pitches well, and cleveland goes with him, triggering his bonus, and he ends up on the DL.

2. pavano pitches respectable enough for cleveland to go with him, and he totally tanks in the 2nd half, still gets his bonus, but gets the hook for sowers, huff, or laffey.

 

[LitlBuck]

Now we are starting to make some big moves
Cleveland.com

Cleveland Indians sign pitchers Kirk Saarloos and Greg Aquino to minor league deals
by Paul Hoynes/Plain Dealer Reporter
Wednesday January 14, 2009, 10:19 AM

CLEVELAND ---- The Indians have signed right-handers Kirk Saarloos and Greg Aquino to minor league deals and invited them to spring training with the big league club in February.

Saarloos, 29, has spent parts of seven seasons in the big leagues with Houston, Oakland and Cincinnati. He made eight appearances for the A's last year, including one start, and went 1-0 with a 5.47 ERA. He spent most of the year at Class AAA Sacramento where he went 9-4 with a 4.22 ERA in 22 starts.

His best year in the big leagues came in 2005 when he went 10-9 with a 4.17 ERA for the A's. His big league record is 29-30 with a 5.02 ERA in 165 games, including 73 starts.

Aguino, a reliever, has spent parts of five years in the big leagues with Arizona, Milwaukee and Baltimore. He made nine appearances with the Orioles last year with no record and a 12.54 ERA.

Continued

 

[LitlBuck]

Cleveland.com

Indians Insider: DeRosa's career-best '08 season came despite heart scare
by Paul Hoynes/Plain Dealer Reporter
Wednesday January 14, 2009, 8:52 PM

CLEVELAND -- As the ambulance pulled away from the Cubs spring training home in Mesa, Ariz., last Feb. 23, its passenger, Mark DeRosa, was in such pain that he asked one of the emergency personnel if they could use the defibrillator paddles on him to restore his normal heartbeat.
"The guy told me, 'You don't want to do that. If we do, you'll go flying out the back,'" said DeRosa.

On Wednesday, DeRosa, the Indians' new third baseman, toured Progressive Field with his wife, Heidi. His heart is just fine.

"I'm able to drink my Starbucks," said DeRosa with a laugh. "It's behind me. I don't want to make it sound like I'm damaged goods."

DeRosa, 34, said he used breathing exercises to control his irregular heartbeat since high school. During a morning practice on Feb. 23 with the Cubs, the breathing exercises didn't work.

Continued

 

[LitlBuck]

Cleveland.com

Cleveland Indians invite top minor leaguers to big-league spring training
by Paul Hoynes/Plain Dealer Reporter
Thursday January 15, 2009, 8:15 AM

CLEVELAND --- The prospecting is going to be good for Indians fans this spring in the Arizona desert. They're going to get a chance to see several of the team's top minor leaguers in big-league camp in Goodyear, Ariz.
The Tribe today extended eight such invitations. Indians pitchers and catchers report Feb. 12.

Outfielders Matt LaPorta and Michael Brantley, two of the four players acquired from Milwaukee in last year's CC Sabathia trade, head the list. Left-handers David Huff and Ryan Edell, infielders Beau Mills, Wes Hodges, Jordan Brown and Stephen Head are the others.

Continued

 

[Mac]

Garko to take a shot at playing outfield | indians.com: News

01/16/09 12:11 PM EST
Garko to take a shot at playing outfield First baseman to experiment with position change in Spring Training

By Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com

CLEVELAND -- With a likely logjam at first base, the Indians are apparently open to alternative means for Ryan Garko to find a home in their lineup.

Very alternative measures. Like having Garko try the outfield in Spring Training camp.

That little nugget of information was revealed by manager Eric Wedge during a "Town Hall" discussion with current and former season-ticket holders at Solon High School on Thursday night. It's information Garko himself hadn't been told.

cont.....

 

[NFBuck]

Garko to take a shot at playing outfield | indians.com: News

01/16/09 12:11 PM EST
Garko to take a shot at playing outfield First baseman to experiment with position change in Spring Training

By Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com

CLEVELAND -- With a likely logjam at first base, the Indians are apparently open to alternative means for Ryan Garko to find a home in their lineup.

Very alternative measures. Like having Garko try the outfield in Spring Training camp.

That little nugget of information was revealed by manager Eric Wedge during a "Town Hall" discussion with current and former season-ticket holders at Solon High School on Thursday night. It's information Garko himself hadn't been told.

cont.....

Yikes.

 

[NFBuck]

Tribe showing interest in Pedro?

The Pirates have had contact with Pedro Martinez, one of the most prominent names among free-agent pitchers, and would be interested if the price is right. But talks solely have been exploratory to this point. Martinez, 37, has been limited to 48 starts the past three seasons because of injury. He went 5-6 with a 5.61 ERA for the New York [URL="http://www.fannation.com/tags/show_tag/53"]Mets[/URL] last season. He is believed to be seeking a $7 million salary, a figure above what the Pirates would be willing to pay, and has told reporters that he would prefer to return to the Mets -- who first will seek other options -- but is open to signing anywhere. Other teams known to have expressed interest are the Cleveland Indians and Florida Marlins.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

[Mac]

Tribe showing interest in Pedro?



Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

I wouldn't mind pursuing Pedro, but for the right price.