I've sworn off April and May baseball games in Chicago. If I have to wear more winter gear to an April baseball game than I need to wear to a November Bears game....I'm staying home.
“...Iguodala to Curry, back to Iguodala, up for the layup! Oh! Blocked by James! LeBron James with the rejection!”
For the 2nd year in a row, Chris Perez injured in spring training. I hope the Indians keep Vinnie Pestano from playing in the WBC - he'll need to open the season as our closer, and I see no reason for him to risk injury in the WBC series.
Some good news ... Scott Kazmir pitched 2 shutout innings vs White Sox yesterday, with 3 K's. He was clocked at 90-92. It would be a huge windfall for our starting staff if he should somehow regain his old form. At his best, he was a legit front-of-the-rotation starter. He's only 29. Fingers crossed.
The Indians seem to do well with reclamation projects, so let's hope that continues.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
Kevin Millwood was a good reclamation project. Ubaldo, so far, not so much. I don't know enough about pitching to understand how someone who's not injured loses 7-8 mph from his fastball. Mechanics?
I don't consider Ubaldo to be a reclamation project. He was supposed to be a #1 starter. It just didn't work out that way.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
I would argue that he is. He went from 19-8, 2.88 ERA, 1.15 WHIP in 2010 - in a hitters ballpark - to 10-13, 4.68 ERA, 1.40 WHIP in 2011 (the year we got him). In 2012, he finished with 9-17, 5.40 ERA, 1.61 WHIP. That's not a good trendline. If the Indians don't consider him a reclamation project, maybe they should rethink it.
STO will televise six live Spring Training games. Rick Manning and Matt Underwood will call the action.
Mar. 17th at 4pm EST @ Cincinnati RedsAs spring training neighbors who share the same ballpark in Goodyear, STO will produce this game in conjunction with FOX Sports Ohio, television home of the Cincinnati Reds. Rick Manning and Matt Underwood will call the game along-side Reds broadcasters Thom Brennaman and Chris Welsh.
Quote: Agree with Y about Ubaldo. We traded for him with the thought that he would be a number 1. For hte record, I was against the trade from it's 1st rumor
That's exactly what I meant.
We traded for Ubaldo thinking that he was a #1 pitcher, just in need of a change of scenery. Instead what we got was a damaged pitcher. (mentally, or in mechanics, if not physically damaged)
The Indians expected him to be able to step into the top of the order and deliver. He couldn't.
I consider that a bad trade, not a reclamation project. To me a reclamation project is a guy coming off a 6-7+ ERA, who is signed to a modest "make good" contract. He may be coming off injury as well.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
Good for you - have fun, post updates. I went to Winter Haven every year except two that they were there. It was always a hoot. I wish they had stayed in Florida. No way I'm driving to Arizona.
His mechanics are a hot mess. Francona had a comment that compared to when U was in Colorado, his delivery took a full second longer to the plate. That doesn't count last year how stretched his motion became. He's supposedly looking a lot smoother and a lot faster in his delivery this spring. He went two scoreless in his first outing and did two scoreless to start the second start. I'm really hoping that third inning was just a matter of stretching his arm out and gaining pitch counts. I'm not betting that it is,but it'd be nice if it was.
[color:"green"] "World domination has encountered a momentary setback. Please talk amongst yourselves." Get Fuzzy[/color]
Agree. I don't like the way baseball threads have been conglomerated recently. Let Indians fans have their own thread, along with the Reds fans, Pirate fan ( @ BigD), or any others that wish to start one. The thing to do is just start one around April 1st - something like "2013 Cleveland Indians - Part 1" - and hope it stays as a stand-alone thread.
Aviles will make it. As will a backup catcher (Marson or Gomez) leaving 4 spots.
Who is fighting for those last 4 spots.
Obviously the other from Marson and Gomez (I would keep both). Giambi (I think that he makes the team for his leadership in the clubhouse), McDade 1b, Carson OF, Phillips IF, Francisco OF, Carrera OF, Raburn OF, Diaz SS, an 11th pitcher.
9 position starters including the DH (Swish, Kipnis, Drubes, Chiz, Santana, Bourn, Brantley, Stubbs, Reynolds.
4 bench spots, Marson, Aviles and then I am thinking Raburn, Yan Gomes, hell Giambi could take that 25th spot. Anyone know if Gomes has options left? I could see Gomes getting everyday playing time in Columbus until we actually need him.
The team has a lot of flexibility with the positions with Swish being able to play outfield, raburn can play OF, 3B, or 2B in a pinch, Aviles can play most of the infield, Renyolds can play 1st/3B. Lot of options.
i agree on your list. i think aviles, marson and raburn are the locks for bench spots.
of the prospects, a couple were without options, I am struggling to remember which ones they were at the moment though. I think McDade is the best candidate long-term for a spot, but he likely doesn't get called up until June (arbitration clock).
McDade's stock goes up if Stubbs keeps swinging and missing. I heard he (Stubbs) also botched a play in RF on Saturday, that helped lead to the big inning vs Jimenez. If Stubbs doesn't stick, then Swisher goes back to RF, probably. Tom Hamilton was also saying yesterday that the Indians really like this guy McGuiness - but he needs to make the roster or be offered back to wherever he came from. Maybe they go that direction, if Stubbs falters.
Ah, 12 pitchers. That makes things tight for the bench players. After the 9 starters that leaves 4 players.
