What a twosome that is. Ken M has a tag team partner.
Joe, where were you when the Indians were in first place for the first half of 2011 ? Oh that's right you were busy. Here I thought you were hiding after being wrong once again.
Re: Articles
2687Guess what, someone beat us to Melky Cabrera.
TORONTO -- The Blue Jays have added another piece to their offseason puzzle by coming to terms with free-agent outfielder Melky Cabrera on a two-year contract on Friday, according to a report by ESPN Deportes.
Cabrera will earn $16 million over the course of the deal, according to the report. The Blue Jays have not confirmed or commented on the reports. Cabrera presumably would need to pass a physical before it becomes official.
The 28-year-old Cabrera is coming off a controversial season with the Giants. He was one of the Major Leagues' most proficient hitters until he received a 50-game suspension for using a banned substance on Aug. 15.
The suspension came while Cabrera was leading the NL in batting with a .346 average. He also had 11 homers and 60 RBIs in 113 games while posting a career-high .906 OPS.
Despite the impressive numbers, San Francisco opted not to reinstate Cabrera prior to their World Series victory over Detroit. That signaled a parting of the ways and now Cabrera will have an opportunity for a fresh start in Toronto.
Cabrera would fill an obvious void in the Blue Jays' lineup while assuming everyday duties in left field. Toronto already has veteran Rajai Davis under contract for 2013 but would prefer to use him as a fourth outfielder and late-game pinch-runner.
The signing of Cabrera would be the latest in a series of significant investments made by the Blue Jays this offseason. Earlier this week, they pulled off a blockbuster with the Marlins to acquire Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle in a 12-player swap by which they would take on upward of $160 million in salary. That deal, under review by Major League Baseball, has not been made official.
Cabrera is an eight-year veteran who has spent time with the Yankees, Braves, Royals and Giants. He has hit .284 with a .338 on-base percentage and a .752 OPS while recording 84 stolen bases and 69 homers.
TORONTO -- The Blue Jays have added another piece to their offseason puzzle by coming to terms with free-agent outfielder Melky Cabrera on a two-year contract on Friday, according to a report by ESPN Deportes.
Cabrera will earn $16 million over the course of the deal, according to the report. The Blue Jays have not confirmed or commented on the reports. Cabrera presumably would need to pass a physical before it becomes official.
The 28-year-old Cabrera is coming off a controversial season with the Giants. He was one of the Major Leagues' most proficient hitters until he received a 50-game suspension for using a banned substance on Aug. 15.
The suspension came while Cabrera was leading the NL in batting with a .346 average. He also had 11 homers and 60 RBIs in 113 games while posting a career-high .906 OPS.
Despite the impressive numbers, San Francisco opted not to reinstate Cabrera prior to their World Series victory over Detroit. That signaled a parting of the ways and now Cabrera will have an opportunity for a fresh start in Toronto.
Cabrera would fill an obvious void in the Blue Jays' lineup while assuming everyday duties in left field. Toronto already has veteran Rajai Davis under contract for 2013 but would prefer to use him as a fourth outfielder and late-game pinch-runner.
The signing of Cabrera would be the latest in a series of significant investments made by the Blue Jays this offseason. Earlier this week, they pulled off a blockbuster with the Marlins to acquire Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle in a 12-player swap by which they would take on upward of $160 million in salary. That deal, under review by Major League Baseball, has not been made official.
Cabrera is an eight-year veteran who has spent time with the Yankees, Braves, Royals and Giants. He has hit .284 with a .338 on-base percentage and a .752 OPS while recording 84 stolen bases and 69 homers.
Re: Articles
2688Victorino is the only guy I would be interested in. I know he had an off year last season but he plays hard.
Doubt the FO will spring for the bucks he wants.
Doubt the FO will spring for the bucks he wants.
Re: Articles
2689Use the Hafner money on Victorino, and should have some change left. Great gamble on a rebound there.
That said, Victorino likely won't be heavily discounted because of the one season.
Good call though Seagull
That said, Victorino likely won't be heavily discounted because of the one season.
Good call though Seagull
"I've suffered a great many tragedies in my life....most of them never happened". Mark Twain
Re: Articles
2691Article repeats refrain that Shapiro at one time knew how to run a baseball organization.
Re: Articles
2692You have to wonder WTF happened.
Me thinks as Wedge got more and more power, Farrell got shuffled to the side and saw the writing on the wall.
Me thinks as Wedge got more and more power, Farrell got shuffled to the side and saw the writing on the wall.
Re: Articles
2693Me thinks you are not thinking good.
Bottom line is that Farrell wanted back on the field as a pitching coach. Wedge had a pitching coach. That is a known fact. Boston had an opening so he left. Simple as that.
Sea, your making Farrell out as a hero when Toronto just got done saying he blows as a manager.
The great Omar V also said that Farrell blows as a communicator and a manager.
Farrell and Hazen say that Shapiro and Chris A are great. Francona says the same.
Joe Z, Ken M, and TFISC disagree.
Who are you going to listen to ?
Bottom line is that Farrell wanted back on the field as a pitching coach. Wedge had a pitching coach. That is a known fact. Boston had an opening so he left. Simple as that.
Sea, your making Farrell out as a hero when Toronto just got done saying he blows as a manager.
The great Omar V also said that Farrell blows as a communicator and a manager.
Farrell and Hazen say that Shapiro and Chris A are great. Francona says the same.
Joe Z, Ken M, and TFISC disagree.
Who are you going to listen to ?
Re: Articles
2694I used to hang around the lower fields in Winter Haven during ST. Farrell was running the show and once in a while he would talk to me for a couple of minutes about what was going on at the fields. Picked up a lot of good info and brought it back to my little league teams. Extremely organized. When he spoke to players, he was always positive.
