Showing a lot of confidence in Luplow it appears.

If Carlos is in Left, and Bauers at first, who's the DH? Max Moroff?

So Perez can hit pretty well in winter ball; but haven't some of you also posted poor reviews of his defense last summer?

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Roberto Perez's past offensive numbers have been put under the microscope since the Indians traded catcher Yan Gomes to the Nationals, but manager Terry Francona was clear that there's more to naming a starting catcher than his production at the plate.

"The biggest thing is [defense] and running the game," Francona said. "By that, you know, calling, putting the right fingers down, preparing, getting your pitcher through not just the easy parts, but the difficult parts. [Perez is] extremely prepared for that.

"I think we all feel like with more regular at-bats, he's gonna hit better. If he doesn't hit like Gomes, we still believe in the way he runs the game that he's kind of a standout in that area. That's first and foremost as a catcher."

In 2018, Perez hit .168 with nine doubles, two home runs and 19 RBIs in 62 games. In his five seasons with the Indians, Perez, 30, has hit below the Mendoza Line twice, but has never been a starter who received consistent playing time. When fans look at the statistics on paper, it's easy to overlook how the importance of being able to manage a pitching staff outweighs offensive production, according to Francona.

"If I was a casual fan, I wouldn't either," Francona said. "When I go to a basketball game, I'm looking to see how many points somebody scores. That's just part of the fun. But we realize, not only do we realize, but we pound it home with our catchers. You see them even when they're catching their sides after they're done, they communicate with [the pitchers], they talk to them. Whether it's the youngest kid in the camp or the veteran, that's part of being a good catcher."

Although hitting may not be the absolute top priority when it comes to earning the starting catching job as he competes against Kevin Plawecki for the position, Perez knows how important it still is. After experiencing a disappointing offensive season last year, the backstop took it upon himself to get extra work by competing in the Dominican Republic for Tigres del Licey over the winter.

"It helped me a lot, playing in the Dominican and playing in a very good league," Perez said. "… My mindset was to come to the ballpark each day, and even if you go 0-for-4 you know the next day you're in [the lineup]. I mean, it gives you a lot of confidence. I'm already a confident guy, so to play every day is going to give me more confidence to come out and perform."

That confidence and consistency led to Perez slashing .333/.418/.435 with four doubles, one homer and 10 RBIs in 24 contests for Tigres del Licey. Playing in the Dominican League slightly changed Perez's offseason routine, but the catcher was sure to finish in time to physically prepare himself for the 2019 season.

"I went down there to get my at-bats," Perez said. "Not to catch, because I know what I'm capable of doing behind the plate, but to be able to go down and get consistent at-bats, and they have great pitching there. So, challenge myself and prove to me and everyone else what kind of player I am. I did really well, felt really well and hopefully that carries into the season."

Looking at other teams' forecast opening day lineups and picking an ex-Indians team at present would be almost all guys who were with us just last year. Lots of 1st basemen; Yandy is forecast at 1st for the Rays for the ex-Indians he'd have to return to third. Team would be something like:

1. Michael Brantley LF
2. Joey Wendle 2B [we drafted him, but he never got beyond Akron]
3. EE DH
4. Jesus Aguilar 1B
5. Lonnie Chisenhall RF
6. Yandy Diaz 3b
7. Yan Gomes C
8. Robbie Grossman [he spend a week or two with us] or Clint Frazier CF
9. Erik Gonzalez

Yonder Alonso is on the bench. Francisco Mejia would be the back up catcher and could be the best option in RF since Lonnie will be hurt in a couple weeks.
That team has more power than the real Indians, I guess, but not much speed and not exciting on defense.

Pitching is not close to the real Indians' class. The names I remember seeing were 3 lefty starters: CC, Rich Hill and Pomeranz and a bullpen led by Cody Allen and Miller.

We missed out on Machado; still have a chance for Harper, we could use an OF who can hit.

So, you're saying there's a chance?

Sure just give him $30,000,000 for 10 years with an opt out after 5. And the best of Cleveland: A mansion in Bratenahl. An unlimited gift card to Michael Symon restaurants. Loge at Browns Stadium [or whatever its' called]. How could he turn it down?

Spring training is getting the Forum awfully excited I see. How many of us are still here anyway? We've become a pretty intimate grouping.

Indians have signed Hanley Ramirez to a 1 year minor league deal. BoSox finally released him last year after a long while of disappointing play. Can’t say I expect much from him.

Low risk signing to say the least.

His upside is DH if he shows he can still hit. The guy was cut loose last season because of a Red Sox roster glut, not because he couldn't hit. It was May!

http://www.espn.com/mlb/player/stats/_/ ... ey-ramirez

Shoot if we cut every guy who was hitting .254 with 6 homers in May, we'd have no team most years!

So I get where they're coming from. Just a flier - and if he can DH then it frees Santana from doing that and makes him an outfield candidate.

An interview last night with Tito, by the way, he said Kipnis is playing 2B period - unless there's some kind of injury.

Well I disagree with that spin. He hit .242 in 500 at bats the year before. And if you have a bunch of guys and need to weed one the first choice is not the guy making 20+ mill and eating that contract.

I hope he helps, but not holding my breath.

Neither is the front office. It's a cheap flier. I am simply pointing out the upside to even bothering with him.

Yes, he hit like crap in 2017 but hit well in 2016. Guys have off seasons. Would he have recovered in 2018? To me, .254 with 6 homers in May is too early to judge that either way.

This was a situation where they wanted to get Moreland regular at bats, and they had JD Martinez to DH. For all I know Hanley would have bitched about that situation so they ditched him.

He had a reputation as a piece of shit once he got the bucks. New England talk radio was all over him.

well maybe now that he's getting dimes instead of millions he'll be a good guy. Most likely he's just through. Even Bartolo Colon has retired [has he?] at some point.

seagull wrote:He had a reputation as a piece of shit once he got the bucks. New England talk radio was all over him.

And I think that played into why the Sox dumped him too.

Hanley has been a head case his whole career. But no one has questioned his ability - problem is he pretty much has squandered it.

He's 35 now - last chance. Worth a look because if he GETS it, he probably has the ability to still hit. But that's a big


IF