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Ortiz enjoys perfect night in Indios' victory

Twins prospect collects three extra-base hits, drives in two

Puerto Rican Winter League

Mayaguez 4, Caguas 3

Twins outfield prospect Daniel Ortiz went 3-for-3 with a homer, two doubles and two RBIs, helping the last-place Indios avoid a third straight loss. Former Mets farmhand Jesus Feliciano singled in the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth inning and former Major Leaguer Randy Ruiz also had three hits for Mayaguez. Brewers farmhand Edwin Maysonet was 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored for the Criollos.

Carolina 2, Ponce 1 (12 innings)

Major League veteran Alex Cintron delivered a walk-off single to give the Gigantes their second win in a row. Marlins prospect Jeff Dominguez had two hits and former big leaguer Bobby Livingston pitched six solid innings for Carolina, while former Braves Minor Leaguer Antoan Richardson collected three hits for Ponce.
Daniel Ortiz was a Midwest League midseason All-Star for Class A Beloit this year. (Paul R. Gierhart/MiLB.com)Venezuelan Winter League

Caribes 11, Aragua 0

Caribes 11, Aragua 0Angels prospect Alexi Amarisa went 3-for-5 with a homer and four RBIs to power the Caribes to their fourth straight win. Braves Minor Leaguer Stefan Gartrell and former Minor Leaguer Matt Padgett each drove in three runs, while Reds outfielder Dave Sappelt scored three times for Anzoategui. Cubs right-hander Carlos Zambrano tossed four hitless innings in his fourth start for the Caribes.

Margarita 5, Lara 3 (1st game)

Mets prospect Wilmer Flores went 3-for-5 and scored twice as the last-place Bravos ended a two-game slide. Rene Reyes drove in two runs and former Major Leaguer Jose Castillo went 3-for-3 with an RBI for Margarita, while Mariners prospect Johan Limonta was 2-for-2, drove in a run and scored once for Lara.

Margarita 1, Lara 0 (2nd game)

Sean Burroughs singled and scored the lone run on Frank Diaz's sixth-inning groundout as the Bravos completed a sweep of their doubleheader. Eight pitchers combined to scatter 10 hits for Margarita, while Luis Antonio Jimenez -- who played at two levels in the Mariners system this season -- went 3-for-3 with a walk for the Cardenales.

Caracas 8, Magallanes 5

Indians infielder Asdrubal Cabrera slugged a two-run homer and Jesus Guzman (Padres) had two hits, scored twice and drove in a run as the Leones halted a two-game slide. Phillies prospect Carlos Rivero and A's Minor Leaguer Leonardo Gil delivered back-to-back RBI triples for Caracas, while Astros infielder Jose Altuve was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored for Magallanes.

Mexican Pacific League

Hermosillo 5, Culiacan 2

Jorge Cantu hit a pair of solo homers, giving him five in his last four games, as the Naranjeros ended a two-game skid. Former Reds farmhand Jesse Gutierrez and Major League veteran Humberto Cota also went deep for Hermosillo, while Adan Amezcua was 3-for-3 with two RBIs and fell a triple shy of the cycle for the Tomateros.

Obregon 5, Mexicali 2

Former big leaguer Randy Keisler pitched around six walks and allowed an unearned run over five innings as the Yaquis snapped the Aguilas' three-game winning streak. Ex-Braves farmhands Iker Franco and Barbaro Canizares drove in two runs apiece for Obregon, while Cubs prospect Ricky Alvarez hit a solo homer for Mexicali.

Los Mochis 9, Navojoa 1

Major League veteran Dennys Reyes allowed one run on one hit over four innings and Fernando Perez-Abreu followed with four scoreless frames as the Cañeros rolled to their third straight win. Ramon Orantes smacked a three-run homer to highlight Los Mochis' eight-run fifth inning and Tigers prospect Jamie Johnson reached base three times and chipped in two RBIs.