Hazen, was just a go-fer at the time. Had his face too close to batting cage one day and took one off the nose. Got his chops busted by everyone.
Still think Wedge was the reason Farrell moved on.
Hazen, was just a go-fer at the time. Had his face too close to batting cage one day and took one off the nose. Got his chops busted by everyone.
Still think Wedge was the reason Farrell moved on.
Re: Articles
2695The Cleveland Indians describe their payroll situation for 2013 as "fluid"
Published: Saturday, November 17, 2012, 9:00 PM Updated: Saturday, November 17, 2012, 9:03 PM
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It is always a tricky question at this time of year. Tricky because there is no right answer.
What exactly will the Indians' payroll be in 2013? The closest answer one can usually get is that it's in a "fluid" state.
Last year the Indians' opening-day payroll was $65 million for the 25 players on the big-league roster and those on the disabled list. It's believed it will be in that same range next year.
Still, nothing is certain.
Things are fluid now because budgets haven't been set. Season tickets are still being sold. The damage from last season, 94 losses and the second-worst attendance (1,603,596) in the big leagues, is still being assessed.
So when GM Chris Antonetti comes across an intriguing deal, be it through trade or a free-agent signing, he has to take it to ownership to see what they have to say. If Larry and Paul Dolan say yes, Antonetti can act. If they say no, Antonetti starts looking for another deal.
Outside of the big trade between Toronto and Florida, this is usually a time for teams to pursue free agents. A couple have already come off the board with outfielders Torii Hunter and Melky Cabrera signing with Detroit and Toronto, respectively.
The Indians need an outfielder and had mild interest in Cabrera, who agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal. To get an idea of where the Indians' payroll is at the moment, let's talk numbers.
Looking ahead to next season, they have $13 million committed: $6.5 million to Asdrubal Cabrera, $5.75 million to Ubaldo Jimenez, and $750,000 to Carlos Santana. Cabrera and Santana signed contract extensions last season.
After exercising Jimenez's option for 2013, the Indians declined $19 million in options to Travis Hafner ($13 million) and Roberto Hernandez ($6 million), making them free agents. Antonetti wouldn't say if he'd be able to use that $19 million for the 2013 payroll.
"It gives us some wiggle room," is how he put it.
Other money coming off the books included the 2012 salaries of Grady Sizemore ($5 million), Casey Kotchman ($3 million) and Kevin Slowey ($1.5 million). They're all in the free agent pool trying to get signed. Does that mean Antonetti has an excess of $9.5 million to spend on next year's roster?
Remember the $19 million that the Indians declined in options for Hafner and Hernandez? Well, the $9.5 million fits in the same category.
Now you're starting to understand how the Indians define the word fluid.
Arbitration is going to consume a big part of the Tribe's payroll for next season. They have 10 players eligible: Tony Sipp, Brent Lillibridge, Lou Marson, Jack Hannahan, Justin Masterson, Shin-Soo Choo, Chris Perez, Joe Smith, Mike Aviles and Rafael Perez.
If the Indians reach agreement with all 10, according to mlbtraderumors.com, it could cost an estimated $32 million in arbitration-driven salaries. There are a couple of things that will keep that from happening.
Among the 10 players eligible for arbitration, it's expected that some will not receive contracts for 2013 by the Nov. 30 non-tender deadline. Sipp, Lillibridge, Hannahan and Rafael Perez are possibilities.
Antonetti has also made it clear that he's willing to listen to trade offers for anyone on the roster. Choo, Chris Perez, Masterson and Cabrera have been prominently mentioned.
Last year the Indians' free-agent budget was almost non-existent. They took a $5 million gamble on Sizemore and lost. Kotchman gave them a limited return for $3 million. Right-hander Dan Wheeler, making $900,000, opened the season, but didn't last. Johnny Damon provided little, if any, help as an in-season free-agent signing.
Ditto for 2011 when they signed the likes of Orlando Cabrera, Chad Durbin and Hannahan on the cheap.
The Indians haven't spent big dollars on a free agent since giving Kerry Wood a two-year, $20.5 million deal at the winter meetings in 2008. That did not stop them from making an aggressive bid last week for the negotiating rights to South Korean left-hander Ryu Hyun-Jin. The Dodgers, however, overwhelmed the market with a $25.7 million bid.
Antonetti has already made one trade, acquiring Aviles and the versatile Yan Gomes from Toronto for right-hander Esmil Rogers. Regarding free agents, they won't be bidding for Josh Hamilton and Zack Greinke, but they have been aggressive in trying to fill their needs in the outfield, first base, DH and the starting rotation.
The new national TV contracts come into play in 2014. Agent Scott Boras said the eight-year deals will give each team an additional $25 million to $26 million annually. Perhaps it's time for the Indians to start spending against the future.
BEST, WORST TRIBE FREE AGENTS
The Indians and every other big-league club have been signing free agents since 1976. Here are five of the Tribe's best free-agent signings and five of the worst:
Top five
1. RHP Orel Hershiser
Signed: April 8, 1995 to a one-year, $1.5 million deal.
Stats: In three years Hershiser went 45-21 with a .682 winning percentage and a 4.21 ERA in 91 starts. He was 4-1 in the 1995 postseason, including a 2-0 record with a 1.29 ERA against Seattle to win the ALCS MVP.
2. RHP Dennis Martinez
Signed: Dec. 2, 1993 to a two-year, $9 million deal.
Stats: From 1994 through 1996, Martinez went 32-17 with a .653 winning percentage and a 3.58 ERA in 72 starts. Martinez beat Randy Johnson in Game 6 of the 1995 ALCS to put the Indians in the World Series for the first time since 1954.
