Indians Tidbits (2008 season)

[NFBuck]

Hopefully the tear he went on in Buffalo translates back to the big club.

[billmac91]

and Jhonny loses the game tonight in the first inning on a fielding error

[LitlBuck]

Cleveland.com

Indians' Wedge hoping Asdrubal Cabrera is a better fit (and more fit) in return to team
Posted by Paul Hoynes July 18, 2008 22:29PM
Categories: Indians

Scott Shaw/The Plain Dealer

Asdrubal Cabrera's inability to consistently produce at the plate can be partially attributed to some fitness issues, according to Indians manager Eric Wedge.Seattle -- It's lucky Eric Wedge didn't manage Babe Ruth. The Bambino would have put him in a tizzy.

As it is, Wedge seems to be as concerned about what second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera puts in his stomach as how he's swinging the bat or playing the field.

"It still starts with him on the physical side," Wedge said Friday as the Indians opened the second half against Seattle at Safeco Field. "I wanted to get him in better shape ... where he was moving around better."

Cabrera rejoined the Indians on Friday. He said he's three to five pounds lighter than when he was sent to Class AAA Buffalo on June 9.

Continued

It is just a matter of the Indians teaching these guys out to eat and then they will all be All-Stars. Cabrera has no idea why he is not playing SS because the Indians are going to play him at 2nd base and maybe give JP a rest periodically.

Hopefully they will teach Dellucci how to eat pretty soon along with Gut.

[LitlBuck]

A good way to begin the second half of the season

Cleveland.com

A slam-bang failure: Laffey battered as Indians return to their faltering ways, 8-2, to Mariners
Posted by Paul Hoynes July 19, 2008 01:01AM
Categories: Indians
Ted S. Warren/Associated Press
Aaron Laffey waits to receive a new ball as Seattle's Raul Ibanez rounds third base following his second-inning grand slam Friday night in Seattle.Seattle -- The Indians' four-game winning streak ended Friday night as they resumed play after a four-day All-Star break. It came to an end against a Seattle team that has fired everyone but the Mariner Moose. To leave bloody
Felix Hernandez pitched six strong innings for the Mariners, while Aaron Laffey gave up a grand slam and three-run homer in the first four innings. The combination allowed Seattle to beat the Indians, 8-2, at Safeco Field.
Before the game, manager Eric Wedge talked confidently about how the Indians could use their four-game sweep over Tampa Bay last weekend as a springboard into the last 68 games of the season.
"We didn't do anything out of the ordinary in those four games," said Wedge.

Continued

[NFBuck]

Holy dog[censored]! Sowers got a win today 9-6! Good outing (by his standards)...6 IP, 4 ER.

Blake and Peralta continue to swing hot sticks.

[billmac91]

Originally Posted by LitlBuck

A good way to begin the second half of the season

Cleveland.com

That article summary doesn't talk about how Laffey seemingly got himself out of a 1st and second base jam with 2 outs, to have Jhonny blow a routine ground ball.

Inning over to bases juiced instead and Laffey gave up the long ball.

Good to see them win 4 of 5. It'd be ice to see them take a few consecutive series. I probably just jinxed it.

[LitlBuck]

Cleveland.com

Indians Chatter
Sunday, July 20, 2008

Clubhouse confidential: If there?s a market for Joe Blanton, 5-12 with a 4.96 ERA when Oakland traded him to Philadelphia last week, could there be a market for Paul Byrd before the July 31 deadline for making trades without waivers?

Byrd, who starts against the Angels on Monday, is 3-10 with a 5.47 ERA in 18 starts. It?s still a long shot, but if Byrd continues to pitch as he did July 9 ? his last start before the All-Star break ? he might stir some interest if a contender needs starting pitching and feels pressure by the deadline. Byrd held the Tigers to three runs on nine hits in six innings with five strikeouts and one walk.

If the Indians don?t trade Byrd, and he signs elsewhere this winter as a free agent, they will get a compensation draft pick.

No problem: General Manager Mark Shapiro, accompanying the team on this trip, said MLB has not contacted the Indians involving an investigation concerning the skimming of players? signing bonuses in the Dominican Republic.

The Nationals and White Sox reportedly have been linked to the investigation. Stat of the day: Casey Blake entered Saturday?s game ranked second in the AL with a .320 batting average on the road, and ranked third with a .390 average with runners in scoring position.


