Cleveland Sports Forum

Around the Horn: Indians' bullpen
Tribe's relief corps might be club's strongest asset
By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com | 01/13/12 10:57 AM EST

This is the second story in a six-part Around the Horn series, examining aspects of the Indians' roster as Spring Training approaches. Today we'll take a look at Cleveland's bullpen.

CLEVELAND -- Vinnie Pestano was a darkhorse candidate to crack the Indians' bullpen when Spring Training opened a year ago. These days, he is arguably one of the top setup men in baseball and has shown the potential to be a future closer.

Pestano is an example of why Cleveland's bullpen is considered the club's strength.

Over the past two seasons, the Indians have watched their relief corps develop into one of the best groups in the American League. It is a youthful group -- one nicknamed the "Bullpen Mafia" last season -- that has been assembled primarily through trades, non-drafted free-agent signings and the First-Year Player Draft.

"We feel good about the group that we have," Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said.

For good reason, too.

Last season, the Indians' bullpen ranked fifth in the league (first in the AL Central) with a 3.71 ERA. Dating back to the All-Star break during the 2010 campaign, Tribe relievers have combined for a 3.68 ERA, which also ranks fifth in the league and first in the division over that span.

Anchoring the 'pen is closer Chris Perez, who was acquired in a trade with the Cardinals during the 2009 season. Perez made his first All-Star team last season, when he saved 36 games for Cleveland. The right-hander has saved 52 of 57 games over the past season and a half, marking the third-best save percentage (91.2) in the AL over that span.

Having an All-Star closer such as Perez for the ninth inning has helped define the other roles within the bullpen.

"We've got so many weapons," Pestano said. "So many different looks."

That includes Pestano, who emerged as Cleveland's main right-handed setup man early in the 2011 season. The reliever has a deceptive motion -- helped by his slightly lowered arm angle -- that helped him strike out 84 hitters in 62 innings as a rookie. By the end of the year, Pestano had a 2.32 ERA in 62 appearances.

It was a breakout showing that gave the Tribe hope that its bullpen could continue to have success in the season to come.

"Vinnie's progress last year and his contributions to our team," Antonetti said, "certainly were probably one of the highlights of our season. They way he solidified the eighth inning for us, and helped bridge that gap to Chris, really was a big part of some of the success we had last year."

And it left Pestano craving more.

"It's been fun to finally get up here after working your whole life to get here," said the pitcher. "But then you get here, and you get that first taste of success, and you want more. It's been really exciting, especially with the year we had. I think we turned a lot of heads."

Cleveland has the luxury of featuring virtually the same bullpen in 2012.

Perez will be back in the ninth with Pestano (selected in the 20th round of the 2006 Draft) and left-hander Tony Sipp (a 45th-round pick in the '04 Draft) serving as the main setup combination. Sidearmer Joe Smith, who fashioned a 2.01 ERA in 71 games last season, and lefty Rafael Perez provide the next layer of depth.

Behind that group is right-hander Frank Herrmann, who had an inconsistent showing in 2011, but can light up the radar gun and provide the Indians with a long reliever to back up the rotation. Then, there is a slew of Minor Leaguers (lefty prospect Nick Hagadone among them) who will be vying for a spot this spring.

This winter, Cleveland has also added experienced arms in Chris Ray and Robinson Tejeda on Minor League contracts, hoping to possibly catch lightning in a bottle with a low-risk reclamation project.

The bottom line is that the Indians have ample bullpen depth and variety.

"What we try to do as we build the bullpen," Antonetti said, "is not only have guys that have very good stuff and the right attributes to pitch in the back of the game, but also to vary the type of looks you can give hitters.

"Whether that's arm angle, or some deception in their delivery, or the stuff, or how they mix their pitches, the tempo of their delivery, all of those things contribute to throwing off a hitter's timing and getting outs.

"To the extent that you can have guys that give different looks in the bullpen, it's certainly an advantage."

And potentially a formula for continued success in late innings.

"We're our own little team within a team down there," Pestano said.

Around the Horn: Indians catchers
Santana, Marson form impressive duo behind plate
By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com | 01/23/12 3:30 PM EST

This is the third story in a six-part Around the Horn series, examining aspects of the Indians' roster as Spring Training approaches. Today we'll take a look at Cleveland's catchers.

