DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Indians Continued

At C, the Indians value the handling of the pitching staff much higher than offense. I also believe the Indians were a bit put off and surprised at Mejia's reluctance to embrace the idea of playing the OF in order to get to the majors, until such time as he was ready to handle an MLB staff. From what I have heard and read, Mejia speaks almost no English, which makes in-game communications more difficult with those pitchers who don't speak Spanish. That, along with the fact that he does not know the hitters in the AL (or NL) makes it problematical - especially for a contender - to start him at C.

Hand is legit ... tough to give up a good prospect, but it's needed

So, the next time Mejia plays in Cleveland, should the fans give him a hand ... or is that too soon?

Waiting for the Tribe to call up Alex Royalty.. sure, he's 21 and only in the rookie league and it would be a bit of a jump but...

7.2 innings pitched, 4 hits, 0 runs, 2 BBs, 13 strikeouts...

We need to get him in there and see what we've got before the next draft.. wait, is this the wrong thread for that?

Guy on the radio said "We gave up an arm and a leg for Hand. I hope he's as good as Rollie Fingers.".

thats a good one

Brad Hand. A lefty closer?

If Miller is able to come back this year and return to his previous form, the bull pen is going to be really good.



Oopppsss... A little higher.



That's better.

I get the trade....just hate the fact we're losing Meija. But I suspected he was going to be invovled in a deal. He was when trying to get Jonathan Lucroy a couple of years ago.

Side note: Having control of Hand over the next couple of seasons is a nice perk, however.

Nailed it.

If things come to a head tomorrow in Texas, and Hand has to come in and face one of their good hitters, I just hope he gets off on the right foot. Call me an ass, but I don't think I could stomach watching him shoulder the loss.

I have to rest now.

I agree.

There was something Francona didn't like. (about Mejia)

I don't have a problem giving up Mejia. Our window to actually have a chance to win it all is very small, we need to do something now. Our hitting has gotten a lot better and starting pitching is good if not great. Bullpen sucks and there is no chance of a deep playoff run without fixing it. We miss Shaw (and I couldn't stand him, in hindsight I was wrong about him).

We could use some OF help, maybe 2B but the bullpen was by far the biggest issue, hopefully they fixed it.

I don't remember whether or not I replied to this thread, but I am very happy to have Hand. He was sought after by a lot of teams, and frankly, San Diego didn't have to trade him.

We gave up quality to get quality.

He is thrilled to be on his way to Cleveland, too. His image already has him in an Indians uniform, and his Twitter .... well, it says it all.

Brad Hand
‏
Verified account

@bhand22
4h4 hours ago

Excited to join Cleveland! Can’t wait to get the second half started and meet all the boys! #RallyTogether

Welcome aboard Brad. (and Adam)

Agreed. It's great to see the Indians operating in win now mode while we have this window to win a WS. Hand will be a great and much need addition. Cimber should provide help as well. One of the few submarine pitchers in the league.

Should be a fun postseason ride.

Go Tribe!

Actually, IMO, the Indians "window" got considerably larger (longer) with this deal. The impending free agency of Cody Allen and Andrew Miller was the main reason for the "short window" narrative. Now we have a legit closer option for '19, '20, and '21 even if they both leave. They would just need to shore up the set-up roles and possibly replace FA Brantley, if he doesn't re-sign.

The "other guy" - Adam Cimber - sure looks like he's got a lot of potential.

He's still a rookie this year. Great rookie stats.

Francona's a genius.

Did I mention Cimber's a submariner?

Remember Dan Quisenberry?



(led the AL in saves 5 years - I think that's the record)

Quiz died very young from brain cancer. He was a jokester poet.

One example:

"I found a delivery in my flaw"

This is how I see it what little I do know about both players involved in the trade. Got to have just a little more threat in the bullpen.

Haha, yeah! Good one.

And then there was this guy...

This is curious from the Padres side as well. They've already got possibly one of the best young defensive catchers in Austin Hedges. So much so that pitchers were asking for him to catch for them over other catchers. Mejia would find himself in the same situation as the Indians, where he's got a superior bat, but he's got to unseat a catcher that does "catcher" things. Did the Padres not know that the Indians had asked him to play outfield and he pretty much refused because he wants to play catcher?