Guasave 2, Mazatlan 1 (14 innings)

Jorge Castillo struck out seven and allowed a run on four hits over eight innings before the first-place Algodoñ outlasted the last-place Venados. Japhet Amador singled in the go-ahead run in the 14th for Guasave, which has won two in a row. Mazatlan, which has dropped three straight, got seven shutout innings from former Padres right-hander Walter Silva.

Dominican Winter League

No games scheduled

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Panama Winter League

•Steven Wright (SP, Chiriqui Roneros): 6.0 IP, 8 H, 2 R/ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 0 HR. Wright and his Roneros teammates went out in style winning Game 6 of the Panama Winter League Finals Series by a final score of 4-3. It was a fitting end to have Wright on the mound for the final game of the league’s season as he was arguably the best pitcher in the league after pitching well during the regular season (3-0, 1.39 ERA, 32.1 IP) and playoffs (1-0, 0.71 ERA, 12.2 IP). A nice finish to Wright’s 2011, and hopefully a stepping stone to a good 2012.

Venezuela Winter League

•Eric Berger (RP, Bravos de Margarita): 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 0 HR. Berger bounced back from his first blemish on December 10th with a shutout inning of relief on Wednesday night. The most impressive thing so far has been the one walk allowed in 5.0 innings over 5 outings. Walks have gotten him into trouble the past two seasons, so hopefully he can keep up what he is doing in limiting the walks.

•Ezequiel Carrera (CF, Navegantes del Magallanes): 1-for-4, R, BB, K. Carrera has a hit in each of his last two games, but even still he is just 2-for-17 at the plate in his last 5 games. He is playing every day and is going to rack up over 200 plate appearances in winter ball this offseason. Good for him (wish some other roster tweeners would follow suit).

•Asdrubal Cabrera (DH, Leones del Caracas): 1-for-3, R, HR, 2 RBI, BB, K. Cabrera broke out of his 4 game hitless streak and 0-for-11 stretch in a big way by getting on base in 2 of his 5 plate appearances and rapping a 2-run homer to dead center in the 6th inning to tie the game at 4-4.

What!!!!

You mean OTHER teams sign players from Australia?

Thought the Tribe cornered the market scooping up players like....er....uh...you know...

You never know Sea. It's Cleveland we're talking about y'a now. Gotta find those needles in the haystack somewhere.

AGUILAS CIBAENAS

Scheduled for Saturday, the debut of Faust Carmona.................... Edwin Encarnacion would make his debut tomorrow the 16th....................Johnny Cueto is hoping to be available for the Round Robin, a leg infection has delayed its preparation.

Leones Escogido

Francisco Liriano, who could not wear the scarlet uniform last season because he did not get the permission of the Minnesota Twins, will join this weekend the Leones restricted to approximately 30 pitches.............................The Leones Baseball Club vice president, José Miguel Bonetti DuBrail, notes that despite not having gotten permission to play, Carlos Santana "is practicing with the team daily" and keeps giving encouragement to all. "

LICEY TIGERS .-

Ubaldo Jimenez, who is scheduled to debut on 20, will today pitch three innings in the exhibition game that will support the development of Cleveland schools at the Indians and the Astros complex ................. Manny Acta, the manager of the Indians, and Carlos Santana, the Indians catcher will be watching

K-Rod and Gibbons prepared for debuts

BÉISBOL | 14/12/2011 06:49:00 p.m.


Closer Francisco Rodriguez and outfielder Jay Gibbons have been training with the La Guaira Sharks and are ready to see action with the team

Francisco Rodriguez has signed with La Guaira Sharks and at any time could debut this season. This was announced by the management of sharks. The Kid has been practicing, getting in tune and ready to close. He will be earning his salary soon. Maybe tomorrow, when they play against the Lions of Caracas.