CLEVELAND -- The Indians have a growing problem developing behind the plate. Fortunately, it is the type of problem that many teams probably wish they had at one of the game's prime positions.

"We feel like we have the benefit of having two high quality Major League catchers," Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said. "We plan to try to leverage that to try to take advantage of both guys' skills."

In Carlos Santana, Cleveland has an emerging run producer who has found a home in the heart of the lineup. Backing him up is Lou Marson, who has flashed one of the better arms in baseball and has shown the potential to be a better hitter than his big league career to this point suggests.

The trick for the Tribe this season will be to find a way to divide the catchers' playing time in a way that benefits the club's offense the most. One strategy that was on display last year was having Santana play first base on occasion to keep his potent bat in the lineup.

Santana still went through some growing pains, but his first full season in the Majors was promising, especially considering he was coming back from a serious left knee injury. The switch-hitting catcher put that firmly in the past, leading the Indians in home runs and games played (155).

"When you reflect back on the year Carlos had," Antonetti said, "and what he was coming back from last offseason -- just recovering from the knee surgery -- while we were optimistic about how he'd perform last year, we didn't have a great deal of certainty because of the severity of his knee injury.

"What he was able to demonstrate last year is he's capable of handling the volume. He led our team in games played last year while producing at a high level, and also continuing to develop and emerge as a quality receiver behind the plate."

Last season, the 25-year-old Santana collected 27 homers (a club record for a switch-hitter), 35 doubles, 79 RBIs and 97 walks. He was one of only four players in the Major Leagues (Prince Fielder, Miguel Cabrera and Joey Votto being the others) to achieve at least 25 homers, 35 doubles, 75 RBIs and 95 walks.

Santana did so while hitting just .239.

"We didn't make that much out of the batting average," Cleveland manager Manny Acta said during the Winter Meetings in December. "He walked 97 times. These people sometimes get caught up in the old batting average stat, but the old batting average is only relevant if you don't walk at all.

"And the fact that he kept his on-base percentage above .350, that was good enough for us. If you go and look into the statistics, this guy, he was in a very select group."

And the Indians only believe he will get better.

"We know how scary things are going to be," Acta said.

Marson, 25, has not enjoyed Santana's level of success since being acquired by the Indians in the July 2009 trade that originally sent lefty Cliff Lee to the Phillies. Marson's career batting average in 180 games for the Tribe is only .215, and he hit just .230 over 79 games with the Indians last year.

What Marson did do, however, was throw out baserunners at a clip of 33.3 percent, which was the second-best mark in the American League. The right-handed-hitting catcher also posted a .297 average against left-handed pitching, which could play into how he is handled by the Indians in 2012.

The Tribe could play Santana at first base on days a left-hander is starting for the opposition. That would open the door for the club to primarily feature Marson against lefties, taking advantage of his production against southpaws.

"On those days when Carlos isn't behind the plate," Antonetti said, "we feel great having a guy like Lou to step back there."

Behind Santana and Marson, the Indians' depth at catcher includes Luke Carlin, Michel Hernandez, Matt Pagnozzi and prospect Chun-Hsiu Chen. Those four catchers will be in camp this spring as non-roster invitees.

As things stand, the Indians are still viewing Santana as their starting catcher for the future. His offensive production, and Cleveland's issues at first base, have led to questions about potentially turning Santana into a full-time first baseman.

At least for now, Santana's place is behind the plate.

"That's our expectations at this point," Antonetti said. "But, hey, we're open-minded. If Lou Marson comes into camp and has an exceptional spring, and he continues to progress mostly on the offensive side, and we determine that's the best team for us going forward, we'll adjust.

"Right now, our plans are for Carlos to catch. There are a variety of different ways we can go at first base, depending upon how things go in Spring Training. I think we've considered all the way through Plan Q."

Around the Horn: Health key to outfield success
Sizemore, Choo and Brantley a 'dynamic' trio when 100 percent
By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com | 01/30/12 4:44 PM EST

This is the fourth story in a six-part Around the Horn series, examining aspects of the Indians' roster as Spring Training approaches. Today, we'll take a look at Cleveland's outfielders.

CLEVELAND -- The Indians know exactly what kind of risk is involved with their outfield. There are question marks attached to each of the three positions, but the club believes the potential is there for a resurgent season from the entire group.

"It's not unlike any other season," Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said. "Health is going to be a very big component that will help determine the level of our success this year. If healthy, we feel like we have a chance to have a very dynamic position-player club.

