FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Indians are "in talks" with Edwin Jackson.
The Indians are talking to both Jackson and Nick Swisher, but Rosenthal says it's unlikely they'll be able to sign both. The Rangers are also in on Jackson, and so are the Cubs even though they're reportedly close to locking up Carlos Villanueva. CBS Sports' Jon Heyman says the bidding for E-Jax has reached four years and "close to $50 million."
Source: Ken Rosenthal on Twitter Dec 19 - 8:31 PM
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2957No way no how is Swisher coming to Cleveland folks. Right now i'd be working hard on two fronts A Cab to the Tigers and/or C Perez to the Dodgers for Either and $$$. Heck Either is younger and has a better career OPS than Swisher!!!
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2960Los Angeles Dodgers Have No Interest in Trading Andre Ethier
Yahoo! Contributor Network
By Howard Cole | Yahoo! Contributor Network – Tue, Dec 18, 2012 7:14 PM EST
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Any speculation about the Los Angeles Dodgers trading right fielder Andre Ethier should be accompanied by the following caveats.
First and foremost, baseball agents have agendas, and if it helps to have a client's name attached to a particular trade rumor, that's reason enough to float the information. And second, a fair percentage of what you read about this player or that going to Team A or Team B is pure fiction.
Clubs have agendas too, of course, but if you pose a direct question to a team official, you're likely to get a useful answer, even if some parsing may be required.
FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal got the Ethier ball rolling this morning with an article entitled, "Are Dodgers shopping Andre Ethier?" In it, Rosenthal quotes "one official with knowledge of the Dodgers' thinking" as saying, among other things, that Los Angeles has "zero intention" of trading Ethier. And depending on whom you believe Chris Christie and Hillary Clinton have no intention of running for president in 2016. Right now, today, at this very moment.
A source within the Dodgers organization told me this afternoon that "the Dodgers have no interest in trading Andre Ethier." Notice the monumental difference there, "interest" rather than "intention?" It's not much, but at least it's from the horse's mouth.
Nick Swisher is looking for a free agent deal and has already been linked to L.A., but remember, it serves Swisher to have that his name bandied about, especially in association with this year's big-spending Dodgers. Maybe it helps him get a bigger payday from the Cleveland Indians, or who knows what club. So take the Swisher-to-Los-Angeles talk with a grain of salt.
Some deem Swisher a good fit for Los Angeles since he's a switch-hitter and because Ethier is hitting .238 lifetime against left-handers (and .222 in 2012). Yes, but Ethier has a .266/.356/.500 line in postseason play; Swisher's October underachieving has been well-chronicled, and it's even uglier on paper that it is on grass: .169/.283/.305. And the bigger the stage, the worse he gets. Swisher is a .200 hitter in the ALDS, a .141 man in the ALCS, and managed all of .133 during his one World Series, in 2009.
Talk to me all you like about sample size. The Dodgers are looking to prosper in the postseason above all else, and Swisher hasn't shown he can succeed there. Not in the least. And they'd have to sacrifice a draft pick to get him.
Perhaps the Dodgers acquire a right-handed hitter with some sock to spell Ethier against the occasional southpaw. Or more than just the occasional southpaw.
Maybe that player pinch hits for Ethier at times against the left-handed relief specialist in the late innings of games next season, and maybe that player's presence on the bench keeps the opposing manager from even going to the pen in the first place. Maybe that leads to more production from Ethier.
And maybe just maybe the Dodgers have even less interest (or intention) in signing Nick Swisher than they do in trading Andre Ethier.
Michael Bourn, on the other hand, now that's an intriguing conversation to get into. God only knows if the rumors connecting Bourn and the Dodgers hold water or not, but at least it makes sense. Trading Ethier and replacing him with a newly-signed free agent like Bourn would free up Matt Kemp to move to what may be his more natural right field position, reducing at least a little wear and tear in the process. The obvious addition of a legitimate leadoff man slash stolen base threat is reason for excitement as well.