Gibbons: "I came to help for the round robin"

Gibbons played the round robin at 09-10. In 13 games hit 3 homers, 5 doubles and drove in 10 runs

15/12/11 - 06:44 am

CARACAS .-

Jay Gibbons returned once again to help the La Guaira Sharks. The foreign slugger arrived in great condition. "I'm really excited to be here again," Gibbons said. "I just want to get ready and help the team in the round robin," said the outfielder, after hitting with two groups during the morning practice that the coaching staff scheduled because of the three days off for the All-Star game.

"I felt good, I had some months off, but I've been hitting the last few weeks, do not think it will take too long to be ready, "confessed Gibbons, who hoped to be on the roster today and was surprised not be.

"That is great for me because I can practice more on my swing. Usually I play from the first day I arrive, but I respect the decisions of the manager, "he joked. Gibbons to date likes to play good baseball because they enjoy and have the option to play the round robin . "There is so much pressure playing in Venezuela. Last year we had to win all the games when I arrived. This time we have a good team, good hitters and I can be one among the boys, come to mingle with them and I'm pretty excited, "the slugger.

The role and place in the alignment I do not care. This year's team is very offensive and can help anywhere. "We have Alex Cabrera and he should be the designated hitter. I prefer to play in right field, but my best position is as a designated hitter. I am a contact hitter and I know that there are many people on base so I do not know where to hit and I care not, "concluded Gibbons.

JOSEPH COLON

The pitcher Joseph Colon, who was released by the Ponce Lions last week, was hired and immediately activated by the Carolina Giants.

Columbus belongs to the organization of the Cleveland Indians.

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Thursday, December 15, 2011

The Winter Ball Experience

11:18 AM BY TONY


Offseason baseball has its plusses and minuses.

For the player it provides an opportunity to play in more games or Latin players to play baseball in their home country. It gives upper level minor league players a stage to showcase their talents in a tougher environment, or allows a chance to make up at bats or innings pitched because of an injury which may have resulted in a player missing significant time during the previous season.

For the organization it provides an opportunity to get more looks at some fringe Major League players in their system. It can also serve as an opportunity to test out some minor tweaks applied to a big league player prior to the start of spring training, be it a change to a delivery, a new pitch, or a revised batting stance.

There are several offseason winter leagues, most of which are fluid as every season a league comes and goes. But the two main ones are the Dominican Republic Winter League and the Venezuela Winter League. Other winter leagues available for players to play in this offseason are in Puerto Rico, Colombia, Panama, Mexico, and Australia.

The rosters for these leagues are mostly made up of players from each country, many of which are not currently in Major League Baseball (MLB) or the minor leagues. A lot of MLB players that are from countries that have an offseason league will play a significant amount of games because they are treated like rock stars by their countrymen and because in some ways it is a bigger deal to play for their county than it is to play MLB in the United States.

There are a few American players sprinkled about in each league. For the few American players that go out and play winter ball every year it can be an eye opening experience. For a lot of the players it is the first time they have ever left the United States or Canada. Not only is it an education of playing baseball in a foreign country, but it is an education in itself to live in the culture.

“I’m from a small town in Kansas, so travelling to different parts of the United States has been an eye opening experience for me,” Jared Goedert said, an infielder with the Cleveland Indians that played winter ball in Venezuela last year. “It is hard to describe. By our standards it is not up to what we are used to, so I appreciate where I live even more so having gone there. I also have a greater appreciation of Latin players and see why they work so hard and are so grateful since unfortunately a lot of people don’t have much down there.”

To play winter ball players have to get clearance from their MLB team before they can go, but in most cases the players that do want to go are allowed. In fact, for a lot of the fringe Major League guys the organization encourages that they go play winter ball.

“I actually think that there are certain players that can benefit a lot from it, especially position players that are on the cusp of the big leagues,” Indians Scouting Director John Mirabelli said. “Guys that maybe have had some success and maybe a half a season or so in the big leagues. You are going to see some good arms, some good breaking balls, and it is an intense environment. I really do think it is a benefit for those kinds of players, those upper level guys in Triple-A that are on the cusp.”