Aviles and either Marson or Gomez. Leaving just 2 spots. Fortunately we have a lot of versatility with our top guys. Swisher can play outfield, Reynolds and Santana can play 1st. So we are not forced into keeping a lesser guy just because he can play a certain position.
Marson vs Gomez? I think they like Marson and will keep him. I like Gomez's ability to play so many positions including 3rd catcher. Is he a luxury that we can afford? Possibly. I think the decision on Gomez comes down to whether or not the Tribe thinks he can be a full time catcher. IF they do then I think he gets sent down so that he can play everyday.
I have a feeling Giambi makes the squad. Having great veteran leadership in the dugout is underrated n my opinion but I think Francona recognizes that.
So Raburn or McDade.
I forgot about McGuiness. I think the tribe would hate to have to sell him back. I think that they will make some kind of deal to be able to keep him but still send him to the minors.
Interesting thought about Stubbs being sent down. I had never considered that a possibility.
Another twist is that Carrera does not have any options remaining. If sent down he would have to pass through waivers and it is felt that someone would claim him. I read that the Tribe would hate to lose him but personally I have never been impressed with any aspect of his game.
thank you. that is the name that was trying to come out of my brain. yes, there is a good chance he takes that last roster spot to give him a chance at proving he can play.
McDade will not make this team. He's a B/B- prospect who may be in line for a September call-up. McGuiness got a tryout in RF on Sunday, trying to show some flexibility for one of those final spots. I can't see how he makes the team, as much as I'm pulling for him. Gomes has options left and I really, really like him as a long-term prospect, but they'll make him the everyday catcher at Columbus. The players who are out of options are Ezequiel Carrera and David Huff. I think the Indians want them both to make the team. Carrera became less likely when Bourn was signed and Raburn is really hurting his chances. Huff is in competition for the LH bullpen spot, but just doesn't seem ready. Kazmir has a huge leg up on the 4th spot and McAllister seems ready. Dice-K is done. Kluber has had a nice spring and is in competition. Bauer needs time in Columbus to protect him from Super-2 status, so he won't make the team to start the season, IMO. I'm really rooting for Giambi not to make the team (leftover hate from his Yankee days), but every article talks about how he's taken Kipnis and Chisenhall under his wing. Plus, keeping him means that young players get regular at-bats in Columbus.
[color:"green"] "World domination has encountered a momentary setback. Please talk amongst yourselves." Get Fuzzy[/color]
Quote: Agree. I don't like the way baseball threads have been conglomerated recently. Let Indians fans have their own thread, along with the Reds fans, Pirate fan ( @ BigD), or any others that wish to start one. The thing to do is just start one around April 1st - something like "2013 Cleveland Indians - Part 1" - and hope it stays as a stand-alone thread.
Glad to hear im not flying solo. Being out of ohio it's sometimes hard to keep up with Cleveland sports news. I'd like to keep up with the cavaliers on this board, but I don't want to sift through discussions and debates about other teams and players not from cleveland, especially when it usually bickering and arguing.
I can't see having different threads for each game of the season ..... but I would think that different threads for the couple of teams that people follow here shouldn't be a problem.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
I can't see having different threads for each game of the season ..... but I would think that different threads for the couple of teams that people follow here shouldn't be a problem.
Didn't they do that last summer. A Reds thread, and a Tribe thread? I'm not sure what went on as far as general MLB stuff.
No reason not to. We don't need one thread for an entire sport. One thread per MLB game would be overkill, but a thread for the couple of teams that are followed here isn't unreasonable.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
I can't see having different threads for each game of the season ..... but I would think that different threads for the couple of teams that people follow here shouldn't be a problem.
Didn't they do that last summer. A Reds thread, and a Tribe thread? I'm not sure what went on as far as general MLB stuff.
Agreed.
I think we should vote on naming the threads too.
"Official 2013 MLB Season Thread for the Poor Old <insert team name>"
I'd also like to bet on the records of each team too. For example, who will have the better overall record at the end of the season (Reds by 10 or more games, Reds by 1-9 games, same records, Indians by 1-9 games...etc.). And maybe a few other random questions too (which teams hits more homers, doubles, triples, starters ERA, bulley ERA, etc.).
“...Iguodala to Curry, back to Iguodala, up for the layup! Oh! Blocked by James! LeBron James with the rejection!”
The season went to hell last year when the leadoff hitter of the Reds, the night after McCutchen was drilled by Chapman, wasn't drilled in the middle of the back. You can't let your MVP get hit like that and do nothing about it - the team nosedived, McCutchen nosedived, it was over. The team had no marbles.
Hopefully it's different this year, we'll see. The Reds are the best in the division but no other team in the division concerns me. That said, they need to get past whatever mind-meld Milwaukee, aka "The Gateway to Hell", has on them this season. I'm beyond tired of losing to those arrogant pricks.
I think they'll get over the .500 hump this year. Early prediction, 84 wins.
"If it weren't for my horse, I wouldn't have spent that year in college" GO ROCKETS
Hard to believe that it's been 20 years. What a sad, sad day. I remember seeing Bobby Ojeda just suffering over surviving the accident, and how heartbreaking it was.
What a sad, sad day overall, and certainly one of the saddest in the history of the Indians and MLB.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
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@ BigD), or any others that wish to start one. The thing to do is just start one around April 1st - something like "2013 Cleveland Indians - Part 1" - and hope it stays as a stand-alone thread.
