Cleveland Sports Forum

I hear I might have to explain it to you since you were born in Pa.

Wait a second, I was born there too.

I guess I probably will have to get an egotistical, racist from Florida to explain it to both of us.

MtFan wrote:

rusty2 wrote:The lady that caught the home run ball that Santana hit for the boy with CP just called in to ESPN 850 to tell them she wanted to give the ball to the boy.

How could that be? I thought everyone in Cleveland was a horrible person, nothing but a bunch of Obama loving leaches on society?

I certainly understand how you could have that perception, Mt Fan.

And he did !

Indians Release Brett Myers
By Steve Adams [August 29 at 2:15pm CST]
The Indians announced, via Twitter, that they have reinstated right-hander Brett Myers from the 60-day disabled list and unconditionally released him.

Myers, who turned 33 recently, signed a one-year, $7MM contract with the Tribe this offseason and was expected to lock down a spot at the back of the rotation. Instead, he wound up on the 60-day DL for most of the season with a sprained UCL and flexor tendon that led to a bloated 8.02 ERA in 21 1/3 innings. Myers allowed a staggering 10 homers in that short time.

Myers has extensive experience as both a starter and a reliever, having posted a 4.29 ERA in 1576 career innings as a starter and a 3.69 mark in 134 career innings of relief work. He posted a 3.79 ERA with 7.0 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9 in 439 2/3 innings in Houston's rotation from 2010-11 before shifting to the team's closer in 2012 and eventually being traded to the White Sox.

Myers' contract contained an $8MM vesting option that would have triggered had he reached the 200-inning mark for the fourth time in his career, but it now seems likely that he'll have to settle for another one-year deal on the upcoming free agent market, perhaps of the minor league variety.

so we can add someone to the 40 man roster for September, either a waiver pickup or a minor leaguer. Joe would be voting for Jose Ramirez. I'd like to see Kyle Crockett go from U Va to Cleveland in the course of one summer.

Crockett, 21, matches the profile of somebody capable of zooming through a farm system. His list of intriguing characteristics extends beyond being a left-hander with a gaudy draft status:

-- Big-league size. Crockett is 6-foot-2. The average size of a left-handed reliever in the American League Central is 6-1.

-- Big-game background. Virginia competes in the ultra-competitive Atlantic Coast Conference. The Cavaliers reached the College World Series in 2011, Crockett's freshman season.

"His composure is great," Captains pitching coach Steve Karsay said. "Nothing seems to faze him. If he throws a couple of a balls and falls behind in the count, he's ready to go the next pitch. Obviously, playing in a major Division I college prepares you for some situations."

-- Experience as a reliever. Crockett made just three starts in 88 appearances at Virginia. In most cases, pitchers drafted in the top 10 rounds are lifelong starters. They are then developed as starters until they either fail or are shifted to the bullpen to plug an organizational hole. Crockett hasn't been used regularly as a starter since high school.

"Coming out of the 'pen, you never know when you are going to come in," he said. "You have to be ready in an instant. By sophomore and junior years of college, I was definitely enjoying relieving more and used to getting ready fast."

-- Ability to throw strikes. Using a fastball that touches 94 mph and a sharp slider, Crockett posted a 160-to-28 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his college career. He has issued three walks through 14 1/3 professional innings.

"He's a strike thrower from the left side," Karsay said. "He throws a real good fastball, attacks the zone, attacks the hitters and isn't afraid to throw his off-speed pitches behind in the count. He uses them effectively down in the zone. It's everything you look for in a guy that's newly drafted."

TribeVibe

Between the lines, into the clubhouse, on the road and inside the front office with the Cleveland Indians.

Another Season Ticket Holder perk: Exclusive conference call with Terry Francona

As a thank you to Indians Season Ticket Holders, Tribe manager Terry Francona conducted a conference call with that group on Thursday afternoon, about three hours before the Indians took on the Braves in Atlanta.

It’s the third such call in the past 10 months available to Season Ticket Holders, and such experiences are one of the perks of being an Indians Season Ticket Holder.

If you missed the call, here are some highlights; if you aren’t a Season Ticket Holder, you can place deposits on new packages for 2014 right now by visiting http://www.TribeRewards.com/new. If you are a Season Ticket Holder and haven’t renewed yet, today is the last day for certain perks for renewing. Call your CSS rep ASAP to get renewed!

