that selection can be traded just once. It can't be sold for cash
But I'll bet it can be traded for "cash considerations."
Re: Articles
1007Big news from the Tribe:
Tribe signs catcher Pagnozzi to Minors deal
29-year-old appeared in 12 games in '11 for Rockies and Pirates
By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com | 12/02/11 1:00 PM EST
Comments 1printe-mailCLEVELAND -- The Indians added to their catching depth on Friday, signing free-agent Matt Pagnozzi to a Minor League contract that includes a non-roster invitation to attend Spring Training with the Major League club.
Cleveland's big league catching situation is currently set with Carlos Santana as the starter and Lou Marson serving as the backup. As things currently stand, Luke Carlin and Michel Hernandez will also be in camp as non-roster invitees this spring.
Pagnozzi, 29, adds another catcher to the mix to handle the high volume of pitchers who will be on hand when Spring Training begins. He also potentially gives the Indians another option for Triple-A Columbus, which cycled through six catchers last season.
Pagnozzi's strong throw00:00:407/10/11: Matt Pagnozzi makes a strong throw to second, nailing Roger Bernadina attempting to steal in the sixth inningTags: defense, More From This Game, Matt Pagnozzi, Colorado RockiesShare:
FacebookTwitterEmailRelated Video
Pagnozzi's RBI single
Pagnozzi's RBI single
Pagnozzi nabs SantanaPagnozzi -- a nephew of former Major League catcher Tom Pagnozzi -- appeared in 12 big league games last season between stints with the Rockies and Pirates, hitting .276 with three RBIs overall. He spent the bulk of the year with Triple-A Colorado, splitting his time behind the plate and at first base.
Pittsburgh claimed Pagnozzi off waivers after he was designated for assignment by Colorado on Sept. 11.
In 54 Minor League games last season, Pagnozzi hit .275 with three homers and 29 RBIs and posted a .337 on-base percentage. He was an eighth-round selection of the Cardinals in 2003 and enjoyed cups of coffee with St. Louis in each of the 2009 and 2010 seasons. Overall, Pagnozzi has appeared in 33 Major League games in the last three years.
Tribe signs catcher Pagnozzi to Minors deal
29-year-old appeared in 12 games in '11 for Rockies and Pirates
By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com | 12/02/11 1:00 PM EST
Comments 1printe-mailCLEVELAND -- The Indians added to their catching depth on Friday, signing free-agent Matt Pagnozzi to a Minor League contract that includes a non-roster invitation to attend Spring Training with the Major League club.
Cleveland's big league catching situation is currently set with Carlos Santana as the starter and Lou Marson serving as the backup. As things currently stand, Luke Carlin and Michel Hernandez will also be in camp as non-roster invitees this spring.
Pagnozzi, 29, adds another catcher to the mix to handle the high volume of pitchers who will be on hand when Spring Training begins. He also potentially gives the Indians another option for Triple-A Columbus, which cycled through six catchers last season.
Pagnozzi's strong throw00:00:407/10/11: Matt Pagnozzi makes a strong throw to second, nailing Roger Bernadina attempting to steal in the sixth inningTags: defense, More From This Game, Matt Pagnozzi, Colorado RockiesShare:
FacebookTwitterEmailRelated Video
Pagnozzi's RBI single
Pagnozzi's RBI single
Pagnozzi nabs SantanaPagnozzi -- a nephew of former Major League catcher Tom Pagnozzi -- appeared in 12 big league games last season between stints with the Rockies and Pirates, hitting .276 with three RBIs overall. He spent the bulk of the year with Triple-A Colorado, splitting his time behind the plate and at first base.
Pittsburgh claimed Pagnozzi off waivers after he was designated for assignment by Colorado on Sept. 11.
In 54 Minor League games last season, Pagnozzi hit .275 with three homers and 29 RBIs and posted a .337 on-base percentage. He was an eighth-round selection of the Cardinals in 2003 and enjoyed cups of coffee with St. Louis in each of the 2009 and 2010 seasons. Overall, Pagnozzi has appeared in 33 Major League games in the last three years.
Re: Articles
1008Just another body behind the plate to deal with all the pitchers at spring training.
A couple of guys like this get signed every year.
A couple of guys like this get signed every year.
Re: Articles
1009Tribe will keep an open mind at Meetings
Club may look to upgrade at first base, bolster young core
By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com | 11/29/11 12:01 AM EST
CLEVELAND -- After only a couple of slight adjustments, the Indians' roster appears nearly set for the upcoming season. Of course, there are still more than two months remaining for Cleveland to complete some more winter maneuvering.
"There's still a lot of offseason left," Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said. "There's still a lot of time before Opening Day."
The message behind that statement is that anything can happen. All it takes is one phone call for a deal to gain momentum, which has a way of developing during baseball's Winter Meetings. This offseason's annual get-together will take place Dec. 5-8 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas.
