Pronk would be lucky to even manage that without getting injured.Tribe Fan in SC/Cali wrote:
Pronk will hold his own in 2012.....
Fortunately he has a wife to help him out
Re: Articles
1471Fortunately he has a wife to help him out
Fortunately he has a wife to help him out
Re: Articles
1472I left it dangling on the rim.....TDU wrote:Pronk would be lucky to even manage that without getting injured.Tribe Fan in SC/Cali wrote:
Pronk will hold his own in 2012.....
Fortunately he has a wife to help him out
Thanks for the tip in!
(hey, it's March Madness here in The US of A)
Re: Articles
1473Not even counting 2008 when he missed 2/3 of the season, for the past 3 years Hafner has averaged this incredibly unimpressive performance:
98 games 14 home runs 52 rbi 820 ops
My dream season for Hafner is someone else taking him off our hands, freeing up at least a good portion of his salary, which Dolan of course will not spend on any other talent. Duncan will be regular DH and he'll hit more than 14 homers, bat in more than 52 rbi and he can (unlike Travis) also be available to play albeit badly in the field some of the time. Or maybe Canzler could work in as DH and Duncan will may a mess of things in LF. Either option would increase our RH hitting to provide a bit of offensive balance.
98 games 14 home runs 52 rbi 820 ops
My dream season for Hafner is someone else taking him off our hands, freeing up at least a good portion of his salary, which Dolan of course will not spend on any other talent. Duncan will be regular DH and he'll hit more than 14 homers, bat in more than 52 rbi and he can (unlike Travis) also be available to play albeit badly in the field some of the time. Or maybe Canzler could work in as DH and Duncan will may a mess of things in LF. Either option would increase our RH hitting to provide a bit of offensive balance.
Re: Articles
1474Oh My!Tribe Fan in SC/Cali wrote:Uncle Dennis wrote:At least someone named Travis is contributing.Tribe Fan in SC/Cali wrote:Ross Atkins, VP of Tribe Player Development, was just in the broadcast booth as The Tribe is on the MLB Network. I only caught the last couple minutes, but he was lavishly praising the work Travis Fryman is doing with young players coming into the system.
Pronk will hold his own in 2012.....
UD
Re: Articles
1475Indians report: Russ Canzler looks like a future replacement for Travis Hafner
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sports writer
Updated: March 16, 2012 - 08:34 AM
GOODYEAR, Ariz.: Nobody will know until he does it in the big leagues, but it sure looks like Russ Canzler can hit.
When the Indians began spring training, Canzler was a guy with no chance to make the team out of camp but who might get a shot in the future, maybe if the Tribe lets Travis Hafner walk next year and needs a designated hitter.
You look at Canzler attack a pitcher, listen to the sharp crack of the bat, shake your head and think, “Unfortunately, there’s always a catch.” In this case, the catch is Canzler’s failure in the past to show he can defend with aplomb.
He batted .314 with 18 home runs and 83 RBI in 474 at-bats at Triple-A Durham last year, compiling a .401 on-base percentage, a .530 slugging average and .930 on-base plus slugging. It was his first season in Triple-A, so there probably was a period of adjustment.
Asked Thursday if Canzler is major-league ready as a hitter, Indians manager Manny Acta hedged, because Canzler has had only three big-league at-bats, with the Tampa Bay Rays.
However, Acta said: “He’s got a pretty good approach at the plate. He’s strong, but he doesn’t allow himself to get pull happy. If he goes down to Triple-A, he’ll probably crush those pitchers, like he did last year.”
On the other side of the ball, Canzler played 40 games at third and committed 13 errors. He played much the same way the previous season, making 17 errors in 56 Double-A games at third. In other words, forget third as an option.
Canzler, who will turn 26 on April 11, played 17 games at first for Durham and was charged with four errors. He also played 33 games in left without committing an error.
Early in camp, Acta said that Canzler would concentrate on playing first in exhibition games. Canzler made two errors the first week, but that probably is only a secondary reason why he will get more reps in left going forward.
“We have a first baseman [Casey Kotchman],” Acta said Thursday. “And to be honest, nobody has stood out [in left]. You’ll probably see Matt [LaPorta] out there, too.”
That is not surprising. The candidates, except for Shelley Duncan and Aaron Cunningham, are nonroster players signed to minor-league contracts. Like Canzler, Duncan is similarly challenged in the field, but Acta knows he can hit and hit with power.
