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Indians Tidbits (2006 season)..

OSUBasketballJunkie

Never Forget 31-0
<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Not A Speedy Way To Improve Indians

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266870.jpg

Eider Torres, left, and Argenis Reyes.

</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By Chuck Murr
Indians Ink
Date: Oct 30, 2005

An aspect of the 2005 Indians that could definitely use an upgrade is stolen bases. Cleveland managed only 62 steals all season, ranking 11th overall in the American League. There's not a lot of help readily available in the minor-league system, either.
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Among the top basestealers in the organization, only outfielder Franklin Gutierrez figures to have a shot at making the Indians' 2006 roster. The others are still developing in the lower levels of the minors.

Eider Torres led all players in the Tribe farm system in steals with 33 in 42 attempts for Class AA Akron. That was despite serving a 10-game suspension for violation of baseball's policy against performance-enhancing drugs.

Torres said he did not check the contents of the "vitamin-type supplements'' he got from a friend in his native Venezuela last winter. "I didn't think anything of it," he told reporters after failing a test late in spring training and subsequently being suspended in April. "I did not hesitate to be tested because I felt I was clean."

The Indians organization used the incident to fortify communications with Latin players throughout the system, though Cleveland reliever Rafael Betancourt was suspended six weeks later for essentially the same thing.

Nevertheless, Torres had an excellent season overall as a second baseman at Akron. Signed as a non-drafted free agent at age 17 in 2000, he has 221 steals in 267 attempts (.828) over 505 games in the minors, including two years in the Venezuelan Summer League. But he has displayed little pop at bat despite a .299 batting average -- though he did hit six of his career total of 12 homers this year.

But he is at least a year or two away from possibly helping the Indians at the big-league level.

Farther away is outfielder Jose Constanza, who had 26 steals in 31 tries at two levels of Class A ball. The 22-year-old switch-hitter put up astounding numbers in two seasons for Cleveland's team in the Dominican Summer League, hitting a combined .383 with 114 runs and 53 steals in 80 tries over 498 games. In his first season in America this summer, he hit a combined .257 at Mahoning Valley and Lake County.

Two players with good overall skills displayed them at Lake County and Kinston this summer. Infielder-outfielder Argenis Reyes had 24 steals in 33 attempts and outfielder Brian Barton went 20-for-30.

Reyes, 23, now has 148 steals in 175 tries (.846) since signing at age 18 out of his native Dominican Republic. Like Torres, he has not produced much power (four homers in 1,520 at-bats, including two years in the Dominican Summer League). He does have a .298 career average and shown the ability to play well in the outfield, second base, shortstop and third base.

Barton, 23, was signed as a non-drafted free agent out of the University of Miami in August of 2004 and made his pro debut this year. He hit a combined .326 at two levels, including an eye-popping .414 in 35 games (with seven steals in nine attempts) at Lake County to earn a quick promotion to Kinston.

Brad Snyder and Evandy De Leon stole 17 bases apiece at two levels. Snyder, 23, who was Cleveland's first-round pick in 2003, is now 45-for-60 (.750) as a pro. Often compared to current Indians center-fielder Grady Sizemore, Snyder's percentage is slightly higher at this point in his career. Sizemore went 96-for-144 (.667) during his time in the minors.

De Leon went 4-for-4 at Burlington and 13-for-17 at Mahoning Valley this season. The 22-year-old from the Dominican Republic now is 56 for 76 (.737) as a pro, but he probably will still be in Class A ball next season.

Six minor-leaguers totaled 16 steals this past summer, including Gutierrez. He went 16-for-22 at Akron and Buffalo this year, giving him 64 steals 88 attempts (.727) in his minor-league career. He has a chance to make the Indians' roster next spring, but could be headed back to Buffalo to work on his hitting.

Ben Francisco likely will be with the Bisons, too. The 24-year-old went 1-for-1 for them this year after stealing 15 in 19 attempts at Akron. Aeros outfielder Jon Van Every went 16-for-22 and has a fine .740 (57-for-77) success rate in his minor-league career, while shortstop Ivan Ochoa as 16-for-28 this year at Akron and has 130 steals in 175 attempts (.743) overall in the minors. Jose Morban, a utility player for Buffalo and Akron, also had 16 steals, as did shortstop Brian Finegan, who was 16-for-21 at Lake County.