Question: What is your favorite memory of the season?

TF: Jason Giambi’s walkoff home run (on July 29) has to be the tops. It was so special, because of what he means to our club and organization. You can’t measure that just by stats. When he does something like that, to see our dugout erupt like it did. … He ended up giving me a bear hug! He’s been incredible.

Question: Do you think the team will look to add a No. 4 hitter in the future?

TF: Having a guy right in the middle of the order who drives in 100 every year, I think everybody would like. But it’s not easy to find them. One of the ways we’ve been good, is because we’ve had versatility, and have had contributions from everyone. (Ryan) Raburn, (Yan) Gomes, Giambi, (Mike) Aviles … we’re getting contributions from everyone, 1-25.

Question:What are your plans for rotation once rosters expand (On Sept. 1)?

TF: Corey Kluber is on his way back, but he won’t be fully stretched out. But he will be available in next couple weeks. Josh Tomlin is coming back, plus we have our guys that are currently in the rotation. Some of the decision will depend on how guys are throwing, and where we are in the standings. What’s nice is that it gives you some alternatives.

Question: What’s your favorite part about being the Tribe’s manager?

TF: The hope when I came here was that I wanted to be in a place where I wanted to come to work and enjoy it, to respect everyone and they respect me back. … We’ve had our challenges this year, but it’s been as advertised here. It’s been something special. I want to be part of the solution here, and I feel stronger now than I did when I first came here.

Question: Would you consider Giambi as a coach?

TF: Jason will determine whatever he wants to do. I think he still wants to play. When he’s done, he could skip coaching and go into managing. He already interviewed in Colorado. I might be coaching for him. Whatever he wants to do, he can do it.

Question: What’s your thought on pitching to Miguel Cabrera or walking him?

TF: You try to do it by situation. The Tigers are good because they have Prince (Fielder) and Victor Martinez behind and (Torii) Hunter ahead. If you make a blanket statement that you’re going to walk him every time, they’re going to score. There are times you’re going to have to get good hitters out. That’s part of the reason for their success.

Question: How difficult is it to leave Gomes on the bench?

TF: It’s tough. That’s why he’s been playing more and more. Yan caught (Thursday night), and Carlos (Santana) first. Gomes hasn’t caught full time before; he’s young.

Question: How can you keep the intensity late in the season? What have you learned in past?

TF: That’s why they call it dog days. Guys are tired, beaten up. Every inning we play is so meaningful, so it’s tiresome.

Question: How will you handle September callups?

TF: We have talked about it at length. It’s Sept. 1, in Detroit. We’re going to call up a catcher, an infielder, and three pitchers. You’re able to expand rosters, you don’t want to get caught short. When AAA season is over, we’ll call up another handful of players.

Question: What are your thoughts about the team’s struggles offensively?

TF: When you’re facing good teams with good bullpens, that’s part of it. Some of it, teams scout and navigate. They have pitched around Santana at every opportunity. Got Aviles out, then got Cabrera out. They’ve executed in those situations.

Question: What’s been the biggest surprise this season?

TF: Kluber has been fantastic; he’s turned into a guy that was dominant. He’s going to be good. We want to win every game so bad, but big picture, these guys are exciting.

Question: Why should Season Ticket Holders renew if they’re on the fence?

TF: I can’t promise record. What I said the day I got hired, was that if you’re an Indians fan, I wanted you to feel proud. I think our guys play the game right. We make our share of mistakes, but we never quit playing. It’s a good time to be an Indians fan, because they always play. That won’t change.

Question: What do you enjoy doing in Cleveland when you’re away from ballpark?

TF: I get up early, ride my scooter in, get swim in – everyone knows my legs are bad – and I do enjoy going to the casino once in a while. I get out and walk around after a day game, but mostly I’m at the ballpark all day. That’s by choice.

–TribeVibe contributor Joel Hammond

Cleveland Indians adding Jason Kubel, also looking at Kelly Shoppach: Terry Pluto Blog




The Indians claimed Arizona outfielder/DH Jason Kubel off trade waivers. Kubel put up big numbers for a few seasons as a Twin but has struggled with the Diamondbacks this season.
AP file photo

Quick thoughts about the Tribe picking up Jason Kubel on waivers from Arizona:

1. While Kubel has a $7 million deal for this season and a $1 million buyout for next year, it will cost the Tribe only "a few hundred thousand dollars." The Indians also may send a marginal player to the Diamondbacks.

