Indians Tidbits (2006 season)..

[MolGenBuckeye]

Except Barfield did not get an opportunity to play in the bandbox known as the Great American Ball Park (and he hit in front of the pitcher a lot).

Not only was he not in GABP, he was at Petco. I'm impressed he managed 13 HR there.

Edit: Think he'll be glad to be out of Petco?

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS
Home 76 266 32 64 12 1 6 22 14 36 8 1 .241 .279 .361 .640
Away 74 273 40 87 20 2 7 36 16 45 13 4 .319 .355 .484 .838

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

Tribe plugs hole at second base

Indians acquire Padres' Barfield for prospects Kouzmanoff, Brown

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

CLEVELAND - Josh Barfield wasn't quite sure what to think when he learned he had been traded from the San Diego Padres to the Indians on Wednesday.
``It was hard, because I had no idea that I was somebody who might be traded,'' he said by phone from California. ``It took me by surprise. But then I started thinking that this might be a better situation for me.''
Barfield, 23, spent his rookie season of 2006 playing second base for the Padres, committing only nine errors in 150 games. He also batted a solid .280 with 13 home runs, 32 doubles and 58 RBI in 539 at-bats.
Moreover, Barfield can run, having succeeded on 81 percent (21 out of 26) of his steal attempts. He scored 72 runs.
General Manager Mark Shapiro gave up two prospects for Barfield: third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff and right-handed reliever Andrew Brown to fill a gigantic hole at second base.
But initially, Barfield wasn't sold on the Tribe. Not until he talked to his father, Jesse, a former star outfielder with the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Yankees.
``My dad is the first person I called,'' Barfield said. ``I was pretty nervous (about being traded), and I was a little upset. San Diego was my first organization, and I felt a little betrayed.
``But my dad was so excited, he got me to thinking this was a good thing. He never played there (Jacobs Field), but he's been there. He was a coach for Seattle, and he said he really liked the ballpark.''
It's obvious that Barfield fancies himself as a hitter. Asked how much a change of venue would increase Barfield's home run potential, Shapiro said: ``Josh told me that one of his first positives about the deal was that he wouldn't have to hit in San Diego's park anymore, and that he wouldn't have to bat in front of the pitcher.''
San Diego's Petco Park has been a boon to the Padres' pitching staff, but a challenge for the offense.
Barfield regards himself as more of a gap hitter than a home run threat, but his homer total as a rookie indicates he could develop into a 20-homer-per-year threat. And consider this: Barfield hit more home runs on the road (seven) than at home. He also batted .319 on the road.
Initially, at least, Shapiro will be more interested in seeing Barfield develop as a defender, considering that the Indians' infield defense was nothing short of horrendous last season.
``It think that Josh is a solid, average defender right now,'' Shapiro said. ``But his work ethic is second to none.''
Barfield's .987 fielding average ranked third among National League second basemen, and he was fourth in the league in chances with 684.
It had been assumed that Shapiro would sign a second baseman from the free-agent market, though it was known that he was not enamored with any of the leading candidates, such as Ronnie Belliard, Mark Loretta and Adam Kennedy.
``There are always choices,'' Shapiro said. ``I think there were decent alternatives among the free agents. But this deal gave us both a short-term and maybe a long-term fit and it provided some financial flexibility.''
The salary for Barfield, as a second-year player, is likely to top out at about the $450,000 level. He also will remain under the Indians' control for five years.
Kouzmanoff was expendable, because the Tribe probably will hand third base to prospect Andy Marte, who is backstopped by outfielder Casey Blake, who used to play third.
Brown has a live arm that can generate speeds of 95 mph on the radar gun. However, he has had problems throwing strikes. He also is out of options and was something of a long shot to make the team.
Shapiro isn't sure what the Padres will do with Kouzmanoff, but he said, ``I know that Kevin in particular was aggressively sought by them.''
Kouzmanoff, 25, is considered to be a top hitting prospect, but his defense is questionable. Moreover, he has had health problems because of disc issues in his back.
He batted a combined .379 for the Class AA Aeros and at Triple-A Buffalo, the second-highest average among all minor-leaguers. In 16 September games for the Tribe, Kouzmanoff batted .214 with three homers and 11 RBI.

 

[Piney]

Interesting tidbit I found...

