Indians Tidbits (2009 season)

[osugrad21]

ABJ

Ex-Indian Joe Gordon elected to hall of fame Power-hitting second baseman played on Tribe's 1948 championship team
Published on Tuesday, Dec 09, 2008


From Beacon Journal wire services

Former Cleveland Indian and New York Yankee Joe Gordon will join former teammates Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig and Bob Feller in the hall of fame.
For the likes of Joe Torre, Jim Kaat and Ron Santo, it was another shutout.
Gordon was elected Monday by a 12-member Veterans Committee of hall members and historians who studied pre-1943 players. A nine-time All-Star, the late second baseman won five World Series titles with the New York Yankees and Cleveland.
But another panel made up of the living 64 hall of famers didn't come close to picking anyone who started after World War II. Santo fell short, followed by Kaat, Tony Oliva, Gil Hodges and Torre.
This marked the fourth straight time that nobody was chosen from the newer group.
''It's not our job to vote someone in,'' hall of fame manager Dick Williams said by phone from Las Vegas, where the results were announced at baseball's winter meetings. ''It's our job to consider the candidates.
Cont...

[LitlBuck]

Heard on STO yesterday evening the Boston was interested in Shopach but Cleveland wanted a second or third baseman or a closer. I don't think Boston is going to give out Papple... and they don't have any 2nd or 3rd that they would be willing to trade so unless they can pull a third team into the trade they're not going to get my catcher

[LitlBuck]

PD

Indians sell Tom Mastny to Japan
by Paul Hoynes/Plain Dealer Reporter
Tuesday December 09, 2008, 12:06 PM

LAS VEGAS --- The Indians have sent right-hander Tom Mastny to the Yokohama Bay Stars in Japan for cash. Mastny had to approve the transaction.

Mastny, 27, pitched in the Indians bullpen with varying degrees of success over the last three years. Last season he bounced between the Indians and Class AAA Buffalo four times. He was usually the last man out of manager Eric Wedge's bullpen, often pitching after extended periods of inactivity.

Continued

Now this is a real loss. I have no idea what the Indians are going to do for relief pitching without terrible Tom.

[LitlBuck]

PD

Cleveland Indians DH Hafner working hard to get back into the swing
by Paul Hoynes/Plain Dealer Reporter
Tuesday December 09, 2008, 2:14 PM

LAS VEGAS --- Travis Hafner is putting his body through some changes.
Lonnie Soloff, Indians head athletic trainer, says Hafner has been working out five days a week, five hours a day at Progressive Field after an injury-shortened season led to surgery on his right shoulder on Oct. 14. Hafner, who usually weighs between 240 and 260 pounds, has reportedly lost a lot of weight.

"I'll let you make up your mind when you see him," said Soloff, attending the winter meetings at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino. "He realizes that this is his No.1 offseason priority to get his career back on track."

Continued

[LitlBuck]

PD

Tribe, Wood's agent talk
But Indians looking at variety of closers
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Paul Hoynes
Plain Dealer Reporter

Las Vegas- The Indians met twice with Pat Rooney, agent for closer Kerry Wood, as the winter meetings opened Monday at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino.

Meanwhile, the Indians were preparing to fix their infield without the services of Casey Blake. Reportedly, Blake is close to signing a three-year deal with the Dodgers. The Indians traded Blake to Los Angeles in July for right-hander John Meloan and catcher Carlos Santana.

The Indians have been looking for a closer since the end of last season. Wood, with a long history of injuries, was 34-for-40 in save situations with a 3.26 ERA in 65 games for the Chicago Cubs last season. It was his first season as a closer.

The three other big-name closers on the free-agent market, Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes and Trevor Hoffman, were reportedly visiting teams at the Bellagio. Tribe General Manager Mark Shapiro played it coy when asked if he would meet with any of them this week.

The Mets reportedly have offered Rodriguez a three-year deal. Wood and Fuentes would probably command the same kind of deal in terms of length. Hoffman, 41, is probably looking at a one-year deal.

Continued

I would not be unhappy if they signed Woods assuming he is healthy. I think he would be a very good closer but would not break the bank signing him.

[JCOSU86]

Hafner, who usually weighs between 240 and 260 pounds, has reportedly lost a lot of weight.

Roids.

[buckeyemania11]

AP source: Indians nearing deal with Wood - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

AP source: Indians nearing deal with Wood


By TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer 1 hour, 1 minute ago

CLEVELAND (AP)?The Cleveland Indians are close to getting their closer.

The club has offered free agent Kerry Wood, the former Chicago Cubs starter-turned-reliever, a two-year contract, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the sides are still working through details at the winter meetings in Las Vegas.


Wood, who has had numerous injury problems in the past, needs to pass a physical before the deal can be completed.
Cleveland went to the meetings hoping to land a closer and did not figure to be in the market for Francisco Rodriguez, who has reached a three-year, $37 million deal with the New York Mets, two people familiar with those talks told the AP. The club instead targeted Wood, who had 34 saves last season for Chicago.


If the deal gets completed, the Indians would be able to move on to other offseason priorities such as finding another starting pitcher or possibly a middle infielder.


cont......

could be a good signing IF (probably a big IF considering his history) he stays healthy

[NFBuck]

Go ahead and reserve his spot on the DL now...

[NFBuck]

Dodgers land Blake, Loretta


LAS VEGAS (AP) -- As the Los Angeles Dodgers began to fill holes in their infield, they also were trying to determine whether they could make legitimate runs at Manny Ramirez and CC Sabathia.
Los Angeles reached agreements with free-agent infielders Casey Blake and Mark Loretta at the winter meetings, with only physicals still necessary to complete the deals. Continued...