-Paul Hoynes

[LitlBuck]

Cleveland.com

Carmona hurls five for Aeros
Sunday, July 20, 2008 From staff reports

Indians pitcher Fausto Carmona pitched five innings in a rehab start and helped the Aeros beat the Erie (Pa.) SeaWolves, 7-2, in a Class AA Eastern League game Saturday night at Canal Park.

Carmona, on the disabled list since May 23 with a strained left hip, allowed one run (earned) on nine hits to earn the win. He walked none and struck out two and was helped by the Aeros' defense, which turned three double plays behind him.

Carmona is expected to rejoin the Tribe's rotation later this week.
Aeros catcher Wyatt Toregas (.346) hit his ninth homer of the year, a two-run shot, and first baseman Stephen Head (.308) had three hits and an RBI. Left fielder Matt LaPorta (.316) took the collar (0-for-3) but knocked in his fifth run in just his fifth game as an Aero.

Right-hander Kevin Dixon (4.05) relieved Carmona and finished the game. He allowed five hits and one earned run.

Continued

[LitlBuck]

Cleveland.com

INDIANS INSIDER
Cleveland Indians can choose one of four Brewers minor leaguers to complete CC Sabathia trade
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Seattle- The player who will complete the CC Sabathia trade is on a list of four Milwaukee Brewers minor leaguers who the Indians are scouting. It was previously reported the list contained only two players.

All four players are position players. Class AA outfielder Michael Brantley and Class A third baseman Taylor Green are two of the players. The identities of the other two are not known.

General Manager Mark Shapiro, who is on this trip, said the Indians would probably wait until the end of the minor-league season in August to make their choice. "There are some scenarios where we may not wait the entire time," said Shapiro.

Brantley, whose father played in the big leagues with Seattle, is hitting .325 (100-for-308) with 15 doubles, four homers and 35 RBI for Class AA Huntsville, Ala. Brantley bats and throws left-handed, and has 25 steals in 31 attempts.

He's a leadoff hitter with a .407 on-base percentage, .412 slugging percentage and an .819 OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage).

Green hits left-handed and throws right-handed. He's hitting .294 (101-for-343) with 17 doubles, 11 homers and 59 RBI at Class A Brevard County in Florida. He has 49 strikeouts and 44 walks. His on-base percentage is .375, slugging percentage .440 and OPS .815.

"We've got a chance to get a guy that we'd grade as an everyday major-league player," said Shapiro.

Continued

[LitlBuck]

Above article also talks about Wedge benching Garko. I would say it was about time. How much longer was going to wait.

[BuckStocksHere]

btw - thank you for CC. another complete game gem. stud. i hope laporta + turn out great for you too.

[billmac91]

Originally Posted by BuckStocksHere

btw - thank you for CC. another complete game gem. stud. i hope laporta + turn out great for you too.

C.C. is throwing well.....I was surprised they left him in for a complete game shutout against the Giants the other night. The game was over, but they send him out for another 20 pitches. I know you probabaly won't be resigning him, but is there no concern for dead-arm down the stretch this year?

[Crashcup]

Originally Posted by billmac91

C.C. is throwing well.....I was surprised they left him in for a complete game shutout against the Giants the other night. The game was over, but they send him out for another 20 pitches. I know you probabaly won't be resigning him, but is there no concern for dead-arm down the stretch this year?

Not NO but HELL NO! Being paid very well for pitches.

[BuckeyeMac]

lol I just realized Marte went 0-5 yesterday with 3 strikeouts....what a bum

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by billmac91

That article summary doesn't talk about how Laffey seemingly got himself out of a 1st and second base jam with 2 outs, to have Jhonny blow a routine ground ball.

Inning over to bases juiced instead and Laffey gave up the long ball.

Good to see them win 4 of 5. It'd be ice to see them take a few consecutive series. I probably just jinxed it.

Don't bash JP too much. tSteele has all the statistics telling us what a great shortstop he is with outstanding range.

Regarding Laffey, I think he needs to get a little more zip on the ball because he is very similar to Lee as a pitcher but I just don't think his fastball is as good as Lee's.

Originally Posted by NFBuck

Holy dog[censored]! Sowers got a win today 9-6! Good outing (by his standards)...6 IP, 4 ER.

Blake and Peralta continue to swing hot sticks.

It was interesting to note in the game write up of yesterday's game how well they thought that Sowers pitched and that he will not go back to Buffalo when Carmona is ready. I just do not think that Jeremy has big-league stuff. I think he fooled them all last season.