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6154030

Showalter, Indians discuss advisory position

Ken Rosenthal / FOXSports.com
Posted: 60 minutes ago

Former Rangers manager Buck Showalter is talking to the Indians about an advisory position, FOXSports.com has learned.

Showalter, fired last month by the Rangers with three years remaining on his contract, would assist both Indians general manager Mark Shapiro and manager Eric Wedge.

While the hiring of Showalter likely would be interpreted as a threat to Wedge, who is signed only through next season, Showalter would not be considered a possible successor, according to major-league sources.

Wedge, who enjoys the strong backing of Shapiro, has been involved in the discussions with Showalter -- and Showalter has assured Wedge that he would not be after his job, sources say.

The Indians value Showalter's experience and baseball intellect. Showalter has managed the Yankees, Diamondbacks and Rangers, and helped build the expansion Diamondbacks from the ground up.
The Rangers owe Showalter $5.1 million over the next three seasons.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

Showalter in talks for consulting job

Buck Showalter, who was fired with three years left on his contract to manage the Rangers, has been talking to the Indians about a consulting job, according to Fox Sports.
Under terms of the arrangement, Showalter would assist both General Manager Mark Shapiro and manager Eric Wedge. Showalter has managed the Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Yankees, but Fox sources say he is not a threat to replace Wedge.
The Indians have signed 30-year-old catcher Mike Rose to a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to major-league spring training.
Rose spent most of the 2006 season at Triple-A Memphis, an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, where he batted .262 with 15 homers and 36 RBI in 82 games. He began the season at Tampa Bay's Triple-A affiliate in Durham, playing in 20 games.
He finished the season playing in 10 games for the Cardinals with two hits in nine at-bats.

-- Sheldon Ocker​

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Sunday, November 12, 2006

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

Indians report

Sizemore gets nod for Man of Year

Tribe center fielder's do-everything offense helps to set him apart

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal sportswriter

In 2005, Grady Sizemore's first full year in the majors, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen anointed the Indians' center fielder as the best player in the league.
Guillen's assessment was premature, but in 2006, Sizemore got even better, leading to his selection for all-around excellence by the Cleveland Chapter of the Baseball Writers of America as the Tribe's Man of the Year.
Sizemore was Cleveland's do-everything leadoff batter and the team's best defender, often robbing rival batters of extra-base hits with diving or sliding catches.
He led the majors in runs (134) in 2006, and along with Alfonso Soriano was one of two big leaguers who hit at least 20 home runs (28) and stole more than 20 bases (22). Sizemore also batted .290 and led the American League in doubles (53) and extra-base hits (92), including 11 triples.
Sizemore drove in 76 runs, committed only three errors and constantly was lauded by manager Eric Wedge for his hustle and single-mindedness of purpose. Along those lines, he will carry a consecutive game streak of 196 into 2007, fourth among active players.
Nevertheless, Sizemore didn't lack for competition for the Man of the Year Award. A proposal to select co-winners -- Sizemore and Travis Hafner -- lost by only one vote of the writers. C.C. Sabathia, ace of the rotation, also was nominated for the award.
The Steve Olin Good Guy Award, annually given to the player or club official who exhibits the most professional behavior in interacting with the media, was won by Paul Byrd, a member of the Tribe rotation.
Whether he performed well or poorly, Byrd was waiting in front of his locker to answer questions from reporters. Not only was he available, but Byrd also consistently gave candid and thoughtful answers.
Outfielder Casey Blake and Sabathia also were nominated for the Good Guy Award.
PROMOTION -- The Tribe has named Lino Diaz as its new director of Latin American operations.
Diaz joined the Indians in December 2001 and has held the positions of coordinator of cultural development and assistant director of player development, Latin American operations.
TICKETS AVAILABLE -- Tickets for 2007 Opening Day, opening weekend and Six Pack packages go on sale at 10 a.m. Nov. 24.
Fans can buy tickets to all four opening-weekend games against Seattle (April 6-9) but pay for only three.
Tickets can be bought at the Jacobs Field box office, at all Indians Team Shops, at Ticketmaster locations (all Macy's stores and select Giant Eagle supermarkets) or by phone: 216-241-5555, or toll free at 866-48-TRIBE.
Single-game tickets for all 81 home games will go on sale March 3.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

