Indians Tidbits (2008 season)

[osugrad21]

Dispatch

Spring spotlight

Tuesday, March 11, 2008 3:06 AM




Dispatch reporter Scott Priestle is in Florida, splitting time between Reds and Indians spring training camps. Today he brings you ... Jordan Brown

Indians outfielder/first baseman

? Age: 24
? MLB experience: none
? Last season: MVP of the double-A Eastern League; hit .333 with a .421 on-base percentage for Akron



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[LitlBuck]

In San Diego, they're talking about Kevin Kouzmanoff being the Padres' No. 3 hitter. In Cleveland, there's a chance Josh Barfield, the man the Indians traded for Kouzmanoff, will start the year in the minors.

Another good trade by Shapiro and now he will send Barfield back to Buffalo because Marte is out of options. I do not understand why they did not package some of these young guys during the winter along with a couple young pitchers and make a deal. The future is now not 10 years from now.

[osugrad21]

ABJ

Utility infielder all over ballpark Tribe's Jamey Carroll can play almost every position on the field
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter

Published on Wednesday, Mar 12, 2008
WINTER HAVEN, FLA.: How many years in a row have the Indians picked a utility infielder in spring training? How many years did dinosaurs rule the earth?
OK, not that long; it only seems that way. Regardless, Jamey Carroll is following a distinguished group of lodge brothers that includes Mike Rouse, Ramon Vazquez, Jose Hernandez and Lou Merloni.
For a change, not all eyes in the Tribe executive corps are following the progress of the backup infielders in camp. Carroll came to spring training with a secure roster spot after being traded from the Colorado Rockies for a player to be named.
The Indians organization is Carroll's fourth, and he has played in the big leagues for the Montreal Expos, Washington Nationals and Rockies. At 34, he has been around the block more than once, so he was not surprised when the Rockies sent him packing.


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[osugrad21]

ABJ

Lee strengthens rotation bid Lefty harnesses Tigers for 4 scoreless innings. Sizemore hammers 2
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter

Published on Wednesday, Mar 12, 2008
WINTER HAVEN, FLA.: If there's an early leader in the race to become the Indians' No. 5 starter, it's the left-hander who started in a 4-2, 10-inning loss to the Tigers on Tuesday at Chain O'Lakes Park.
Cliff Lee turned in four scoreless innings, giving up three hits (one a bunt) and one walk while striking out five.
''Cliff was better from inning to inning,'' manager Eric Wedge said. ''He did a much better job with his fastball. Because of that, his secondary pitches were better.


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[osugrad21]

CPD

Cleveland Indians' Cliff Lee shuts down Tigers, and bad 2007 memories


Wednesday, March 12, 2008Paul Hoynes
Plain Dealer Rreporter
Winter Haven, Fla.- Cliff Lee was polite, but firm. He no longer wants to talk about last season.
He threw three scoreless innings Tuesday against Detroit. It was his best start of the spring and gives him the early lead for the No. 5 spot in the rotation.
"I actually made it through an inning," said Lee, referring to his last start, when he lasted two-thirds of the first inning.
A few minutes later, when the subject turned to last season, Lee told reporters, "I've been asked the same thing over and over again. It was a learning experience, a humbling experience. It's not what I expected. I never want to go through it again.
"That's the last time I want to talk about it. I want to move on. I want to move on and forget about last year. . . . Is that bad?"
It's easy to see why Lee wants to forget 2007. He missed spring training with an abdominal strain. He lost his job in the starting rotation, spent August in Class AAA Buffalo and didn't made the Indians' postseason roster.




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