Tribe unable to complete deal with Garland

GOODYEAR, Ariz. --

The Indians' deal with free-agent pitcher Jon Garland is off.

On Wednesday, MLB.com learned that the Tribe will not be signing Garland to a Minor League contract as the club had originally hoped. An agreement with the pitcher was in place last week, but he did not take a physical with the team on Monday as initially scheduled.

Garland is still working through a rehab program for his right shoulder and he was not in a position to compete for a job with Cleveland this spring.

The Indians and Garland agreed to a Minor League contract on Feb. 13, and the deal would have included a non-roster invitation to attend Spring Training with the big league club. The right-hander was presumed to be a possible candidate for Cleveland's vacant fifth-starter's role.

Kevin Slowey, Jeanmar Gomez, David Huff and Zach McAllister are the top four candidates for the lone vacancy in the rotation this spring. The top four spots (in no particular order) will be occupied by Justin Masterson, Ubaldo Jimenez, Josh Tomlin and Derek Lowe.

Garland's 2,083 1/3 innings and 132 wins since 2000 rank 12th and 16th, respectively, among all Major League pitchers. The 32-year-old went 1-5 with a 4.33 ERA in nine outings with the Dodgers last year before undergoing season-ending surgery on his right shoulder in July.

Over the course of 12 seasons in the Majors, Garland has had stints with the White Sox, Angels, D-backs, Padres and Dodgers. He is 132-119 overall with a 4.32 ERA across 353 games. He has won at least 12 games in a season seven times and has topped 190 innings nine times.

Indians position players are required to report to Arizona on Thursday. As of Wednesday, the only players not in camp were outfielders Trevor Crowe and Felix Pie, as well as first baseman Casey Kotchman. Position players take physicals on Friday and the first full-squad workout is scheduled for Saturday.

Indians manager Manny Acta said that infielder Jason Donald is a "leading candidate" to earn a utility role off the Tribe's bench. Donald hits right-handed, can play multiple infield positions and, later this spring, might see some action in the outfield.

Indians closer Chris Perez said on Wednesday that he does not plan on working on a changeup this spring. Perez did so last Spring Training and it led to some right forearm issues. "It got me off on the wrong foot," Perez said.

Indians third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall and his wife welcomed a baby boy, named Cutter, into their family in January.

Despite last season, Indians know Lowe, Slowey are winners

It's possible that the Indians' rotation in 2012 could include Derek Lowe and Kevin Slowey. Those two pitchers' combined won-lost record last year was 9-25. Nevertheless, Tribe officials are optimistic about the chances of both pitchers making big contributions this season.

Lowe, who was 9-17 with Atlanta last year, will be in the Opening Day rotation barring injury, probably as the No. 4 starter.

Slowey, who was 0-8 for the Twins last year, will compete for the No. 5 spot in the rotation.

The Indians acquired the 38-year-old Lowe during the off-season in a trade with Atlanta. Indians manager Manny Acta said the Indians didn't acquire Lowe only for his leadership.

"If he was brought here just to be a leader, that's a pretty expensive leader," Acta said.

The Indians believe Lowe can have a bounce-back season in 2012. Among the reasons behind that belief are that Lowe is healthy and he's smart. He knows how to pitch and he's extremely durable. Since 2002, Lowe has averaged 202 innings per season.

"He piles up the innings and he doesn't back down," Acta said. "We feel he can bounce back this year and he feels the same way."

Slowey reached double figures in wins for the Twins in three consecutive seasons starting in 2008. However, he was traded to Colorado after his winless season. The Indians acquired him in a trade with the Rockies later in the off-season.

"He is a lot like (RHP Josh) Tomlin," Acta said. "He needs to be very sharp with his command. Last year, he was off with his mechanics and his location."

Slowey appears to have the inside track for the No. 5 spot in the Indians' rotation, although he will face competition from Jeanmar Gomez, David Huff, and Zach McAllister.