The Indians made a bid for Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka and infielder Akinori Iwamura through the posting process. It appears they came up short on both, but it likely is just the beginning of their attempts to sign Japanese players.
In recent years, the Indians have increased their scouting of the Pacific Rim, including hiring a full-time scout for the area. They signed an amateur pitcher from Taiwan last summer named Sung-Wei Tseng, and they are believed to be interested in a handful of pitchers from the Japanese major leagues. They sent Robby Thompson (who is serving as a special assistant to Mark Shapiro) to Japan to check out Iwamura during the summer. The Indians could conceivably recoup some of the money they spend on a high-profile Japanese player such as Matsuzaka or Iwamura by selling the rights to carry SportsTime Ohio to a Japanese network, the same way they sold the rights to Time Warner or DirecTV. There are significant marketing dollars to be made in the Far East, and it figures to be an advantage for teams with their own television network ? such as the Indians, Red Sox, Yankees and Mets.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

TALKIN' TRIBE

Look for playersvia trades, not on free-agent list

? If the latest round of free-agent spending tells the Indians anything, it's to keep trading. It's truly a mediocre group of free-agent relief pitchers, and big money is being tossed around. It makes last year's three-year, $12 million deal from the Chicago Cubs for Bob Howry look like a bargain, and I bet the Tribe wishes it had matched that. He was 4-5 with a 3.17 ERA in 84 games. He was 5-of-9 in saves, but strong in the setup role.
? Jamie Walker received a three-year, $12 million contract from the Baltimore Orioles. The lefty is 35 and basically pitches just against lefties. He was 0-1 with a 2.81 ERA in 48 innings for the Detroit Tigers, who decided to let him go. The Indians bid two years.
? The Indians also have been talking to Mike Stanton, a 39-year-old lefty who was 7-7 with a 3.99 ERA for the Washington Nationals and San Francisco Giants last year. He was 6-2 and 8-of-13 in saves with a 2.89 ERA after the All-Star break. He can face lefties (.271) or righties (.276), which makes him attractive despite his age. He won't come cheap.
? Here's a list of other pitchers being considered: Steve Kline, Danys Baez, Justin Speier... but none of them exactly inspires great confidence. I'd rather see the Indians target other teams in trades for relievers. Baez wants to close, and might end up doing that with the Kansas City Royals. Most teams see him as a setup man, which is his best spot.
? Given this market, the Atlanta Braves look wise in dealing for Bob Wickman and signing him for next season at $6.5 million. The Indians say Wickman was seriously considering retirement. They also wanted to look at Fausto Carmona as a closer, which failed. In the end, Wickman probably would not have re-signed with the Indians, instead going on the free-agent market and getting big money from somewhere. He has long wanted to play for the Braves.
? The Indians have prospects to trade. Scouts love Franklin Gutierrez because he can run and throw and he's only 23. But in 116 games at Class AAA, he has 10 home runs and 48 RBI and hit .270. He batted 136 times for the Tribe with one home run, nine doubles and only three walks while hitting .272. He doesn't fit on this roster. Nor does Jeremy Guthrie, who is out of minor-league options but coming off a 9-5, 3.14 ERA season at Triple-A Buffalo. Some teams might like Brian Slocum (6-3, 3.35 ERA at Buffalo). It's time to use some of these guys in deals, as the Tribe did with Kevin Kouzmanoff and Andrew Brown to bring in second baseman Josh Barfield.
? Lots of teams are asking for Cliff Lee and Jake Westbrook. Carmona could be an excellent starter. Jason Davis probably would be OK. I would be very reluctant to deal Westbrook, unless it's a mega-trade that brings a closer and a power-hitting outfielder in return. But I would listen on Lee, whose ERAs are 5.43-3.79-4.40 in the past three years. His number of hits allowed has risen every year, and he averages six innings per start. He's solid, but not spectacular. You certainly don't give Lee away, but he should be available for the right price.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

