Several of us have posted the "Does Jose have options" question, but none of us have found the answer.

Jose does have an option, see here: https://www.letsgotribe.com/2019/3/12/1 ... -have-them

Can't see demoting Jose. He seems like a mentally fragile player who is happy-go-lucky when things are going well and a depressed, woe-is-me sulker when things aren't going according to plan.

I think a demotion would devastate him.

Get him back on the juice.

Remember, 1 option left means he can be sent to the minors for the entire year. Even multiple ups and downs.

I don't think it would devastate him - he could work on what he needs to out of the spotlight.

Think Jose would react badly to being dropped down to the bottom of the order where the stress level might be lower? Or would the blow to the ego be worse? Do his struggles [and those of other hitters, too] warrant a new batting coach? [that rarely seems to me to be a sensible step]

what then??

civ - funny you should mention that because, really, I am surprised the Indians' hitting coach still has the job.

Obviously in fairness no one thinks we have an all star roster.

But ordinarily, when a whole team hits like this for so long, someone takes the fall and it's the coach. In addition, we can look only as far as Yandy to see how another team got him right.

What got me thinking was an article I read on the Cardinals...and specifically young talent Paul DeJong. I stuck the article in the "Other Teams" folder for reference.

Speaking of Yandy. He has missed a handfull of games lately with a hand/wrist injury. He was only 1 for his last 13.They placed him on the IL today, so we won't have to worry about him coming back and hurting us.

Neil Ramirez has accepted a demotion to AAA. Was previously DFA'd. No takers.

Excited to know that Neil is available whenever we want him back.

A friend of mine has a 20 game ticket package. He is very impressive with the dining options. Makes the drive up to Cleveland worthwhile.

Well, the Twins are now 8 games up. The unimaginable has happened, an actual rival in the Central Division.

And they are legit. Sano hit 2 homers last night. Add that to Cruz, Kepler, Polanco, Rosario, Schoop, Buxton really on and on....this team is a major up and comer and not just in the Central.

As June approaches, SELLER mentality has to be hitting the front office. (As if it didn't already in the offseason)

Still a month to go but there are no signs of offensive life on our team (guess that goes without saying actually) and we are still without Clev and Kluber.

All the signs say.....

And to make it worse, the games are more and more unwatchable. Errors now are combining with the lack of hitting.

Between innings, Terry Francona often glances at the scoreboard built into the left-field wall at Progressive Field to monitor what’s happening around the league. He reads box scores in USA Today each morning, so long as the clubhouse attendant saddled with the task can find enough copies at a convenience store on his way to the ballpark.

Jason Kipnis checks the standings on a regular basis, too. He always has. Minnesota’s scorching start to the season hasn’t changed that practice.

“Pretty much, just to keep an eye on where everyone is, just to have my finger on the pulse of what the division is doing,” Kipnis said. “But it doesn’t make me any less worried or more worried about what’s going on. We still have a job to do and if we do our job, I think we’ll be where we want to be at the end.

“I’m not as worried as most people are. If you want to jump off now, go for it. It’s May. We have some light at the end of the tunnel. We have (Corey) Kluber and (Mike) Clevinger rejoining eventually, Clev coming first. Obviously, the law of averages, our numbers should uptick and Minnesota’s should down(tick). It’s a long season. We go through this almost every year, with fans, with other people, trying to make people realize — how many games do we have left versus Minnesota? Sixteen. So much can happen. The first couple years (of my tenure in Cleveland), we were in Detroit and we used to be, like, ‘Oh, this is a big series. Four games versus them.’ We’ve played Minnesota once so far. I think people need to realize that. Are we not looking great right now? Sure. But that doesn’t mean all hope is lost.”

I get what he is saying, but he says it happens most every year. Maybe, but this year:

1. The offense is horrible, and it's not like stud outfielders are going to appear. Aside from Kipnis (unlikely) and JRam (??)getting their acts together, what else?
2. Kluber will be back...probably August.
3. The Twins are an actual team to be reckoned with this year.

It ain't over, he is stating the obvious, but when the team you are trailing by 8 games has the better team, it's not pretty.

Says it all:

http://www.espn.com/mlb/stats/team/_/stat/batting

Speaking of the games being unwatchable....how's the attendance going?

Nick Camino
Right before this #Indians season, the front office admitted to me they were trying to thread the needle. Meaning, compete, while rebuilding. What they're realizing (and me) is that threading the needle is very difficult. Especially in this market.