Cleveland's projected outfield includes Michael Brantley in left, Grady Sizemore in center and Shin-Soo Choo in right. All three missed significant time last season due to a variety of health woes, but each player is expected to be healthy and more than ready for Opening Day this year.

The Indians understand that a clean bill of health can often slip away swiftly. That is a main reason why the Tribe has spent the winter months acquiring a slew of experienced outfielders to plug into the depth chart. Given the recent injury history of the starting outfielders, the Indians know there is a need for insurance.

That said, Cleveland fully expects to have Brantley, Sizemore and Choo on the field.

And when those three are on the field, the Indians like the possibilities.

"If you look at their overall skill set," Antonetti said, "and the way each guy has the potential to impact the game, they're all capable of being very good defenders, they're all capable of contributing on the bases, and they're all capable of contributing offensively in the batter's box.

"When you look at that combination, and their broad set of skills, if they're healthy and on the field playing, it has a chance to be a dynamic group."

Last season, Brantley, Sizemore and Choo combined to miss 193 days between seven stints on the disabled list. Brantley's season ended in August because of a broken right hand. Sizemore missed time because of problems with both knees and a sports hernia. Choo suffered a broken left thumb in June and also lost time to an oblique injury.

As a result, the Indians saw 12 different players in the outfield at some point during the 2011 season. Brantley led the way with 451 at-bats and 108 starts. Next was Choo with 313 at-bats and 84 starts. Behind them, Cleveland had a wide mix of youngsters and veterans see action beyond the infield.

It is no surprise that the Tribe's production from the outfield suffered along the way. In the American League, Indians outfielders combined to rank 11th in runs (232), 12th in home runs (36), RBIs (191), on-base percentage (.307) and slugging percentage (.364), and 13th in average (.243) and OPS (.671).

"The majority of our offense rests on our guys being healthy," Indians manager Manny Acta said. "If we have Shin-Soo Choo on the field for 550-600 at-bats, that's huge for us. We weren't able to do that. We know what we have and we know what we have to work with."

Choo hit .259 with eight homers and 36 RBIs in 85 games after being a threat to hit .300 with 20 homers and 20 stolen bases in the previous two seasons. Brantley hit .266 with seven homers and 46 RBIs in 114 games, while splitting his time between left and center field and bouncing up and down the lineup.

Sizemore, who had a $9 million club option declined in October before re-signing with the Tribe for $5 million (plus incentives), is likely the biggest gamble among the three outfielders. Thanks to injuries, Sizemore's last full season came in 2008. Last year, he hit .224 with 10 homers and 32 RBIs in 71 games.

It has been years since Sizemore was a Gold Glove-winning All-Star for Cleveland, but the Indians are not ready to give up on the center fielder.

"We saw that ability is still there in Grady," said Antonetti, referring to Sizemore's strong start in April before injuring his right knee. "We're confident that he can overcome the injury he had in the middle of last year and it's a guy that represents as much upside as any player out there."

The Indians still had to put some contingency plans in place, though.

This offseason, Cleveland acquired corner outfielder Aaron Cunningham in a trade with the Padres, throwing him into the mix as a fourth outfielder. Shelley Duncan, who could be in the mix at first base this spring, also returns as a backup outfielder. Both Cunningham and Duncan are out of Minor League options.

Outfielders added this offseason as non-roster invitees include Felix Pie, Fred Lewis and Ryan Spilborghs. Three more options on the 40-man roster include Ezequiel Carrera, Thomas Neal and Nick Weglarz. Chad Huffman will also be in camp this spring with the Tribe.

Right now, that group has the Indians feeling good about their depth.

"We're more comfortable than we were at the start of the offseason," Antonetti said. "I think with the layer of depth we've been able to add through either minor trades or some of the non-roster signings, we feel better about where we are than when the offseason started."

civ ollilavad wrote:Canzler has not in the past 3 years made a Baseball America Top 30 prospect list for his teams. He finally appears on the depth chart for the Rays for 2012 as their 3rd best 1B prospect but behind two other guys who also don't reach their top 30.

His acquisition by the Rays last winter as a minor league free agent means he was then no more than your classic winter ragpick.

So maybe he can reach Shelley Duncan level of success someday but a Casey Blake career seems much more unlikely since he has concentrated on 1B and LF at higher levels.