Guzman signs with Indians, has a chance for utility spot

--INF Cristian Guzman, 33, was signed to a minor league contract and is in the major league camp as a non-roster player. He will attempt to win a job as a utility middle infielder. Guzman is a two-time All-Star, with the Twins in 2002 and the Nationals in 2008, but he did not play season while recovering from rotator cuff surgery on his right shoulder.

--RHP Ubaldo Jimenez says he's healthy this spring, and Indians officials couldn't be happier. "He told me that and it brought a smile to my face," pitching coach Scott Radinsky said. Last year while with Colorado, Jimenez had injury problems early in the season and never really seemed to get into any rhythm, particularly after the Indians traded for him at mid-season. Jimenez went 4-4 with a 5.10 ERA in 11 starts for the Indians. "This guy can really throw the ball," Radinsky said. "I think we're going to see a different guy this year."

--RHP Derek Lowe is penciled into the Indians' rotation even though he is 38 years old and coming off a season last year with Atlanta in which he went 9-17 and led the National League in losses. Asked what the 6-foot-6 Lowe brings to the team, pitching coach Scott Radinsky joked: "He adds age, and some height." More seriously, Radinsky said: "He's going to be a big plus for us. He's a possible 200 innings guy and he's a tireless worker."

--OF Shin-Soo Choo lost about 150 at-bats last season when he was hit by a pitch and suffered a broken thumb that eventually required surgery. Limited to 313 at bats Choo hit only .259 with eight home runs and 36 RBI. Choo reported to training camp healthy. "If he hadn't broken his thumb, his numbers (last year) would have been there," manager Manny Acta said.

--RHP Josh Tomlin missed the last five weeks of last season because of right elbow inflammation but still managed to go 12-7, tying him for the team lead in victories. Pitching coach Scott Radinsky said Tomlin has thrown well early in camp. "He looks good and said he feels good," Radinsky said.

Cleveland Indians starting pitchers David Huff and Zach McAllister stretch out with rubber bands before the start of spring training practice in Goodyear, Arizona, on Feb. 23, 2012

Tribe pitchers throwing hard at doubts on depth: Cleveland Indians Insider

Published: Thursday, February 23, 2012, 10:56 PM Updated: Thursday, February 23, 2012, 11:01 PM

By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer The Plain Dealer

GOODYEAR, Ariz. —

The Indians aren't supposed to have much talent in the upper levels of the minor leagues. No. 1 picks Alex White and Drew Pomeranz were traded last year to Colorado. Position players Carlos Santana, Lonnie Chisenhall and Jason Kipnis have been promoted to the big leagues.

Late Thursday morning, that assumption could have been challenged as pitchers Austin Adams, Scott Barnes, Chen-Chang Lee and Danny Salazar started throwing their 10-minute bullpen sessions.

"Those are four good-looking young pitchers," said Mike Chernoff, Indians assistant general manager.

Barnes, a left-hander, is coming off left knee surgery. He was 7-4 with a 3.68 ERA in 16 games, including 15 starts, last year at Class AAA Columbus.

Chen, a sidearming right-hander, is one of the first players teams asked for when they talked trade with the Indians. He went 6-1 with a 2.40 ERA between Columbus and Class AA Akron. In 71 1/3 innings, he struck out 99 and walked 19.

"You can see why right-handers are uncomfortable against him in the minors," said manager Manny Acta.

Adams, who hit 101 mph last year, was 11-10 with a 3.77 ERA in 26 starts at Akron. He struck out 131 and walked 63 in 136 innings.

The Indians put Salazar, a right-hander, on the 40-man roster for the first time in November. He made only eight starts in the Arizona Rookie League and Class A Lake County while recovering from Tommy John surgery. In the Arizona Instructional League, Salazar hit 97 mph and pitched well to show the Indians he was healthy.

