Indians Tidbits (2009 season)

[osugrad21]

CPD

Tribe pondering trade for Royals 3B Teahen

by Paul Hoynes Sunday October 26, 2008, 7:19 PM


Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP file photoIn 532 big-league games, Kansas City third baseman Mark Teahen has 47 home runs and a .268 batting average with a .313 on-base percentage. His best season was 2006, when he hit 19 homers and drove in 69 runs in just 393 at-bats.
PHILADELPHIA -- The Indians' search for a third baseman has taken them to Kansas City. They are talking to the Royals about acquiring Mark Teahen. Kansas City is looking for a center fielder, which would allow them to move David DeJesus to a left field. The Indians have an excess of outfielders in general and center fielders in particular.
Franklin Gutierrez, Ben Francisco and Trevor Crowe can play center.
The Royals have a standing interest in Gutierrez and Francisco. When the Indians approached them about acquiring right-hander Octavio Dotel in 2007, the Royals wanted Gutierrez or Francisco. The trade never happened and the Royals traded Dotel to Atlanta.
Teahen, 27, is a left-handed hitter who has primarily played right field for the last two seasons in Kansas City. He played third base in 2005 and 2006, but moved to the outfield to make room for No.1 pick Alex Gordon at third.

Third base remains his best position.
The Indians like Teahen's versatility. Last season he played first and third base and all three outfield positions. He has a good arm and manager Eric Wedge complimented him last season on his base-running.

Cont...

[MolGenBuckeye]

I know there's a glut of outfielders, I'm not sure I'd give up either Francisco or Gutierrez for Teahen. He seems like a poor man's Casey Blake to me.

[AKAKBUCK]

Originally Posted by MolGenBuckeye

I know there's a glut of outfielders, I'm not sure I'd give up either Francisco or Gutierrez for Teahen. He seems like a poor man's Casey Blake to me.

Might as well just sign Casey Blake.

[LitlBuck]

I certainly think you can get more for Francisco in a trade than Teahen and I just think his potential is much greater than Gut's. I would not trade Francisco.

[tsteele316]

Originally Posted by LitlBuck

I certainly think you can get more for Francisco in a trade than Teahen and I just think his potential is much greater than Gut's. I would not trade Francisco.

francisco is old for the amount of big league experience he has, and is a dead pull hitter, which pitchers have figured out.

the offensive differential between francisco and gut does not outweigh how much better gut is defensively.

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by tsteele316

francisco is old for the amount of big league experience he has, and is a dead pull hitter, which pitchers have figured out.

the offensive differential between francisco and gut does not outweigh how much better gut is defensively.

I agree with you regarding their defense but I think they are both dead pull hitters and I just think Francisco has more power when it comes to the two of them. Chin can play defense and he could play right field very easily. I just like Francisco's power over Gut.

[osugrad21]

CPD

After a strong year, suitors may be plentiful for Casey at the bat

by Paul Hoynes Monday November 03, 2008, 8:38 PM


Chuck Crow/The Plain DealerAfter making a good impression in Los Angeles, Casey Blake figures to get plenty of attention as a free agent this off-season. One of the teams interested would be his former employer, the Indians.
DANA POINT, Calif. -- The easiest way to make the Indians' infield whole for the 2009 season is for General Manager Mark Shapiro to find a third baseman. "Any starting infielder would be an easy fit," said Shapiro, shortly after arriving at St. Regis Resort on Monday for the GM meetings. "Third base is the easiest fit of all because we wouldn't have to move any pieces."
If Casey Blake isn't the most convenient third baseman available, he's the most familiar. He played 5 1/2 seasons with the Indians until they traded him to the Dodgers on July 26 for right-hander John Meloan and catcher Carlos Santana.
"We know Casey," said Shapiro. "We appreciate Casey. We know what he does as a teammate and athlete. That doesn't mean he's at the top of our list, but he's a guy we have definite interest in."
Blake finished the year hitting .274 (147-for-536) with 36 doubles, 21 homers and 81 RBI. He hit .289 (94-for-325) with the Indians and .251 (53-for-211) with the Dodgers, whom he helped win the NL West and reach the NLCS.
In the process, Blake created a market for himself.
Cont...