Cleveland has already shored up its rotation by acquiring Derek Lowe in a trade with the Braves and solidified its outfield by re-signing Grady Sizemore. Next on the agenda -- beyond the usual low-profile moves to address depth up and down the roster -- is finding a way to improve the Tribe's offense.
Antonetti has held discussions with free agents and he has talked trades with other teams. The Indians GM is not sure, however, which route might present the best option for upgrading the position-player aspect of his roster.
"It's very difficult to handicap the two different avenues," Antonetti said. "We've been engaged in both. We've certainly had substantive conversations with free agents, as well as laid the groundwork for some potential trades. Now, which direction we end up going, or whether or not those will atually get done, I don't have a great sense."
What is clear at the moment is that the Indians plan on relying heavily on the young core that is in the fold, with the hope that the team can build on the success experienced throughout the 2011 season. Cleveland had one of the youngest rosters in baseball, but finished second in the American League Central.
The rotation is set with Justin Masterson, Ubaldo Jimenez, Fausto Carmona, Josh Tomlin and Lowe. The starting outfield is locked in with Michael Brantley in left, Sizemore in center and Shin-Soo Choo in right. Travis Hafner will be back as the designated hitter, Asdrubal Cabrera as the shortstop and Carlos Santana behind the plate.
Youngsters Jason Kipnis and Lonnie Chisenhall will compete for the everyday jobs at second and third base, respectively. The bullpen -- led by All-Star closer Chris Perez -- could return nearly the entire cast that ended the year with Cleveland. Right now, there is only one spot available in the relief corps.
As the Winter Meetings approach, the most logical position to upgrade is first base. Matt LaPorta's struggles have led to a situation where the Indians want to create some competition at that spot come Spring Training. Catcher Carlos Santana will play the position some, but the Tribe might try to add another player to the mix.
Antonetti did all he could to shy away from specifics.
"First base is certainly an avenue that we could pursue," said the GM.
Right now, the Indians' lineup projects to have at least six left-handed hitters (Hafner, Chisenhall, Kipnis, Choo, Brantley and Sizemore) as well as a pair of switch-hitters (Cabrera and Santana). Adding a right-handed bat would benefit the Indians, but Antonetti said that is not the team's focus.
"If there is a right-handed bat out there that complements our team well," Antonetti said, "that we feel will improve our team the most, that will be the direction we try to go. If the opportunities are a switch-hitter or a left-handed hitter, we're certainly open-minded to them as well.
"We're not going to limit ourselves by just focusing on any one particular attribute. We're not looking only at right-handed bats. I don't think that would be prudent for us to do."
Some first basemen on the free-agent market include Carlos Pena, Michael Cuddyer, Derrek Lee and Casey Kotchman, among others. Of that group, the 36-year-old Lee would potentially be the most affordable of the right-handed options.
The Indians do have some financial wiggle room.
Cleveland has $34.2 million tied up in five contracts and the team might have to pay more than $20 million on top of that in order to retain its seven arbitration-eligible players. Overall, the payroll projects to be around $60 million before the potential additions of one or two more players to the Major League roster.
Antonetti declined to discuss an exact payroll figure, but it is believed that the Indians have the ability to operate on a payroll of up to around $70-75 million. That gives the club some spending money for possibily adding a first baseman, or signing a veteran reliever to boost an already solid bullpen.
The Indians will also be looking to add some players to the mix on Minor League contracts, which has been a familiar approach in recent winters. The Tribe's clearest need is outfield depth, but the team might also consider adding more depth for the rotation, bullpen, utility roles and behind the plate as well.
"There's a number of guys that will come into camp to try to compete for spots," Antonetti said. "That's been an important area of our club. Over the last two years, we've added five non-roster guys to our team coming out of Spring Training just on the position-player side alone.
"Those players that have been signed on Minor League deals have made significant contributions to our team over the last two seasons."
The Winter Meetings will provide Antonetti with a chance to have some face-to-face meetings with some agents and other general managers.
Once such talks get going, anything can happen.
"We're certainly open-minded," Antonetti said.
Club may look to upgrade at first base, bolster young core
By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com | 11/29/11 12:01 AM EST
CLEVELAND -- After only a couple of slight adjustments, the Indians' roster appears nearly set for the upcoming season. Of course, there are still more than two months remaining for Cleveland to complete some more winter maneuvering.
"There's still a lot of offseason left," Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said. "There's still a lot of time before Opening Day."
The message behind that statement is that anything can happen. All it takes is one phone call for a deal to gain momentum, which has a way of developing during baseball's Winter Meetings. This offseason's annual get-together will take place Dec. 5-8 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas.