None of these players will be a threat to the base-stealing records Kenny Lofton put up a decade ago in Cleveland. Gutierrez and Snyder, if they continue to develop as hitters, could combine with Sizemore to give the Indians a formidable outfield trio of players with 20-homer, 20-steal potential in the near future. Down the line, Reyes, Torres and possibly even Morban could provide a spark on the bases in a utility role. The others will have to continue to develop in all aspects in order to make it to Cleveland.

2005 STOLEN-BASE LEADERS IN INDIANS' FARM SYSTEM <TABLE borderColor=blue cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=2 <TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left width="16%" height=20>PLAYER
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left width="22%" height=20>TEAM
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="6%" height=20>SB
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left width="16%" height=20>Eider Torres
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left width="22%" height=20>Akron
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="6%" height=20>33
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left width="16%" height=20>Jose Constanza
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left width="22%" height=20>Mahoning Valley-Lake County
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="6%" height=20>26
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left width="16%" height=20>Argenis Reyes
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left width="22%" height=20>Lake County-Kinston
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="6%" height=20>24
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left width="16%" height=20>Brian Barton
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left width="22%" height=20>Lake County-Kinston
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="6%" height=20>20
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left width="16%" height=20>Brad Snyder
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left width="22%" height=20>Kinston-Akron
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="6%" height=20>17
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left width="16%" height=20>Evandy De Leon
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left width="22%" height=20>Burlington-Mahoning Valley
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="6%" height=20>17
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left width="16%" height=20>Ben Francisco
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left width="22%" height=20>Akron-Buffalo
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="6%" height=20>16
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left width="16%" height=20>Franklin Gutierrez
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left width="22%" height=20>Akron-Buffalo
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="6%" height=20>16
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left width="16%" height=20>Ivan Ochoa
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left width="22%" height=20>Akron
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="6%" height=20>16
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left width="16%" height=20>Jon Van Every
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left width="22%" height=20>Akron
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="6%" height=20>16
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left width="16%" height=20>Jose Morban
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left width="22%" height=20>Akron-Buffalo
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="6%" height=20>16
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left width="16%" height=20>Brian Finegan
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=left width="22%" height=20>Lake County-Buffalo
</TD><TD vAlign=top align=right width="6%" height=20>16
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
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11/5/05

Indians pick up Belliard’s option

Saturday, November 5, 2005 <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>By ANDY CALL

CLEVELAND - Mark Shapiro believes the best moves a general manager can make are the moves players make for them.

That was how Shapiro characterized Friday’s decision to pick up Ronnie Belliard’s $4-million contract option for 2006. The Indians second baseman, by virtue of his performances in 2004 and 2005, made Shapiro’s decision easy.

“He picked up his option for us,” Shapiro said. “He’s come to represent the style of play we want our guys to have. He has a genuine passion for the game. He took a leadership role, mostly by the way he played.”

The 30-year-old was a 2004 All-Star, then followed up with another impressive season in 2005.

Belliard batted .284 in 139 games while setting career highs in home runs (17) and RBIs (78). He also sparked the club’s September push for the postseason with a .299 average over the final month. Belliard proved versatile, batting in every spot in the order except cleanup. His .981 fielding percentage (13 errors) was fifth among American League second basemen, but Belliard’s strategy of setting up deep in the infield — sometimes nearly into shallow right field — gave him the ability to make some spectacular defensive plays.

The Bronx, N.Y., native, who lives in the Dominican Republic also was a clubhouse leader among the team’s Latin players.

“Ronnie has a lot of the attributes we’re looking for in the team we’re trying to build,” Shapiro said. “When you look at all he offers, even in this market, an option is an easy decision.”

The Indians could have bought out the final year of Belliard’s contract for $500,000.

Cleveland signed Belliard to a one-year, $2.5-million contract prior to the 2004 season. He responded with a career-high 48 doubles and drove in 70 runs while being named to the All-Star team. Reach Repository sports writer Andy Call at (330) 580-8346 or e-mail [email protected]
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11/6/05

Baseball writers honor Indians’ Hafner, Boone


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CLEVELAND (AP) — Travis Hafner was honored as the Indians’ Man of the Year for 2005 by the Cleveland chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America.