The organization cannot make a player go play as it still ultimately comes down to the player whether they want to go or not. Once a team knows who wants to go play winter ball, in July and August they will start contacting winter league teams to try and find roster spots for players, and sometimes agents will assist as well. The leagues are run independently, so it is up to the league and not MLB on what players are chosen.

When a player is accepted by a winter ball team, the MLB organization and winter ball team then come to an agreement with how the player is to be used in order to not put them in harm’s way.

“Yes, there are agreements from our Player Development to their people on restrictions and usage,” Mirabelli said. “I think we are pretty much in agreement on that, especially with guys coming off injuries or who have a lot of innings we put a pretty definitive plan in place. The teams there realize that. They would rather have a pitcher with limitations than no pitchers at all. Where you have issues is that they are so competitive and looking for performance they release guys. It happens all the time. Those guys are trying to win down there, so if you send a guy down there for extra reps and he does not perform, there are no guarantees with the playing time as they will release you in a minute.”

MLB teams do not pay anything as the winter ball team picks up all of the expenses for the American players for their entire trip from start to finish. Players receive a monthly salary from the winter ball team of anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 depending on service time, though more popular players may receive more money. The winter ball team also picks up the roundtrip airfare, hotel, daily meal money, and even a roundtrip flight for a spouse.

For the minor leaguer that makes about $1000 or so a month, they may make more in one month playing winter ball than they did the entire minor league season in the states. So the lure is not just about playing in more games, but financially driven as well.

“I think the money is a big factor,” Goedert said. “It is a month and a half of work. Just getting that experience and playing to win is good. In the minor leagues the emphasis is on development, where in winter ball it is all about winning. That’s what I expect the big leagues to be like. Just playing in that atmosphere putting the importance on winning along with making more money made it worth it.”

American players stay in a hotel as setup by the winter ball team. Most of the hotels have an attached mall that has shops and restaurants which is beneficial to the Americans since it can be hard to get around with lack of transportation, the language barrier, and also how unsafe the area can be.

Most of the American players never go outside except for when they are on the baseball field at the stadium. Each day consists of several hours in their hotel room, maybe a quick venture down to the attached mall, and then being transported to and from the hotel by a van with security personnel. Because of the violent nature of most of the Latin countries, security will meet the player in the hotel and transport them through the city and drop them off right outside the clubhouse door at the stadium.

Security is a big issue in a lot of the Latin countries where winter ball is played, something that came to light earlier this offseason when Nationals’ catcher Wilson Ramos was kidnapped a month ago. A lot of the countries are violent and have people walking around carrying guns. Anyone that has money or the perception of having money is at risk.

The Indians used to have a rookie level team in Venezuela a few years ago, but they pulled their operations there because it was just too unsafe for their players as there were a few incidents where players were robbed at gun point. Now they have their entire Latin program in the Dominican Republic.

It can be a very unsafe environment for anyone, especially foreigners who are not used to it. American players only spend about six to seven hours at the baseball field, which means almost three-quarters of the day they are stuck inside their small hotel room because they dare not go outside.

This can lead to a lot of boredom as players run out of options to pass time. With internet service that can often be unreliable and television programming that is all in Spanish, the iPod gets a lot of wear and tear and lots of books are read.

“That was something I did not anticipate, which was how much down time we would have,” Goedert said. “I did bring a few books, but I also anticipated streaming a lot of Netflix, but you can’t access it down there. I thought I was going to be able to knock out a couple of seasons of something. I really looked forward to Monday night if we weren’t playing so I could watch some football. I definitely wish I would have brought more things to read.”

With all of the security risks one might wonder why any American players even go play winter ball in some of these countries. In reality, the security for the players is actually pretty good and the players feel safe. Also, playing baseball and getting more reps is ultimately all that matters, especially for the minor league player as it gives them experience playing in a more raucous environment.