Cleveland has already shored up its rotation by acquiring Derek Lowe in a trade with the Braves and solidified its outfield by re-signing Grady Sizemore. Next on the agenda -- beyond the usual low-profile moves to address depth up and down the roster -- is finding a way to improve the Tribe's offense.
Antonetti has held discussions with free agents and he has talked trades with other teams. The Indians GM is not sure, however, which route might present the best option for upgrading the position-player aspect of his roster.
"It's very difficult to handicap the two different avenues," Antonetti said. "We've been engaged in both. We've certainly had substantive conversations with free agents, as well as laid the groundwork for some potential trades. Now, which direction we end up going, or whether or not those will atually get done, I don't have a great sense."
What is clear at the moment is that the Indians plan on relying heavily on the young core that is in the fold, with the hope that the team can build on the success experienced throughout the 2011 season. Cleveland had one of the youngest rosters in baseball, but finished second in the American League Central.
The rotation is set with Justin Masterson, Ubaldo Jimenez, Fausto Carmona, Josh Tomlin and Lowe. The starting outfield is locked in with Michael Brantley in left, Sizemore in center and Shin-Soo Choo in right. Travis Hafner will be back as the designated hitter, Asdrubal Cabrera as the shortstop and Carlos Santana behind the plate.
Youngsters Jason Kipnis and Lonnie Chisenhall will compete for the everyday jobs at second and third base, respectively. The bullpen -- led by All-Star closer Chris Perez -- could return nearly the entire cast that ended the year with Cleveland. Right now, there is only one spot available in the relief corps.
As the Winter Meetings approach, the most logical position to upgrade is first base. Matt LaPorta's struggles have led to a situation where the Indians want to create some competition at that spot come Spring Training. Catcher Carlos Santana will play the position some, but the Tribe might try to add another player to the mix.
Antonetti did all he could to shy away from specifics.
"First base is certainly an avenue that we could pursue," said the GM.
Right now, the Indians' lineup projects to have at least six left-handed hitters (Hafner, Chisenhall, Kipnis, Choo, Brantley and Sizemore) as well as a pair of switch-hitters (Cabrera and Santana). Adding a right-handed bat would benefit the Indians, but Antonetti said that is not the team's focus.
"If there is a right-handed bat out there that complements our team well," Antonetti said, "that we feel will improve our team the most, that will be the direction we try to go. If the opportunities are a switch-hitter or a left-handed hitter, we're certainly open-minded to them as well.
"We're not going to limit ourselves by just focusing on any one particular attribute. We're not looking only at right-handed bats. I don't think that would be prudent for us to do."
Some first basemen on the free-agent market include Carlos Pena, Michael Cuddyer, Derrek Lee and Casey Kotchman, among others. Of that group, the 36-year-old Lee would potentially be the most affordable of the right-handed options.
The Indians do have some financial wiggle room.
Cleveland has $34.2 million tied up in five contracts and the team might have to pay more than $20 million on top of that in order to retain its seven arbitration-eligible players. Overall, the payroll projects to be around $60 million before the potential additions of one or two more players to the Major League roster.
Antonetti declined to discuss an exact payroll figure, but it is believed that the Indians have the ability to operate on a payroll of up to around $70-75 million. That gives the club some spending money for possibily adding a first baseman, or signing a veteran reliever to boost an already solid bullpen.
The Indians will also be looking to add some players to the mix on Minor League contracts, which has been a familiar approach in recent winters. The Tribe's clearest need is outfield depth, but the team might also consider adding more depth for the rotation, bullpen, utility roles and behind the plate as well.
"There's a number of guys that will come into camp to try to compete for spots," Antonetti said. "That's been an important area of our club. Over the last two years, we've added five non-roster guys to our team coming out of Spring Training just on the position-player side alone.
"Those players that have been signed on Minor League deals have made significant contributions to our team over the last two seasons."
The Winter Meetings will provide Antonetti with a chance to have some face-to-face meetings with some agents and other general managers.
Once such talks get going, anything can happen.
"We're certainly open-minded," Antonetti said.
Re: Articles
1010I'm looking for a trade of Hafner to the Phillies, who could use two DH's for the games vs AL teams and to take turns on the DL.
Re: Articles
1012civ ollilavad wrote:I'm looking for a trade of Hafner to the Phillies, who could use two DH's for the games vs AL teams and to take turns on the DL.
That's an interesting possible prediction.
Re: Articles
1013???
I thought it was a spoof post. Thome alone is a silly sign for that team. But at least I could see one guy like that.
I thought it was a spoof post. Thome alone is a silly sign for that team. But at least I could see one guy like that.
"I've suffered a great many tragedies in my life....most of them never happened". Mark Twain
Re: Articles
1015Now is the chance to bring him home:
Sources: Manny Ramirez files for return
EmailPrintComments
35
By Buster Olney
ESPN The Magazine
Archive
Manny Ramirez has filed for reinstatement from Major League Baseball's retired list and hired new agents, sources said Sunday.