Of the others, Ryan Spilborghs and Felix Pie have had spotty success in the majors, but neither has taken the current opportunity and run with it. Nor has Cunningham.
However, Spilborghs singled twice and drove in two runs against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. Duncan leads the team with three homers (one Thursday) and 10 RBI. He will make the team whether or not he starts in left.
Earlier in camp, Canzler made an athletic running catch of a drive to the track, about which Acta properly said, “I’m not going to make a decision on one play.”
Canzler was an infielder initially but became an outfielder in 2010, when he was in the Chicago Cubs farm system.
“I played a lot of first base, but a couple of years ago in Double-A, they put me in the outfield,” he said. “I had played the infield my whole life, so it kind of felt like I was being downgraded.”
Canzler played left Thursday and whacked three singles to lift his average to .435 in 23 at-bats. Even if he makes the plays in the outfield, he knows that his future depends on his ability to swing a bat.
“It definitely took me a few years,” Canzler said of the learning process. “I had a couple of rough years in the minors.”
But in 2010, Canzler had a chance meeting with hall of fame slugger Harmon Killebrew before a Double-A game.
“He was sitting in our dugout and was going to throw out the first pitch,” Canzler recalled. “I introduced myself and asked him a few questions. He asked about my family. Then I asked him about his approach at the plate. I was expecting some kind of hall of fame formula, but he simplified everything — get a good pitch and hit it. I was kind of taken aback by that answer.
“My thing was trying to outguess the pitcher. I started applying what he said. After that, I began putting up quality at-bats. If you make a hard out, you should go back to the dugout knowing you put up a good at-bat.”
Killebrew made an impression on Canzler beyond advising him on hitting.
“It was one of the most sincere conversations I ever had,” he said. “He was a great guy. I don’t know that half the guys on the team knew who he was, but that was a great moment in my career.”
Canzler probably doesn’t know if he has a real chance to win the everyday job in left, but he seems to be officially part of the competition as of Thursday.
“I need to make the outs I should make,” he said, “then let my bat do the talking.”
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Indians blog at http://www.ohio.com/tribematters. Follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/SheldonOckerABJ and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/sports.abj.
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sports writer
Updated: March 16, 2012 - 08:34 AM
GOODYEAR, Ariz.: Nobody will know until he does it in the big leagues, but it sure looks like Russ Canzler can hit.
When the Indians began spring training, Canzler was a guy with no chance to make the team out of camp but who might get a shot in the future, maybe if the Tribe lets Travis Hafner walk next year and needs a designated hitter.
You look at Canzler attack a pitcher, listen to the sharp crack of the bat, shake your head and think, “Unfortunately, there’s always a catch.” In this case, the catch is Canzler’s failure in the past to show he can defend with aplomb.
He batted .314 with 18 home runs and 83 RBI in 474 at-bats at Triple-A Durham last year, compiling a .401 on-base percentage, a .530 slugging average and .930 on-base plus slugging. It was his first season in Triple-A, so there probably was a period of adjustment.
Asked Thursday if Canzler is major-league ready as a hitter, Indians manager Manny Acta hedged, because Canzler has had only three big-league at-bats, with the Tampa Bay Rays.
However, Acta said: “He’s got a pretty good approach at the plate. He’s strong, but he doesn’t allow himself to get pull happy. If he goes down to Triple-A, he’ll probably crush those pitchers, like he did last year.”
On the other side of the ball, Canzler played 40 games at third and committed 13 errors. He played much the same way the previous season, making 17 errors in 56 Double-A games at third. In other words, forget third as an option.
Canzler, who will turn 26 on April 11, played 17 games at first for Durham and was charged with four errors. He also played 33 games in left without committing an error.
Early in camp, Acta said that Canzler would concentrate on playing first in exhibition games. Canzler made two errors the first week, but that probably is only a secondary reason why he will get more reps in left going forward.
“We have a first baseman [Casey Kotchman],” Acta said Thursday. “And to be honest, nobody has stood out [in left]. You’ll probably see Matt [LaPorta] out there, too.”
That is not surprising. The candidates, except for Shelley Duncan and Aaron Cunningham, are nonroster players signed to minor-league contracts. Like Canzler, Duncan is similarly challenged in the field, but Acta knows he can hit and hit with power.
Of the others, Ryan Spilborghs and Felix Pie have had spotty success in the majors, but neither has taken the current opportunity and run with it. Nor has Cunningham.