If Marson doesn't hit enough to play regularly and we need Santana behind the plate most of the time, Canzler could I guess be a reasonable alternative to LaPorta. At least he's right handed.

I play the horses.

If Canzler was a horse I'd lay $40 to win, $150 to place, and $40 to show.


That would be a winning bet.


On a high odds 4A potential player.

I hope that I later regret not laying all that on the win.

Pundits are distracted at this time of the year.

Cleveland Indians still chasing deals with Asdrubal Cabrera, Rafael Perez on eve of arbitration
Published: Tuesday, January 31, 2012, 9:28 PM Updated: Wednesday, February 01, 2012, 9:35 AM
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ninety percent of the major league players eligible for salary arbitration settle before going to a hearing. The Indians have helped pad that impressive statistic by avoiding the process since 1991.

Greg Swindell and Jerry Browne went the distance against the Indians that year with Swindell winning and Browne losing. Twenty-one years later, two other Indians, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and left-hander Rafael Perez, are following the same path. Arbitration hearings begin Wednesday in St. Petersburg, Fla. and run through Feb. 20. Cabrera and Perez each have hearing dates scheduled, but they have not been made public.

"We can negotiate right up until the time of the hearing," said Indians assistant general manager Mike Chernoff. "Both parties are clearly trying to get things done. If not, there is a mechanism in place to get it done."

Cabrera is seeking $5.2 million for 2012. The Indians have offered $3.75 million. He made $2.025 million last year. Perez is seeking $2.4 million. The Indians have offered $1.6 million. He made $1.33 million last year.

Cabrera's midpoint is $4.475 million. Perez's midpoint is $2 million.

It has been so long since an Indian has actually gone to an arbitration hearing that a refresher course is needed.

• Each side addresses a panel of three arbitrators for an hour each. They have a half hour for rebuttals.

• The arbitrators then make a decision. They can take the club's offer or the player's request for a one-year non-guaranteed deal. There is no middle ground and no opinion is given by the arbitrators.

• The player must attend the hearing.

• Arguments are based on a player's contribution to the club in terms of performance and leadership, the team's record and attendance, the awards a player receives, his postseason performance and the salaries of comparable players in terms of service class.

• Arguments cannot be based on team finances, previous offers made during negotiations, comments from the press and salaries in other sports and occupations.

• If a player is cut within 16 days of the season opener, he is entitled to 30 days termination pay. If the player is cut later than that, but before opening day, he receives 45 days termination pay.

The arbitration scorecard over the history of the process favors the team, 286-212. One of the reasons teams avoid arbitration is that it can create ill will with the player. During a hearing, teams must point out the flaws in a player's game to make their case.

"I don't think the process is designed to point out flaws," said Chernoff. "It's to point out why the team made a certain salary offer and why a player is asking for a certain salary. I don't think it has to create animosity."

Cabrera is coming off a career year in which he hit 25 homers, drove in 92 runs and was the AL's starting shortstop at the All-Star Game. He's entering his fifth season -- a player needs six seasons to qualify for free agency -- and could be a candidate for a multiyear offer from the Indians.

They haven't signed an arbitration-eligible player to a multiyear deal since 2008.

"We're open to a variety of different structures," said GM Chris Antonetti, regarding multiyear deals, "but we have to align on value and it takes interest from both parties."

The Indians have reached deals with five of their seven arbitration-eligible players.

Dominican Today reports that the U.S. State Department could pardon Dominican ballplayers who are caught using a false identity."

"I cannot speak of a particular case because each case is different, but in the case of the ballplayers they could be pardoned," said consul general William Weissman. It's important to note that Weissman also feels that players who turn themselves in should face a different treatment than those who were caught. Of course, Indians right-hander Fausto Carmona (Roberto Hernandez Heredia) and Marlins' right-hander Nunez (Juan Carlos Oviedo) didn't turn themselves in, so it's unclear what difficulties they could face gaining entry into the United States. As of now, their statuses for spring training and the start of the regular season are in question.

Related: Juan Carlos Oviedo
Source: Dominican Today Feb 1 - 2:28 PM

Do those guys pay income tax in the DR?

If so, I expect them in the US in time for the start of the season.