Common sense would say you're right, the "Evil Empire" says otherwise. The window was pulled halfway shut in a mere three games last year.

When the Yankees know they have the talent to win it all, they will set the checkbook on fire to start putting trophies in the case. Combine that with the Arms Race in the east and you can rest assured - the Yanks and Bosox will be the teams to beat the next few years, and they have the bank accounts to prove it.

Our window is nearly shut, two years max.

Kent Tekulve.. I saw him pitch many times.. everything about his pitching motion looked painful.

I don't think that I can make my arm bend like that ..... nor would I want to.

yeah, thats disgusting

Tim Kurkjian was on PTI yesterday. He said this was a great move for the Indians, but their bulley was the worst in the league for a reason. Even with Miller coming back soon, which I don't know what you can really expect from him because he was pitching quite poorly this season, Tim said the Indians need another top or mid tier reliever. And he wasn't talking about Cimber.

Who else is out there?

Barraclough or Steckenrider from the Marlins are reportedly available. Possibly Iglesias, Hughes, or Garrett from the Reds might be available, although its possible the Reds are no longer in "sell" mode because they've been playing well. Iglesias would be the top closer out there if available. Astros are rumored to be going after him. Another name to keep in mind is James Hoyt, who we picked up from the Astros a couple weeks ago, and sent to Columbus. Apparently a power arm with 11.8 K per 9 innings in the bigs. But I do think we're fine right now if Miller is healthy.

Yandy Diaz, Melky Cabrera joining Cleveland Indians to start second half of season | cleveland.com
https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ss...ncart_big-photo

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Chris Antonetti, following the acquisition of relievers Brad Hand and Adam Cimber on Thursday from the Padres, said the Indians would make a "series of moves" to recalibrate the 25-man roster before opening the second half of the season on Friday night against Texas at Globe Life Park In Arlington.

Antonetti, the president of baseball operations, wasn't kidding.

The Indians will add Yandy Diaz and Melky Cabrera from Class AAA Columbus along with the newly acquired Hand and Cimber before the first pitch Friday night. To do so, they will or already have optioned right-hander Adam Plutko, left-hander Tyler Olson and outfielder Greg Allen to Columbus. Catching prospect Francisco Mejia, who was traded to San Diego for Hand and Cimber, created one of the openings on the 25-man roster when he was traded.

The Indians have another roster move coming in the next few days when they add right-hander Shane Bieber from Columbus. Bieber, optioned to Columbus so he could keep pitching during the All-Star break, pitched for the Clippers on Thursday night.

Bieber allowed two runs on three hits with five strikeouts and one walk in three innings against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He was followed by Andrew Miller, making his second rehab appearance, as he continues to test his sore right knee. Miller pitched one inning, allowing one run.

The rookie right-hander is scheduled to start against Pittsburgh on Tuesday at Progressive Field.

Cabrera was hitting .321 (25-for-78) with eight RBI for the Clippers. This will be his second tour with the Indians.

Diaz was hitting .284 (81-for-285) with two homers and 27 RBI for Columbus. This will be his first tour this season with the Indians. Diaz has played 10 games at first base, 62 at third base and 11 at DH this year.

The Tribe has had 2 submarine arms I can remember:Ted Abernathy during the '60s and Joe Smith during 2009 thru 2013 and again 2017.

Indians moves today:
•Brad Hand, Adam Cimber added to roster
•Yandy Diaz recalled, Melky Cabrera contract selected from AAA
•Greg Allen, Tyler Olson, Adam Plutko optioned to AAA
•Lonnie Chisenhall to 60-day DL
•Marc Rzepczynski clears waivers, elects free agency

Steve Olin.

Justin, baby! Good luck to all!

Francona: Andrew Miller will likely need 2-3 more rehab outings and "that's being conservative." Next up is an appearance with AAA Columbus on Sunday.

The great Ted Williams was a big proponent of an uppercut swing, pretty much the opposite of Lau, Hriniak. I remember a quote where he said something like "The ball is coming in on a downward angle, send it out on the same angle.". I probably butchered that, but it was words to that effect. Some hitters have too much chop in their swing.

back to the grind tonight