CPD

BASEBALL INSIDER
Wedge: Makes sense to pick up Buck


Sunday, November 19, 2006 Paul Hoynes
Plain Dealer Reporter
Sometime between now and the start of the winter meetings on Dec. 3, the Indians are expected to hire Buck Showalter as an advisor. Manager Eric Wedge says he's fine with it.
"[General Manager] Mark Shapiro and I have been together on this," said Wedge. "It's similar to what we did with Mike Hargrove, and that worked out well for us."
Wedge, entering the last year of his contract after a season where high expectations fell flat, has every right to be nervous. Showalter, fired as Texas manager at the end of the season, has managed the Yankees and Arizona. He helped build the Diamondbacks from an expansion team.
"If I didn't feel that way with Grover [Hargrove], I wouldn't feel that way with Buck," said Wedge. "Look at the history Grover has in this organization."
Hargrove not only played and coached for the Indians, but managed them to the World Series in 1995 and 1997. Showalter, due $5.1 million over the next three years from the Rangers, has never had a Cleveland connection.
"This can only help us get better," said Wedge.
Shapiro hired Hargrove as an advisor in 2003. Wedge, in his first year as manager, often used him as a resource. Third base coach Joel Skinner is the only coach on Wedge's current staff with big-league managerial experience - a half season in 2002 after Charlie Manuel was fired at the All-Star break - so Showalter could fill a void. Shapiro said he could benefit from Showalter's knowledge of players, while Ross Atkins, the Tribe's new farm director, also can use Showalter to evaluate the club's minor-league players.
When Showalter interviewed for the job, he met with Shapiro and Wedge.
After the Rangers fired Showalter, one of the first people Shapiro called was John Hart. The Tribe's former GM is an advisor with the Rangers after being replaced as GM.
Hart said Showalter would be perfect for the job. The Indians should soon have a chance to see for themselves.
More eyes:
Despite failing to win the negotiating rights to third baseman Akinori Iwamura last week, the Indians' commitment to scouting Pacific Rim players continues to grow. John Mirabelli, director of scouting, will soon add a second full-time scout in the Far East.
Mirabelli is looking for a scout to concentrate solely on Japan. Jason Lee, who lives in South Korea, will continue to scout Korea and Taiwan.
Based on Tampa Bay's winning bid of $4.5 million for Iwamura, the Indians realize they'll have to increase their bid if they're going to have a shot at negotiating with left-hander Kei Igawa of the Hanshin Tigers. Igawa is expected to be posted Monday.
Igawa started in Japan, but he may be a better fit for the Tribe in the bullpen. The Indians went into the off-season with the idea of adding two lefties to the pen. Igawa could be one of them.
Concentrate:
The key to Jhonny Peralta's success at shortstop in 2007 will be his ability to play defense, pitch to pitch.
Peralta has to know the hitter's tendencies, the pitch that's coming and the location of the pitch. Then he has to position himself well and be ready to move. It could be an exhausting process.
If Peralta hits, things would be easier.
The Indians explored replacing Peralta. They talked about moving him to second before acquiring Josh Barfield, but the free-agent market is not good. Julio Lugo, a better second baseman than shortstop, is shaky defensively. Alex Gonzalez is a superior defensive shortstop but wants a four-year deal.
So, for now, it's Peralta.
The Indians are trying to trade for a utility infielder who could push Peralta. If not, they're banking on a lighter, better-conditioned Hector Luna coming to camp to compete with him.
Lone dissenter:
Ninety-nine percent of the reviews on Barfield from last week's GM meetings were good. His range, for instance, drew raves. One of the few critical remarks said his work around second, especially turning the double play, needs work.
Finally:
The Indians never bid for first baseman Sean Casey, who re-signed with Detroit. They feel they have a similar player in Ryan Garko.
Garko, through nine games for Aguilas in the Dominican Republic, was hitting just .125 (4-for-32) with one RBI. Fausto Carmona and Jeremy Guthrie made their Aguilas debuts. Carmona struck out seven and walked one in a five-inning no decision. Guthrie struck out one and walked three in 4 1/3 innings in another no-decision. In the Arizona Fall League, Trevor Crowe is hitting .329 (26-for-79) with two doubles, two triples and 13 RBI, Javi Herrera is hitting .280 (7-for-25) and left-hander Tony Sipp has one save, 16 strikeouts and nine walks in 10 1/3 innings.
Franklin Gutierrez is hitting .250 (9-for-36) in Venezuela, and Ben Francisco is hitting .283 (34-for-120) with nine doubles, five homers and 16 RBI in Mexico.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
[email protected], 216-999-5158