But we'll see. The Dodgers have "no interest in trading Andre Ethier." They also have "no intention" of trading Andre Ethier. Today, Tuesday, December 18, 2012. Unless and until they do.
Yahoo! Contributor Network
By Howard Cole | Yahoo! Contributor Network – Tue, Dec 18, 2012 7:14 PM EST
AdChoices
Any speculation about the Los Angeles Dodgers trading right fielder Andre Ethier should be accompanied by the following caveats.
First and foremost, baseball agents have agendas, and if it helps to have a client's name attached to a particular trade rumor, that's reason enough to float the information. And second, a fair percentage of what you read about this player or that going to Team A or Team B is pure fiction.
Clubs have agendas too, of course, but if you pose a direct question to a team official, you're likely to get a useful answer, even if some parsing may be required.
FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal got the Ethier ball rolling this morning with an article entitled, "Are Dodgers shopping Andre Ethier?" In it, Rosenthal quotes "one official with knowledge of the Dodgers' thinking" as saying, among other things, that Los Angeles has "zero intention" of trading Ethier. And depending on whom you believe Chris Christie and Hillary Clinton have no intention of running for president in 2016. Right now, today, at this very moment.
A source within the Dodgers organization told me this afternoon that "the Dodgers have no interest in trading Andre Ethier." Notice the monumental difference there, "interest" rather than "intention?" It's not much, but at least it's from the horse's mouth.
Nick Swisher is looking for a free agent deal and has already been linked to L.A., but remember, it serves Swisher to have that his name bandied about, especially in association with this year's big-spending Dodgers. Maybe it helps him get a bigger payday from the Cleveland Indians, or who knows what club. So take the Swisher-to-Los-Angeles talk with a grain of salt.
Some deem Swisher a good fit for Los Angeles since he's a switch-hitter and because Ethier is hitting .238 lifetime against left-handers (and .222 in 2012). Yes, but Ethier has a .266/.356/.500 line in postseason play; Swisher's October underachieving has been well-chronicled, and it's even uglier on paper that it is on grass: .169/.283/.305. And the bigger the stage, the worse he gets. Swisher is a .200 hitter in the ALDS, a .141 man in the ALCS, and managed all of .133 during his one World Series, in 2009.
Talk to me all you like about sample size. The Dodgers are looking to prosper in the postseason above all else, and Swisher hasn't shown he can succeed there. Not in the least. And they'd have to sacrifice a draft pick to get him.
Perhaps the Dodgers acquire a right-handed hitter with some sock to spell Ethier against the occasional southpaw. Or more than just the occasional southpaw.
Maybe that player pinch hits for Ethier at times against the left-handed relief specialist in the late innings of games next season, and maybe that player's presence on the bench keeps the opposing manager from even going to the pen in the first place. Maybe that leads to more production from Ethier.
And maybe just maybe the Dodgers have even less interest (or intention) in signing Nick Swisher than they do in trading Andre Ethier.
Michael Bourn, on the other hand, now that's an intriguing conversation to get into. God only knows if the rumors connecting Bourn and the Dodgers hold water or not, but at least it makes sense. Trading Ethier and replacing him with a newly-signed free agent like Bourn would free up Matt Kemp to move to what may be his more natural right field position, reducing at least a little wear and tear in the process. The obvious addition of a legitimate leadoff man slash stolen base threat is reason for excitement as well.
But we'll see. The Dodgers have "no interest in trading Andre Ethier." They also have "no intention" of trading Andre Ethier. Today, Tuesday, December 18, 2012. Unless and until they do.
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2962When the dust clears on the FAs, the Tribe will be dumpster diving as usual. Tribe still has a couple of tradable pieces but the longer it goes, the less they'll be worth.
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2964FOX SPORTS
First baseman/outfielder Nick Swisher isn’t the only significant free agent that the Cleveland Indians are pursuing.
The Indians also are making a run at right-hander Edwin Jackson, but probably cannot sign both him and Swisher, according to major-league sources.