The chapter cited the designated hitter’s team-leading 33 home runs and 108 RBIs as being a key reason for the club’s 93-69 record and second-place finish in the AL Central Division behind the World Champion Chicago White Sox.

Third baseman Aaron Boone was voted the Frank Gibbons/Steve Olin Good Guy Award for his cooperation with the media.

Pitchers Kevin Millwood, C.C. Sabathia and Bob Wickman were nominated for both awards. Other Man of the Year nominees were catcher and 2004 winner Victor Martinez, left-hander Cliff Lee, outfielder Grady Sizemore and shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

Hafner’s hitting stood out as Cleveland led the wild-card race throughout September before falling out of contention by going 1-6 the final week.
He missed 17 games with post-concussive syndrome after being hit in the face by a pitch by Chicago left-hander Mark Buehrle on July 16 — but returned Aug. 4 and hit .296 with 15 homers and 45 RBIs in 54 games.

Boone battled back, too. Hitting only .151 on June 3, he finished with 16 homers, 60 RBI and .243 average after missing the 2004 season recovering from knee surgery. In his first year in Cleveland, he quickly emerged as a leader in the clubhouse, always answering reporters’ questions no matter the outcome of the game or his own personal struggles.
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11/8/05

Tribe begins ’06 work by signing Sauerbeck

Tuesday, November 8, 2005 <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>By ANDY CALL

CLEVELAND - The Indians gave Scott Sauerbeck a chance to come to Cleveland.
Sauerbeck gave the Indians a chance to keep him there.
The veteran left-hander signed a one-year contract with a club option for 2007 on Monday. Sauerbeck was eligible for free agency, but signed before officially filing to demonstrate his appreciation for the club taking a chance on the pitcher’s surgically repaired left shoulder when no one else would.
“For me, it was a big loyalty issue,” Sauerbeck said. “Where were (the other teams) at when my arm was in a sling? They were running the other way. The Indians picked me up at the lowest point in my career. That goes a long way in my book. It makes all the money I’m giving up a moot point.”
The 33-year-old signed with Cleveland during spring training in 2004 after having shoulder surgery in January. He spent a year rehabilitating that shoulder, then returned to action in 2005.
The Cincinnati native and Miami (Ohio) graduate was 1-0 with a 4.04 ERA in 58 appearances covering 36 innings. He limited left-handers to a .162 average and allowed just seven of 45 inherited runners (16 percent) to score.
“Scott had a strong desire to stay in Cleveland and wanted to be a part of our future,” General Manager Mark Shapiro said in a statement. “We are looking forward to him again filling a crucial role in our bullpen.”
The move gives Manager Eric Wedge two left-handers in his 2006 bullpen, Sauerbeck and veteran setup man Arthur Rhodes.
Wedge used Sauerbeck sparingly in a matchup role late in the season, due primarily to his ineffectiveness against right-handed hitters (.377). Sauerbeck would like to return to a role that allows him to approach the 65-plus appearances he made with Pittsburgh and Boston every year from 1999-2003.
“I can get mad at them, or I can look in the mirror and know I didn’t do the job,” Sauerbeck said. “If I would have done better, I would have pitched more.”
Wedge might be inclined to use Sauerbeck more next season if he can become more effective against right-handers. That becomes more likely as Sauerbeck puts his surgery farther behind him.
“The surgeon told me it’s a two-year process so, sometime next year, all my velocity should come back,” Sauerbeck said. “When you’re throwing 82-83 (mph) and your changeup is coming in at 80, it’s harder to get guys out.
“I competed with what I had, but there were days I just didn’t feel good. Next year, I can expect better results.”
Sauerbeck’s new contract includes a vesting clause. The 2007 option will automatically be picked up if he makes 68 appearances.
The Indians still have work to do if they wish to return the bullpen that forged the best relief ERA in baseball in 2005. Closer Bob Wickman and right-handed setup man Bobby Howry have filed for free agency, and Cleveland must decide whether to offer arbitration to potential free agent right-hander David Riske. “In my mind, it’s still a great bullpen,” Sauerbeck said. Reach Repository sports writer Andy Call at (330) 580-8346 or e-mail: [email protected]
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11/13/05

Indians set spring training schedule

Sunday, November 13, 2005


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CLEVELAND - The Cleveland Indians 2006 Grapefruit League schedule features 16 games at the team’s spring training home, Chain Of Lakes Stadium.

