Indians Tidbits (2008 season) - Page 54

bukIpower · #**796** (**permalink**) 04-21-2008, 10:34 PM

I am going to rant and let off some steam here so forgive me if I step on any toes...

What the hell where they thinking?? Do they really think that we can win our division let alone the world series with Dulluci in left and michaels/Gutes in right? You add a struggling hafner for the past 2 years, a off/on perralta, and a new faced 2nd baseman and you got problems!

I said it right after we lost to boston... we needed one more bat in order to stay on top. Our worst nightmare has hapened already only 18 games in. Because we aren't hitting, we're depending on our pitching which is normally a great idea. However, throw in CC sucking big time, Byrd getting roughed up once, and a bullpen that isn't consistent and you got problems.

sizemore
cabrera
hafner
victor
(Free Agent)
Garko

That's how the top 6 should've looked this year... season is a long one so whatever, i knew when last season ended we were going to need some help from a free agent standpoint if we want to get back. I was also hoping for a new decent #4-5 starter in place of byrd. I thought Byrd pitched great last year, but to be honest thought it was a luck year for him.

Another thing with Westbrook, Lee, and carmona all pitching well there's no damn reason this team shouldn't be in first place..

osugrad21 · #**797** (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 05:10 AM

ABJ

Pitiful hitting flusters Indians Frustration can set in when the going's tough. Wedge says Hafner's key
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter

Published on Tuesday, Apr 22, 2008
KANSAS CITY, MO.: There are all sorts of ways to quantify the Indians' problems at the plate. Here are two: average with runners in scoring position and runs per game.
But even though the Tribe ranks low in both categories, the statistics can be deceiving.
With 79 runs through Sunday, Cleveland and Texas are tied for 10th place in the American League. The numbers are skewed, however, because the Indians have scored six or more runs in five of 19 games, somewhat neutralizing the nine games when the offense has scored three or fewer runs, averaging 1.8 runs in those contests.
Same thing with the team's average with runners in scoring position. A .255 average isn't awful, but there is a wide disparity between the top five hitters and the bottom four.

Cont...

osugrad21 · #**798** (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 05:22 AM

CPD

Cleveland Indians pitching prospect Adam Miller ready for some action with Class AAA Buffalo Bisons

Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Kansas City, Mo. -- Spring training is finally over for Adam Miller.
Miller, considered to be the top Indians pitching prospect, will start Wednesday night for Class AAA Buffalo against Scranton, Pa. Miller's stay in Winter Haven, Fla., began in mid-February when he reported with the rest of the Tribe's pitchers for big-league camp.
He developed a blister on the middle finger of his right hand and was sent down before ever getting to pitch for manager Eric Wedge. The blister has long since healed, but Miller needed a second spring training to get ready for this season.

Spring training II is history.
"He was up to 93 mph in extended spring," said Ross Atkins, director of player development. "That's without the adrenaline of being under the lights for the first time. He told us he's as ready as he's going to get."
General Manager Mark Shapiro and Wedge have hinted Miller's quickest path to the big leagues might be in the bullpen. With the Tribe's pen unsettled after losing closer Joe Borowski to a right triceps injury, could Miller be preparing to join the pen at Progressive Field?
"That's a good question for Mark or Eric," Atkins said. "Our job in player development is to develop him as a starting pitcher."

Cont...

osugrad21 · #**799** (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 05:31 AM

Canton

Tribe's Cliff Lee having unreal start to 2008 season
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
BY Andy Call
REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER

KANSAS CITY, Mo. Even Cliff Lee admits the numbers are crazy.

Three starts. A 3-0 record and 0.40 ERA. Two walks and 20 strikeouts. A .111 opponents' batting average.

"Obviously the results are really good so far," Lee said. "And, obviously, I don't think I can continue to pitch this way the rest of the season. That would be crazy to expect that."

The craziness will continue during the Indians' three-game set at Kansas City that begins tonight. Lee is scheduled to start Thursday's series finale.

Those who saw Lee during spring training believed he would fare much better than during a forgettable 2007 season. He missed a month with a strained abdominal muscle, struggled in his return (5-8, 6.29 ERA), then was demoted to the minor leagues.

Cont...

LitlBuck · #**800** (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bukIpower

I am going to rant and let off some steam here so forgive me if I step on any toes...

What the hell where they thinking?? Do they really think that we can win our division let alone the world series with Dulluci in left and michaels/Gutes in right? You add a struggling hafner for the past 2 years, a off/on perralta, and a new faced 2nd baseman and you got problems!

I said it right after we lost to boston... we needed one more bat in order to stay on top. Our worst nightmare has hapened already only 18 games in. Because we aren't hitting, we're depending on our pitching which is normally a great idea. However, throw in CC sucking big time, Byrd getting roughed up once, and a bullpen that isn't consistent and you got problems.

sizemore
cabrera
hafner
victor
(Free Agent)
Garko

That's how the top 6 should've looked this year... season is a long one so whatever, i knew when last season ended we were going to need some help from a free agent standpoint if we want to get back. I was also hoping for a new decent #4-5 starter in place of byrd. I thought Byrd pitched great last year, but to be honest thought it was a luck year for him.

Another thing with Westbrook, Lee, and carmona all pitching well there's no damn reason this team shouldn't be in first place..

I agree with most of your "rant". You were so fired up

that you put Michaels platooning in RF with Gut when actually he platoons in LF with Delucci but that's okay I got your point.

I am with you to the extent that they needed to add a big-time bat. I am tired of waiting and I would be very willing to depart with some of our "prospects" to get that big bat unfortunately now that the season has begun other teams will see our weakness and will last for the farm in order for us to obtain a good bat.

You forgot to throw in Casey Blake with Michaels. 3rd-base is supposed to be a power position along with 1st and the corner outfielders and we are hurting in 3 of those positions. I have no idea why they are saving Marte. Either play him and see how he does or get rid of him. He is just taking up a roster spot that possibly could be filled with someone who could contribute.

I also think the signing of Hafner to that big deal was a mistake. They should have waited a year to see if he continued what he had done the previous season. Now we are stuck with him if he continues his present ways which are not good.

I am not too concerned about our pitching because I have to believe C. C. has proven himself over the past couple years to be as bad as he had been this year. He has to get better. I think our relief pitching for the most part is okay. It has been our hitting that has let us down so far this season. I guess the only good thing that can be said is that we are only 4 1/2 games out of first and the season is still early when I am not a holding out a lot of hope for this season.

mstevmac · #**801** (**permalink**) 04-22-2008, 12:35 PM

If C.C. has another bad outing tonight, it may be time to start worrying.