2. Kubel has battled knee problems for much of his career, and the left knee has been very cranky this year. In 2006, he had surgery on his right knee. In 2012, he was relatively healthy and had a strong season -- .253, with 30 homers and 90 RBI. Arizona was thrilled with the two-year deal signed by Kubel before the 2012 season.

3. But in 2013, the left knee has been a big problem. He is hitting only .220 (.612 OPS) with five homers and 32 RBI. Since July 1, he is 11-of-79 (.139) with one homer and seven RBI. In that span, he has 32 strikeouts compared to seven walks. So he is in a massive slump.

4. The Indians view Kubel as better than anyone in Class AAA. If he gets hot, great. If not, the price was minimal.

5. A left-handed hitter, Kubel is below average in left field -- but can play the field. He's hitting .230 vs. righties, .162 vs. lefties this season.

6. Some fans wanted the Tribe to acquire Josh Willingham, but he is batting only .167 with two homers and eight RBI since the All-Star break. On the season, Willingham is at .218 with 14 homers and 59 RBI, and he has been dealing with injuries. He also has a contract for $7.5 million in 2014, fully guaranteed. Baltimore claimed him, before the Tribe even had a chance to do so.

7. I hear the Tribe is looking at Kelly Shoppach, a free agent. He was batting .196 with three homers and nine RBI with Seattle in 107 at bats. He batted only .192 in Class AAA this season. The Indians want to add a third catcher in September, and they don't like their alternatives in Class AAA. Shoppach was with the Tribe from 2006-09.

About the Tribe and one-year contracts ....

Terry Pluto

It's not even September, and the Tribe has written off $13 million in deals given to free agents Brett Myers and Mark Reynolds.

So they blew it, right?

"When you sign a free agent for one year, you know you are dealing in a highly speculative market," said Tribe President Mark Shapiro. "In a sense, it's a distressed market. The top free agents who have the lowest risk are signing long-term deals, not for one year."

Reynolds was available because he's so slump-prone.

Last season, he batted .221 (.763 OPS) with 23 homers and 69 RBI.

From August 31-Sept.8 of last season, he hit nine homers and drove in 17 runs. In other words, in a nine-day period, he had about 1/3 of his power production.

"In a sense, what Reynolds did for us in the first six weeks of the season almost paid for his ($6 million) contract," said Shapiro, meaning how expensive it is to find power hitters on the free agent market.

On May 18, Reynolds was batting .268 with 12 homers and 37 RBI in the first 40 games.

After that, he batted .160 with three homers and 11 RBI in his next 59 games until the Tribe released him on August 12. He has signed with the Yankees.

Myers was on the disabled list in 2009, but had been healthy ever since.

He was a starter in 2010-11, combining for a 21-22 record and 3.65 ERA, averaging 219 innings for Houston.

In 2012, he moved to the bullpen, and pitched in 70 games with a 3.31 ERA with the Astros.

He never was healthy with the Tribe, throwing only 20 innings, and was released.

Shapiro mentioned pitchers such as Kevin Millwood, Carl Pavano and Bobby Howry who had arm issues, signed one-year deals with the Tribe -- and then were productive.

"But you take Scott Kazmir," said Shapiro. "We signed him to a minor league deal, and he's having the kind of season that more than outweighs (losing) Myers."

Kazmir was a far greater risk than Myers. The lefty had not won a big league game since 2010. In 2011, he was 0-5 with a 17.02 ERA in Class AAA before being released by the Angels. He had a 5.34 ERA with Sugarland in the Independent Atlantic League in 2012. His career was going nowhere.

Now, he's 7-6 with 4.25 ERA, a solid starter. He is making $1 million this season.

The Indians also signed Ryan Raburn to a minor league deal, and he responded by hitting .272 with 15 homers and 41 RBI.

Raburn batted only .171 with one homer in 205 at bats for the Tigers last season, who declined to sign him.

Raburn was making the same $1 million as Kazmir. He signed a two-year extension with the Tribe worth $4.85 million total.

So here's a look at some of the key former big league players signed to one-year deals for this season:

1. Reynolds was cut and now with the Yankees, where...this figures...he's gotten hot. Heading into Saturday night, Reynolds was 12-of-38 (.316) with two homers and seven RBI.