The Cubs also are strongly in the mix for Jackson, who is expected to command a deal of at least four years, sources say.
Swisher, too, is likely to sign for at least four years. The Indians showed earlier this offseason that they are willing to go to that length with a free agent, offering outfielder Shane Victorino a four-year, $44 million deal.
Jackson, 29, would add durability and consistency to the Indians’ rotation — and perhaps give the team the flexibility to trade another of its starters, most likely right-hander Justin Masterson.
The Indians recently acquired right-hander Trevor Bauer from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Lefty David Huff and righties Ubaldo Jimenez, Zach McAllister and Corey Kluber are the other potential members of the Cleveland rotation.
Most in the industry do not view Jackson as a top-of-the-rotation starter, but he has averaged 199 innings over the past five seasons and produced an ERA-plus slightly above league-average (ERA-plus is ERA adjusted to a pitcher’s ballpark and league).
The Cubs already have remade their rotation by signing free-agent righties Scott Baker and Scott Feldman, and on Wednesday they were close to an agreement with righty Carlos Villanueva, who can start or relieve.
Jackson, though, offers the same kind of appeal as right-hander Anibal Sanchez, who spurned the Cubs to sign a five-year, $80 million free-agent contract with the Detroit Tigers.
The Cubs viewed Sanchez as a pitcher who could help them short-term and still be effective in the latter part of his contract, when the team should be closer to contenition.
Jackson, who is about six months older than Sanchez, is less accomplished but fits the same profile.
Swisher, 32, likely would play right field for the Indians, who earlier this offseason signed free agent Mark Reynolds to be their new first baseman.
The Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners are among the other clubs that have shown interest in Swisher, and those are not the only teams in the mix, sources say.
First baseman/outfielder Nick Swisher isn’t the only significant free agent that the Cleveland Indians are pursuing.
The Indians also are making a run at right-hander Edwin Jackson, but probably cannot sign both him and Swisher, according to major-league sources.
The Cubs also are strongly in the mix for Jackson, who is expected to command a deal of at least four years, sources say.
Swisher, too, is likely to sign for at least four years. The Indians showed earlier this offseason that they are willing to go to that length with a free agent, offering outfielder Shane Victorino a four-year, $44 million deal.
Jackson, 29, would add durability and consistency to the Indians’ rotation — and perhaps give the team the flexibility to trade another of its starters, most likely right-hander Justin Masterson.
The Indians recently acquired right-hander Trevor Bauer from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Lefty David Huff and righties Ubaldo Jimenez, Zach McAllister and Corey Kluber are the other potential members of the Cleveland rotation.
Most in the industry do not view Jackson as a top-of-the-rotation starter, but he has averaged 199 innings over the past five seasons and produced an ERA-plus slightly above league-average (ERA-plus is ERA adjusted to a pitcher’s ballpark and league).
The Cubs already have remade their rotation by signing free-agent righties Scott Baker and Scott Feldman, and on Wednesday they were close to an agreement with righty Carlos Villanueva, who can start or relieve.
Jackson, though, offers the same kind of appeal as right-hander Anibal Sanchez, who spurned the Cubs to sign a five-year, $80 million free-agent contract with the Detroit Tigers.
The Cubs viewed Sanchez as a pitcher who could help them short-term and still be effective in the latter part of his contract, when the team should be closer to contenition.
Jackson, who is about six months older than Sanchez, is less accomplished but fits the same profile.
Swisher, 32, likely would play right field for the Indians, who earlier this offseason signed free agent Mark Reynolds to be their new first baseman.
The Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners are among the other clubs that have shown interest in Swisher, and those are not the only teams in the mix, sources say.
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2965Blah Blah Blah. These guys are just using the tribe for leverage and the tribe is just using their offer for some cheap pr. It is a win win. Shwisher obviously has no legit offer but from the tribe. There money is out there so as soon as some team comes close to matching the offer he will be gone to that team. He will go there to sign the contract and for the pressor not for the dog and pony show and for lunch with michael j fox.