However, Spilborghs singled twice and drove in two runs against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. Duncan leads the team with three homers (one Thursday) and 10 RBI. He will make the team whether or not he starts in left.
Earlier in camp, Canzler made an athletic running catch of a drive to the track, about which Acta properly said, “I’m not going to make a decision on one play.”
Canzler was an infielder initially but became an outfielder in 2010, when he was in the Chicago Cubs farm system.
“I played a lot of first base, but a couple of years ago in Double-A, they put me in the outfield,” he said. “I had played the infield my whole life, so it kind of felt like I was being downgraded.”
Canzler played left Thursday and whacked three singles to lift his average to .435 in 23 at-bats. Even if he makes the plays in the outfield, he knows that his future depends on his ability to swing a bat.
“It definitely took me a few years,” Canzler said of the learning process. “I had a couple of rough years in the minors.”
But in 2010, Canzler had a chance meeting with hall of fame slugger Harmon Killebrew before a Double-A game.
“He was sitting in our dugout and was going to throw out the first pitch,” Canzler recalled. “I introduced myself and asked him a few questions. He asked about my family. Then I asked him about his approach at the plate. I was expecting some kind of hall of fame formula, but he simplified everything — get a good pitch and hit it. I was kind of taken aback by that answer.
“My thing was trying to outguess the pitcher. I started applying what he said. After that, I began putting up quality at-bats. If you make a hard out, you should go back to the dugout knowing you put up a good at-bat.”
Killebrew made an impression on Canzler beyond advising him on hitting.
“It was one of the most sincere conversations I ever had,” he said. “He was a great guy. I don’t know that half the guys on the team knew who he was, but that was a great moment in my career.”
Canzler probably doesn’t know if he has a real chance to win the everyday job in left, but he seems to be officially part of the competition as of Thursday.
“I need to make the outs I should make,” he said, “then let my bat do the talking.”
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Indians blog at http://www.ohio.com/tribematters. Follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/SheldonOckerABJ and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/sports.abj.
Re: Articles
1476Unfortunately for Canzler, he still has options left and is not on the 40 man roster. He will be stashed at Columbus until an injury or a big time flop by someone they keep.
May turn out to be the best move of the off-season.
May turn out to be the best move of the off-season.
Re: Articles
1478Well, he could stay if he has a good year and re-signs cheaply.
That's the only scenario though.
That's the only scenario though.
"I've suffered a great many tragedies in my life....most of them never happened". Mark Twain
Re: Articles
1479Tony Update:
Tribe Happenings: Still no clarity on a lot of position battles
Photo: IPI
Photo: IPI
By Tony Lastoria
March 18, 2012
ShareThis
Some news, notes and thoughts from my Indians notebook…
Several roster decisions are still up in the air
We are now about halfway through spring training, and the battles for the last spot in the rotation, third base, two bench roles, and two bullpen spots are still nowhere close to being settled.
The options for the final spot in the rotation are still right-handers Jeanmar Gomez and Kevin Slowey as well as left-hander David Huff. Right-hander Zach McAllister is still technically in the mix, but is not an option for the rotation out of spring training.
Slowey still has an edge in the experience department and has $1.5 million reasons why he will win the spot, although he has not pitched well this spring as he has allowed 14 hits and five runs in 8.0 innings of work. He does have an option remaining so the door is still open for one of Gomez or Huff to take the spot.
Gomez has done his best to seize the opportunity as he is pitching the best out of the three. In three appearances this spring he has thrown 7.0 shutout innings and yielded just three hits and two walks while striking out four. His fastball command has been very good and his slider is showing improvement. Huff is definitely still in the mix, but in four outings has allowed seven earned runs and 14 hits in 11.0 innings, and has not separated himself enough from Slowey like Gomez has.
The four man bench is still unclear. Barring injury, catcher Lou Marson and Jason Donald will take up two of the spots on the bench. But the last two spots are in question because it depends on if Shelley Duncan and Jack Hannahan are the starters in left field and third base, or if one or both of them are on the bench.
No matter what happens, Duncan and Hannahan will be on the team. If Duncan wins the left field job and Hannahan the third base job, third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall would start the season in Triple-A Columbus and it would open up a spot on the bench for a versatile right-handed bat, a role the hot hitting Jose Lopez could fill. The fourth outfielder role would then go to one of Aaron Cunningham, Ryan Spilborghs, or Felix Pie.