Ramirez faces a 50-game suspension when he returns, rather than 100 games, sources said. Ramirez already served a 50-game suspension in 2009, and he had been notified that he was facing another offense last April when he agreed to step away from baseball.
Ramirez
Second-time offenders get double the 50-game penalty, but the view of baseball officials is that if Ramirez had simply stayed in baseball last April and served his 100-game suspension, then he would've already done his time. In the end -- after Ramirez serves a 50-game suspension, in the event he signs with another team -- he will have wound up serving far more than the 100 games he would've faced.
Teams have been notified of the 50-game ban, sources said. Ramirez's 50-game suspension clock doesn't start ticking until he actually signs with a team.
Ramirez could conceivably sign with a team, work out through spring training, and then serve his 50-game suspension. It's an open question as to whether any team would take a shot at Ramirez, who has been working out in South Florida and preparing for his comeback.
Ramirez told ESPNdeportes.com's Enrique Rojas in September that he would formally request reinstatement, after he learned he will not be able to play winter ball in the Dominican Republic.
"If any team wants to sign me, I would play," Ramirez said in September. "If no one does, I would look to play in Japan or any other place. I was not prepared for retirement."
Ramirez, a former client of Scott Boras, is now being represented by Barry Praver and Scott Shapiro.
Ramirez, a 12-time All-Star, previously served a 50-game ban in 2009 while with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
He also is facing criminal prosecution in Florida on charges that he slapped his wife during a recent argument. He told investigators only that he grabbed his wife by the shoulders during an argument and "shrugged" her, causing her to hit her head on the headboard of their bed.
Buster Olney covers Major League Baseball for ESPN The Magazine. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Sources: Manny Ramirez files for return
EmailPrintComments
35
By Buster Olney
ESPN The Magazine
Archive
Manny Ramirez has filed for reinstatement from Major League Baseball's retired list and hired new agents, sources said Sunday.
Ramirez faces a 50-game suspension when he returns, rather than 100 games, sources said. Ramirez already served a 50-game suspension in 2009, and he had been notified that he was facing another offense last April when he agreed to step away from baseball.
Ramirez
Second-time offenders get double the 50-game penalty, but the view of baseball officials is that if Ramirez had simply stayed in baseball last April and served his 100-game suspension, then he would've already done his time. In the end -- after Ramirez serves a 50-game suspension, in the event he signs with another team -- he will have wound up serving far more than the 100 games he would've faced.
Teams have been notified of the 50-game ban, sources said. Ramirez's 50-game suspension clock doesn't start ticking until he actually signs with a team.
Ramirez could conceivably sign with a team, work out through spring training, and then serve his 50-game suspension. It's an open question as to whether any team would take a shot at Ramirez, who has been working out in South Florida and preparing for his comeback.
Ramirez told ESPNdeportes.com's Enrique Rojas in September that he would formally request reinstatement, after he learned he will not be able to play winter ball in the Dominican Republic.
"If any team wants to sign me, I would play," Ramirez said in September. "If no one does, I would look to play in Japan or any other place. I was not prepared for retirement."
Ramirez, a former client of Scott Boras, is now being represented by Barry Praver and Scott Shapiro.
Ramirez, a 12-time All-Star, previously served a 50-game ban in 2009 while with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
He also is facing criminal prosecution in Florida on charges that he slapped his wife during a recent argument. He told investigators only that he grabbed his wife by the shoulders during an argument and "shrugged" her, causing her to hit her head on the headboard of their bed.
Buster Olney covers Major League Baseball for ESPN The Magazine. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Re: Articles
1016Winter meetings moves won't shift Cleveland Indians' 2012 reliance on young talent: Paul Hoynes analysis
Published: Saturday, December 03, 2011, 9:35 PM
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The winter meetings start Monday in Dallas. It's another opportunity for the Indians to close the gap in the AL Central.
They were second in the Central last season, improving from 69 victories to 80, but the gap is still wide. The Indians finished 15 games behind Detroit and just one game ahead of Chicago.
The chasm separating the Tribe from the top of the division goes to the root of wins and losses. It's about money. The Indians play in the MLB's only division featuring three teams with payrolls in excess of $100 million. The White Sox opened last season at $128 million followed by the Twins at $113 million and the Tigers at $106. The Indians started the year at $49 million.
The White Sox, Tigers and Twins will remain over $100 million in 2012. The Indians, meanwhile, are expected to open the year with a 25-man payroll between $60 and $70 million.