Cleveland is scheduled to play 33 exhibition games. The Tribe opens Grapefruit League play March 2 at 1:05 p.m. against Houston at Kissimmee, Fla. They return to Winter Haven to host the Astros the next day.

Included in the home schedule are two games against Cincinnati (March 26, 31), three against National League champion Houston (March 3, 18, 29), one each against the New York Mets (March 8) and New York Yankees (March 12) and two against the Atlanta Braves (March 10, 23).

Season- and group-ticket orders are being accepted for the exhibition season. Single tickets for all 16 home games can be purchased beginning Jan. 7 at 10 a.m.

Indians spring training tickets will be available at

www.indians.com,

charge-by-phone at (216) 241-5555, toll free at (866) 48-TRIBE, in person at Cleveland Indians teams shops and Ticketmaster ticket center locations including all Kaufmann’s and some Giant Eagle stores.

Spring training tickets also can be purchased in person at the Chain of Lakes Park box office in Winter Haven.

For information on schedules and workout times, fans can visit the team Web site or call the Winter Haven box office at (863) 293-3900.


Indians 2006 spring training

(All games 1:05 p.m. unless noted)

Date Opponent Site
March 2 Houston Kissimmee
March 3 Houston Winter Haven
March 4 Detroit (ss) Winter Haven
March 4 Minnesota (ss) Fort Myers
March 5 Atlanta Orlando
March 6 N.Y. Mets Port St. Lucie
March 7 Detroit Lakeland
March 8 N.Y. Mets (ss) Winter Haven
March 8 Toronto (ss) Dunedin
March 9 Washington Winter Haven
March 10 Atlanta Winter Haven
March 11 Tampa Bay St. Petersburg
March 12 N.Y. Yankees Winter Haven
March 13 Tampa Bay Winter Haven
March 14 Toronto (ss) Winter Haven
March 14 Detroit (ss) Lakeland
March 15 Toronto Dunedin
March 16 Minnesota Winter Haven
March 17 Pittsburgh Bradenton
March 18 Houston Winter Haven
March 19 N.Y. Yankees (1:15) Tampa
March 21 Cincinnati Sarasota
March 22 Houston Kissimmee
March 23 Atlanta Winter Haven
March 24 Toronto Winter Haven
March 25 Atlanta Orlando
March 26 Cincinnati Winter Haven
March 27 Philadelphia Clearwater
March 28 Washington Viera
March 29 Houston Winter Haven
March 30 Detroit Winter Haven March 31 Cincinnati Winter Haven April 1 Cincinnati Sarasota
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11/18/05


Indians add five to 40-man roster
Saturday, November 19, 2005
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The Indians on Friday added five players to their 40-man roster in preparation for next month’s Rule 5 draft.
Outfielder Brad Snyder, first baseman Michael Aubrey, right-handers Edward Mujica and Brian Slocum and left-hander Rafael Perez were all added, bringing Cleveland’s roster to 39. Their contracts were all purchased from minor-league affiliates Akron (Class AA) and Buffalo (Class AAA).
Aubrey was taken with the 11th overall pick in the first round of the 2003 draft, Snyder with the 18th pick. Aubrey played in just 28 games in 2005 due to a stress fracture in his lower back. Snyder hit .279 with 31 doubles, 22 home runs and 82 RBIs in 133 games for Akron and Class A Kinston.
Mujica had 24 saves for Kinston and Akron. Perez was 12-8 with a 2.62 ERA in 22 starts and seven relief appearances for those two clubs. Slocum was 7-5, 4.40 in 18 starts for Akron.
n The San Diego Padres acquired outfielder Mike Cameron from the New York Mets for utility player Xavier Nady. Before the Padres agreed to complete the deal, they wanted to make sure Cameron’s vision was OK following a face-to-face collision with Mets teammate Carlos Beltran on Aug. 11.
n Orel Hershiser resigned as pitching coach of the Texas Rangers to become the team’s executive director. The move appeared to end Hershiser’s rumored candidacy for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ vacant managerial spot.
n Ned Colletti, hired as the Dodgers’ General Manager earlier this week, is planning to meet with Jim Fregosi and Terry Collins to discuss the team’s vacant managerial position.
n Free agent Marlon Anderson agreed to a $1.85 million, two-year deal with the Washington Nationals
n The Brewers claimed shortstop Zach Sorensen off waivers from the Angels, n The Boston Red Sox will interview David Wilder, the Chicago White Sox director of player development, today for their vacant General Manager’s job. n Rick Kranitz was hired as pitching coach of the Marlins after spending the past 22 seasons in the Chicago Cubs’ organization. He succeeds Mark Wiley.
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11/23/05