3. 2B Roberto Alomar
Signed: Dec. 1, 1998 to a four-year, $32 million deal.
Stats: In the first three years of the deal, Alomar hit a combined .323 (564-for-1,748) with 362 runs, 114 doubles, 17 triples, 63 homers, 309 RBI, 106 steals and a .920 OPS. He went to three All-Star Games, won three Gold Gloves and two Silver Slugger awards before being traded to the Mets after the 2001 season.
4. RHP Doug Jones
Signed: April 3, 1985.
Stats: Jones was signed as a minor-league free agent, who didn't get to the big leagues with the Tribe until the end of the 1986 season. He saved 129 games, the second most in franchise history.
5. RHP Tom Candiotti
Signed: Dec. 12, 1985 to a one-year, $80,000 contract.
Stats: After spending the entire 1985 season in the minors with Milwaukee, Candiotti signed with the Tribe as a minor-league free agent. The knuckleballer went 16-12 and led the AL with 17 complete games in 1986. Candiotti went 73-66 and pitched 1,201 2/3 innings with the Indians.
Bottom five
1. 1B Keith Hernandez
Signed: Dec. 7, 1989 to a two-year, $3 million contract.
Stats: Beware of trying to cash in on a veteran's fading glory. Hernandez, a former MVP, hit .200 (26-for-130) and played exactly 43 games for the Tribe, all in 1990. He spent the entire 1991 season on the disabled list. Then he retired with a nice golden parachute.
2. RHP Kerry Wood
Signed: Dec. 13, 2008 to a two-year, $20.5 million deal.
Stats: Former GM Mark Shapiro thought the Indians were ready to win and Wood would be the last piece as a lock-down closer. Wood, as his history showed, couldn't stay healthy and never really got the hang of closing after being a starter most of his career. The Indians have not spent big money on a free agent since.
3. RHP Jack McDowell
Signed: Dec. 14, 1995 to a two-year, $9.4 million deal.
Stats: Manager Mike Hargrove's teams of the 1990s were all about hitting. McDowell, a former Cy Young winner, was going to change that. Unfortunately, he went 13-9 with a 5.11 ERA in 1996 and missed most of the 1997 season with an injury to his right elbow that required surgery that all but ended his career.
4. 2B Ricky Gutierrez
Signed: Dec. 17, 2001 to a two-year, $6 million deal.
Stats: In their haste to replace Roberto Alomar at second base, the Indians signed free agent Ricky Gutierrez, who was coming off a career season with the Cubs. The problem was Gutierrez was damaged goods. He needed two vertebra fused in his neck and played only 110 games in two years for the Tribe.
5. RHP Wayne Garland
Signed: Nov. 1, 1976 to a 10-year, $2 million contract.
Stats: In the first year of free agency, the Indians signed Garland, a 20-game winner with Baltimore that season, to what at the time was a unimaginably big contract. Garland, however, injured his right shoulder in spring training in 1977. He went 13-19 that year, bulling his way through 282 2/3 innings, which probably didn't do his shoulder much good. Garland's last season was 1981 and the Indians made their final payment to him in 1986.
Published: Saturday, November 17, 2012, 9:00 PM Updated: Saturday, November 17, 2012, 9:03 PM
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It is always a tricky question at this time of year. Tricky because there is no right answer.
What exactly will the Indians' payroll be in 2013? The closest answer one can usually get is that it's in a "fluid" state.
Last year the Indians' opening-day payroll was $65 million for the 25 players on the big-league roster and those on the disabled list. It's believed it will be in that same range next year.
Still, nothing is certain.
Things are fluid now because budgets haven't been set. Season tickets are still being sold. The damage from last season, 94 losses and the second-worst attendance (1,603,596) in the big leagues, is still being assessed.
So when GM Chris Antonetti comes across an intriguing deal, be it through trade or a free-agent signing, he has to take it to ownership to see what they have to say. If Larry and Paul Dolan say yes, Antonetti can act. If they say no, Antonetti starts looking for another deal.
Outside of the big trade between Toronto and Florida, this is usually a time for teams to pursue free agents. A couple have already come off the board with outfielders Torii Hunter and Melky Cabrera signing with Detroit and Toronto, respectively.
The Indians need an outfielder and had mild interest in Cabrera, who agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal. To get an idea of where the Indians' payroll is at the moment, let's talk numbers.
Looking ahead to next season, they have $13 million committed: $6.5 million to Asdrubal Cabrera, $5.75 million to Ubaldo Jimenez, and $750,000 to Carlos Santana. Cabrera and Santana signed contract extensions last season.
After exercising Jimenez's option for 2013, the Indians declined $19 million in options to Travis Hafner ($13 million) and Roberto Hernandez ($6 million), making them free agents. Antonetti wouldn't say if he'd be able to use that $19 million for the 2013 payroll.
"It gives us some wiggle room," is how he put it.
Other money coming off the books included the 2012 salaries of Grady Sizemore ($5 million), Casey Kotchman ($3 million) and Kevin Slowey ($1.5 million). They're all in the free agent pool trying to get signed. Does that mean Antonetti has an excess of $9.5 million to spend on next year's roster?
Remember the $19 million that the Indians declined in options for Hafner and Hernandez? Well, the $9.5 million fits in the same category.
Now you're starting to understand how the Indians define the word fluid.
Arbitration is going to consume a big part of the Tribe's payroll for next season. They have 10 players eligible: Tony Sipp, Brent Lillibridge, Lou Marson, Jack Hannahan, Justin Masterson, Shin-Soo Choo, Chris Perez, Joe Smith, Mike Aviles and Rafael Perez.
If the Indians reach agreement with all 10, according to mlbtraderumors.com, it could cost an estimated $32 million in arbitration-driven salaries. There are a couple of things that will keep that from happening.