GM Chris Antonetti, to date, has been aggressive. He acquired veteran right-hander Derek Lowe from Atlanta for minor-league left-hander Chris Jones. Lowe will make $5 million with the Braves paying the rest of his $15 million contract. Antonetti re-signed free agent outfielder Grady Sizemore for $5 million after initially not exercising his $9 million option. Sizemore, recovering from right knee surgery, had his knee re-examined by Dr. Richard Steadman last week and is on course to be ready for spring training.
Last week, the Indians signed veteran catcher Matt Pagnozzi to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training. They'll add more players in that category, as all teams do, in the coming weeks.
They have inquired about free agents Casey Blake and Mark De Rosa, two veteran right-handed hitters, who can play first and third base and some outfield. They are both former Indians coming off injuries.
The Indians do have money left to spend, but it's not enough to sign a free agent who would make an impact on the offense, their big area of need. So forget first basemen Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder.
Second-rung free agents such as Michael Cuddyer, Carlos Pena and Derrek Lee are probably out as well.
If the Indians did sign a player such as Cuddyer or Pena, Antonetti would probably have to trade someone off the existing roster to keep the payroll at a workable number.
Outside a big -- and unlikely -- free-agent signing, the Indians best way to close the gap is by trade. Antonetti went into the off-season with the idea that no one on the roster was untouchable. So what happens if a team offers him a front-line position player (first base, third base, outfielder) and another player for closer Chris Perez?
He'd have to listen.
The Indians aren't shopping Perez, but there is a market for closers this winter. Free-agents Jonathan Papelbon, Heath Bell, Joe Nathan and Jonathan Broxton have already signed. Francisco Rodriguez, Ryan Madson, Brad Lidge, Jon Rauch and Matt Capps are still available and there are rumors that the A's may try to trade Andrew Bailey.
Boston, Cincinnati, Minnesota and the Angels are among the teams looking for relief help in the late innings.
In the calculations that go on in front offices, it is generally assumed that the cost of one victory on the free-agent market is worth $7 million. Under those calculations, it would take the Indians $77 million to repeat last year's gain of 11 victories in 2012. Unless owner Larry Dolan feels like playing Santa Clause, that's not going to happen.
What the Indians must hope for is that their current players, along with contributions from Lowe, Sizemore and any other newcomers, give them a chance to bridge the gap in another way.
It means young position players such as Jason Kipnis and Lonnie Chisenhall must become consistent and productive at second and third base. Matt LaPorta, if he's still on the team, must produce more at first base. Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera has to prove he can put a full season together, not just a sparkling first half. Power-hitting Carlos Santana needs to reduce his strikeouts and improve his defense behind the plate as well as at first base.
In the outfield, Sizemore, Shin-Soo Choo and Michael Brantley must stay healthy and be regular contributors to the offense. Ditto for DH Travis Hafner.
Pitching wise, the Indians need bounce-back seasons from Fausto Carmona (7-15), Ubaldo Jimenez (10-13) and Lowe (9-17). In the bullpen, Antonetti would settle for a repeat of the 2011 season.
Lowe, 38, is the oldest starter. The other four starters are 27 or younger. Among the core relievers, Rafael Perez, who turns 30 on May 15, is the oldest.
"It's difficult to look at one individual player and say this guy is going to get better," said Antonetti. "If you look at our roster, we have one regular position player over 30 in Travis Hafner and Derek Lowe is our oldest pitcher.
"That means the rest of our regulars are either approaching their prime or are in it. Some of these guys will exceed expectations, some of them won't, some of them will go backward. But as a group, these are the right kind guys to expect improvement from."
Perhaps that could carry the Indians to 86 or 87 victories in 2012. If more goes wrong than right, however, the Indians might slip to 75 wins. That's how difficult it is to close the gap in the AL Central.
Spink award:
Russell Schneider, who covered the Indians for The Plain Dealer for 14 years from 1964-77, is one of three finalists for the J.G. Taylor Spink award. The winner will be announced Tuesday at the winter meetings.
The award is voted on by members of the Baseball Writers Association of America in recognition of "meritorious contributions to baseball writing." The winner will be honored in July at the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in Cooperstown, N.Y.
Schneider, a former minor-league catcher for the Indians after he was discharged from the U.S. Marine Corp in 1948, has written 13 books, 12 on the Indians. After leaving the Indians beat, Schneider covered the Browns, wrote columns, did investigative reporting, was a national baseball writer and special assignment reporter until leaving The Plain Dealer in 1993.
Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun and Paul Hagen of the Philadelphia Daily News are the other finalists.
On Twitter: @hoynsie
Published: Saturday, December 03, 2011, 9:35 PM
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The winter meetings start Monday in Dallas. It's another opportunity for the Indians to close the gap in the AL Central.
They were second in the Central last season, improving from 69 victories to 80, but the gap is still wide. The Indians finished 15 games behind Detroit and just one game ahead of Chicago.
