Galvanized Reynolds eager to make his mark

[As far as a recall, Reynolds is our first galvanized DH since Andre Thornton]

With Indians, veteran seeks continuation of last season's second-half surge


Mark Reynolds discusses why he signed with the Indians and what he and other new faces like Nick Swisher will bring to the lineup


GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Mark Reynolds looked over the Indians' roster and saw a collection of young talent. He saw a ballclub facing an uphill battle and an opportunity for everyday playing time. Reynolds figured it was a good fit for him to show he could return to his slugging ways.

With these factors in mind, Reynolds reached an agreement with Cleveland on Dec. 9 on a one-year contract to be the club's first baseman. What he did not realize was he was the first of many dominoes to fall.

"It was a good situation for me," Reynolds said.

Two days later, the Indians completed a blockbuster nine-player trade with the Reds and D-backs, reeling in outfielder Drew Stubbs, pitching prospect Trevor Bauer and relievers Matt Albers and Bryan Shaw. Less than a month later, Cleveland signed Nick Swisher to a four-year, $56 million deal and inked pitcher Brett Myers to a one-year pact.

Then roughly a week into Spring Training, the Tribe signed center fielder Michael Bourn.

Sitting at his locker inside Cleveland's reorganized clubhouse, Reynolds does his best not to take credit for what's happened over the past three months.

"I just like to think it was because I signed here that all these guys followed me here," said Reynolds, who leaned back in his chair and put his hands behind his head. "Obviously."

After a well-timed comedic pause, allowing his audience's laughter to dissipate, Reynolds returned to the point.

"I was really happy with everything that transpired after I signed," he said. "I think it went from going to try to prove myself and play every day and put up good numbers again to, 'We might have a chance to do some damage and win some games.'"

That said, the 29-year-old Reynolds is motivated to prove he is still a power hitter.

Last season with the Orioles, Reynolds had a down year by his standards. He landed on the disabled list for the first time in his career (thanks to a strained left oblique in May) and played in 135 games, marking his fewest in a season since his rookie year in 2007 (111 games). His 23 home runs and 69 RBIs were also his lowest marks since his rookie days with the D-backs.

Overall, Reynolds hit .221 last season, with a .335 on-base percentage and a .429 slugging percentage. In his first 15 games at third base -- a position he handled fine in previous years with Arizona and Baltimore -- he was a mess, making six errors in 40 chances. By May 10, a day before landing on the disabled list, he was also hitting a paltry .191 for the O's.

"I had a strained oblique. You can't even cough with those things," Reynolds said. "I probably came back a little too early from that and tried to play through it. In the second half, I got healthy and I got confident. Once you get those two things, it kind of snowballs. I felt really good in the second half."

Cleveland is hoping Reynolds' second half is indicative of the player it signed.

"We brought him in early," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "Cleveland struggled so much against left-handers last year, so getting that right-handed power bat was big."

Pure right-handed hitters managed just 26 home runs combined for the Tribe in 2012. Painted in that light, even the 23 homers Reynolds launched last season would be greatly welcomed in Cleveland. The Indians are hoping he can do even more.

Beginning on Aug. 5 last year, Reynolds hit .247 with a .352 OBP and a .532 SLG over his final 52 games for Baltimore, which earned an American League Wild Card spot. During that stretch, his 15 homers were tied for the fourth most in the AL, his rate of one homer per 12.4 at-bats ranked sixth and his .884 OPS ranked 14th in the league.

Reynolds was especially productive against the Yankees.

Over the final two months, he launched one homer per 3.71 at-bats against the Bombers, and enjoyed a trio of multihomer games against them. Only Hall of Famer Hank Greenberg (Tigers, 1938) had as many multihomer games against the Yankees in a single season.

"They hung me too many curveballs, I guess," Reynolds said with a grin.

Indians fans can daydream about Reynolds doing the same against Detroit.

There is still the issue of Reynolds' propensity for striking out. From 2008-11, he averaged 208 strikeouts per season. He is the only player in baseball history to have at least two seasons with 200-plus strikeouts, and he has three such years under his belt. In 2009, Reynolds set the single-season Major League record with 223 punchouts.