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

Two are named Class A All-Stars

Two Indians minor leaguers have been chosen for the Topps Class A All-Star team: outfielder Brian Barton and starting pitcher Chuck Lofgren. Both played for Carolina League champion Kinston.
Barton, 24, led the league in slugging percentage (.513) and was 26-for-29 in stolen base attempts. He batted .308 with 13 homers and 57 RBI and moved up to Akron.
Lofgren, 20, led all Class A pitchers in wins with 17. He compiled a 2.32 earned-run average and lost only five times.
The Indians added two players to the 40-man roster: Buffalo outfielder Ben Francisco and right-hander J.D. Martin, who started for Akron. The roster stands at 36. By adding these players to the roster, they cannot be lost in the Rule 5 draft in December.

-- Sheldon Ocker​

​

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

One of the least - discussed changes to the Major League Baseball?s basic agreement allows teams to wait an extra year before they must put prospects on the 40-man roster to protect them from the Rule 5 draft. In the past, teams could essentially protect a college draftee for three years and a high-school draftee for four years; now it is four and five, respectively.
As a result, the Indians added only two fringe prospects, Ben Francisco and J.D. Martin, to their roster when it had to be set this week. Because of the rule change, the Tribe didn?t have to protect two of their top pitching prospects, former Ohio State standout Scott Lewis and Adam Miller, which leaves room on the 40-man for a few free agents. It probably will cost Lewis some money. A player on the 40-man roster is guaranteed to make at least $30,000.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

CPD

A high-priced shopping season


Sunday, November 26, 2006 Paul Hoynes
Plain Dealer Reporter

General managers predicted big contracts for good and mediocre free agents this winter. So far theyve been right.
The Cubs signed outfielder Alfonso Soriano, the best hitter on the market, to a eight-year, $136 million contract. They've spent $230.5 million this off-season on six players.
Houston signed outfielder Carlos Lee, a power hitter who should be ready to DH in a couple of years, to a six-year, $100 million contract. It was the biggest contract in Astros history.

The Angels signed center fielder Gary Matthews Jr. to a five-year, $50 million contract following his one and only good season.
The Dodgers signed center fielder Juan Pierre to a five-year, $44 million contract.
Frank Catalanotto, a good left-handed hitter who had a hard time getting at-bats in Toronto, signed a three-year, $13 million deal with Texas.
Justin Speier, who had the good fortune of pitching in front of B.J. Ryan, signed a four-year, $18 million contract with the Angels.
Left-hander Jamie Walker signed a three-year, $12 million deal with Baltimore.
Mark Shapiro was one of the general managers who saw such contracts coming. It has hurt his efforts to improve the Indians especially the bullpen for 2007.
They negotiated with Speier and Walker, but were out-bid. The Indians liked Catalanotto as well, but not for $13 million.
Sometimes it had nothing to do with money. The Indians offered Moises Alou a two-year deal, but he signed with the Mets for one year and $8.5 million. Alou not only wanted to stay in the National League, but he preferred to be with a team that had a chance to make the postseason.
The Mets took the World Series champion Cardinals to seven games in the NLCS.
The Indians still have an interest in relievers Ron Villone and Scott Schoeneweis, Danys Baez and Joe Borowski, but not much is expected to happen until next Saturday. Thats the deadline for a free agents old team to offer him arbitration changed from Dec. 7 in the new basic agreement.
If a player isn't offered arbitration, the team that signs them won't lose draft picks as compensation.
The Indians have been working the trade angle hard. Shapiro has received a lot of inquiries about his starting pitchers C.C. Sabathia, Cliff Lee, Jake Westbrook, Jeremy Sowers and Paul Byrd but it seems unlikely hed deal one of them. Tribe starters ranked third in the American League with a 4.31 ERA behind Detroit and the Angels.
Still, it has to be tempting because the Indians have depth in Fausto Carmona, Adam Miller, Brian Slocum and Jeremy Guthrie.
"I'd never say never," said Shapiro, "but the question is why would I do it? I'd be creating a hole by doing it... I'd have to fill at least two holes on the big-league club to do it."
One player the Indians have inquired about is Angels reliever Scot Shields. They think he could fill their hole at closer. It was rumored that the Angels might consider trading Shields after acquiring Speier, but the Indians havent been told that.
Shields went 7-7 with a 2.87 ERA and two saves last season. He struck out 84 in 87 2/3 innings. To make such a trade the Indians would probably have to part with big-league and front-line prospects such as outfielder Trevor Crowe.
Extra time:
The new labor agreement has given teams a greater ability to protect their players in the off-season. Under the old deal, the Indians would have had to add Crowe, left-hander Tony Sipp and right-hander Adam Miller to the 40-man roster last week in anticipation of the Rule 5 draft at the winter meetings.
Instead, they can leave them unprotected for another year because of the new deal, while leaving four spots open for player acquisitions. If the Indians dont trade Crowe, Sipp or Miller this off-season, they each have a chance to help the big-league club in 2007.
Post it:
Chicago GM Ken Williams, like Shapiro, keeps getting asked about his starting pitchers. Williams has a better idea than trading Jon Garland, Mark Buehrle, Jose Contreras, Javier Vazquez or Freddy Garcia.
Id rather post them, said Williams. If you can get that much money for someone who has never pitched in this league, how much could you get for one of our guys?
Williams was referring to the $51.1 million Boston used to win the negotiating rights to Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka of the Seibu Lions. The exact amount of Bostons bid $51,111,111.11.
Finally:
Winter ball update on some of the Tribes prospects:
Venezuela: Edward Mujica 0-1, 10.38 ERA, two blown saves; Franklin Gutierrez .279 (12-for-43), one homer, four RBI; Asdrubal Cabrera .250 (12-for-48), three RBI.
Arizona Fall League (final stats): Crowe .329 (26-for-79), 18 runs, 14 RBI; Javi Herrera .296 (8-for-27), three RBI; Kyle Collins 1-1, 7.84 ERA, one save; Reid Santos 0-1, 2.53, 1 save; Sipp 0-0, 4.35 ERA, one save, 16 strikeouts in 10 1/3 innings.
Mexico: Ben Francisco .268 (40-for-149), seven homers, 25 RBI.
Stats from the Dominican Republic were not available.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
[email protected], 216-999-5158