“Every game their fans are nonstop for nine innings yelling, screaming and cheering all game,” Goedert said. “Baseball and soccer is what they live for down there. They do not have football and hockey or other sports to take away their interests. They know all the players. That part of it was really cool. But if you don’t get a bunt down or strike out with a guy on third base, they are going to be all over you. They are harsh and it doesn’t take them long to feel that way toward you.”

Follow Tony and the Indians Prospect Insider on Twitter @TonyIPI. Also, his latest book the 2011 Cleveland Indians Top 100 Prospects & More is available for purchase for $20.95 to customers in the US (shipping and handling extra).

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LaHair reaches bases five times in victory

Cubs farmhand homers, doubles as he plates two and scores twice

Venezuelan Winter League

Magallanes 10, Zulia 9 (12 innings)

Cubs first baseman Bryan LaHair reached base five times in six plate appearances on Thursday, as he homered, doubled and drew three walks. The 29-year-old, who led the Minors with 38 dingers this past season, drove in two runs and scored twice for the Navegantes. Hitting right behind LaHair, Royals farmhand Mario Lisson also went deep, driving in three and crossing home twice. Angels prospect Darwin Perez came through with the game-winning hit, walking off on a run-scoring bunt single. Nationals catcher Carlos Maldonado led the Aguilas offense by going 2-for-4 with a homer, two RBIs and two runs scored.

Neither Zuila starter Corey Thurman nor Magallanes starter Jose Sanchez (Mexican League) lasted through four innings, leading to a total of 14 relievers being used between both teams. Clevelan Santeliz, who pitched in the Red Sox system last year, earned the win after yielding one hit over a scoreless 12th.
Bryan LaHair combined to swat 40 homers with 115 RBIs between the Majors and Minors last year. (Charles Rex Arbogast/AP)

Aragua 5, Anzoategui 2

Rangers prospect Yangervis Solarte went 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored, increasing his average to .338 in 23 games. Hector Gimenez, who played four games for the Dodgers last season, went 2-for-3 with a solo homer and two runs scored. Rockies catcher Eliezer Alfonzo drove in both of the Caribes' runs on a single and a double. Former Minor League Ryan Glynn earned the win by yielding just one run on four hits over five innings.

La Guaira 4, Caracas 3

D-backs farmhand Zach Kroenke surrendered two runs on six hits over six innings, striking out two as he ran his record to 2-1. The 27-year-old left-hander's ERA sits at 2.18 through four starts. Former Major Leaguer Gregor Blanco led the Tiburones offense by going 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored out of the leadoff spot. He is now hitting .361 with 45 runs scored in 49 games. Jesus Guzman (Padres), GamedayAsdrubal Cabrera (Indians) and Wilfredo Romero combined to go 4-for-12 with a homer and a triple as each drove in a run for the Leones.

Lara 3, Margarita 2 (12 innings)

Major League veteran Oswaldo Navarro drew a two-out, bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the 12th to win the game for the Cardenales. Former Major Leaguer and Lara starter Brian Sweeney allowed just one run on four hits over nine innings, striking out six and walking none. His opponent, fellow Major League veteran Yusmeiro Petit, nearly matched him. The Bravos starter yielded one unearned run on five hits over eight frames, fanning eight without issuing a walk. Former Yankees farmhand Romulo Sanchez was credited with the win after striking out one in a hitless 12th.

Puertorican Winter League

Ponce 3, Carolina 2

Major League veteran Robinson Cancel hit a two-run, walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth to give the Leones the win. Reds farmhand Jose Castro plated Ponce's other run on a double in the eighth. Former Major Leaguer and Gigantes starter Matt DeSalvo allowed just two hits and a walk over 6 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out five. Adrian Ortiz, who played eight games in the Royals' system last year, led the Carolina offense by doubling, tripling and scoring twice.

