Cleveland Sports Forum

I guess my point is that the money was available to sign a corner outfielder that could thrive in the number 4 or 5 slot in the lineup.

I don't think that our trusty front office spent their money wisely enough.

I don't have anything against 1-yr deals provided that their work is commensurate with their salaries.

I am ok with the deals Napoli, Butler, and Byrd received.

Praying for Donna!

Maquis 3-3 today with a dbl and 2 homers.

Naquin making a case to stick. Service time always a consideration. If they send him down for a few weeks, they buy another year before FA.

I just noticed that my last post was butchered by auto correct. I, of course, was talking about Naquin.

No problems for Donna today. They won't know how it worked until the next MRI in 3 months or so.

Great news about Donna

BA on Naquin:

Tyler Naquin, cf, Indians. Cleveland's No. 6 prospect, Naquin has put himself in line to take advantage of Michael Brantley's shoulder surgery and Abraham Almonte's suspension and make the big club out of spring training. Naquin slammed his first two spring homers Tuesday as well as a double and is hitting .447 this spring. In addition, he's a superb center fielder and could slot in there as Almonte serves his half-year-long suspension. "He's really doing everything you can do," Indians manager Terry Francona told Terry Pluto. "We'll get to the point where we will start to do things (about the roster). ... There is a time to start saying things about guys ... and he has done a really good job."

Thanks for letting us know, J.R.

Indians send Urshela to Triple-A to start '16

By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com | @MLBastian | 4:10 PM ET

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The Indians' message to Giovanny Urshela has been consistent: Cleveland believes he has the makings of an everyday third baseman in the big leagues. That feeling did not change on Saturday, when the Tribe optioned Urshela to Triple-A Columbus.

For now, the Indians plan on opening the season with veteran Juan Uribe as their starter at third base, allowing Urshela some more development time in the Minor Leagues. Manager Terry Francona emphasized to Urshela to keep the big picture in mind.

"We walked him through it again," Francona said. "[We explained] why we signed Uribe, that we thought spending some time in Triple-A would be really good for him. You don't always expect the players to evaluate it the same, because they're supposed to think they can do it. But, he understood.



"We told him, 'We signed a guy for a year. We want you to be ready to come be the third baseman and stay here.' I thought he had a really good camp."

Urshela, 24, has hit .306 with five home runs, 12 RBIs and a 1.165 OPS through 16 Cactus League games this spring. Last season, the young third baseman hit .225 with a .608 OPS in 81 games for the Indians, while battling a variety of injury issues.

Other items of note from Saturday:

• Right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall (right forearm tightness) was cleared by Dr. Thomas Graham to continue with game activities. Chisenhall took three at-bats in a Minor League game on Friday, met with the doctor and then headed back to the Minor League side on Saturday to get more at-bats.

"It's hard to find somebody better than Graham to see him," Francona said. "I think that's really going to help ease [Chisenhall's] mind."

• The Indians optioned outfielder Joey Butler to Columbus on Saturday as part of the latest roster reductions. Butler -- claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay over the offseason -- hit .206 in 20 Cactus League games in his bid to win an outfield job.

"That outfield is still pretty crowded," Francona said. "For us, we're thrilled he has an option, so we can keep him in the organization. He's shown the ability to really get hot. I'd be surprised if he doesn't help us at some point."

• The Indians also optioned shortstop Erik Gonzalez to Columbus on Saturday. The 24-year-old Gonzalez, who is ranked No. 12 among the Indians' Top 30 prospects by MLBPipeline.com, will be the everyday shortstop for the Clippers this season.

• Cleveland re-assigned catcher Adam Moore (non-roster invitee) to Minor League camp on Saturday. He and Anthony Recker project to handle the catching duties at Columbus, providing depth behind Tribe catchers Yan Gomes and Roberto Perez.

• Outfielder Shane Robinson, who is in camp as a non-roster invitee, has not played in a Cactus League game since March 18. The Indians indicated that Robinson is currently tending to a personal situation.