Among the 10 players eligible for arbitration, it's expected that some will not receive contracts for 2013 by the Nov. 30 non-tender deadline. Sipp, Lillibridge, Hannahan and Rafael Perez are possibilities.
Antonetti has also made it clear that he's willing to listen to trade offers for anyone on the roster. Choo, Chris Perez, Masterson and Cabrera have been prominently mentioned.
Last year the Indians' free-agent budget was almost non-existent. They took a $5 million gamble on Sizemore and lost. Kotchman gave them a limited return for $3 million. Right-hander Dan Wheeler, making $900,000, opened the season, but didn't last. Johnny Damon provided little, if any, help as an in-season free-agent signing.
Ditto for 2011 when they signed the likes of Orlando Cabrera, Chad Durbin and Hannahan on the cheap.
The Indians haven't spent big dollars on a free agent since giving Kerry Wood a two-year, $20.5 million deal at the winter meetings in 2008. That did not stop them from making an aggressive bid last week for the negotiating rights to South Korean left-hander Ryu Hyun-Jin. The Dodgers, however, overwhelmed the market with a $25.7 million bid.
Antonetti has already made one trade, acquiring Aviles and the versatile Yan Gomes from Toronto for right-hander Esmil Rogers. Regarding free agents, they won't be bidding for Josh Hamilton and Zack Greinke, but they have been aggressive in trying to fill their needs in the outfield, first base, DH and the starting rotation.
The new national TV contracts come into play in 2014. Agent Scott Boras said the eight-year deals will give each team an additional $25 million to $26 million annually. Perhaps it's time for the Indians to start spending against the future.
BEST, WORST TRIBE FREE AGENTS
The Indians and every other big-league club have been signing free agents since 1976. Here are five of the Tribe's best free-agent signings and five of the worst:
Top five
1. RHP Orel Hershiser
Signed: April 8, 1995 to a one-year, $1.5 million deal.
Stats: In three years Hershiser went 45-21 with a .682 winning percentage and a 4.21 ERA in 91 starts. He was 4-1 in the 1995 postseason, including a 2-0 record with a 1.29 ERA against Seattle to win the ALCS MVP.
2. RHP Dennis Martinez
Signed: Dec. 2, 1993 to a two-year, $9 million deal.
Stats: From 1994 through 1996, Martinez went 32-17 with a .653 winning percentage and a 3.58 ERA in 72 starts. Martinez beat Randy Johnson in Game 6 of the 1995 ALCS to put the Indians in the World Series for the first time since 1954.
3. 2B Roberto Alomar
Signed: Dec. 1, 1998 to a four-year, $32 million deal.
Stats: In the first three years of the deal, Alomar hit a combined .323 (564-for-1,748) with 362 runs, 114 doubles, 17 triples, 63 homers, 309 RBI, 106 steals and a .920 OPS. He went to three All-Star Games, won three Gold Gloves and two Silver Slugger awards before being traded to the Mets after the 2001 season.
4. RHP Doug Jones
Signed: April 3, 1985.
Stats: Jones was signed as a minor-league free agent, who didn't get to the big leagues with the Tribe until the end of the 1986 season. He saved 129 games, the second most in franchise history.
5. RHP Tom Candiotti
Signed: Dec. 12, 1985 to a one-year, $80,000 contract.
Stats: After spending the entire 1985 season in the minors with Milwaukee, Candiotti signed with the Tribe as a minor-league free agent. The knuckleballer went 16-12 and led the AL with 17 complete games in 1986. Candiotti went 73-66 and pitched 1,201 2/3 innings with the Indians.
Bottom five
1. 1B Keith Hernandez
Signed: Dec. 7, 1989 to a two-year, $3 million contract.
Stats: Beware of trying to cash in on a veteran's fading glory. Hernandez, a former MVP, hit .200 (26-for-130) and played exactly 43 games for the Tribe, all in 1990. He spent the entire 1991 season on the disabled list. Then he retired with a nice golden parachute.
2. RHP Kerry Wood
Signed: Dec. 13, 2008 to a two-year, $20.5 million deal.
Stats: Former GM Mark Shapiro thought the Indians were ready to win and Wood would be the last piece as a lock-down closer. Wood, as his history showed, couldn't stay healthy and never really got the hang of closing after being a starter most of his career. The Indians have not spent big money on a free agent since.
3. RHP Jack McDowell
Signed: Dec. 14, 1995 to a two-year, $9.4 million deal.
Stats: Manager Mike Hargrove's teams of the 1990s were all about hitting. McDowell, a former Cy Young winner, was going to change that. Unfortunately, he went 13-9 with a 5.11 ERA in 1996 and missed most of the 1997 season with an injury to his right elbow that required surgery that all but ended his career.
4. 2B Ricky Gutierrez
Signed: Dec. 17, 2001 to a two-year, $6 million deal.
Stats: In their haste to replace Roberto Alomar at second base, the Indians signed free agent Ricky Gutierrez, who was coming off a career season with the Cubs. The problem was Gutierrez was damaged goods. He needed two vertebra fused in his neck and played only 110 games in two years for the Tribe.
5. RHP Wayne Garland
Signed: Nov. 1, 1976 to a 10-year, $2 million contract.
Stats: In the first year of free agency, the Indians signed Garland, a 20-game winner with Baltimore that season, to what at the time was a unimaginably big contract. Garland, however, injured his right shoulder in spring training in 1977. He went 13-19 that year, bulling his way through 282 2/3 innings, which probably didn't do his shoulder much good. Garland's last season was 1981 and the Indians made their final payment to him in 1986.
