Indians Tidbits (2009 season)

[tsteele316]

Originally Posted by LitlBuck

I guess what I am asking and it hasn't been answered is if everyone is satisfied with keeping Garko at first base next season. I know that his value is lower right now than Shopach's but if everyone is happy with Garko at first base then trade Shopach. I also do not think you can judge a player by past performance because every once in awhile the light does go on for a player.

i'm fairly sure i made my feelings about garko known already.

garko is adequate at 1st only if you get 2004-2006 Hafner, a healthy V-Mart, and something that isn't 2005 Peralta. if you think september garko is what you'll get for a whole season, then he's fine. otherwise, cleveland needs more power production from that position.

But if Shoppach is the key to a trade that gets Cleveland a 3rd baseman or a FOR starter, there's no way you can't pull the trigger.

[AKAKBUCK]

Originally Posted by LitlBuck

I guess what I am asking and it hasn't been answered is if everyone is satisfied with keeping Garko at first base next season. I know that his value is lower right now than Shopach's but if everyone is happy with Garko at first base then trade Shopach. I also do not think you can judge a player by past performance because every once in awhile the light does go on for a player.

I'm happy with Garko if Shoppach adds a plus bat at a position of need. Be it 3rd, First, corneroutfield, whatever. (I'm not against getting another FOR starter for him if through FA you address one of the other needs too... )

Having said all that, I do like the idea of Victor DHing or playin 1B more and catching at least some less.

This is where Pronk really screws you... assuming he's healthy for once... if the guy were good for 25 or 30 games at 1B you have a LOT more flexibility... but he's not.

Honestly, one of the good reasons to move Shoppach if you can is that we see the vulnerabilty (with VMart) of having a Catcher as a key part of your offense... very injury vulnerable. No matter how it shakes out, we need to strengthen any/all of the 4 corner positions. If Trading Shoppach does that, good... if we can do it and keep him... well... its a good problem to have, I guess.

Of course, Garko came up as a Catcher.

[MolGenBuckeye]

Originally Posted by AKAKBUCK

Of course, Garko came up as a Catcher.

Right after we slide Peralta to third and put Betancourt back at SS.

[osugrad21]

CPD

After adversity and setbacks, Indians' pitcher Cliff Lee produces a stellar season

by Paul Hoynes/Plain Dealer Reporter
Wednesday November 12, 2008, 7:44 PM
It is a good thing to have an open mind. Especially for a baseball scout.
Baseball, like so many lines of work, is filled with rumors and half-truths. Such clutter can hurt a scout, influencing his thinking, causing him to see things in a player that really aren't there.
Dave Malpass' mind was clutter-free when he saw Cliff Lee pitch for the first time. It's a good thing because Lee, who could win the American League Cy Young award Thursday for the Indians, was not held in the highest regard in baseball circles.
Malpass was scouting for Montreal in preparation for the June amateur draft in 2000 when he went to see the University of Arkansas. The Expos felt Arkansas had two prospects on its team and their last names weren't Lee.
"Cliff came into this game in relief," said Malpass. "I'd never heard of him. I remember saying to myself, 'Wow!' He was so athletic and had such great arm action. It was one of those days as a scout that you never forget because it was so unexpected."
Malpass left the game thinking Lee might just be a No. 1 pick.
Then he heard about Lee's flip side.
"There wasn't a great deal of love for the guy in the industry," said Malpass. "He had the reputation of not being the best guy in the world."
The Marlins drafted Lee in the eighth round in 1997 out of Benton (Ark.) High School. He didn't sign.
Lee went to Meridian Community College in Mississippi and was drafted by Baltimore in the 20th round in 1998. He didn't sign again.
"When teams draft players and they don't sign, they can get upset with that player," said Malpass.
Lee spent the 2000 season at Arkansas and butted heads with the coaching staff. He was a left-hander throwing 95 mph, but was taken out of the rotation at one point.
Cont...

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

CPD

Baseball Insider: Lee an easy choice as Tribe's best in '08; can Sabathia turn down Yankees?

by Paul Hoynes Sunday November 23, 2008, 6:00 AM



Chuck Crow/The Plain DealerNamed the Indians' Man of the Year on Saturday by media members who cover the team, Cliff Lee hopes to follow up his Cy Young season of 2008 with another strong effort next summer.


Grady Sizemore's 30-30 season set the bar high. Cliff Lee soared over it.
Lee, who won the American League Cy Young award on Nov. 13, has been named Man of the Year by Cleveland's Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America. Sizemore was the only other Indians player nominated for the award.
Louie Isaac, fired as bullpen coach at the end of the season, was voted the Frank Gibbons-Steve Olin Good Guy award. Isaac, who spent 44 years in the Indians organization, is a double winner of the Good Guy award. He won it 1998.

Continued.............

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

CPD

Dolan says Tribe won't stand pat this off-season

by Paul Hoynes Wednesday November 26, 2008, 11:58 PM


By Paul Hoynes
Plain Dealer Reporter

Indians President Paul Dolan says there will be no "pull back" in the team's big-league payroll for 2009 despite the country's poor economy.
"As always, we will look to be opportunistic," said Dolan. "We will not pull back from where we ended last season. When we see an opportunity to improve the club, we won't be afraid to do it.
"We like the club we have right now. I'm sure we will add to it before spring training."

The Indians' 25-man payroll at the start of the 2008 season was an estimated $79 million. When the season ended, following the trades of veterans CC Sabathia, Casey Blake and Paul Byrd, it was an estimated $75 million. Just where it will be for the start of next season has yet to be determined, but the Indians have an estimated $57 million committed to 11 players.

