3204
by J.R.
How about Russell Branyan adding some muscle as Tribe DH? Hey, Hoynsie!
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer
on January 26, 2013 at 10:51 PM Print
Hey, Hoynsie: I've asked some off the wall questions in the past, but trust me, this one is legit! Considering the names being mentioned concerning the Tribe's 2013 DH spot, Thome, Hafner, Ramirez, is it crazy to think maybe Russell Branyan could be an option? He might have a few miles left on the tires -- and would come relatively cheap, wouldn't he? -- Brett Ormsby, Bay Village
Hey, Brett: If you're into all-or-nothing swingers, Branyan would have to be an option. Branyan, 37, didn't play in the big leagues last year after signing a minor-league deal with the Yankees and coming down with back problems.
When you think of power hitters, you think of Branyan. He's hit 194 homers in the big leagues and 222 in the minors. One day at Baseball City, Kansas City's old spring training site in Florida, Branyan hit the longest homer I've ever seen. It cleared the right-field fence, a road behind the fence, and a fence behind the road before landing in a sand pile.
Hey, Hoynsie: Me and some guys who post on cleveland.com want to know the contract terms of players such as Ryan Raburn and Ben Francisco, who signed minor-league deals with the Indians and get invited to spring training. -- Eric Hawkins, Mentor
Hey, Eric: I'll see what I can find out.
Hey, Hoynsie: I hear the Tigers are looking for late-inning relief and a middle infielder and are willing to part with starter Rick Porcello. Meanwhile, the Indians have been shopping Chris Perez and Asdrubal Cabrera, and are looking for a starting pitcher. Yet, the Tribe never seems to be mentioned among the teams the Tigers are talking to. Do you know why? Is there an intra-division trade taboo at work here? -- Wayne Smith, Wattsburg, Pa.
Hey, Wayne: I don't think the Indians are going to give up an All-Star shortstop and an All-Star closer for an inconsistent starter. Besides, the Indians and Tigers have made deals in the past. In 2010, the Indians traded shortstop Jhonny Peralta to Detroit for minor-league left-hander Giovanni Soto.
Peralta has helped the Tigers win consecutive AL Central titles, while Soto was invited to his first big-league camp last week by the Tribe. And don't forget Rocky Colavito.
Hey, Hoynsie: When Paul Dolan recently stated that he "remains committed to winning a World Series" was that via press release or did he actually state that in person? -- L.K., Carson, Calif.
Hey, L.K.: Not that it makes that much of a difference, but Dolan was quoted on a team press release.
Hey, Hoynsie: Delmon Young (27) signs for $750,000, the Indians sign Ben Francisco (31) for $450,000. Why? Character issues? Albert Belle and Brandon Phillips come to mind. Please, let's give Tito the best talent so he can win ballgames. With another pitcher and another hitter, this team is not that far from competing. -- Bill Drummer, Wauseon
Hey, Bill: The Indians weren't the only team that shied away from Young. Otherwise, it seems like he could have gotten a better deal and at least stayed in the American League where he could DH some.
Hey, Hoynsie: In terms of Nick Swisher's $56 million contract, the Tribe doesn't pay that money up front, right? Isn't that about what Travis Hafner signed for five years ago? -- Bill Rawls, Cleveland
Hey, Bill: The deal is spread over four years with Swisher receiving $11 million in 2013, $15 million in 2014, $15 million in 2015 and $15 million in 2016. Hafner got a multiyear extension in 2007.
Hey, Hoynsie: Are you surprised Chris Perez is still with the Indians? While he is a top-tier closer, the Indians have a very deep bullpen that could probably handle his departure. With a starting pitching rotation that has a bunch of questions and a lineup that could still use a few upgrades, wouldn't it be smart to peddle Perez? -- Leslie Gora, Sagamore Hills
Hey, Leslie: I never really thought the Indians would trade Perez. They definitely talked to several teams about him, but I've always felt that a good closer is hard to find.
Hey, Hoynsie: Since the Indians don't have a DH, why not sign free-agent pitcher Micah Owings? Owings could be the 13th pitcher, but he could also be our DH. In 205 ML at bats, he has hit .283 with 58 hits in 205 at-bats with 14 doubles, two triples and nine homers and 35 RBI. With a little time in spring training, he might be able to play some first base, too. -- Joe Eversole, Pelham, Ala.
Hey, Joe: You're thinking outside the box and that's good. But you're a little too far out there for me. Besides, I think you've asked this question before.
Hey, Hoynsie: Have you had an opportunity to get to know Terry Francona? Any thoughts on why he would co-author a book? Does he feel that he is a celebrity? I realize his team won two World Series, but was he ever a Manager of the Year? -- William Rawles, Painesville
Hey, William: Remember how baseball was in Cleveland when the Indians dominated the AL Central from 1995 through 2001? Remember how they went to two World Series and were in the postseason almost ever year?
Well, that's how baseball is every year (win or lose) in Boston. It's not the fringe sport it has become in Cleveland. It is a big deal all day, every day.
Francona was the manager who broke the curse of the Bambino. In 2004, he directed the Red Sox to their first World Series in 86 years. Then, he did it again. I think that's worthy of a book. In 2007, following Francona's second World Series title, he was named manager of the year by Baseball America.
By the way "Francona: The Red Sox Years" is a good read. Halfway through it.
-- Hoynsie