Indians: Former Orioles closer pays visit

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer [/FONT]



CLEVELAND - Free agent B.J. Ryan visited with the Cleveland Indians, who could turn to the star closer if they decide not to re-sign Bob Wickman — the anchor of the majors’ best bullpen in 2005.

The Indians did their best Tuesday to make the former Orioles pitcher feel wanted. The club put a photograph of him wearing a Cleveland cap on the jumbo scoreboard at Jacobs Field, and the ballpark’s other scoreboards said: “Welcome to Cleveland B.J. and Candi Ryan.”

The club confirmed that Ryan and his wife were in town to meet General Manager Mark Shapiro, who had dinner with the couple Monday night. “It was a great opportunity for us to get to know B.J. and for him and his wife to get to know the city and our staff,” said Shapiro, who would not comment on negotiations.

In his first full season closing games for Baltimore, Ryan had 36 saves. The left-hander went 1-4 with a 2.43 ERA, striking out 100 in 70 1/3 innings. He has appeared in at least 61 games since 2001.

Ryan, who will turn 30 on Dec. 28, made his first All-Star team and was the best thing about a Baltimore bullpen that contributed to the club’s 74-88 record and fourth-place finish in the AL East.

Along with Wickman and Billy Wagner, Ryan is one of the premier closers in this year’s free-agent class. He visited the Toronto Blue Jays last week, and New York Yankees bench coach Lee Mazzilli, who managed Ryan last season before being fired, said he would like to speak with the lefty. The Yankees, though, would use Ryan in a setup role for Mariano Rivera.

If he signs with Cleveland, Ryan would take over closing duties for Wickman, who had a career-high 45 saves — the second most in club history — last season. Wickman has filed for free agency, but it remains to be seen how much interest there will be for the 36-year-old pitcher.

Although his efforts were not always eye-pleasing, Wickman was effective last season as Cleveland’s bullpen posted a 2.80 ERA — the lowest by any AL team since the 1992 Milwaukee Brewers.

Before fading in the final week, the Indians were in the AL playoff hunt. They won just one of their final seven games and finished 93-69 — six behind the World Series champion Chicago White Sox. The Indians have several other free agent pitchers who could be elsewhere in 2006. Starters Kevin Millwood and Scott Elarton and setup man Bobby Howry are all testing the market. The club is expected to offer arbitration to Millwood and Howry. In doing so, Cleveland ensures itself draft-pick compensation if the pitcher signs with other teams.
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11/24/05


Cleveland loses Howry to Cubs
Thursday, November 24, 2005
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Former Indians reliever Bobby Howry agreed to a $12 million, three-year contract with the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday, becoming the second free agent reliever in a week to join the team’s restocked bullpen.

The terms of Howry’s deal were revealed by two people familiar with the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity because Chicago had not yet announced the deal.

Howry spent the last two seasons with the Indians and appeared in 79 games last season, going 7-4 record with a 2.47 ERA. He allowed only four homers in 73 innings.

A week earlier, the Cubs agreed to a contract with Scott Eyre that guaranteed the left-hander $11 million over three years. Like Eyre, Howry once pitched for the Chicago White Sox.

The 32-year-old Howry pitched for the White Sox from 1998 until he was deal at the 2002 trade deadline to the Boston Red Sox. In 1999, he saved 28 games for the White Sox.

Howry initially joined the White Sox from the San Francisco Giants organization in the so-called “White Flag” trade of 1997, when Chicago traded away three of its top pitchers at the deadline, even though the White Sox trailed by only a slim margin in the AL Central. He and Eyre will give the Cubs strong setup men for closer Ryan Dempster.
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