Reynolds knows his run production will overshadow criticism of his strikeouts.

Consider that in 2009, when he set that strikeout record, Reynolds also hit .260 with 44 home runs, 30 doubles and 102 RBIs for the D-backs. He also scored 98 runs and stole 24 bases. He thought it was interesting how the public outcry over his strikeouts seemed to disappear some after he pieced together that overall showing.

"That year, people kind of laid off a little bit," Reynolds said. "It's just something for people to write about. It's something that bothered me early on. Now, I don't care if there are a thousand articles about it. I don't even read it. I just watch golf on the Golf Channel and try to win baseball games."

His desire to do whatever is needed to help the team was also put to the test this spring. When Bourn signed, it caused a chain reaction through the rest of the roster. Stubbs was forced to shift to right field, and Swisher was asked to move from right to first base. That left Reynolds -- a solid first baseman -- as Cleveland's primary designated hitter.

"I wasn't happy," Reynolds said. "Nobody wants to just DH unless you're in the latter part of your career. I'm 29 years old. I still feel like I have a lot to contribute. But I really respect the way they handled it. They brought us in, sat us down, told us what we were doing. And anything that makes our team better, obviously, I'm all for it."

Francona said he is going to make sure Reynolds sees action in the field this year, too.

"He won't just be a DH," Francona said. "I don't think it's good for him. He's not a DH. The way we're configured right now, he's going to get more at-bats as a DH than he would before, but I don't want to do that to him, either."

Given the players who followed him to Cleveland, Reynolds is eager to get this season started.

"Adding who we've added," Reynolds said, "it really gives us a shot and makes a lot of guys in here excited."

Beginning on Aug. 5 last year, Reynolds hit .247 with a .352 OBP and a .532 SLG over his final 52 games for Baltimore, which earned an American League Wild Card spot. During that stretch, his 15 homers were tied for the fourth most in the AL, his rate of one homer per 12.4 at-bats ranked sixth and his .884 OPS ranked 14th in the league.

I'll take that.

Bleacher Report's mid-spring training rankings now list the Tribe No. 20 (I think they were higher in the previous listing, maybe I am wrong). That's one spot below the Yankees. Royals are rated No. 12 based on this incredible team hitting line: 342/395/528 .923 Team OPS. Tigers are No. 2. Giants No. 1.

Now that KC has some decent pitching, they should be a contender this year. They've always had some nice offensive teams with decent defense. Their problems have always been in the starting rotation. They've always had some good arms in the bullpen. Looks like they may have finally put things together.

Wow ! How many years have we had to read you predict how good KC will be in the upcoming year ?

Never happens though.

It's not just Joe this season. Their offensive prospects could be coming into their early prime together like ours did 20[!] years ago.

Could be, but both Moustakas and Hosmer were bitter disappointments last year. So believe it when you see it.

Spring star Scott Kazmir closing in on spot in Cleveland Indians' rotation

Terry Francona doesn't want to tip his hand, but it's clear that veteran big-league lefty Scott Kazmir has the lead for the Indians' final spot in the starting rotation. (Photo by Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer)

By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer
on March 14, 2013 at 10:08 PM, updated March 15, 2013 at 7:13 AM Print



GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Tito Francona says it's much too early to start talking about who the Indians' fifth starter will be.

"It's wide open right now," he said.

Managers are supposed to say things like that when there's more than two weeks left in spring training. If the truth be told, the last spot in the rotation is left-hander Scott Kazmir's to lose.

What does that mean for Daisuke Matsuzaka, Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco and Trevor Bauer? For Kluber, Carrasco and Bauer it probably means a trip to Class AAA Columbus. For Matsuzaka it could mean a date with Article XX (B) of the new basic agreement.

The article says a big-league free agent with six years service time, in camp on a minor-league deal, must be added to the opening day roster five days before the season starts or released. If he's not released, the Indians must offer him a $100,000 retention bonus and the right to opt out of his contract on June 1 if he's in the minors.

Reliever Matt Capps and DH Jason Giambi are in the same situation as Matsuzaka.

"We've got 12 days to go until then, which is about is two to three appearances each," said Francona of the pitchers. "That will go a long way to answering those questions."