2. Myers was cut.

3. Raburn and Kazmir are having excellent seasons for the Tribe.

4. Rich Hill signed a minor-league deal, is 1-2 with a 5.97 ERA for the Tribe.

5. Matt Capps signed a minor league deal, was injured.

6. Daisuka Matsuzaka signed a minor-league contract. He asked for his release. He is now with the Mets, and allowed five runs in two innings in his first start.

7. Jason Giambi is batting .185 with eight homers and 28 RBI for the Tribe in 162 at bats. He is paid $750,000 this season.

Shapiro's point is you bring in a volume of guys on a variety of one-year deals, and you sort them out.

"Very seldom is there a bad one-year contract," he said. "Because it's just that -- one year. If it doesn't work out, it's over at the end of the season."

About Ubaldo Jimenez ...

In his last start, Ubaldo Jimenez struck out 10, walked none and held Atlanta to three runs in seven innings. In his last 10 starts, Jimenez is 3-5 with a 2.97 ERA.

The Indians wish he'd pitcher longer, but they are pleased that he's allowed three or fewer earned runs in 20-of-26 starts. He has pitched at least six innings in only 10-of-26 starts. Jimenez is 9-9 with a 3.95 ERA.

Here's something that I never imagined writing even early in the season -- Jimenez has a "mutual option" on his contract for 2014 for $8 million. If the Indians don't pick it up, they have to pay him a $1 million buyout.

I'd pick it up. But under the terms of the deal that he signed with Colorado back in 2010, he also has to agree to the $8 million option -- or he can become a free agent.

My guess is the Tribe will offer to pick up the $8 million option, but Jimenez will decline and become a free agent. The Indians can offer him a multi-year deal, and perhaps they will. No doubt, he'll want a long-term contract.

Jimenez is 28. He came into the season with a career record of 13-21 and 5.32 ERA for the Tribe. He is durable, never missing a start.

But is the 2013 model the real Jimenez, or will he revert back to all his troubles from 2011-12? That's what the Tribe has to decide before making a long-term offer.

Cleveland Indians lose to Baltimore, 7-2, as Justin Masterson leaves early with rib injury

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians lost No.1 starter Justin Masterson and a ballgame Monday afternoon at Progressive Field.

The implications of both events do not bode well for the Indians' chances of making the postseason.

Baltimore, behind the pitching of Bud Norris, knocked the Indians around on the way to a 7-2 victory. With two games remaining on this nine-game character test against Atlanta, Detroit and Baltimore, the Indians are 1-6.

Masterson (14-10, 3.52), who leads the Indians in wins, innings pitched, complete games and strikeouts, left in the second inning with an injury to his left rib cage. Manager Terry Francona, with a 10-man bullpen at his disposal, took a look at seven of them.

"We're going to get him scanned (MRI) Tuesday," said Francona. "We'll know a lot more then."

The party line is that Masterson injured his rib cage. If the oblique is involved, his season is probably over. Masterson, a preacher's son, doesn't think it's serious, but wasn't shy about asking for divine intervention.

"I think we got out of there in time before there was a pull," said Masterson. "We'll get a few more things checked out over the next couple of days. . .Hopefully, the good Lord performs a miracle and touches my side. That would be great.

"If not, it will also be great and we'll work through it."

The loss dropped the Indians to 8 1/2 games behind first-place Detroit in the AL Central. In the wild card, the Orioles moved to within 2 1/2 games of Tampa Bay for the second spot, while the Indians fell to four games back. They trail the Orioles and Yankees, who moved to 3 1/2 back, with the Rays scheduled to play the Angels on Monday night.

It's hard to see the Indians contending for the postseason over the last 25 games without Masterson.

"He's the head of our team, basically," said second baseman Jason Kipnis. "He's the workhorse. He's the big fella that you feel confident in every time he goes out there. You look at guys like him to stop losing streaks and to give us a quality game where we can get refocused.

"All we can do now is wish him a speedy recovery."

Norris (10-10, 4.01) allowed a solo homer to Kipnis over seven innings. He struck out eight, walked one and allowed four hits to improve to 4-1 since the Orioles acquired him from Houston at the trade deadline on July 31.

