This is a smart move. Naquin is playing well, this gives him a chance to show what he can do up front while Brantley can take his time coming back.

Brantley is clearly healthy but again no reason to push him when good help is available.

TFIR wrote:Michael Brantley (ankle) will begin the year on the 10-day disabled list.

Brantley was able to return to Cactus League games, but manager Terry Francona told reporters that they don't feel he's ready for the work load. Tyler Naquin will instead make the initial 25-man roster. Expect to see Brantley in the everyday lineup for the Indians by the middle of April, assuming there are no setbacks in his rehabilitation.

Heard that before.

Agree - but you only have to look at the fact that he is playing Cactus league games to know he can play at this point - if not every day yet.

Mets are doing the exact same thing with Michael Conforto. Very long season.

Interesting blurb ranking Progressive Field the 11th best hitting park. Mostly based on it being home
run friendly to left handed batters. Right Lindor?

11. Progressive Field, home to Cleveland Indians
Runs 1.036, Home Runs 1.041, HR (RHB) 0.976, HR (LHB) 1.099
Dimensions: 325' (19')-370' (19')-405' (9')-375' (9')-325' (9')
Altitude: 653 feet; Open-air stadium; Grass field

One of the more underrated power environments for left-handed hitters, Progressive is mostly neutral except for its No. 11 factor for lefty homers and No. 4 for lefty hits (1.057).

It has, however, been the least consistent run-scoring environment the past five seasons, rating well above average from 2015-16 but well below average from 2012-13.

Hmmm...a reason the team seems to like those lefty bats?

Why does Seattle not start their home opener early in the afternoon like most cities??? Seems to be thumbing their nose at those other cities! BTW, STO is replaying the game at 7 a.m. Friday. I will already be up so I will watch it then.

Brothers and both first-round picks

Waiver claim?

0 COMMENTS
Royals Designate Kyle Zimmer, Wily Peralta For Assignment
By Steve Adams | March 29, 2018 at 10:39am CDT

The Royals have designated right-handers Wily Peralta and Kyle Zimmer for assignment, tweets Rustin Dodd of The Athletic. MLB.com’s Jeffrey Flanagan adds that right-hander Nate Karns has been placed on the 10-day disabled list, and he’ll be replaced in the rotation by lefty Eric Skoglund for the time being. Relievers Tim Hill, Brian Flynn and Burch Smith have all made the big league roster, per Flanagan.

More to come.

Michael Brantley (ankle) played in a minor league game on Wednesday.

He was only scheduled to play seven innings but felt good enough to go the full nine. Brantley looks almost all the way back from ankle surgery and could be activated from the DL when first eligible.

I'm not feeling hopeful about Brad Zimmer. Great defender, covers ground, super outstanding arm, excellent basestealer. I just wish he could get on base a lot more and strike out a lot less. If we had solid offense in the corners we could be OK with him hitting something subpar like 230/300/380 I guess.

Strange team with all the top hitters including power from the infield and the weak hitting outfielders stuffing the bottom of the lineup.

Season opens and hardly anyone posting; I was away for two weeks and missed about a dozen posts total in all folders.
The forum is running out of participants.
Is there another Tribe discussion site where people congregate? I have a subscription with Tribe Insider and don't drop in much but it seems busier than our Tribe Forum.

Today in Tribe History: March 31, 1993
Bob Toth | On 31, Mar 2018

The Cleveland Indians acquire pitcher Mark Clark and minor league infielder Juan Andujar from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for outfielder Mark Whiten.

The Indians were in a desperate place with a tragically depleted pitching staff after the deaths of relievers Steve Olin and Tim Crews and the injury to starter Bob Ojeda in a boating accident less than ten days earlier.

“We didn’t want to trade one of our outfielders,” Indians general manager John Hart was quoted in the April 1, 1993, edition of The Plain Dealer. “But our pitching is so thin that if we get another hangnail, we’d be in trouble.

“We had three or four scouts looking at him. We tried to get him over the winter, but the Cardinals wouldn’t trade him. I think he’ll fit well with our present and future.”

Clark, coming off of a 3-10 season in 20 games in his second season in the Majors with the Cards in 1992, will go 27-15 for the Indians in three seasons with the club. He will be traded to the New York Mets exactly three years to the date of his original acquisition by Cleveland. Andujar spends parts of two seasons in the minors for Cleveland, never advancing above Double-A.

“Hard Hitten'” Mark Whiten, expendable with a crowded Indians outfield already consisting of Albert Belle, Kenny Lofton, Glenallen Hill, and Thomas Howard, with Wayne Kirby at Triple-A, will break out for the Cardinals despite not wanting to leave. After hitting .254 with nine home runs and 43 RBI in 148 games in 1992, he hit 25 homers and drove in 99 in 152 games with St. Louis in his first season with the club. He will bounce around the league, eventually returning to Cleveland for three seasons from 1998 to 2000.

civ ollilavad wrote:Season opens and hardly anyone posting; I was away for two weeks and missed about a dozen posts total in all folders.

I actually don't mind discussing with just a few others. On the other hand, could be time to shut her down.

I have not visited or posted much but with the season starting, I would miss the forum if shut down

Will try to post more if that helps

Jordan Bastian @MLBastian
25 minutes ago
Francona: After Brantley plays in extended spring game Tuesday, he may head to Cleveland. Activation for home opener not ruled out yet.

buck84 wrote:I have not visited or posted much but with the season starting, I would miss the forum if shut down

Will try to post more if that helps

With our lead guy on the long term DL, it all helps buck!