"You try not to get overly excited," said Francona, "but from the first day in camp it was so obvious he was ready to go. The ball was just coming out of his hand so easy."

Kazmir was pitching independent ball last year and has not pitched in the big leagues since 2011.

"Maybe we caught a break," said Francona. "You have to catch a break sometimes."

Kazmir has spent much of the last two years trying to rediscover the delivery that made him one of the best left-handers in the game.

"I feel like a completely different pitcher," said Kazmir, when asked to compare himself to the last time he pitched in the big leagues. "It's a night and day difference. The velocity is different, on the good side, by about 10 mph. I just feel a lot more confident out there."

Matsuzaka left his appearance Monday with a cramp in his right calf after one inning. He threw a bullpen session Thursday with no problem, but it's still unclear when he'll pitch again. The Japanese right-hander prepared for his Monday outing by throwing 100 pitches in a bullpen session. It's something he wasn't allowed to do during his six years pitching for the Red Sox.

"The main thing I wanted to do was see how well I could maintain my mechanics when I threw that much," said Matsuzaka through interpreter Jeff Cutler. "I wouldn't have been able to throw that much unless my body felt good."

Bauer allowed two runs on five hits in four innings in Thursday's 5-3 loss to the Royals. He's 1-0 with a 3.27 ERA (four earned runs in 11 innings) in four Cactus League games. Francona has been impressed with Bauer. He likes the bite on his breaking ball despite the dry air in Arizona.

"He's got tremendous arm speed, a really good change-up," said Francona. "His breaking ball, even in Arizona, has depth to it. It comes down to repeating his pitches.

"With most young pitchers consistency of command is the thing that comes last."

Carrasco, scheduled to start Saturday against the Giants, is 1-1 with a 7.88 ERA in three games. He's allowed seven earned runs on 12 hits and four walks in eight innings. He missed all of last spring recovering from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. Francona has liked Carrasco's stuff, but feels he needs to get used to competition again.

"It's unrealistic to think a guy will seamlessly jump back in," he said. "You're so used to throwing, and when your arm feels good, it was a good day. Now a good day is when you don't give up runs."

Kluber pitched four scoreless innings Thursday against Seattle in a B game. He's made three Cactus appearances with no record and a 6.43 ERA. Last year he went 2-5 with a 5.14 ERA in 12 starts for the Indians. Francona said Kluber pitched in the B game because the Indians wanted him to work on pitching inside to left-handed hitters in a less-intense setting.

"We want our young starters to do great," said Francona. "There's no denying that. But we want them to earn the spot. We don't want them to just make the team, we want them to help us win.

"I think [GM] Chris [Antonetti] did a real good job of bringing in guys like Kazmir and Dice-K to ensure that we just didn't break camp with guys who weren't ready to win. I'm not saying these guys aren't, but it sets us up where we can make better decisions."


Step by step: Closer Chris Perez (right shoulder) is making progress in his long-toss program, playing catch for the second straight day Thursday at 110 to 120 feet. Francona is so encouraged that he says the Indians have to watch Perez so he doesn't try to do too much, too soon.

Perez started his throwing program Sunday and could throw 10 pitches off the mound Saturday. His return for opening day, April 2 in Toronto, is still questionable.

"Opening day is nice, but there are 161 more games after it," said Perez. "I'm not working just to get ready for opening day, I'm preparing to get ready for the rest of the time after that."

Killer Bs: The Indians beat Seattle, 6-0, in a B game Thursday morning. The stands behind Field One at the Goodyear training complex were loaded with scouts as the Mariners pitched two of their top prospects -- James Paxton and Taijuan Walker. The Indians reached them for six combined runs, three earned, on eight hits in four innings.

Kluber struck out three and walked one in the win. Roberto Perez and Jordan Henry drove in two runs each. Anthony Gallas, who went to Strongsville High School, had a hit and scored a run for the Tribe.

Finally: Catcher Lou Marson has been down with the flu the last few days. Francona called it "intestinal turmoil" and said it's working its way through the locker room. ... Right-hander Anthony Langwell pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief of Zach McAllister on Thursday against the Royals. The 11th-round pick out of Rice in 2008 has not allowed a run in seven appearances. "He's opened a lot of eyes this spring," said Francona.