Asked what made Norris effective in his first career start against the Indians, Kipnis jokingly said, "He had a scheduled start against our offense. He threw strikes and located very well. . .Right now, like I said, jokingly or not, he's catching us at a good time and we're trying everything we can to snap out of it."

The Indians have been outscored, 32-16, in their last seven games. The downward trend can be traced to August when the Indians hit .229 as a team and averaged just 3.3 runs per games.

Masterson told the trainers he started feeling his left side tightening when he faced Chris Davis in the first inning.

"Earlier in the year I had similar soreness leading up to the game," said Masterson. "It didn't mean anything so that's why I wasn't really scared. I thought putting some hot stuff on it (after the first inning) would be good, but somehow it wanted to tighten it up."

When Masterson went to a 1-1 count on Matt Wieters to start the second, Francona and trainer Brian Desjardins went to the mound. Masterson stayed in the game, but gave up a single to Wieters. He threw one pitch to Nick Markakis and catcher Carlos Santana and shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera came to the mound as Cabrera gestured to the dugout.



The pitch was an 88 mph four-seam fastball, a pitch Masterson usually throws between 92 mph and 96 mph.

I threw that one pitch and Carlos didn't like it and said me I was done," said Masterson. "Cabbie was right there, too."

Rookie Preston Guilmet relieved. Markakis greeted him with a single as the Orioles proceeded to take a 3-0 lead in the inning.

Guilmet retired J.J. Hardy on a fly ball to left, but Nate McLouth drove a ball to the gap in right center that Michael Bourn just missed with a lunge at the track.

Wieters scored and Markakis advanced to third. The Indians, however, appealed that Markakis missed second base. When Guilmet threw to second, umpire Mike DiMuro called him out. The appeal changed McLouth's double to a fielder's choice because Markakis was forced at second. He still received credit for the RBI.

"We all saw that he missed the bag," said Francona.

Guilmet walked Alexi Casilla, the No.9 hitter, and gave up a two-run double to Brian Roberts. This time McLouth and Casilla touched all the necessary bases and Roberts' double stood.

The Orioles made it 5-0 on McLouth's two-run homer off Nick Hagadone in the fourth. It was his 10th homer of the season.

Solo homers by Kipnis in the seventh and Lonnie Chisenhall in the eighth made it 5-2, but Wieters' three-run homer in the ninth off Marc Rzepczynski put the game away.

Justin Masterson (ribs) will not make his next start.
Masterson left in the second inning Monday against the Orioles after experiencing discomfort on the left side of his rib cage. An MRI showed an oblique strain and it's possible that he'll also miss a second turn.

Source: Nick Camino on Twitter Sep 3 - 4:15 PM

. . and perhaps a third start . . . and maybe a fourth . . . and we'll see him again in Spring Training

Josh Tomlin may draw a start this month.

Indians skipper Terry Francona will use Tomlin out of the bullpen for now, but he won't hesitate to start him. "There might be an opportunity for him to start," the manager said. "He's been pounding the strike zone [in rehab starts]. His last outing was really good ... But even though he can pitch when it counts now, he'll still be feeling his way through things. I think next year, you'll see what he can really do."

Source: Akron Beacon Journal Sep 4 - 10:27 AM

This Chicken has made it from the Farm System to Big League BP in Cleveland
If you thought the Cleveland Indians were finished with September call ups from the farm system, think again.

Where did this chicken come from and how did it get to Progressive Field? Well, that depends on who you ask.

“I got the chicken from the father of a friend of a friend,” Justin Masterson said. Very descriptive, Masty. When asked who was behind this shenanigans, Masterson insisted he was simply delivering the chicken. “You could say it was a conglomerate of the bullpen guys.”

Chris Perez said the chicken was Cody Allen’s, although another rumor is that the fowl is simply named “Cody” after Cody Allen. Further speculation suggests the chicken is a gift to Allen.

Whatever the chicken’s deal is, it appeared to be pretty comfortable in the outfield and on the warning track. Shagging a few fly balls didn’t faze “Cody” at all.

Why the chicken? “Maybe they are sacrificing it?” one of the groundscrew guys said, referencing “Major League”.

No word on that yet — and from batting practice, it appeared the bullpen and the chicken are friends of a feather. The fowl even has a little block C cape.

Finally a sensible proposal for a new nickname for Cleveland's baseball team. The Cleveland Chickens. Oh, maybe not so cool.