Hillbilly wrote:Happy birthday, TFIR!

Thanks old friend! But not my kind of old. Send those social security checks on now!

Jon Morosi @jonmorosi
Charles Allen, father of @Indians walk-off star Greg Allen, is a @USNavy veteran. Greg turned pro after his junior year at @SDSU but returned to complete his degree in business management, as he had told his parents, Charles and Kim, that he would. @MLB @GoAztecs @MLBNetwork

Peeking into the future a bit, we have some tough decisions to make. Brantley will probably be due somewhere around $20m per year beginning next year. Kluber will probably get traded during the season next year in order to fill our coffers with MiLB talent and to make room for Bieber. I doubt we will be able to sign Lindor, and probably more important, we will not be able to resign Jose. Carrasco may or may not resign, but it is imperative we get Bauer under contract.

Yikes, I am glad I am not the GM!

Glad you had a good day, TFIR!

Shane Bieber - S - Indians
Robert Murray of FanRag Sports reports that the Indians will call up Shane Bieber to make his major league debut Thursday in Minnesota.

Bieber threw seven hitless innings in his last start and boasts a 1.10 ERA and 61/3 K/BB ratio over 65 1/3 frames across 10 starts between Double- and Triple-A this season. He doesn't have overpowering stuff so it remains to be seen how many bats he'll miss at the major league level, but Bieber has elite control and command and that polish should serve him well as he breaks into the majors. It looks to be just a spot start for the soon-to-be 23-year-old, as the Indians want to give Trevor Bauer an extra day of rest after he threw 127 pitches in his last start. However, the fifth spot in the Tribe's rotation isn't settled so Bieber could enhance his positioning if he pitches well.

Yeah, Bieber Baby!!!!!

Don't know if you guys saw it right before holiday weekend started, but while Antonetti is making excuses and saying trades aren't made this time of year and our bullpen continues to blow, the Seattle Mariners acquired Colome & Denard from the Rays for 2 minor leaguers.

Colome is only making 3.6 mill rest of this year, and is signed for 2 more years.

84 saves last 2 years.

1.91 and 3.24 ERA last 2 years.

Would have been a great addition.

Don't give me this bull that trades aren't made this time of year.

Yeah, I think I posted that to you somewhere and totally agree. Granted Jerry DiPoto is over the top in his volume of trades but it CAN be done.

That said it certainly wouldn't surprise me if they were in talks and the Indians are in a much stronger position to wait a bit then Seattle is.

But ultimately I do agree - bullpen move(s) have to be made and not just minor leaguers.

Was watching Tom Verducci posting a chart on top 8 toughest pitches to hit by batting average this year.

Out of the 8 - 5 of them were sliders.

And our own Trevor Bauer's slider ranked at #3 hardest pitch to hit with batters hitting .092 against it.

Might be worth keeping an eye on.

.


Jordan Bastian @MLBastian
Jason Kipnis said he felt he made an in-game adjustment Saturday that immediately paid dividends. Going back to that day, he is 7-for-18 with two homers and a double, following his solo shot here in the 8th.

Can't trade him.

Can't dump him.

Might as well hope he figured it out.

If he can get back to his 270/350/440 kind of form, I'll be pleased. Doesn't steal anymore, though.

seagull wrote:Can't trade him.

Can't dump him.

Might as well hope he figured it out.

Yes, but if he does figure it out his value increases THEN you CAN trade him.

Indians posted on social media this morning ...

In case you haven't heard, Jason Kipnis is sporting an 18-game on base streak. He's batting .364 with a double, 2 homers, 4 runs scored and 5 RBI in that span

You know you've been bad when your team is touting a double, 2 HR, 5 RBI and 4 R in 18 games as something awesome.

HB - I still think trading Kipnis opens up so many options in the lineup and infield that it's the way to go. Hope he just keeps increasing his value.