Cleveland Indians reportedly sign free agent 1B Casey Kotchman

Published: Thursday, February 02, 2012, 4:49 PM Updated: Thursday, February 02, 2012, 4:53 PM
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians have reportedly signed free agent first baseman Casey Kotchman, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.com.
The Tribe would not confirm or deny the report.
Kotchman, a left-handed hitter and fine defensive player, is coming off his best season in the big leagues. He hit .306 (153-for-500) with 24 doubles, two triples, 10 homers and 48 RBI with Tampa Bay. Unless the Indians give him the first base job outright, he'll go to spring training competing with Matt LaPorta and Russ Canzler, who signed earlier this week.
LaPorta and Canzler bat right-handed. Catcher Carlos Santana, a switch-hitter, also figures to in the picture at first. LaPorta, of course, could be traded.
In eight seasons, Kotchman, 28, is a .268 (693-for-2588) hitter with 145 doubles, 59 homers and 332 RBI. He has played with the Angels, Seattle and the Rays.

Cleveland Indians sign free agent 1B Casey Kotchman to 1-year $3 million contract
Published: Thursday, February 02, 2012, 4:49 PM Updated: Thursday, February 02, 2012, 5:24 PM
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians have signed free agent first baseman Casey Kotchman to a one-year $3 million deal with incentives. News of the signing was first reported by Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.com.

Who goes from the 40 man roaster?

I vote for Weglarz.

I like Kotchman......LaPorta's complacency this winter mystifies me.

I wouldn't be opposed to trading LaPorta to make room on the roster. Trouble is, I don't think he'd fetch anyone who could be plugged into the lineup this year or in the near future. I'd have to say the manager and the front office have their concerns for LaPorta. I couldn't take much to replace LaPorta's numbers.

This paragraph was omitted from the above article by Hoynes:


Kotchman's 2011 season put him in line for a big raise. He signed a minor league deal with the Rays last year -- the Indians were talking to him as well -- for $750,000. He made $3.5 million in 2010 with Seattle, but his stock fell when he hit just .217 (90-for-414) in 125 games.

More details on the Perez signing:

Cleveland Indians sign LHP Rafael Perez to 1-year, $2.005 million deal to avoid arbitration
Published: Thursday, February 02, 2012, 10:53 AM Updated: Thursday, February 02, 2012, 11:37 AM
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Left-hander Rafael Perez has signed a one-year deal with the Indians to avoid arbitration.

Perez, entering his fifth big-league season with the Indians, will receive $2.005 million and has a chance to earn another $25,000 in performance bonuses. Perez's signing leaves shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera as the Indians only player still eligible for arbitration.

Cabrera has a hearing date scheduled in St. Petersburg, Fla., to argue money with the Indians. He's seeking $5.2 million and the Indians have offered $3.75 million. He made $2.025 million last year.

Perez signed for just over the midpoint of what he requested and the Indians offered. Perez was seeking $2.4 million and the Indians offered $1.6 million. The midpoint was $2 million.

He made $1.33 million last year.

The midpoint for Cabrera is $4.475 million.

Perez, 29, went 5-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 71 appearances last year. He struck out 33, walked 19 and allowed 59 hits in 63 innings. The opposition hit .253 against him with an on base percentage of .307.
Lefties hit .237 (28-for-118) with one homer off Perez. Righties hit .270 (31-for-115) with one homer against him. He allowed just seven of 44 inherited runners to score.

Perez has made 70 or more appearances in three of his last four seasons. To earn all of his $25,000 in incentives, Perez needs to make 55 appearances this year.

Last year he had a 1.91 ERA in the first half compared to a 4.62 ERA after the All-Star break.

Finally: Indians equipment trucks leave for Goodyear, Ariz., and spring training Friday. Pitchers and catchers report Feb. 20 and the first workout is Feb. 22. . .Indians negotiations with veteran infielder Julio Lugo on a minor league deal fell through.

J.R. wrote:This paragraph was omitted from the above article by Hoynes:


Kotchman's 2011 season put him in line for a big raise. He signed a minor league deal with the Rays last year -- the Indians were talking to him as well -- for $750,000. He made $3.5 million in 2010 with Seattle, but his stock fell when he hit just .217 (90-for-414) in 125 games.

That paragraph was not in the original article. Articles are updated throughout the day.

RUSTY: Just to clarify, I wasn't implying that you had omitted it. I read the article before coming here, and saw that the paragraph about his numbers last year wasn't in the one you posted, so I added it.