Caguas 6, Mayaguez 5 (10 innings)

Mexican Leaguer Edgar Clemente hit a walk-off homer for the Criollos in the 10th after Carlos Rivera (Mexican League) came through with a two-out, game-tying single in the ninth. Yuki Yanagita drove in the team's other four runs with a grand slam in the fourth inning. Twins prospect Daniel Ortiz doubled, drove in a run and crossed home for the Indios, giving him five extra-base hits, three RBIs and three runs scored in five games. Former Major Leaguer Saul Rivera picked up the win by allowing two hits and a walk over two scoreless frames, improving to 2-0.

Dominican Winter League

Licey 6, Este 3

Reds prospect Juan Francisco went 2-for-4 with a homer and four RBIs, raising his average to .301 in 43 games. White Sox farmhand Christian Marrero drove in the Tigres' other two runs on a bases-loaded single in the fifth. Astros infielder Diory Hernandez enjoyed the best offensive day for the Toros, going 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Major League veteran Ramon Ortiz improved to 2-2 after giving up three runs on four hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Cibaenas 4, Oriente 1

Former Major Leaguer Shane Youman surrendered one run on five hits over six innings as he improved to 5-1. The 32-year-old left-hander, whose ERA checks in at 0.88 through seven starts, struck out five and walked one. Major League veteran Joaquin Arias went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored, raising his average to .378. Pirates catcher Jake Fox homered for the Estrellas to knock in the team's only run.

Cibao 5, Escogito 4 (14 innings)

Major League veteran Robinzon Diaz collected three hits on the night, including a walk-off single in the bottom of the 14th to end the marathon. Fellow big league veteran Pedro Feliz plated a pair on two singles. Major League free agent Julio Lugo went 2-for-6 for the Leones, homering, knocking in two and scoring twice. Astros reliever Erick Abreu improved to 3-1 after yielding just one hit over a season-high four scoreless frames. He hadn't pitched more than 1 2/3 frames in any Winter League appearance before Thursday.

Mexican Pacific League

Mazatlan 5, Guasave 1

Red Sox farmhand Miguel Gonzalez gave up one run on two hits over eight innings, striking out six without issuing a walk. He moved to 4-0 as he lowered his ERA to 2.93 in 30 2/3 frames. Marshall McDougall (Mexican League) and Mario Valdez (Mexican League) both went 2-for-3 for the Venados, combining for an RBI and two runs scored. Rangers prospect Jose Felix plated the Algodoneros' only run on a homer leading off the ninth.

Obregon 1, Mexicali 0

Marco Carrillo, who has spent the past six seasons in the Cubs' organization, allowed four hits over six scoreless innings as he improved to 4-2. Three relievers combined to yield one hit over the final three frames, anchored by Major League veteran Luis Ayala, who notched his eighth save. Padres infielder Everth Cabrera drove in the only run of the game on a bases-loaded ground out in the fifth.

Culiacan 3, Hermosillo 2

Former Minor Leaguer Maxwell Leon went 2-for-4 with a homer and two runs scored, while Tigers prospect Ben Guez crossed home for the Tomateros' only other run. Former Major Leaguer Karim Garcia went 2-for-4 with a solo shot for the Naranjeros, bringing his average up to .333 in eight games. Mexican Leaguer Francisco Campos surrendered two runs on five hits over six innings, tallying his eighth win of the season.

Navojoa 7, Los Mochis 6

Mexican Leaguer Flavio Romero homered and drove in three runs, while Wes Bankston (former Astros farmhand) and Matt Esquivel (former Braves farmhand) also left the park for the Mayos. Cardinals prospect Jermaine Curtis went 2-for-4 for the Caneros, knocking in three. Carlos Orrantia (Mexican League) doubled twice in two at-bats after entering the game as a pinch hitter in the seventh, driving in two and scoring once. Navojoa starter Javier Martinez (Mexcian League) earned the win after giving up three runs on six hits in six innings.