The chasm separating the Tribe from the top of the division goes to the root of wins and losses. It's about money. The Indians play in the MLB's only division featuring three teams with payrolls in excess of $100 million. The White Sox opened last season at $128 million followed by the Twins at $113 million and the Tigers at $106. The Indians started the year at $49 million.
The White Sox, Tigers and Twins will remain over $100 million in 2012. The Indians, meanwhile, are expected to open the year with a 25-man payroll between $60 and $70 million.
GM Chris Antonetti, to date, has been aggressive. He acquired veteran right-hander Derek Lowe from Atlanta for minor-league left-hander Chris Jones. Lowe will make $5 million with the Braves paying the rest of his $15 million contract. Antonetti re-signed free agent outfielder Grady Sizemore for $5 million after initially not exercising his $9 million option. Sizemore, recovering from right knee surgery, had his knee re-examined by Dr. Richard Steadman last week and is on course to be ready for spring training.
Last week, the Indians signed veteran catcher Matt Pagnozzi to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training. They'll add more players in that category, as all teams do, in the coming weeks.
They have inquired about free agents Casey Blake and Mark De Rosa, two veteran right-handed hitters, who can play first and third base and some outfield. They are both former Indians coming off injuries.
The Indians do have money left to spend, but it's not enough to sign a free agent who would make an impact on the offense, their big area of need. So forget first basemen Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder.
Second-rung free agents such as Michael Cuddyer, Carlos Pena and Derrek Lee are probably out as well.
If the Indians did sign a player such as Cuddyer or Pena, Antonetti would probably have to trade someone off the existing roster to keep the payroll at a workable number.
Outside a big -- and unlikely -- free-agent signing, the Indians best way to close the gap is by trade. Antonetti went into the off-season with the idea that no one on the roster was untouchable. So what happens if a team offers him a front-line position player (first base, third base, outfielder) and another player for closer Chris Perez?
He'd have to listen.
The Indians aren't shopping Perez, but there is a market for closers this winter. Free-agents Jonathan Papelbon, Heath Bell, Joe Nathan and Jonathan Broxton have already signed. Francisco Rodriguez, Ryan Madson, Brad Lidge, Jon Rauch and Matt Capps are still available and there are rumors that the A's may try to trade Andrew Bailey.
Boston, Cincinnati, Minnesota and the Angels are among the teams looking for relief help in the late innings.
In the calculations that go on in front offices, it is generally assumed that the cost of one victory on the free-agent market is worth $7 million. Under those calculations, it would take the Indians $77 million to repeat last year's gain of 11 victories in 2012. Unless owner Larry Dolan feels like playing Santa Clause, that's not going to happen.
What the Indians must hope for is that their current players, along with contributions from Lowe, Sizemore and any other newcomers, give them a chance to bridge the gap in another way.
It means young position players such as Jason Kipnis and Lonnie Chisenhall must become consistent and productive at second and third base. Matt LaPorta, if he's still on the team, must produce more at first base. Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera has to prove he can put a full season together, not just a sparkling first half. Power-hitting Carlos Santana needs to reduce his strikeouts and improve his defense behind the plate as well as at first base.
In the outfield, Sizemore, Shin-Soo Choo and Michael Brantley must stay healthy and be regular contributors to the offense. Ditto for DH Travis Hafner.
Pitching wise, the Indians need bounce-back seasons from Fausto Carmona (7-15), Ubaldo Jimenez (10-13) and Lowe (9-17). In the bullpen, Antonetti would settle for a repeat of the 2011 season.
Lowe, 38, is the oldest starter. The other four starters are 27 or younger. Among the core relievers, Rafael Perez, who turns 30 on May 15, is the oldest.
"It's difficult to look at one individual player and say this guy is going to get better," said Antonetti. "If you look at our roster, we have one regular position player over 30 in Travis Hafner and Derek Lowe is our oldest pitcher.
"That means the rest of our regulars are either approaching their prime or are in it. Some of these guys will exceed expectations, some of them won't, some of them will go backward. But as a group, these are the right kind guys to expect improvement from."
Perhaps that could carry the Indians to 86 or 87 victories in 2012. If more goes wrong than right, however, the Indians might slip to 75 wins. That's how difficult it is to close the gap in the AL Central.
Spink award:
Russell Schneider, who covered the Indians for The Plain Dealer for 14 years from 1964-77, is one of three finalists for the J.G. Taylor Spink award. The winner will be announced Tuesday at the winter meetings.
The award is voted on by members of the Baseball Writers Association of America in recognition of "meritorious contributions to baseball writing." The winner will be honored in July at the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in Cooperstown, N.Y.
Schneider, a former minor-league catcher for the Indians after he was discharged from the U.S. Marine Corp in 1948, has written 13 books, 12 on the Indians. After leaving the Indians beat, Schneider covered the Browns, wrote columns, did investigative reporting, was a national baseball writer and special assignment reporter until leaving The Plain Dealer in 1993.
Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun and Paul Hagen of the Philadelphia Daily News are the other finalists.
On Twitter: @hoynsie
Re: Articles
1017
Manny Ramirez Files For Reinstatement
By Steve Adams [December 4, 2011 at 4:01pm CST]
Ramirez signed a one-year deal to be the Rays' primary designated hitter last season, but abruptly retired in the season's first week after he tested positive for a banned substance for the second time in his career.
4:01pm: Olney tweets that the early response from evaluators around baseball is that an AL team will give Manny a non-roster invite to Spring Training to see if he can still hit. Olney also speculates that the following teams will have no interest in Ramirez: the Red Sox, Yankees, Royals, Tigers, White Sox, Indians, Twins, Rangers, Angels, and A's (more Twitter links).
3:14pm: A source tells ESPN's Buster Olney that Ramirez has already filed for reinstatement and that he will indeed serve a 50-game suspension rather than 100. Ramirez is currently working out in Florida. He and his agents have told teams that he is ready to begin discussions. Ramirez's suspension clock wouldn't begin until he signs a contract (all Twitter links).
2:22pm: Morosi clarifies that the Players' Union will argue that Ramirez effectively served his 100-game suspension last season. MLB will need to apply some form of punishment though, and Morosi says a 50-game suspension is a likely compromise. The 50-game violation isn't official, but both sides "seem amenable to it," says Morosi (Twitter links).
1:55pm: Manny Ramirez apparently isn't done "being Manny" yet. The troubled slugger will file for reinstatement from Major League Baseball's voluntary retired list according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Ramirez has hired agents Barry Praver and Scott Shapiro, and will be eligible to play in the 2012 season following a 50-game suspension, though his initial punishment was a 100-game suspension.
Ramirez signed a one-year deal to be the Rays' primary designated hitter last season, but abruptly retired in the season's first week after he tested positive for a banned substance for the second time in his career.
Without the PED controversy, the 39-year-old's career numbers would make him a lock for the Hall of Fame. He owns a career .312/.411/.585 triple slash line with 555 long balls. Those credentials are obviously questionable in light of drug testing though, and nearly 74% of MLBTR readers who responded to this April poll said they didn't feel Ramirez should make it to Cooperstown.
Re: Articles
1018You would think that our cheap owner would jump at a chance to bring back one of our own on a cheap contract. We did it with thome. Manny would sell a few tickets. Its not like we are planning to contend next year anyway.
Re: Articles
1019No one other then you wants a wife beating, drug taking, piece of crap cheater. We do not want him trying to pick fights with our senior citizens.
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1020Terry Pluto
About the Indians ...
1. Travis Hafner is the only Indian older than 30 expected to be a regular in 2012. (Grady Sizemore is 29, but his knees are seemingly a lot older.) The Indians expect the offense to improve because some key players have gained experience.
2. That said, they continue to shop for a right-handed bat -- with some relief pitchers available to trade. But the main reason for optimism is that Lonnie Chisenhall, Jason Kipnis, Carlos Santana and Michael Brantley should improve.
3. Consider that 20 of Chisenhall's 54 hits last season were for extra bases. In his final 100 at-bats, he batted .290 with four homers and 15 RBI. A big issue is 49 strikeouts to eight walks in 223 plate appearances. Chisenhall never walked much in the minors, but the ratio was not that extreme.
4. The strange part of Chisenhall's season was that he batted only .200 vs. lefties last season at Class AAA but with the Indians he was a .260 hitter (.888 OPS) against lefties. He hit .253 (.640 OPS) against righties. Five of his seven homers came against lefties. Is that a sign of maturity, or a fluke?
5. When considering Chisenhall, it is important to remember he saw his first major-league action at age 22 -- very few guys are in the majors at 22. Kipnis and Brantley are 24, Santana is 25. While Santana is ahead of the others in climbing the big-league ladder, it's fair to assume he will improve.
6. While some fans are stuck on Santana's .239 batting average, the rest of his numbers were strong for a player in his first full season -- 27 homers, 79 RBI, 35 doubles, .351 on-base percentage and an .808 OPS. He hit 12 homers in 55 games after Aug. 1. He'll turn 26 on April 8 and should be coming into his prime.
7. Kipnis will be 25 on April 3 and made the transition to the majors last summer look easy. He's a career .297 hitter (.863 OPS) in the minors, and batted .272 (.841 OPS) in 36 games with the Tribe. Kipnis has always hit, the only question will be if he can improve at second base.
8. It's probably not fair to assume Asdrubal Cabrera will hit 25 homers with 92 RBI again. He never came close to those power numbers before. He will play all of next season at 26, and it is safe to assume he can hit 15-20 homers and at least .280.