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2966Ken M, been a couple of days. Did you figure out your offer for Swisher or were you just bitching ?
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2967Mark Shapiro and/or Chris Antonetti cannot close any deal Dolan might be able and willing to fund.
Heck, I think Shapiro and Antonetti would have been deal negotiation "rubes" with George Steinbrenner's prime time $$.
Guys, book a cruise or whatever you choose to do next April, or anytime in the later Spring or Summer.
Cleveland Indians will not be worth watching in 2013.
Nor 2014.
Nor any time until the Shapiro regime is gone.
Boring and worthless baseball.
If Vegas offered a bet on The Cleveland Indians just winning an AL Pennant with "Mark in Charge," I'd bet four digit against it and would let the bet ride and likely have bought some nice real estate with the proceeds soon after Shapiro and/or Antonetti were dumped.
Rusty, perhaps you should renew your knitting passion rather than pay attention to THIS franchise.
With Christmas at hand, I'd like to pretend to be positive about The Cleveland Indians and the future in any of the next few seasons.
(I have an eBay site selling Sam McDowell and Rocky Colavito Indians jerseys if anyone is interested......
......)
Heck, I think Shapiro and Antonetti would have been deal negotiation "rubes" with George Steinbrenner's prime time $$.
Guys, book a cruise or whatever you choose to do next April, or anytime in the later Spring or Summer.
Cleveland Indians will not be worth watching in 2013.
Nor 2014.
Nor any time until the Shapiro regime is gone.
Boring and worthless baseball.
If Vegas offered a bet on The Cleveland Indians just winning an AL Pennant with "Mark in Charge," I'd bet four digit against it and would let the bet ride and likely have bought some nice real estate with the proceeds soon after Shapiro and/or Antonetti were dumped.
Rusty, perhaps you should renew your knitting passion rather than pay attention to THIS franchise.
With Christmas at hand, I'd like to pretend to be positive about The Cleveland Indians and the future in any of the next few seasons.
(I have an eBay site selling Sam McDowell and Rocky Colavito Indians jerseys if anyone is interested......
......)Re: Articles
2968I'd like to pretend to be positive about The Cleveland Indians and the future in any of the next few seasons.
In a few years we will have hot shot SS Francisco Lindor, superhitting SS Dorsyss Paulino, powerhitting SS Ronnie Rodriguez, speedy SS Tony Wolters, winterstar 2B Jose Ramirez, All Star SS Asdrubal Cabrera, defensive star SS Juan Diaz, hitting star 3B Lonnie Chisenhall, goldenglove 3B Giovanny Urshela all patrolling the Tribe infield. No balls will get through. The Tribe will be the new model franchise for the 2020's and beyond.
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2969Cleveland Indians will not be worth watching in 2013.
Nor 2014.
Yet, you still take the time to tell us.
Nor 2014.
Yet, you still take the time to tell us.
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2970Indians signed LHP Scott Kazmir to a minor league contract.
He'll also get a spring training invite. Kazmir didn't pitch in the big leagues this season, but he was reportedly throwing in the 90-94 MPH range during winter ball in Puerto Rico. The soon-to-be 29-year-old has a 5.54 ERA in the majors dating back to the 2009 season, so we're not optimistic about a sudden turnaround, but there's nothing wrong with a low-risk minor league deal.
Source: Paul Hoynes on Twitter Dec 21 - 6:30 PM
He'll also get a spring training invite. Kazmir didn't pitch in the big leagues this season, but he was reportedly throwing in the 90-94 MPH range during winter ball in Puerto Rico. The soon-to-be 29-year-old has a 5.54 ERA in the majors dating back to the 2009 season, so we're not optimistic about a sudden turnaround, but there's nothing wrong with a low-risk minor league deal.
Source: Paul Hoynes on Twitter Dec 21 - 6:30 PM