[osugrad21]

CPD

With CC priced for too many $$, Tribe still searching for bargain improvements

by Paul Hoynes Wednesday November 05, 2008, 10:25 PM


Chuck Crow/The Plain DealerIf CC Sabathia was interested in returning to a midsize market for a midsize multimillion-dollar deal, the Indians reminded the pitcher's agents on Wednesday of their interest. But baseball's upper crust --- Yankees, Dodgers, Angels --- are certain to price the Indians out of the chase.
DANA POINT, Calif. -- When GM Mark Shapiro met with CC Sabathia's agents Tuesday at the general managers meetings, it sounded like a fond farewell. "We were just touching base," said Shapiro. "We talked about potential scenarios that could develop and re-affirmed our interest."
The Indians' interest in Sabathia is limited by money. The 6-7 left-hander could be in line for a $150 million contract this winter. It was the reason the Indians traded him to Milwaukee on July 7 for four players.
"I don't handicap the free-agent market," said Shapiro. "CC's going to be the premier, if not one of the premier free agents, this winter. ... Our belief in the guy and our appreciation for him never waver. I'd never eliminate ourselves from it."
The reality is that the Yankees, Dodgers and Angels want Sabathia. The Yankees and Angels have loads of cash. The Dodgers aren't doing badly either. GM Ned Colletti on Wednesday made Manny Ramirez a reported two-year offer worth $50 million with an option for a third year.

The Indians are far removed from that reality.

Cont...

[osugrad21]

CPD

Indians leaving no doors unopened in search for a closer

by Paul Hoynes, Plain Dealer Reporter Wednesday November 05, 2008, 6:39 AM



Dana Point, Calif.- From Francisco Rodriguez to Brian Fuentes to Trevor Hoffman, the Indians have ruled out nothing in their pursuit of a closer. GM Mark Shapiro and Chris Antonetti, assistant general manager, have talked - or are talking - with the agents for just about every closer on the free-agent market. They are talking trade as well.
Oakland's Huston Street, who lost his closer's job to Brad Ziegler, drew strong interest from the Indians this past season and is still on their radar.
"There's a decent free-agent market and there will be trade alternatives as well," said Shapiro, Tuesday afternoon at the general managers meetings. "It will take time to flush out the alternatives. What is the cost from a free-agent standpoint and how it stacks up with trades. It looks like there will be some alternatives for us."
Street, 25, bothered by right elbow problems the last couple of years, went 7-5 with 18 saves in 25 chances last season for the A's. The cost for Street could be high, perhaps third-base prospect Wes Hodges.
Cont...

[osugrad21]

ABJ

Indians' Sizemore makes it two in row Tribe center fielder surprised by award despite just two errors
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sports writer

Published on Friday, Nov 07, 2008

Grady Sizemore gets more attention for his offense, but American League managers and coaches have selected the Indians' center fielder as a Gold Glove winner for the second year in a row.
''It's a great feeling,'' Sizemore said from his home in suburban Phoenix. ''I don't go into the season thinking something like this.
''I wasn't expecting to win it this year, so it makes me feel that much better. It makes me want to work that much harder to win a third next year.''
Sizemore committed only two errors all season and routinely made spectacular diving catches or saved extra-base hits with his workmanship at various outfield fences.
He is the first Tribe player since shortstop Omar Vizquel to win consecutive Gold Gloves. Vizquel, who won a Gold Glove as a member of the Tribe in 2000 and 2001, is the San Francisco Giants' regular shortstop.
The most recent Indians outfielder to win back-to-back Gold Gloves was Kenny Lofton in 1995-96. Lofton also was a center fielder.
Cont...