Re: Articles
2696Hey, Hoynsie! Will the Cleveland Indians sign a right-handed power hitter?
Published: Sunday, November 18, 2012, 6:00 AM Updated: Sunday, November 18, 2012, 6:06 AM
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer
Q: Hey, Hoynsie: Why aren't we hearing about the front office going after Torii Hunter, Nick Swisher, Jason Bay, etc.? The Indians need right-handed power bats and there are finally some on the market. -- Steve Fischer, Fairview Park
A: Hey, Steve: Torii Hunter just signed a two-year deal with Detroit. At 37, Hunter isn't going to come to a team like the Indians with an uncertain future when he can sign with a team that went to the World Series this year and should be favored to win the AL Central next year. The switch-hitting Swisher is way out of the Tribe's price range. They are talking to Bay and switch-hitter Shane Victorino.
Q: Hey, Hoynsie: Can you please tell me where the 1954 World Series game was played in which Willie Mays made his famous catch? Was it at Cleveland Stadium or the Polo Grounds? -- Patrick J. Farrell, North Olmsted
A: Hey, Patrick: The catch that broke Cleveland's heart took place on Sept. 29, 1954 at the Polo Grounds in the eighth inning of Game 1. The drive had traveled an estimated 460 feet when Mays caught it over his shoulder in center field. If it had been hit in Cleveland, Mays would have run out of room and the World Series may have had a different outcome.
Q: Hey, Hoynsie: If the 25th player on the roster was represented by Scott Boras, would there be rumors of a trade? -- Steve Cornelius, Rocky River
A: Hey, Steve: There might be, but would anyone really care?
Q: Hey, Hoynsie: Any other Miami Marlins available for the highest bidders that the Tribe would look at? -- Jeremy Cronig, Shaker Heights
A: Hey, Jeremy: Supposedly first baseman Logan Morrison and right-hander Ricky Nolasco are available. Morrison (.230, 11 HRs, 36 RBI) is more known for his Tweets than his hitting. Nolasco (12-13, 4.48) will make $11.5 million next year. The Marlins really upset their fan base last week with the salary dump with Toronto, but even they aren't cavalier enough to trade outfielder Giancarlo Stanton, the player the Indians desperately need. Stanton (.290, 37, 86) isn't even eligible for arbitration yet so he'll work cheaply in 2013.
Q: Hey, Hoynsie: You quoted GM Chris Antonetti as saying, "It's important to understand how other teams value your players and explore different fits." Is this why in major trades the front office continues to fail miserably, they let their trade partners undervalue Tribe assets? -- Tom Young, Aurora
A: Hey, Tom: Sarcasm aside, that's not what Antonetti meant. Antonetti is trying to find out just how much the 29 other teams value his players and what they'd be willing to give up for them. Every team does the same thing.
Q: Hey, Hoynsie: I keep reading that the Indians need a first baseman. Have they given up on Russ Canzler? I thought he did well in his September call-up and wasn't he the International League Player of the Year in 2011 when he played for Durham? -- Dale Helwick, Avon
A: Hey, Dale: Canzler hit .269 (25-for-93) with three doubles, three homers and 11 RBI in September. He had a .398 slugging percentage and a .299 on-base percentage. He did OK, but he didn't blow anybody away. I think Canzler has a chance to make the team as an extra player or a platoon guy in left field or first base. Canzler was the International League Player of the Year for Durham in 2011.
Q: Hey, Hoynsie: Is there any chance of the Indians acquiring Jaime Garcia from the St. Louis Cardinals for Asdrubal Cabrera? The Indians already have Mike Aviles to play shortstop, and need starting pitching. Garcia would give the Indians a lefty for the rotation. Cabrera is a good fit for the Cards because Rafael Furcal is getting a little bit old and Cabrera is a better hitter than Pete Kozma. -- Peter Appenheimer, Bay Village
A: Hey, Peter: I like Garcia, but in the postseason this year he was taken out of the St. Louis rotation because of a strained rotator cuff in his left shoulder. If I'm the Indians, I'd be cautious about making a deal for him, especially if I'm going to give up my starting shortstop. Trading an All-Star shortstop for a healthy starting pitcher is a risk because Cabrera can help you win every day, while a starting pitcher works once every five days. Trading an All-Star shortstop for a starting pitcher who might not be healthy can get you fired.
Q: Hey, Hoynsie: I was surprised to read that the Tribe has 40 scouts. Are they full- or part-time employees? Where is the Tribe cutting corners as opposed to teams that evaluate professional and amateur talent well? -- Dustin Potter, Cleveland
A: Hey, Dustin: The Indians, according to their 2012 media guide, have 46 scouts. Six of them are listed as part time. I don't think they're cutting corners when it comes to amateur, professional and international scouting. The one thing the Dolan ownership has consistently done is put money into player development. They may have the wrong people picking the talent, but the resources are there.
Q: Hey, Hoynsie: What is the current physical condition of Victor Martinez? With Detroit's acquisition of Prince Fielder, does Martinez still fit into the Tigers' plans? If he does not (and he's healthy), could Victor be of interest to the Indians and possibly fit into their future plans? -- Paul Skowronek, Columbia Station
A: Hey, Paul: Martinez missed the entire 2012 season because of two operations on his left knee. He's signed for two more years with the Tigers, receiving $13 million in 2013 and $14 million in 2014. The Tigers are expecting him to be healthy in 2013. He'll probably DH most of the time because Delmon Young isn't expected to return, especially with the signing of Torii Hunter. A trade is always possible, but I think it would be unlikely over the next two seasons.
Q: Hey, Hoynsie: Why does it seem like the Tribe is just a Class AAA farm team for others in the big leagues? We get them experience then they go somewhere else. I get tired of the mid-market excuse. Isn't St. Louis a mid-market? -- Tom Goodsite, Kansas City, Mo.
