Indians Tidbits (2008 season)

[LitlBuck]

PD

"The reasons we acquired Marte were solid - scouting, analytically, everything," General Manager Mark Shapiro said. "We want to give it time and be patient to see if we will be rewarded and he will be the player we think he will be. In the case of Brandon Phillips, we didn't play it out quite long enough. He did become the player we thought he would when we acquired him, even though we didn't always see indications of that when we had him."
Miller suffered finger and elbow injuries last year.
"If he's healthy," Shapiro said, "he'll be a factor in the big leagues at some time this year"
Shapiro said Miller could help in the rotation or bullpen.

Money talks and I guess that's why we haven't been doing much in the off-season as can be seen by the below

Based on calculations by the Chicago Tribune, Detroit's payroll could reach $133 million this year, while the White Sox will be at $118 million. The Indians have $70 million committed to 15 players, not including Casey Blake, who is eligible for arbitration. The other nine players who fill out the 25-man roster, barring a trade or free agent signing, will probably make between the league minimum of $380,000 and $450,000. That would put the Tribe's payroll at an estimated $80 million.

[billmac91]

"The reasons we acquired Marte were solid - scouting, analytically, everything," General Manager Mark Shapiro said. "We want to give it time and be patient to see if we will be rewarded and he will be the player we think he will be. "

I like Shapiro, but I'd always question why one of the best baseball GM's of all time, John Shueholz, would let him out of their franchise.

When we made the deal with Boston my best friend gave me a call who is a Braves guy, and said Marte didn't show enough tools to be a great MLB player in Shuerholz's eyes when the Braves brought him up. So far, Shuerholz has been right.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

CPD

A busy off-season for Gutierrez


Sunday, January 27, 2008 Paul Hoynes
Plain Dealer Reporter
Not only did Franklin Gutierrez get married this off-season, he witnessed Omar Vizquel's final bow to winter ball in Venezuela.
Gutierrez, who has a good chance to be the Indians' starting right fielder this season, married Viviana Salazar, daughter of former big-league player Luis Salazar.
"We met when I was with the Dodgers," Gutierrez said.
Gutierrez and Vizquel played for Caracas in their native Venezuela.
"Omar hadn't played in Venezuela for seven or eight years," Gutierrez said. "He said he wanted to say hello and goodbye to people. I don't know if he's retiring from the big leagues, but he said that was the last time he'd play winter ball in Venezuela."
Gutierrez said Vizquel, 40, played about a month for Caracas.
"He moved around like he was 15 years old," Gutierrez said. "The things he does are amazing."

Continued....

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

CPD

No trades, but Indians still a big deal in AL


Sunday, January 27, 2008 Terry Pluto
Plain Dealer Columnist
TALKIN' TO MYSELF ABOUT THE TRIBE ...
Question: So what do you think about the Indians' winter?
Answer: They'll certainly have a better summer.
Q: How do you know that?
A: Because at least they'll do something, a little more than signing Jamey Carroll and Masa Kobayashi.
Q: So you are down on the Tribe?
A: I think they should be favored to win the Central Division.
Q: What about the Tigers?
A: They worry me . . . a lot. But I like the Indians' pitching. A strong case can be made that they have the best and deepest starting rotation in baseball.
Q: Did you sell your soul to Mark Shapiro?

Continued....

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

CPD

INDIANS Shoppach
Being shopped lets Cleveland Indians catcher Kelly Shoppach know he's wanted


Monday, January 28, 2008 Paul Hoynes
Plain Dealer Reporter
Kelly Shoppach did a lot with a little last season. His name has been mentioned in abundance this winter because of it.
Good catchers are hard to find. After Shoppach spun 161 at-bats into gold in 2007, several teams asked for him when General Manager Mark Shapiro engaged in trade talks following the Indians' run to Game 7 of the American League Championship Series. His name surfaced in rumored deals for Florida third baseman Miguel Cabrera and Pittsburgh left fielder Jason Bay.
"It's always nice when other people want you," Shoppach said last week during the Indians' media tour. "They're just rumors. I haven't spoken with anyone. But anytime someone thinks highly of you, it's a pretty cool deal."

Continued.....

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by billmac91

I like Shapiro, but I'd always question why one of the best baseball GM's of all time, John Shueholz, would let him out of their franchise.

When we made the deal with Boston my best friend gave me a call who is a Braves guy, and said Marte didn't show enough tools to be a great MLB player in Shuerholz's eyes when the Braves brought him up. So far, Shuerholz has been right.

Didn't we also get Shoppach in that deal so it really wasn't the Atlanta GM getting the best of the deal because I think we could package Kelley with someone and get a pretty good player in return. They are afraid to leave Marte go before spring training because of how badly they screwed up by giving Brandon Phillips away.