[osugrad21]

CPD

Strong behind the plate, can Tribe catch a big off-season deal?

by Paul Hoynes Thursday November 06, 2008, 9:05 PM


Chuck Crow/The Plain DealerIn just 352 at-bats in 2008, Kelly Shoppach drilled 21 home runs and batted .261 to provide unexpectedly consistent offense for the Indians.
DANA POINT, Calif. -- Mark Shapiro and Chris Antonetti have been thinking about it for a while. Are the Indians a better team with Kelly Shoppach catching and Victor Martinez playing first base or are they better if they trade Shoppach to fill a need and keep Martinez behind the plate?
The Indians feel they have enough depth if they have to trade a catcher for an infielder or closer. They have Chris Giminez, Wyatt Toregas and Carlos Santana, the man who has done nothing but hit since being acquired from the Dodgers for Casey Blake, behind Martinez and Shoppach.
On some days, the Tribe's general manager feels his best lineup would be Shoppach catching and the versatile Martinez playing first. Then Shapiro thinks about a bullpen without an established closer and an infield one player short.

"I'd be happy to bring back Kelly and Vic," said Shapiro. "Kelly was one of the top-10 catchers in the major leagues this year and he played just over a half season. Vic is a preeminent switch-hitting run-producing catcher. Great receiver, great game caller, leader on the team when he's healthy."
But what if Shapiro can improve the Indians in a meaningful way?

Cont...

[osugrad21]

Canton

Sizemore snares second gold glove
Friday, November 7, 2008
BY JOSH WEIR
JOSH.WEIR@CANTONREP.COM

Grady Sizemore won't need to find space for a second consecutive Gold Glove.

Actually, that's mom and dad's job.

Sizemore, the Indians' 26-year-old center fielder, earned a spot on the American League Rawlings Gold Glove team, announced Thursday. Voting was done at the end of the 2008 season, polling players and coaches.

Sizemore's Gold Glove from 2007 is at his parents' house, which is where Thursday's award is headed for the time being.

"I don't have a good display case here," he said about his Scottsdale (Ariz.) home. "It would just kind of sit in my closet. But my parents got it on display at their place, and it's looking pretty good.

"Hopefully they can make some more room."

Omar Vizquel (2000-01) was the last Indian to win consecutive Gold Gloves. Kenny Lofton (1995-96) was the last Cleveland outfielder to accomplish the feat.

Sizemore made only two errors in his 151 starts in center field.

His .995 fielding percentage (in 386 chances) was second best among AL center fielders.

Cont...

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

The Indians have been active in their search for a closer. General manager Mark Shapiro and assistant Chris Antonetti have talked to free-agent closers and apparently also have been involved in trade discussions.
The top free agents are looking for big bucks. The Angels' Francisco Rodriguez, who set a major-league record with 62 saves, reportedly is seeking a five-year deal in the $75 million range, and the Rockies' Brian Fuentes reportedly wants three years and $36 million.

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

[LitlBuck]

Martinez playing first base or are they better if they trade Shoppach

I think the Indians would be stupid to trade Shoppach the less they would get an extremely good player for him. I would rather that the Indians bundle Garko and one of their young outfielders(they could also throw in Marte) rather than to trade Shoppach. Their young catchers still need a couple years in the minors before they are big league ready and Mart?nez is probably a better first baseman then a catcher. I don't care what position he wants to play. If the team is better off with him at first and K. S. behind the plate, that's the way it should be.

[tsteele316]

Originally Posted by LitlBuck

I think the Indians would be stupid to trade Shoppach the less they would get an extremely good player for him. I would rather that the Indians bundle Garko and one of their young outfielders(they could also throw in Marte) rather than to trade Shoppach. Their young catchers still need a couple years in the minors before they are big league ready and Mart?nez is probably a better first baseman then a catcher. I don't care what position he wants to play. If the team is better off with him at first and K. S. behind the plate, that's the way it should be.

it's really about position value. martinez's offense for a catcher is great, for a 1st baseman, not so much. shoppach's value will never be higher, and realistically, he'll probably never have another season like last year. while it may sting a bit, cleveland would be well served to trade him now if they can get something of good value in return.