Los Angeles Dodgers land Casey Blake, Mark Loretta - MLB - SI.com

So much for the idea of bringing Casey back...

[osugrad21]

CPD

Indians closing in on closer Kerry Wood

by Paul Hoynes/Plain Dealer Reporter Tuesday December 09, 2008, 11:35 PM


Morry Gash/AP file photoThe Indians aren't denying they're in talks to sign free-agent reliever Kerry Wood, who saved 34 games for the Cubs in 2008.
UPDATED: 11:35 p.m. LAS VEGAS --- The Indians may have found their closer in Kerry Wood.
After several meetings with agent Pat Rooney over the last two days at the winter meetings at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino, the Indians made Wood what is believed to be a two-year offer. The offer may include a vesting option for a third year.
"The talks have gone well with the Indians," said Pat Rooney, Wood's agent. "We've been talking to them and other teams about Kerry for the last 10 days. There's nothing final, but they're a strong contender."
GM Mark Shapiro would not comment Tuesday on whether the Indians have made Wood an offer.Rooney took the same approach.
It's unlikely a deal would be announced during the winter meetings at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino because the much-injured Wood would have to go through a physical in Cleveland. The meetings end Thursday.
Cont...

[osugrad21]

CPD

Cleveland Indians DH Hafner working hard to get back into the swing

by Paul Hoynes/Plain Dealer Reporter Tuesday December 09, 2008, 2:14 PM


Chuck Crow/The Plain DealerTravis Hafner has reportedly lost a lot of weight during the offseason.
LAS VEGAS --- Travis Hafner is putting his body through some changes. Lonnie Soloff, the Indians' head athletic trainer, says Hafner has been working out five days a week, five hours a day at Progressive Field after an injury-shortened season led to surgery on his right shoulder on Oct. 14. Hafner, who usually weighs between 240 and 260 pounds, has reportedly lost a lot of weight.
"I'll let you make up your mind when you see him," said Soloff, attending the winter meetings at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino. "He realizes that this is his No.1 off-season priority to get his career back on track."

Fans who have seen Hafner in public have commented on how thin he looks.
News of Hafner's sore shoulder didn't surface until early last season, but the Indians' designated hitter hasn't swung the bat like "Pronk" since April of 2007.
"He's at a juncture in his career where he has to examine every avenue to improve," said Soloff. "One avenue is his body structure and shape."
Cont..

[Piney]

I really like the signing of Woods. It will be interesting to see what the final dollars of the deal are, but it shouldn't be alot (if it is more than $6-7 mil a season I might change my mind).

While he is injury prone, I hope it is more to do with overuse than a real problem. And as a closer he will only see 70 innings a season so that will be enough to keep him healthy through his contract.

Now it is time to concentrate on the infield!

[BuckeyeMac]

He stays healthy = good signing
He gets hurt = Stupid and I saw it coming

One good note, at least we're starting early on making some moves. Here's to hoping we keep the bus moving

[LitlBuck]

Cleveland.com

Cleveland Indians, Kerry Wood agree on $20 million deal - if he's healthy
by Paul Hoynes, Plain Dealer Reporter
Wednesday December 10, 2008, 11:34 AM

LAS VEGAS --- If Kerry Wood passes a physical today or Thursday in Cleveland, he'll be the Indians closer.

The Indians have made Wood a two-year offer worth close to $20 million. The deal, contingent on Wood getting a clean bill of health, could include an option for a third year.

Wood made $4.2 million last year.

Indians GM Mark Shapiro would not comment when asked if Wood was Cleveland-bound for a physical, but did say, "We have obviously made progress, but it's not a done deal at this point."

Wood, who saved 34 games last season for the Cubs, was also being pursued by the Tigers. A source said the Tigers were told Tuesday night that Wood was going to the Indians. The Indians met with Pat Rooney, Wood's agent, several times Monday and Tuesday at the meetings.
Wood has undergone Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. He's also had a torn triceps muscle and torn rotator cuff.

The Indians' new spring training facility in Goodyear, Ariz., seemingly played a part in attracting Wood. He makes his offseason home in Arizona. The Tigers and Mets, who talked to Wood before they signed Francisco Rodriguez, train in Florida.

Continued

I don't know $20 mil for two years sounds like a lot of money for a guy who underwent Tommy John surgery but at least Dolan seems to be willing to open up his pocketbook. Now we need to go out and get a middle infielder since JP is playing third base in Winter League play. They might play him at third next year with Cabrera at short. I would think a 2nd baseman would not be as expensive as a 3rd baseman but might be a little tougher to find a good one.

[tsteele316]

Originally Posted by LitlBuck

Cleveland.com



I don't know $20 mil for two years sounds like a lot of money for a guy who underwent Tommy John surgery but at least Dolan seems to be willing to open up his pocketbook. Now we need to go out and get a middle infielder since JP is playing third base in Winter League play. They might play him at third next year with Cabrera at short. I would think a 2nd baseman would not be as expensive as a 3rd baseman but might be a little tougher to find a good one.

around $20 million isn't really that bad, especially considering borowski was getting $8 million last year. plus, if it means cleveland won't be spending money on another trot nixon/david delucci washed up vet, then i'm fine with paying wood.

cleveland could just get a SS and move peralta to 3rd as well. at this point they have enough flexibility to get any infielder.

they will have to wait for more starters to sign to see how the starting pitching market plays out.