A: Hey, Tom: The Indians aren't the only team in that position. Until there is a salary cap in baseball, the rich teams are always going to get fat off the work of the poor teams. St. Louis is an exception. Based on the 2011 census, St. Louis has a smaller population than Cleveland (318,069 compared to 393,806), but when it comes to baseball it is strictly a big-market club. They've drawn more than 3 million in attendance in 14 of the past 15 years. They've gone to the postseason nine times, winning two of their three World Series appearances, in that stretch. In the past 15 years, the Indians have drawn over 3 million fans four times, the most recent being 2001. In that stretch, they've made four postseason appearances. Over the past 13 years (since 2000), the Cardinals' average annual payroll has been $89 million compared to $64 million for the Indians.
Q: Hey, Hoynsie: Please tell me the Indians aren't going to pursue Grady Sizemore again. If the saying is "fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me," what would fool me three times be? They have to let this guy go somewhere else. -- Geoff Gus, Westlake
A: Hey, Geoff: I don't think Sizemore will be back. If he is re-signed, I suspect it will be to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training.
Published: Sunday, November 18, 2012, 6:00 AM Updated: Sunday, November 18, 2012, 6:06 AM
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer
Q: Hey, Hoynsie: Why aren't we hearing about the front office going after Torii Hunter, Nick Swisher, Jason Bay, etc.? The Indians need right-handed power bats and there are finally some on the market. -- Steve Fischer, Fairview Park
A: Hey, Steve: Torii Hunter just signed a two-year deal with Detroit. At 37, Hunter isn't going to come to a team like the Indians with an uncertain future when he can sign with a team that went to the World Series this year and should be favored to win the AL Central next year. The switch-hitting Swisher is way out of the Tribe's price range. They are talking to Bay and switch-hitter Shane Victorino.
Q: Hey, Hoynsie: Can you please tell me where the 1954 World Series game was played in which Willie Mays made his famous catch? Was it at Cleveland Stadium or the Polo Grounds? -- Patrick J. Farrell, North Olmsted
A: Hey, Patrick: The catch that broke Cleveland's heart took place on Sept. 29, 1954 at the Polo Grounds in the eighth inning of Game 1. The drive had traveled an estimated 460 feet when Mays caught it over his shoulder in center field. If it had been hit in Cleveland, Mays would have run out of room and the World Series may have had a different outcome.
Q: Hey, Hoynsie: If the 25th player on the roster was represented by Scott Boras, would there be rumors of a trade? -- Steve Cornelius, Rocky River
A: Hey, Steve: There might be, but would anyone really care?
Q: Hey, Hoynsie: Any other Miami Marlins available for the highest bidders that the Tribe would look at? -- Jeremy Cronig, Shaker Heights
A: Hey, Jeremy: Supposedly first baseman Logan Morrison and right-hander Ricky Nolasco are available. Morrison (.230, 11 HRs, 36 RBI) is more known for his Tweets than his hitting. Nolasco (12-13, 4.48) will make $11.5 million next year. The Marlins really upset their fan base last week with the salary dump with Toronto, but even they aren't cavalier enough to trade outfielder Giancarlo Stanton, the player the Indians desperately need. Stanton (.290, 37, 86) isn't even eligible for arbitration yet so he'll work cheaply in 2013.
Q: Hey, Hoynsie: You quoted GM Chris Antonetti as saying, "It's important to understand how other teams value your players and explore different fits." Is this why in major trades the front office continues to fail miserably, they let their trade partners undervalue Tribe assets? -- Tom Young, Aurora
A: Hey, Tom: Sarcasm aside, that's not what Antonetti meant. Antonetti is trying to find out just how much the 29 other teams value his players and what they'd be willing to give up for them. Every team does the same thing.
Q: Hey, Hoynsie: I keep reading that the Indians need a first baseman. Have they given up on Russ Canzler? I thought he did well in his September call-up and wasn't he the International League Player of the Year in 2011 when he played for Durham? -- Dale Helwick, Avon
A: Hey, Dale: Canzler hit .269 (25-for-93) with three doubles, three homers and 11 RBI in September. He had a .398 slugging percentage and a .299 on-base percentage. He did OK, but he didn't blow anybody away. I think Canzler has a chance to make the team as an extra player or a platoon guy in left field or first base. Canzler was the International League Player of the Year for Durham in 2011.
Q: Hey, Hoynsie: Is there any chance of the Indians acquiring Jaime Garcia from the St. Louis Cardinals for Asdrubal Cabrera? The Indians already have Mike Aviles to play shortstop, and need starting pitching. Garcia would give the Indians a lefty for the rotation. Cabrera is a good fit for the Cards because Rafael Furcal is getting a little bit old and Cabrera is a better hitter than Pete Kozma. -- Peter Appenheimer, Bay Village
A: Hey, Peter: I like Garcia, but in the postseason this year he was taken out of the St. Louis rotation because of a strained rotator cuff in his left shoulder. If I'm the Indians, I'd be cautious about making a deal for him, especially if I'm going to give up my starting shortstop. Trading an All-Star shortstop for a healthy starting pitcher is a risk because Cabrera can help you win every day, while a starting pitcher works once every five days. Trading an All-Star shortstop for a starting pitcher who might not be healthy can get you fired.
Q: Hey, Hoynsie: I was surprised to read that the Tribe has 40 scouts. Are they full- or part-time employees? Where is the Tribe cutting corners as opposed to teams that evaluate professional and amateur talent well? -- Dustin Potter, Cleveland
A: Hey, Dustin: The Indians, according to their 2012 media guide, have 46 scouts. Six of them are listed as part time. I don't think they're cutting corners when it comes to amateur, professional and international scouting. The one thing the Dolan ownership has consistently done is put money into player development. They may have the wrong people picking the talent, but the resources are there.
