Naquin's game worked very well in Arizona and let's hope that's a significant turn around for his otherwise slow development. These stats:

Last year, Naquin, 22, hit a combined .269 (142-for-528) with 30 doubles, six triples, 10 homers and 46 RBI at Class A Carolina and Class AA Akron. He scored 78 runs and stole 15 bases in 25 attempts.

are not impressive. And they don't include these real stinkers: 134 K vs 46 walks for a non-slugger.

Everyone likes his defense, but he's a long way from a Lofton or a Sizemore or a Bourn offensively.

If he keeps putting up the same stats he has put up in the minors he is already as good a hitter as Bourn. Bourn lifetime .270 hitter.

That is true, but Bourn as a young player if not today was a top notch basestealer. Naquin is not.

He needs some offensive skill either OBP, basestealing, or power, to be much of a big leaguer. I suppose he could play out as an equivalent of our former CF/RF Gutierrez.

Here's the Baseball America scouting report. I will be happy if Naquin comes through. I just happen to be a doubter. Hope you're right.

Background: Naquin claimed back-to-back Big 12 Conference batting titles as a Texas A&M sophomore and junior before landing a $1.75 million bonus as the 15th overall pick in 2012. Going to high Class A Carolina for his first full season, Naquin came out of the gates strong and hit .311/.375/.468 in the first half before wearing down.

Scouting Report: Hailed as the best pure hitter in the 2012 draft class, Naquin has quick hands and exceptional bat control, allowing him to spray line drives all over the field. He spread out his stance in 2013 to give himself a stronger base and allow him to use his legs better. However, scouts would like to see him turn on inside pitches with more authority rather than looking to flick them the other way. He has below-average power but he can accumulate extra bases with his above-average speed and aggressiveness. That lack of home run pop makes it essential Naquin stay in center field. He was a right fielder in college, but he has the range and instincts to make a go of it center. His arm is also well above-average.

The Future: Naquin’s doubters see him as a future fourth outfielder, which will likely be his fate if he doesn’t make it in center field. If everything comes together, he’ll be a top-of-the-order table-setter and everyday center fielder. He’ll start 2014 at Double-A Akron.

Loaded Indians trucks set to hit road for Arizona

Skipper Francona's scooter, club's equipment ready for journey to Goodyear

By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com | 1/31/2014 12:15 P.M. ET

CLEVELAND --

A worker came whirring around a corner in the Progressive Field tunnel, rolling by on the red scooter that belongs to Indians manager Terry Francona. Tito's famous form of transport was quickly loaded into one of the Tribe's two equipment trucks.

With the scooter on board, it became official: Spring Training is almost here.

The ballpark's loading dock was buzzing with activity on Friday morning, when the Indians' trucks were being prepped for the roughly 2,000-mile journey from Progressive Field to Goodyear Ballpark in Arizona. A handful of Cleveland's players have already arrived to the team's spring facility. All of their gear will be joining them soon.

"This is a great day," said Marty Bokovitz, the Indians' assistant home clubhouse manager. "I think it signifies spring. Spring is here."

That is a warm thought for folks in Cleveland, who have braved the extremely frigid temperatures that have overwhelmed much of the country over the past few weeks. There is snow around Bob Feller's statue by Gate C and covering the Progressive Field diamond, but there will be plenty of sun to be had for the Indians in a couple weeks.

Cleveland's pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Goodyear, Ariz., on Feb. 11, with their first workout planned for Feb. 13. The full squad will be required to report on Feb. 15, leading up to the Tribe's first team-wide workout on Feb. 17. Cleveland opens its spring slate against the Reds on Feb. 26 and will head to Oakland for Opening Day on March 31.

Bokovitz said the goal is to have all the equipment unloaded and set up at the Tribe's Spring Training complex as swiftly as possible.

"We do all our player sets -- jerseys and pants," Bokovitz said. "We have those prepackaged and ready to go, so all we have to do is hang them in their locker. With the amount of guys who start showing up the first of the year, it's essential that when we get there, the setup is as fast as possible. It's basically a day until we're fully functional."

Ed Fisher, who has been driving an equipment truck for the Indians for seven years, plans on heading through St. Louis before hitting Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico on the way to Arizona. The entire trip usually takes four days, meaning the trucks should pull into Goodyear on Tuesday. Everything will be unloaded on Wednesday morning.

The trucks were loaded with workout equipment, bicycles, uniforms, equipment bags and plenty of personal belongings. Bokovitz estimated that around 300 bats (roughly half the team's spring total) were aboard the trucks, as well as more than 250 cases of bottled water (Cleveland gets a local discount).

"There's also a half-pallet of stadium mustard," Bokovitz said with a laugh.

Among the odd requests from over the years, Bokovitz said the late Feller used to put empty boxes on the equipment trucks.

"His wife used to like to bring stuff back when we were in Tucson," Bokovitz said. "Other than the empty boxes, [Francona's] scooter is probably one of the more interesting ones."

civ ollilavad wrote:Here's the Baseball America scouting report. I will be happy if Naquin comes through. I just happen to be a doubter. Hope you're right.

Background: Naquin claimed back-to-back Big 12 Conference batting titles as a Texas A&M sophomore and junior before landing a $1.75 million bonus as the 15th overall pick in 2012. Going to high Class A Carolina for his first full season, Naquin came out of the gates strong and hit .311/.375/.468 in the first half before wearing down.

Scouting Report: Hailed as the best pure hitter in the 2012 draft class, Naquin has quick hands and exceptional bat control, allowing him to spray line drives all over the field. He spread out his stance in 2013 to give himself a stronger base and allow him to use his legs better. However, scouts would like to see him turn on inside pitches with more authority rather than looking to flick them the other way. He has below-average power but he can accumulate extra bases with his above-average speed and aggressiveness. That lack of home run pop makes it essential Naquin stay in center field. He was a right fielder in college, but he has the range and instincts to make a go of it center. His arm is also well above-average.