Right-hander Anthony Langwell pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief of Zach McAllister on Thursday against the Royals. The 11th-round pick out of Rice in 2008 has not allowed a run in seven appearances. "He's opened a lot of eyes this spring," said Francona.

Last I knew his name was Matt Langwell and has never made a top 30 prospect list for the Tribe. But that doesn't matter if he can pitch and whatever name they call him. In his minor league career he's averaged over 1 K per inning era under 3.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/minor ... ngwe001mat

Langwell was also solid this winter pitching in Puerto Rico. Looks like he's building on a nice winter.

Player Page:

http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp ... pid=543426

Brett Myers' struggles don't trouble Terry Francona: Cleveland Indians Insider

By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer
on March 15, 2013 at 9:54 PM, updated March 15, 2013 at 9:55 PM Print



PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Asked when he would start to worry if Brett Myers keeps pitching the way he did Friday against Milwaukee at Maryvale Ballpark, manager Terry Francona said, "I don't know ... July?"

Myers allowed four runs on seven hits in four innings as the Indians lost to the Brewers, 4-3. It took Myers an estimated 77 pitches to get through his day's work. The Indians gave him a 2-0 lead in the first, but it was gone by the second.

"I thought he fought his command a little bit," said Francona. "It was hot out there (89 degrees for the first pitch).

"He never gives in. He threw strikes with all his pitches. I think you can see when he pitches why he always has the ability to pitch deep into the game once he gets (his arm) built up."

Myers pitched strictly in relief last year, making 70 appearances with Houston and the White Sox. He signed a one-year, $7 million deal on Jan. 4 with the Indians to be one of their top three starters. He's made 249 starts in the bigs and as recently as 2011 made 33 starts and pitched 216 innings for the Astros.

In his last two starts this spring, Myers has allowed seven runs, six earned, on 14 hits and six walks in 7 2/3 innings.

"I don't put any concerns on [spring] numbers," said Francona. "I think he's going to be a good pitcher for us."

Tough gig: It used to be that hitting .400 would take you a long way in baseball. The Indians seem to be changing that way of thinking.

On Monday, they released outfielder Ben Francisco, who was hitting .400 (8-for-20). Francisco had an out clause in his contract and he exercised it because he saw little chance of making the big-league club. The Yankees signed him within hours.

On Friday, Mike McDade was optioned to Class AAA Columbus after hitting .400 (12-for-30) with two doubles, one homer and 10 RBI. First base is suddenly a stacked position for the Indians with Nick Swisher and Mark Reynolds, but at least the switch-hitting McDade is only a phone call away.

"He made a really good impression," said Francona. "He came from Toronto and there were so many different scouting reports [from several organizations] on him. I mean they were all over the map on him.

"Seeing him in person, he can hit and he can hit from both sides and he can play first. One report said 'I like his bat, but you have to pinch run for him.' I don't see that. He's not going to steal any bases, but his not a base clogger."

McDade is 6-1 and 250 pounds. Francona says he'll have to watch his weight, but baseball isn't as fixated on that as it once was. "If you can play, you don't necessarily have to look the part," he said.

Infielder Nate Spears was re-assigned to minor-league camp along with McDade.



"A couple of days ago I got a call from Carlos Santana," said Francona. "He was just sitting in his hotel room. I thought that was pretty cool."

Santana is playing for the Dominican Republic, which advanced to the semifinals in San Francisco with Thursday's victory over Team USA.

Testing, testing: Yan Gomes left Friday's game with a tight right hamstring after doubling in the fourth inning.

"It's just a cramp, it wasn't a pull," said Francona.

Finally: Closer Chris Perez (right shoulder) will throw about 10 pitches off the mound Saturday. ... Daisuke Matsuzaka, who left his last appearance Monday with a cramp in his right calf, will throw a minor-league game on Saturday.






Here's a look at the highlights and lowlights from the Indians Cactus League game against the Brewers on Friday.

Score: Brewers 4, Indians 3.
Attendance: 5,665 at Maryvale Baseball Park.
Indians record: 12-8-1.

