Cleveland Sports Forum

If they need any help in negotiations, give Dorsey a call.

First 3 Indians batters single to load bases with no outs.

Plawecki and Luplow then both strike out.

Then Haase lines an absolute rope to LF for a 2 RBI single.

Can we please start this guy at catcher.

Not saying he will be great. But saying he can play every day with a broken leg and still be better than Perez.

Klay Thompson's brother hits a solo shot. Tribe up 3-2 in 4th.

Haase as number 2 is ok with me until he proves in big league games that he can handle the pitching staff. Not saying he can't. What does Plawecki have that Eric doesn't? You don't usually carry 3 catchers on a short bench but 3 catchers and no Hanley Ramirez as a DH-only who seems to have not regained his power is a reasonable arrangement. Then Haase can catch some and DH some and if he's good enough Plawecki can be dealt or demoted

Hey civ you just got your way. Hanley goes deeep over the center field wall.

Adds a double next at bat - although perhaps the RF might have had it. Still a line drive.

and then another homer

The guy isn't that old and during his career he has hit. He wouldn't be the first guy to pull his head out of his butt and realize he is near the end and it's time....

Again, he's not that old.

By the way, he is fully capable of being a backup 1B but more importantly backup 3B. They did talk about that on the broadcast yesterday too.

Hanley Ramirez has been a head case. That's why he was a pariah. Boston was loaded and didn't need him. But he can hit - and the Indians know that.

I watched Saturday's game against the Reds. I have to admit that I haven't been following the team over the winter and spring which includes the "hot stove" league. Just a couple of take-aways:

1. The lineup, in my opinion, will not strike any fears in opposing team's pitching staffs. At least on paper.

2. The starting rotation looks solid. The strength of the team. Any March to the post-season will depend on them.

3. The bullpen looks seriously degraded. Again. At least on paper. I have no idea of who these guys are.

4. Is it time to raise the orange flag on my favorite indian ball player, Mr. Jose? Something is off. He just doesn't look right. His three at-bats yesterday were just not Ramirez-like. Some lame at-bats. No spring training left for any improvements. Looks like what we see is what we get.

5. Lot of pressure on Hanley Ramirez, Leonys Martin, and Jose Ramirez to rebound this season.

6. Carlos and Francisco will be the most consistent hitters in the lineup. What we can't afford is a September/post season-like season from Ramirez.

7. Hurry back Francisco.

8. Key: injuries! Can't afford any. We just don't look deep enough to fend off injuries, in my opinion. I could be wrong since I don't know anything about the farm systems.

bullpen may turn out to be sufficiently talented but at this point I have no idea if the guys out there have assigned roles, besides Hand at the end. Is there a designated 8th inning guy akin to Shaw? Can Cimber retire lefties? Is Edwards up to high pressure situations?

The team speed will be good. The defense will be very good. The starters are great.
The offense is close to nonexistent. Carlos despite his great spring probably won't hit in cold weather. Lindor should be back soon. Kipnis is unlikely to play much at all. It is possible and would be wonderful if Greg Allen really develops into a solid everyday hitter. I expected more from Bauers than seems likely. On the other hand perhaps Naquin will deliver than I expect. If Jose doesn't get back to his pre-mid-August dropoff the offense may indeed by nonexistent.

More good news:

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The injury bug will not leave the Indians alone.

The club is holding its collective breath that it won’t have to start the season without All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez, who was carted off the field in the third inning of Sunday's game against the White Sox after fouling a pitch off the inside of his left leg, right around the knee area. The news comes after the Indians announced that second baseman Jason Kipnis (calf strain) and shortstop Francisco Lindor (calf strain) will both open the 2019 season on the injured list.

Ramirez immediately dropped to the ground and stayed down for a few minutes. Joined by the team’s training staff, Indians manager Terry Francona hustled to the batter’s box to check on Ramirez. After a few moments, they were able to assist him off the ground before helping him over to a medical cart that took him off the field. Max Moroff came in to finish the at-bat.

The Indians have not announced any further information.

Contusion. Ouch, ouch ouch but he'll be fine.

Wow, that could have been worse.

Dodged a bullet. I did see it, he was batting righty and it hit right below that left knee. Lucky a shin wasn't cracked or something.

Pretty nasty though, wouldn't be surprised to see him on the IL too.