Q: Hey, Hoynsie: What is the current physical condition of Victor Martinez? With Detroit's acquisition of Prince Fielder, does Martinez still fit into the Tigers' plans? If he does not (and he's healthy), could Victor be of interest to the Indians and possibly fit into their future plans? -- Paul Skowronek, Columbia Station
A: Hey, Paul: Martinez missed the entire 2012 season because of two operations on his left knee. He's signed for two more years with the Tigers, receiving $13 million in 2013 and $14 million in 2014. The Tigers are expecting him to be healthy in 2013. He'll probably DH most of the time because Delmon Young isn't expected to return, especially with the signing of Torii Hunter. A trade is always possible, but I think it would be unlikely over the next two seasons.
Q: Hey, Hoynsie: Why does it seem like the Tribe is just a Class AAA farm team for others in the big leagues? We get them experience then they go somewhere else. I get tired of the mid-market excuse. Isn't St. Louis a mid-market? -- Tom Goodsite, Kansas City, Mo.
A: Hey, Tom: The Indians aren't the only team in that position. Until there is a salary cap in baseball, the rich teams are always going to get fat off the work of the poor teams. St. Louis is an exception. Based on the 2011 census, St. Louis has a smaller population than Cleveland (318,069 compared to 393,806), but when it comes to baseball it is strictly a big-market club. They've drawn more than 3 million in attendance in 14 of the past 15 years. They've gone to the postseason nine times, winning two of their three World Series appearances, in that stretch. In the past 15 years, the Indians have drawn over 3 million fans four times, the most recent being 2001. In that stretch, they've made four postseason appearances. Over the past 13 years (since 2000), the Cardinals' average annual payroll has been $89 million compared to $64 million for the Indians.
Q: Hey, Hoynsie: Please tell me the Indians aren't going to pursue Grady Sizemore again. If the saying is "fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me," what would fool me three times be? They have to let this guy go somewhere else. -- Geoff Gus, Westlake
A: Hey, Geoff: I don't think Sizemore will be back. If he is re-signed, I suspect it will be to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training.
Re: Articles
2697Coulda put one of the Juan Gonzalez deals in there. How much was it for one groundout?
Re: Articles
2698Desperate for a right-handed power hitter in their lineup, the Indians signed Gonzalez to a low-risk deal that protected the club in case he couldn't stay healthy. The Indians owe him just $600,000 for making their opening day roster, and Gonzalez can earn another $1.65 million in bonuses based on plate appearances and $300,000 more based on time on the active roster.
Re: Articles
2699Indians front office sets standard for success
Panel of general managers discusses benefits of working in organization
By Evan Drellich / MLB.com | 11/15/12 12:07 PM ET
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BOSTON -- It's been more than a decade since John Hart's reign as Indians general manager transitioned to Mark Shapiro's, and now on to Chris Antonetti's.
Plenty of front offices will be revered well in history. But the respect held for the Indians' management team of the past dozen years is paralleled in very few places, if any.
"It was actually going to be Cleveland or come back [to ESPN] and work," manager Terry Francona said when he was hired.
It was Indians or bust. And not too many other teams that went 68-94 command that sort of respect.
"To work in that Cleveland environment, I haven't even tried to stop and count up the number of GMs [who worked in that Cleveland regime] that go back to John Hart and Mark Shapiro, but it might be eight or nine," Pirates GM Neal Huntington said Tuesday. "So the opportunity to work with some incredible people, the opportunity to work with a Felipe Alou or an Eric Wedge as a manager ... they were willing to let a 24-year-old or a 34-year-old ask a lot of questions, and be patient and let me ask more questions."
Huntington, Red Sox GM Ben Cherington and Antonetti all went through the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where they spoke as a panel Tuesday. They all also came through Cleveland in varied capacities. Cherington's time with the Indians was short, one season, but he was still handed high-level responsibility. He does not think he would have grown otherwise.
"Having been a part of it for just a year, I remember going from doing nothing to preparing an advance report for the Major League staff on our Opening Day opponent within a couple of months," Cherington said. "It's truly not being stuck in the corner and copying and filing. I knew right away that this was a place that was going to demand things, but it was an incredible opportunity to learn, the people that were there."
Said Antonetti: "I think it goes back to John Hart, Dan O'Dowd [who served as Indians vice president of baseball operations and assistant general manager before becoming Colorado's GM], Mark Shapiro establishing a culture in which they sought to hire really talented people. Not only do that -- a lot of people do that -- but really actively develop and really challenge people to grow and develop, not just put the intern in the corner to file and copy, but challenge them to contribute, challenge them to grow and expand their horizons.
"That culture that I think Mark and John and Dan created, we in our own ways have tried to continue to foster. I think that's probably at the forefront of it."
Cherington's surrounded himself with a lot of Indians flavor: Boston's manager, John Farrell, came through there, and so did assistant general manager Mike Hazen. It makes sense that Francona wanted to go to Cleveland, because the Red Sox had made themselves look like Cleveland in some ways back.
Cherington admits to playing copycat and said he's not alone.
"That culture was there, I learned from it, it made a big impression on me," Cherington said. "So when I left to go to Boston, before we hired Mike Hazen or John Farrell or anyone else, there were some other things that we tried to take from there, whether it's some of the player-development methods we've used, or in other ways -- and we're not the only team, by the way. There's other teams trying to copy what's gone on in Cleveland for a long time. And I think more and more organizations now look more like Cleveland did 15 years ago. Cleveland still looks that way, but there are more teams that look more like that now."