Brantley not likely to meet Opening Day goal

By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com | @MLBastian | 2:31 AM ET

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The Indians headed into Spring Training knowing that it was unlikely that left fielder Michael Brantley would be ready in time for Opening Day. Brantley did his best to target the Tribe's season opener, but a recent setback will likely delay his comeback.

On Saturday morning, Indians manager Terry Francona noted that Brantley was scheduled to have a followup exam with Dr. Mark Schickendantz for the outfielder's right shoulder, which was surgically repaired in November. Brantley will be held out of Major League games over the next week, making a stint on the disabled list to open the season a realistic scenario.

"I think it was healthy for him to shoot for [Opening Day]," Francona said. "Anytime you have a goal, I think it's good. I hope he's not disappointed. I think maybe he understands probably better than anybody here what he means to this team. But, there's not one ounce of disappointment in me. I'm proud of him, man.


"He busted his [tail] and he'll continue to do that. It might be a week later. It might be 10 days. He's going to be just fine. We've just got to do it right. It was easy to do it right, because of our trust with him and his honesty with us."

With Brantley likely out of the Opening Day fold, Cleveland may look to carry five outfielders. Rajai Davis, who can play left and center field, is a lock for the roster, along with center fielder Tyler Naquin and right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall. Collin Cowgill, Will Venable, Marlon Byrd and Robbie Grossman are among the other candidates for outfield roles. Utility man Jose Ramirez can offer a backup option for the outfielder, too.

Brantley made rapid progress with his rehab through the early portion of Spring Training and made his Cactus League debut on March 19, going 1-for-3 with a home run. The Tribe's left fielder had three more plate appearances in Monday's game against the White Sox, but he has been held out of Cactus League play since that contest.

Francona noted that Brantley's shoulder did not respond as well as hoped, leading the club to reduce his activity over the past few days.

"He's going to talk to Schick again today and try to plan maybe a little course of action here," Francona said on Saturday morning. "He had a pretty good day in the training room getting loose, a better day than he had yesterday. We'll kind of wait and see what they say moving forward.

"I don't think you're going to see him playing in a Major League game this week, that's for sure. But, how we go about the next two, three, four days, I think we'll have a better idea, maybe [after the meeting with the doctor]."

Brantley said it was important to be up front with the team about how he was feeling.

"I just had some soreness after I played that last game," Brantley said. "I told myself and I told the medical staff that I was going to be honest, and I wouldn't come back unless I'm 100 percent. So, I'm just kind of listening to my body and taking it day by day, understanding that it's a different atmosphere in a game-like situation, and I've got to recover faster when I come back from games."

While Opening Day is seemingly out of the picture, Brantley said he will do everything he can to return as soon as possible.

"It's frustrating, because I won't be with my teammates, absolutely," Brantley said. "Any game that they're playing and I'm not, I'm going to be even more eager to get back there. ... I don't want to come back where I'm limited, or I can only play a couple games and need a day off, or anything like that. I want to come back and be ready to go."

Red Sox outfielder David Murphy exercised the opt-out clause in his minor league contract. The team has 48 hours to decide whether to add him to the major league roster or release him.

hmmm....you don't suppose...?!

JIM's daughter Delani six years ago, and now.

Detwiler earns a spot in the bullpen.
Last opening in the pen is between LH Crockett and RH Otero.

Will Venable is gone.
Brantley will open on DL.
Chisenhall back in the lineup and raps his 2nd hit of the spring; and picks up at least his 4th OF assist.
Byrd seems certain to be a 4th OF along with Davis, Naquin and Lonnie.
Cowgill still has not hit a single single this spring, but his 3-run homer was his 2nd long ball and 6th xb hit. Avg is only 143 but is on the upgrade. Apparently he'll be OF No. 5

J.R. wrote:

JIM's daughter Delani six years ago, and now.

Wow!