9. The interesting player will be Shin-Soo Choo, who is 29. After hitting .300 and averaging 21 homers and 88 RBI the previous two seasons, he had a nightmare 2011. He opened the season in a slump, batting .231 on June 14. Then he was arrested for drunken driving. He then was hit by a pitch and broke a thumb that required surgery. He came back, began to hit, and then pulled an oblique muscle. His final numbers were .259 with eight homers and 33 RBI in 85 games. He seems likely to bounce back.
10. When it comes to Hafner and Sizemore, who really knows? Injuries have haunted them for years. But when it comes to Cabrera and Choo, it's fair to expect Cabrera to decline a bit but for Choo to step forward.
11. Brantley is critical, because he could end up in center if Sizemore is hurt again. With Matt LaPorta fading (the Indians are no longer are counting on him), Brantley is the best hope of salvaging something from the CC Sabathia deal. So far, he has 860 major league at-bats, hitting a modest .265 (.675 OPS). He had surgery on his right hand at the end of August.
12. Brantley turns 25 on May 15. Like Chisenhall, he reached the majors earlier than most players. It is easy to write off a player such as Brantley early, especially considering he was a .303 hitter in the minors. The flip side is LaPorta, who will be 27 in January. It's hard to know if he can ever figure it out as a power hitter. That's why the Indians will continue to shop for a right-handed bat.
About the Indians ...
1. Travis Hafner is the only Indian older than 30 expected to be a regular in 2012. (Grady Sizemore is 29, but his knees are seemingly a lot older.) The Indians expect the offense to improve because some key players have gained experience.
2. That said, they continue to shop for a right-handed bat -- with some relief pitchers available to trade. But the main reason for optimism is that Lonnie Chisenhall, Jason Kipnis, Carlos Santana and Michael Brantley should improve.
3. Consider that 20 of Chisenhall's 54 hits last season were for extra bases. In his final 100 at-bats, he batted .290 with four homers and 15 RBI. A big issue is 49 strikeouts to eight walks in 223 plate appearances. Chisenhall never walked much in the minors, but the ratio was not that extreme.
4. The strange part of Chisenhall's season was that he batted only .200 vs. lefties last season at Class AAA but with the Indians he was a .260 hitter (.888 OPS) against lefties. He hit .253 (.640 OPS) against righties. Five of his seven homers came against lefties. Is that a sign of maturity, or a fluke?
5. When considering Chisenhall, it is important to remember he saw his first major-league action at age 22 -- very few guys are in the majors at 22. Kipnis and Brantley are 24, Santana is 25. While Santana is ahead of the others in climbing the big-league ladder, it's fair to assume he will improve.
6. While some fans are stuck on Santana's .239 batting average, the rest of his numbers were strong for a player in his first full season -- 27 homers, 79 RBI, 35 doubles, .351 on-base percentage and an .808 OPS. He hit 12 homers in 55 games after Aug. 1. He'll turn 26 on April 8 and should be coming into his prime.
7. Kipnis will be 25 on April 3 and made the transition to the majors last summer look easy. He's a career .297 hitter (.863 OPS) in the minors, and batted .272 (.841 OPS) in 36 games with the Tribe. Kipnis has always hit, the only question will be if he can improve at second base.
8. It's probably not fair to assume Asdrubal Cabrera will hit 25 homers with 92 RBI again. He never came close to those power numbers before. He will play all of next season at 26, and it is safe to assume he can hit 15-20 homers and at least .280.
9. The interesting player will be Shin-Soo Choo, who is 29. After hitting .300 and averaging 21 homers and 88 RBI the previous two seasons, he had a nightmare 2011. He opened the season in a slump, batting .231 on June 14. Then he was arrested for drunken driving. He then was hit by a pitch and broke a thumb that required surgery. He came back, began to hit, and then pulled an oblique muscle. His final numbers were .259 with eight homers and 33 RBI in 85 games. He seems likely to bounce back.
10. When it comes to Hafner and Sizemore, who really knows? Injuries have haunted them for years. But when it comes to Cabrera and Choo, it's fair to expect Cabrera to decline a bit but for Choo to step forward.
11. Brantley is critical, because he could end up in center if Sizemore is hurt again. With Matt LaPorta fading (the Indians are no longer are counting on him), Brantley is the best hope of salvaging something from the CC Sabathia deal. So far, he has 860 major league at-bats, hitting a modest .265 (.675 OPS). He had surgery on his right hand at the end of August.
12. Brantley turns 25 on May 15. Like Chisenhall, he reached the majors earlier than most players. It is easy to write off a player such as Brantley early, especially considering he was a .303 hitter in the minors. The flip side is LaPorta, who will be 27 in January. It's hard to know if he can ever figure it out as a power hitter. That's why the Indians will continue to shop for a right-handed bat.