Like Cherington, Antonetti thinks it's possible at times Shapiro and Co. gave him responsibility that he was not ready for. It worked out.
The Indians have always been at the forefront of the game's sabermetric shift, along with Oakland. But where the Indians may stand alone is in their other farm system: their front office.
"Going over to the Cleveland environment, and I think as Ben and Neal have already alluded to, it's a really special place to work," Antonetti said. "And there's a special group of people there led at that time by John Hart and Mark Shapiro, who is currently there [as president], and both guys were exceptionally influential, and still are to this day, for me and my career.
"Mark is an unbelievable leader as Neal and Ben have already alluded to -- someone who provides and empowers the people to work with him, and provides tremendous opportunity to grow and develop along the way. And as Ben said, [Shapiro] probably gave me some responsibilities a little bit before I was ready for them. But he's always been someone who's believed in me ... the environment in which you work is so important."
Evan Drellich is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @EvanDrellich. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Panel of general managers discusses benefits of working in organization
By Evan Drellich / MLB.com | 11/15/12 12:07 PM ET
Comments (100)
BOSTON -- It's been more than a decade since John Hart's reign as Indians general manager transitioned to Mark Shapiro's, and now on to Chris Antonetti's.
Plenty of front offices will be revered well in history. But the respect held for the Indians' management team of the past dozen years is paralleled in very few places, if any.
"It was actually going to be Cleveland or come back [to ESPN] and work," manager Terry Francona said when he was hired.
It was Indians or bust. And not too many other teams that went 68-94 command that sort of respect.
"To work in that Cleveland environment, I haven't even tried to stop and count up the number of GMs [who worked in that Cleveland regime] that go back to John Hart and Mark Shapiro, but it might be eight or nine," Pirates GM Neal Huntington said Tuesday. "So the opportunity to work with some incredible people, the opportunity to work with a Felipe Alou or an Eric Wedge as a manager ... they were willing to let a 24-year-old or a 34-year-old ask a lot of questions, and be patient and let me ask more questions."
Huntington, Red Sox GM Ben Cherington and Antonetti all went through the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where they spoke as a panel Tuesday. They all also came through Cleveland in varied capacities. Cherington's time with the Indians was short, one season, but he was still handed high-level responsibility. He does not think he would have grown otherwise.
"Having been a part of it for just a year, I remember going from doing nothing to preparing an advance report for the Major League staff on our Opening Day opponent within a couple of months," Cherington said. "It's truly not being stuck in the corner and copying and filing. I knew right away that this was a place that was going to demand things, but it was an incredible opportunity to learn, the people that were there."
Said Antonetti: "I think it goes back to John Hart, Dan O'Dowd [who served as Indians vice president of baseball operations and assistant general manager before becoming Colorado's GM], Mark Shapiro establishing a culture in which they sought to hire really talented people. Not only do that -- a lot of people do that -- but really actively develop and really challenge people to grow and develop, not just put the intern in the corner to file and copy, but challenge them to contribute, challenge them to grow and expand their horizons.
"That culture that I think Mark and John and Dan created, we in our own ways have tried to continue to foster. I think that's probably at the forefront of it."
Cherington's surrounded himself with a lot of Indians flavor: Boston's manager, John Farrell, came through there, and so did assistant general manager Mike Hazen. It makes sense that Francona wanted to go to Cleveland, because the Red Sox had made themselves look like Cleveland in some ways back.
Cherington admits to playing copycat and said he's not alone.
"That culture was there, I learned from it, it made a big impression on me," Cherington said. "So when I left to go to Boston, before we hired Mike Hazen or John Farrell or anyone else, there were some other things that we tried to take from there, whether it's some of the player-development methods we've used, or in other ways -- and we're not the only team, by the way. There's other teams trying to copy what's gone on in Cleveland for a long time. And I think more and more organizations now look more like Cleveland did 15 years ago. Cleveland still looks that way, but there are more teams that look more like that now."
Like Cherington, Antonetti thinks it's possible at times Shapiro and Co. gave him responsibility that he was not ready for. It worked out.
The Indians have always been at the forefront of the game's sabermetric shift, along with Oakland. But where the Indians may stand alone is in their other farm system: their front office.
"Going over to the Cleveland environment, and I think as Ben and Neal have already alluded to, it's a really special place to work," Antonetti said. "And there's a special group of people there led at that time by John Hart and Mark Shapiro, who is currently there [as president], and both guys were exceptionally influential, and still are to this day, for me and my career.
"Mark is an unbelievable leader as Neal and Ben have already alluded to -- someone who provides and empowers the people to work with him, and provides tremendous opportunity to grow and develop along the way. And as Ben said, [Shapiro] probably gave me some responsibilities a little bit before I was ready for them. But he's always been someone who's believed in me ... the environment in which you work is so important."
Evan Drellich is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @EvanDrellich. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Re: Articles
2700Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes that the Red Sox and Diamondbacks are two of the teams interested in trading for Asdrubal Cabrera.
They're obvious fits, as are the Cardinals, who are also reportedly interested in dealing for Cabrera. The 26-year-old batted .270/.338/.423 with 16 home runs and 68 RBI in 616 plate appearances this past season for the Indians and is signed for a pretty reasonable $16.5 million through 2014.
Related: Diamondbacks, Red Sox
Source: Boston Globe Nov 18 - 9:57 AM
They're obvious fits, as are the Cardinals, who are also reportedly interested in dealing for Cabrera. The 26-year-old batted .270/.338/.423 with 16 home runs and 68 RBI in 616 plate appearances this past season for the Indians and is signed for a pretty reasonable $16.5 million through 2014.
Related: Diamondbacks, Red Sox
Source: Boston Globe Nov 18 - 9:57 AM