The Future: Naquin’s doubters see him as a future fourth outfielder, which will likely be his fate if he doesn’t make it in center field. If everything comes together, he’ll be a top-of-the-order table-setter and everyday center fielder. He’ll start 2014 at Double-A Akron.

Do not see any reason that Naquin would not have as good if not better career then Bourn. Will not steal as many bases but he will definitely hit more home runs and doubles.

Do not see why anyone would be doubting him right now but I guess that is the easy way to do anything. Most prospects don't make it for most teams.

Bourn struck out 132 times last season. Walked 40. 2012- Struck out 155 times, walked 70 times.

2011 - Struck out 140 times - walked - 50 times.

Cleveland Indians Truck Day: Gear, equipment, Stadium Mustard, Terry Francona's scooter headed for spring training


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Spring has arrived.

The subzero temperatures, the dirtied banks of snow and the blanket of salt on the streets might not indicate as much, but the pair of semi trucks departing the Cleveland Indians' loading dock suggest otherwise.

The team's staff of clubhouse attendants and equipment crew members packed the two vehicles on Friday morning with player jerseys and pants, exercise machines, nearly 300 cases of bottled water, manager Terry Francona's red scooter and 12 cases of Stadium Mustard.

"This is a great day," said Marty Bokovitz, the Indians' assistant equipment manager. "I think it signifies spring."

The trucks will arrive at the Indians' spring training complex in Goodyear, Ariz., on Tuesday. The staff will begin the two-hour unloading process early Wednesday morning.

"Not long after that, we'll be fully functional," Bokovitz said.

Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Goodyear on Feb. 11. The full squad reports on Feb. 15, with the first full-squad workout set for Feb. 17.

Bokovitz said the staff begins counting, sorting, assembling, preparing and wrapping during the last week of December. Much of the cargo eventually transported on the trucks arrives at Progressive Field in early January.


Each player receives two dozen bats. Bokovitz estimated that they ship half of those to Goodyear. They no longer haul baseballs across the country. Instead, they ship about 700 dozen directly to the spring site. They do, however, bring bikes and golf clubs and other warm-weather accessories.

And, of course, they lug Francona's motor scooter, which he rides every day to the ballpark. The skipper said he even braved the harsh winter conditions last week and rode it to Tribe Fest.

"The scooter is probably one of the more interesting ones," Bokovitz said.

The trucks will stop in St. Louis, Amarillo, Texas, and New Mexico before arriving at their ultimate destination. Bokovitz said the team ends up toting more back to Cleveland, as players accumulate extra belongings during their two-month stay down south.

The Indians commence their exhibition schedule on Feb. 26 against the Reds, with whom they share the facilities in Goodyear. The team breaks camp on the final week in March before heading to Oakland to open the 2014 campaign against the Athletics. The Indians return to Cleveland to face the Twins in their home opener on April 4.

"Spring is here," Bokovitz said. "It's not far off."

Click here to see the video:
http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ss ... ay_ge.html

Again this year, they are taking nearly 300 cases of bottled water. Did we ever figure out why they had to import it from Cleveland, instead of just buying it in AZ?

Edit: Just read the article JOE posted on the same subject, and it seems Cleveland gets a local discount.

•The Royals and Indians are both highly unlikely to be able to lure back their respective free agent pitchers, Ervin Santana and Ubaldo Jimenez. The Blue Jays are a likely landing spot for both pitchers.



Source: Jim Bowden, ESPN, 2/3/14

I do think some of the things Bourn does are difficult to quantify.

His defense, for one. And also the effect he has on pitchers, hitters and catchers when he gets on.

civ ollilavad wrote:•The Royals and Indians are both highly unlikely to be able to lure back their respective free agent pitchers, Ervin Santana and Ubaldo Jimenez. The Blue Jays are a likely landing spot for both pitchers.



Source: Jim Bowden, ESPN, 2/3/14

Good ! Santana can pitch. I would never give the other guy a long term contract.

Just a few more days till pitchers and catchers. Ubaldo still unemployed. Probably wishes he took theTribe's $14M qualifying offer.

Nah, because I bet he could still come to the Tribe and ask for the $14 mill for 1 year and they would do it anyways.

I still think he gets $40 mill or so for 3 years from someone and it looks now to be Toronto.

PS - hitter's park. THAT he may regret.

Indians sign Bryan LaHair to minor league contract

By Chris Cotillo @ChrisCotillo on Feb 5 2014, 4:45p +
Jeff Curry-US PRESSWIRE

The 2012 NL All-Star returns to the US after spending 2013 in Japan.

The Cleveland Indians have signed first baseman/outfielder Bryan LaHair to a minor league deal that includes a spring training invite, according to a team announcement. LaHair spent 2013 with the Fukoka Softbank Hawks, but was released last month and became a free agent after exercising his opt-out clause.

LaHair, 31, will try to earn a spot on the Indians as a bench bat or designated hitter, according to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian. He is one of many solid veterans who are invited to spring training with the Tribe, joining infielders Jason Giambi and Elliot Johnson, outfielders Nyjer Morgan and Jeff Francoeur, catcher Matt Treanor and pitchers Shaun Marcum, David Aardsma and Matt Capps.

In 111 games with Fukuoka last season, LaHair hit .230 with 16 HR and 57 RBI. The Worcester, MA native was a National League All-Star with the Cubs in 2012 after a strong start to the season, and finished the year with a .259 average, 16 HR and 40 RBI.

In parts of three major league seasons with the Mariners (2008) and Cubs (2011-2012), LaHair is a lifetime .260 average with 21 HR and 56 RBI in 195 games.