Archive for the ‘Cleveland Indians’ Category

Cleveland Indians v Texas Rangers

One of the shibboleths of contemporary baseball analysis is that teams, especially “small market” teams, must grow from within. No team can completely ignore the free agent market, or the waiver wire, or trades, but the most affordable impact talent comes through the cost-controlled players brought up through the team’s own system. Especially these days, when even teams with bigger payrolls are more loathe than ever to give up prospects, the importance of drafting future stars (not to mention international free agents) seems obvious to all. Everyone acknowledges the importance of the farm system, especially in the aftermath of hey another over-hyped MLB draft (really eager to find out which of these guys is going to pan out in three years, ya’ll!).

That is not to say that having a well-regarded farm system is itself a guarantee of future major-league success. Scott McKinney’s important historical study of top prospects established that fact in the wake of a certain team’s farm system being declared the Best in the History of Whatever, and this year a certain team confirmed the implications of McKinney’s work, as even more optimistic analysts acknowledge.

I am not here to refute the notion that, generally speaking, a good farm system built through amateur talent is essential to any team on any budget — even the Yankees, whose two best position players thus far in 2013, Robinson Cano and Brett Gardner, were both drafted and developed internally and are yet to reach free agency. However, there is one team that has put together a good group of position players while on a small budget without drafting almost anyone in the current group: Cleveland.

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A very strange situation at Cleveland’s spring camp in Goodyear, Az today as their closer, Chris Perez, was scratched from the lineup for today’s Cactus League battle with the White Sox.

No word was offered initially for Perez’s scratch. His bizarre behaviour on the way out of the facility fuelled speculation that perhaps the free-agent-to-be was traded.


Alas, Chris Perez is not traded. He is injured, suffering a subscapularis strain in his throwing shoulder. As Jordan Bastian reports, Perez will not throw for seven to ten days, with a goal to return to games in three or four weeks.

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progressivebeerdog

If there ever was a good time to be a Cleveland Indians fan, it’s right about now. It wasn’t all that long ago that team president, Mark Shapiro, was warning prospective season ticket holders to temper their expectations for a winning club. Now, on top of an offseason that saw the club acquire Nick Swisher, Michael Bourn, and Trevor Bauer, the Clevelands have announced significant rollbacks on concession prices. We’re talking about $4 for a 12 oz. beer.

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Cincinnati Reds v Cleveland Indians

2012 Record: 68-94, 4th AL Central
2012 Pythagorean Record: 64-98
Impact Player: C Carlos Santana
Impact Pitcher: RHP Justin Masterson
Top Prospect: SS Francisco Lindor 

Significant Acquisitions: 1B/RF Nick Swisher, CF Michael Bourn, RHP Brett Myers, RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka, DH/1B Mark Reynolds, OF Drew Stubbs, RHP Matt Capps, RHP Bryan Shaw, RHP Trevor Bauer, RHP Matt Albers, IF Mike Aviles

Significant Departures: RF Shin-Soo Choo, DH Travis Hafner, 1B Casey Kotchman, 3B/1B Jack Hannahan, OF/1B Shelley Duncan, OF Johnny Damon, RHP Derek Lowe, RHP Esmil Rogers

Cleveland had, by all accounts, an excellent 2012-13 offseason. They started it off by acquiring potential future ace Trevor Bauer in a three-team trade that saw the exodus of longtime rightfielder Shin-Soo Choo. Then, they swooped in and signed two of the best free agents on the market in Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn—both at deals which could be considered below market value.

They made incremental improvements to their team overall by acquiring Daisuke Matsuzaka and noted awful human Brett Myers to bolster their rotation while also adding some intriguing bullpen pieces in Bryan Shaw (also in the Bauer-Choo trade), Matt Albers and Matt Capps.

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San Francisco Giants v Atlanta Braves

So much for Drew Stubbs! According to Jon Heyman, public face of Boras Corp, Scott Boras client Michael Bourn agrees to terms with the Cleveland Indians on a four-year deal worth $48 million, with an option for a fifth year that would push the deal to $60 million total.

Scott Boras always gets his man even if it is for less than previous anticipated.

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Boston Red Sox v Tampa Bay Rays

The Cleveland Indians have signed pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka to a minor-league deal, according to Jon Heyman. Yesterday, the team added Jason Giambi to a similar deal that will pay the veteran $750,000 if he makes the team.

Dice-K, who underwent Tommy John surgery in June of 2011, pitched in 11 games for the Red Sox last season, compiling a 1-7 record with a 8.28 ERA, 5.94 FIP and 4.84 xFIP. He did however show signs of his former self in his sixth start, throwing seven innings against the Royals in late August, allowing just one unearned run while striking out six.

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The Cleveland Indians are in search of a designated hitter. Mark Reynolds could DH for the Cleveland Indians, but the club is going to let him wear a glove and stand near first base. The Cleveland Indians had a DH in Travis Hafner, but they declined his option for 2013. The Cleveland Indians are reportedly considering signing Jim Thome or, get this, Travis Hafner to fill their need for a DH.

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