When asked about Barnes, Chen and Adams, Acta said, "Based on the reports we've gotten, a couple of those guys should be able to contribute this year if they stay the course . . . especially Lee and Barnes."

Switcheroo: Hall of Famer Eddie Murray, who surpassed 3,000 hits and 500 homers as a switch-hitter, said hitting from both sides of the plate was hard. Just when he had his right-handed swing fixed, the left-handed swing needed repair. It was a constant game of adjustments.

Santana, the Indians switch-hitting catcher, has experienced that in his first two years in the big leagues.

Santana hit .146 (7-for-48) right-handed (vs. lefties) and .314 (32-for-102) left-handed (vs. righties) as a rookie in 2010. Last year, he hit .318 (57-for-179) with five homers and 25 RBI right-handed and .201 (75-for-373) with 22 homers and 54 RBI left-handed.

"I think last year he got caught up a little bit into not using the whole field from the left side," said Acta. "He was rolling over [grounding out] a lot. It showed on the power numbers. The power numbers were there from the left side.

"But from the right side of the plate, he used the whole field much better against lefties. It comes with experience. He knows he can use the whole field and still hit a good amount of home runs because guys are going to make mistakes. It's a given.

"I think he's going to be better this year."

Acta said that as Santana gets older, he should find ways to keep himself more consistent from both sides of the plate.

"It comes with time," said Acta. "You see it with those good switch hitters in the league. Finally, when they mature, they get a feel for what they need to do with their hands and their body. They can find some consistency throughout the year."

Acta said Santana will remain in the cleanup spot this season. He spent 96 games there last year.

Finally: With Trevor Crowe, Felix Pie and Casey Kotchman reporting Thursday, the Indians have all 62 players in camp. Saturday is the first full-squad workout.

Cleveland Indians outfielder Shelley Duncan gets in some batting practice. (Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer)
Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Josh Tomlin works in his first bullpen session. (Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer)
Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Chris Perez hugs Carlos Santana (a spring training ritual) after Perez completed his first bullpen session. (Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer)
Cleveland Indians Carlos Santana and Rafael Perez stretch out. (Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer)
Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Vinnie Pestano takes part in pitchers infield practice. The planes are parked at Goodyear Airport, which is behind the practice facility. (Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer)/b]


Cleveland Indians pitching coach Scott Radinsky jokes with pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez. Radinsky is in his first year as the pitching coach of the Indians. (Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer)


Cleveland Indians catcher Carlos Santana, center, gets a drink before starting a bullpen session. (Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer)

Where's the photo of Grady Sizemore bending over, ruining his back, and earning his $5 million contract?

A few years ago in Winter Haven (2005)

Albert Belle is back!

Why does these guys all become fat slobs when they retire. I guess Baerga was already a fat slob in his 20s.

Belle should be our hitting coach.

kenm wrote:Why does these guys all become fat slobs when they retire. I guess Baerga was already a fat slob in his 20s.

Belle should be our hitting coach.

Are you calling J.R. a fat slob?

Pretty much more than good shape for J.R. in my book.

Cool story, just the same, that Kenny and Carlos coerced Albert to come.

Geez, 1995 was a special year, and it gives me warmth to know the participant players perhaps recognize the significance for Cleveland.

They Rock.

Albert's now a happy father of 4. I wonder if his personality has really changed? Hope so for the kids benefit. What a great hitter he was! 50 doubles and 50 homers in a season.

civ ollilavad wrote:Albert's now a happy father of 4. I wonder if his personality has really changed? Hope so for the kids benefit. What a great hitter he was! 50 doubles and 50 homers in a season.

I got to see Homerun #50 that year (against KC, game #143).

I hate to say it, but I suspect PED's contributed both to his prodigious output as well as his demeanor.

PEDs? No.... Say it ain'tso.

Look at alomar in that picture. If that guy wasnt a user I would be shocked. He is half the size he was when he played. These guys all corrupted manny.