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

Indians, Dellucci reach preliminary agreement on 3-year deal

TOM WITHERS

Associated Press

CLEVELAND - Promised Cleveland's starting job in left field, free agent David Dellucci has reached preliminary agreement on an $11.5 million, three-year contract with the Indians.
The 33-year-old Dellucci has a physical scheduled for Thursday in Cleveland, and he'll finalize his deal with the Indians if he passes it.
"The key factor there was his role," agent Joe Longo said. "They've given him the left fielder's job. He also felt he wanted to be in a lineup that had a chance to win. He wanted to come back to the American League. That was the best fit."
Dellucci batted .292 with 13 homers and 39 RBIs in 132 games for the Philadelphia Phillies last season. Before that, he spent two seasons with Texas and has also played for the New York Yankees, Arizona and Baltimore.
Dellucci hit 29 homers for the Rangers in 2005.
Longo said several teams were in the hunt for Dellucci, a left-handed hitter who has a .263 career average.
"He had a lot of interest," Longo said. "We probably had serious interest from 12 teams. He wanted a three-year guarantee. That was the main thing, the every day job. He really wanted to play every day on a contender."
Dellucci's deal would pay him $3.75 million next season, $3.75 million in 2008 and $4 million in 2009.
His decision to sign with the Indians was first reported by FOXSports.com.
If they sign Dellucci, the Indians will have more options in their outfield. Jason Michaels would likely back up Dellucci in left, Shin-Soo Choo could become the everyday starter in right with Casey Blake, a former infielder, moving to first base.
Dellucci can play both corner outfield positions.
---
AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this report.

 

[NFBuck]

Promised Cleveland's starting job in left field, free agent David Dellucci has reached preliminary agreement on an $11.5 million, three-year contract with the Indians.
The 33-year-old Dellucci has a physical scheduled for Thursday in Cleveland, and he'll finalize his deal with the Indians if he passes it.
"The key factor there was his role," agent Joe Longo said. "They've given him the left fielder's job. He also felt he wanted to be in a lineup that had a chance to win. He wanted to come back to the American League. That was the best fit."

So we're bringing in another platoon/bench player and giving him a starting job? Great, worked great with Jason Michaels.

 

[Brutus1]

Given AB's in that park, Delucci can be a very productive hitter. He's a better upgrade than Michaels.