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Dominican Republic Winter League

•Felix Pie (CF, Estrellas de Oriente): 2-for-4, 3B. While still not officially an Indian, Pie continues to play well this offseason as he is hitting .284 with 4 HR, 19 RBI and a .788 OPS in 39 games.

Puerto Rico Winter League

•Roberto Perez (C, Indios de Mayaguez): 0-for-2, R, 2 BB, K. The playing time has been limited for Perez who played in his first game on Thursday in almost two weeks. His performance was a microcosm of his career so far as he has trouble getting hits but draws a good amount of walks.

•Giovanni Soto (RP, Gigantes de Carolina): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 2 R/ER, 3 BB, 0 BB, 0 HR. Okay, that was a forgettable outing by Soto who up until last night was pitching very good in Puerto Rico. In 11 outings prior to last night he has allowed 2 runs in 12.1 innings, but he doubled the run output in just a 1/3 of an inning.

Venezuela Winter League

•Asdrubal Cabrera (DH, Leones del Caracas): 1-for-4, RBI, K. Cabrera has now DHed in 4 of his 7 games this offseason, a clear sign the Indians are limiting his exposure so as to not risk him overplaying this offseason and hinder his 2012 season.

•Jose Lopez (3B, Cardenales de Lara): 1-for-5, RBI. Lopez is not officially an Indian yet, but all signs point to him becoming one soon. He has played 26 of his 32 games this offseason at third base, including 24 of his last 25 games. He has experience at several infield positions, so it is obvious to see the Indians like his versatility and the pop in his bat.

•Ezequiel Carrera (CF, Navegantes del Magallanes): 1-for-4, R, 3B, BB, K. Carrera has been better of late, but still is hitting just .211 with a .596 OPS in his last 10 games. That was his 6th triple of the season on Thursday night, and he still ranks 1st in the league in that department.

•Jose Lopez (3B, Cardenales de Lara): 1-for-5, RBI. Lopez is not officially an Indian yet, but all signs point to him becoming one soon. He has played 26 of his 32 games this offseason at third base, including 24 of his last 25 games. He has experience at several infield positions, so it is obvious to see the Indians like his versatility and the pop in his bat.

I was not aware that we needed more utility IF. Donald has that job won. Phelps is around. We just got rid of Valbuena. Who needs this guy? He's no our next 1B

We're behind a rock and a hard place Civ. These guys won't offer meaningful dollars or longevity to the types of players we are looking for and even if we did, they won't come. Maybe utilily players is the way to go for the Indians. There were very few free agents on the market that we could not afford.

The first thing I would have done was given the first base job to Santana and brought in a new catcher. C.J. Wilson would have been nice but let's face it, we don't have that kind of cash laying around but for a Ramon Hernandez, Ryan Doumit, or even Chris Snyder depending on how his back bounces back, I thought there might be that possiblity with Marson backing up.

Before heading to Japan, I may have considered giving Lastings Milledge a minor league contract with a spring training invite.

To be successful with the owner we have, our developmental programs are the best chances we have in my opinion.

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CLEVELAND -

The Cleveland Indians have signed free agent Felix Pie and Jose Lopez to minor league contracts for next season.

Both contracts include invitations as non-roster players to spring training.

Pie, 26, has played for the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago Cubs. He had his best season in 2009 with the Orioles when he hit .266 with nine homers and 29 RBIs in 101 games. He played in 85 games for the Orioles last season.

Lopez, a versatile former All-Star with the Seattle Mariners, played last season with the Colorado Rockies and Florida Marlins. At 28 years, has a career average of .263 with the Mariners, Rockies and Marlins, who signed last June. Spent time with the Triple A affiliate of the Marlins in New Orleans before moving up to the majors for the last 32 games where he averaged .273 with six homers and 13 RBI

FELIX PIE
JOSE LOPEZ