In the pen: Jerry Gil retired the side in order in the fifth. Joe Smith pitched out of a first-and-third, two-out jam in the sixth. Scott Barnes retired three straight in the seventh. David Huff loaded the bases in the ninth, but escaped.

Ouch: Catcher Yan Gomes left the game in the fourth inning after suffering a cramp in his right hamstring running out a double. Brian Jeroloman pinch ran and should have scored on Juan Diaz's single, but he missed third on the way home and was called out.

Choo who? Drew Stubbs threw out Norichka Aoki at third with a one-hop throw from right field after Aoki doubled off the fence in the third.

Short and long of it: Mark Reynolds had an RBI ground out in the first and a booming homer in the ninth that cleared the left field fence at 365 feet and cleared a sidewalk and hit a concrete wall on the top of the hill about 80 feet behind the fence.

Next: RHP Carlos Carrasco (1-1, 7.88) faces San Francisco RHP Chris Heston (0-1, 16.88) at 10:05 p.m. ET. Indians.com will carry the game.
— Paul Hoynes

Glad to know that Myers' poor spring training doesn't count, while Kazmir's and Masterson's do. It's fun reading manager's comments; they're so predictable.

Is Masterson in danger of being sent down?

TERRY PLUTO:

1. The Indians are trying to not oversell what is happening with Ubaldo Jimenez, because it is spring training. Also because he's throwing 90-92 mph, down from his 95 mph average in 2010 when he won 19 games. He is not the same guy who was an All-Star that season. But the Tribe is encouraged by only two walks in 13 spring innings. A year ago, Jimenez led the league in wild pitches, was second in walks and had a 9-17 record with a 5.40 ERA.

2. The Indians are hoping Jimenez can return to the form of 12-12 (3.99) in 2008, or 15-12 (3.47) in 2009. He actually had three solid seasons (2008-10) before his collapse the last two years. He has been diligent, working with new pitching coach Mickey Callaway. Will it pay off? No one will know until he makes several regular season starts.

3. The Tribe traded top pitching prospects Alex White and Drew Pomeranz to the Rockies for Jimenez. White has since been traded to Houston, where he has a 6.97 ERA (17 hits in 10 innings) this spring. Pomeranz has a 4.50 ERA for the Rockies and probably will open in the rotation. But Pomeranz is not throwing much over 89 mph. So far, this trade hasn't worked out for anyone.

4. Justin Masterson has had a strong spring. The stats have him at 2-0 with a 4.15 ERA without a walk in 8 innings in Cactus League games. His last start was five shutout innings (no walks) in a 'B' game. Masterson was fifth in the league in walks, second in wild pitches last season. Like Jimenez, Masterson has been working on his control. New manager Terry Francona is very upbeat about Masterson having a good year.

5. Carlos Carrasco (1-1, 7.88 ERA) seems fully recovered from his reconstructive elbow surgery. He was clocked as high as 96 mph, and averaged 90-92 mph. But he seems rusty after missing last season due to the elbow injury. He probably will open at Class AAA.

6. At some point this spring, the Tribe will approach Jason Kipnis and Michael Brantley about contract extensions. Brantley can't be a free agent until 2017, Kipnis in 2018. Both signed one-year deals.

7. Scott Kazmir has been the talk of camp with his eight scoreless innings. He is throwing in the 90-91 mph range with a high of 93. That doesn't match his average of 93 mph when he was an All-Star in 2008. But in the past few seasons, he was in the middle 80s. That's why there is so much optimism.

8. The Plain Dealer will hold an Opening Day breakfast featuring Paul Hoynes, Dennis Manoloff, Mike McIntyre and me. It will be held at 7:30 a.m. on April 8, the day of the home opener. For information, go to plaindealer.com/homeopener or call 216-999-4028. There will be a hot breakfast buffet, door prizes and the price is $25 per person.

For those who were so upset when the trade was made:

The Tribe traded top pitching prospects Alex White and Drew Pomeranz to the Rockies for Jimenez. White has since been traded to Houston, where he has a 6.97 ERA (17 hits in 10 innings) this spring. Pomeranz has a 4.50 ERA for the Rockies and probably will open in the rotation. But Pomeranz is not throwing much over 89 mph. So far, this trade hasn't worked out for anyone.