Continued.............

[LitlBuck]

I just told Dolan puts his money behind his pie hole.

[buckeyemania11]

Please sign or trade for players who are actually worth something this time around shapiro

dont settle for David Dellucci Jason Michaels and Jorge Julio type players who do nothing but block younger players (who are most likely better) from playing

[osugrad21]

CPD

Disappointment of 2008 providing a discount for Tribe's free-agent browsing

by Paul Hoynes/Plain Dealer Reporter Tuesday December 02, 2008, 8:26 PM


Kevork Djansezian/Associated PressIf the Indians are interested in chasing free-agent closer Francisco Rodriguez, the cost won't include the Tribe's top draft pick in next summer's amateur draft.
If the Indians sign a Type A free agent this winter, they will not lose their No.1 draft pick as compensation. They can thank their otherwise disappointing 81-81 finish last season for that. The teams with the 15 worst records from last season are guaranteed to keep their No.1 pick in the June draft regardless of what free agents they sign. The Indians just made the cutoff in the 15th spot. The Nationals will have two picks in the first 15 because they didn't sign their No.1 pick from last season.
If the Indians did sign a Type A player, they'd lose their No.2 pick. The team that lost the player would also receive a compensation pick between the first and second round.
The compensation picture came into focus Monday when teams had to offer their free agents salary arbitration. It was an eye-opening experience for the Indians, who will head to the winter meetings Sunday in Las Vegas needing a closer and an infielder.
Type A closers Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes were offered arbitration by their old clubs, the Angels and Rockies. Rodriguez and Fuentes have until Sunday to accept the offer. If they do, they're bound to their old teams for at least one year.

Two other closers, Trevor Hoffman and Kerry Wood, were not offered arbitration by their former teams, the Padres and Cubs. It means a team will not lose any draft picks if they sign them.

Cont...

[NFBuck]

Originally Posted by buckeyemania11

Please sign or trade for players who are actually worth something this time around shapiro

dont settle for David Dellucci Jason Michaels and Jorge Julio type players who do nothing but block younger players (who are most likely better) from playing

I'll be perfectly willing to eat crow if Shapiro goes out and makes a splash, but I ain't counting on it...

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

CPD

Cleveland Indians sign pitcher Tomo Ohka

by Staff reports Friday December 05, 2008, 12:03 PM


CLEVELAND --- The Indians today announced that they have signed righthander Tomo Ohka to a minor league contract. Ohka will be a non-roster invitee to Major League camp in February in Goodyear, Ariz.
Ohka, 32, owns a Major League record of 50-63 with a 4.14 ERA in 184 games (172 starts) over nine seasons with Boston, Montreal/Washington, Milwaukee and Toronto. His best season was 2002 with Montreal, 13-8, 3.18 ERA in 31 starts (192.2IP, 194H, 68ER). His 3.18 ERA ranked seventh in the National League.

Continued.........

[JCOSU86]

OK, washed up pitcher - check

Need a scrub infielder and an over the hill outfielder and the Tribe offseason will be complete

[buckeyemania11]

Indians, Twins interested in Tejada - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

Indians, Twins interested in Tejada By Jeff Passan, Yahoo! Sports 1 hour, 7 minutes ago


AS VEGAS ? Two American League Central teams have discussed trading for shortstop Miguel Tejada, whom the Houston Astros are dangling as they try to cut payroll, a source said Monday at the winter meetings.

The Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins have similar tacks regarding the 34-year-old Tejada: Both teams have holes on the left side of their infields, and both would expect Houston to eat a significant portion of Tejada?s $13 million contract for 2009. Problem is, that would partially negate the Astros? incentive to unload a player whose production is declining but who still batted .283 with 13 home runs and 92 runs scored last season.

Cleveland?s ability to trade for Tejada depends on how it fills its closer role. Should the Indians pursue free agent Brian Fuentes, they likely would not be able to afford Tejada, who is a free agent after the 2009 season. If the Indians opt for less expensive free agent Trevor Hoffman or trade for J.J. Putz, their budget would likely allow for a discounted Tejada.


Where he would fit with the Indians is unknown. Cleveland?s incumbent shortstop, Jhonny Peralta, has played third base in the Dominican Winter League this offseason, and the Indians would like to move slick-fielding Asdrubal Cabrera to shortstop from second base. Tejada?s winnowing range has long portended a move to third base.

Minnesota enters 2009 without an everyday shortstop. The Twins have discussed trading outfielder Delmon Young, and Philadelphia recently showed interest, with shortstop prospect Jason Donald the likely match. Were the Twins to more doggedly pursue Tejada, the source said, Houston would prefer one of its young starting pitchers, likely a minor leaguer.

[NFBuck]

Originally Posted by JCOSU86

OK, washed up pitcher - check

Need a scrub infielder and an over the hill outfielder and the Tribe offseason will be complete

Eh, it's just a minor league deal. I wouldn't pay much mind to it.

[billmac91]

This isn't hyperbole....I've never seen a lazier baseball player in my life, than a few years ago when I went to Baltimore and saw an Orioles game. Tejeda didn't break a jog the entire night, and never made halfway up the line on ground balls.

Not saying he isn't or can't be productive, but its tough to root for a guy like that. I know management is a bit hamstrung on the moves they can pull, but some of the guys being discussed seam like reaches, overpaid players, or guys that will take a huge chunk of our payroll for maybe 1 inning a game (closer).