If Duncan and Hannahan are on the bench, then Chisenhall would be at third base and there would be no room to add Lopez. One of the fourth outfield candidates listed above would become the starter in left field.
If you look how all of that sets up, it really looks like unless something crazy happens that Duncan is going to be the regular left fielder; however, Duncan would probably only play left about three to five games a week and the fourth outfielder would mix in regularly. Also, having Hannahan on the bench really limits the Indians’ chances of adding Lopez - a player they like - so it looks like Hannahan still has the edge at third base and Chisenhall would go to Columbus to start the season.
Russ Canzler is having a nice camp, but there appears to be no way he makes the team out of spring training unless one of Duncan or Lopez gets hurt. Lopez just offers up more experience and is having a great camp, plus Canzler has options and could be an option later in the year.
As for the bullpen, the Indians have whittled it down to six pitchers for the final two spots in the bullpen: Frank Herrmann, Nick Hagadone, Chris Ray, Dan Wheeler, Jeremy Accardo, and Robsinon Tejeda. Herrmann and Hagadone are the only candidates from that list that are currently on the 40-man roster, so that gives them a big leg up in consideration for the final two spots.
Hagadone is pitching well and is one of the Indians’ best young relief prospects, and Herrmann has spent most of the last two seasons in the Indians bullpen. No one has really stood out, and it would not be a surprise to see the Indians make a waiver claim or trade at the end of camp to fill one or both spots.
Carmona charges dropped
As predicted last week, some news in the case involving the right-handed pitcher formerly known as Fausto Carmona and now Roberto Hernendez came to light as Dominican Republic authorities dropped the false identity charges on him in exchange for a work program.
This is the first of several hurdles that Hernandez needs to clear in order to get back to the United States and join the Indians, although it was probably the easiest step in the process. He now has to work through the U.S. Consulate to get approved for a visa so he can enter the country, something that will not be an easy task considering the United States government will not want to show any leniency in a high profile case such as this and with how public their decision will be.
The other thing to consider is even when Hernandez gets his visa approved, there is the possibility of a suspension from Major League baseball that could be handed down to him. This remains to be seen as they may view everything he has gone through as “time already served” and the players union would probably fight it.
It is anyone’s guess right now when Hernandez will return to the Indians, but it looks like it could happen anytime in May or June if all goes well. Considering there are always injuries and poor performance which crops up the first few months of the season, his return could come at just the right time to give a boost to the Indians’ starting rotation.
In other Hernandez news, he and the Indians agreed on a restructured deal this week. In exchange for eliminating his $12 million club option for 2014, he agreed to reduce his salary this season and his $9 million club option for 2013 remains intact. Nothing has surfaced as to what Hernandez’s salary for this season has been reduced to, but the drop is said to be significant.
Infirmary report
The Indians have a few guys dinged up in camp, so here is a quick update on how some of the walking wounded are doing:
Right-handed closer Chris Perez threw a bullpen on Friday and experienced no discomfort. He will throw another bullpen today, and if things go well with that he will throw a live batting practice session on Tuesday, and then could potentially make an appearance in a game on Friday. If he can manage to be ready with just five or six outings instead of the normal 10-12 in a spring - and not have any setbacks - he will open the season with the Indians and not have to open it on the disabled list.
Outfielder Grady Sizemore returned to Goodyear this past week to begin his post-surgery rehab. He underwent a lower back procedure on March 1st and is expected to be out for at least eight to twelve weeks, maybe more. [Maybe much much more]
Left-handed reliever Rafael Perez and right-handed reliever Robinson Tejeda both threw in simulated games on Thursday down in minor league camp and if all goes well could be back pitching in real games sometime this week.
First baseman Casey Kotchman has not played in over a week because of lower back tightness. He took soft toss on Thursday and is expected to be back in the lineup today.
Right-handed pitcher Carlos Carrasco is progressing well in his rehab from Tommy John surgery as he is currently playing catch at 75 to 90 feet. He likely will not pitch this season in the big leagues, though could see some time late in the season at a minor league affiliate to get some innings.
De La Cruz returns
On Friday the Indians re-acquired left-handed pitcher Kelvin De La Cruz from the Texas Rangers in exchange for the same cash the Rangers paid the Indians when they completed a trade with each other on February 21st. He is now back on the Indians’ 40-man roster, and to make room for him they placed Carrasco on the 60-day disabled list.
The Indians had designated De La Cruz for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for free agent signing Casey Kotchman about a month ago, but probably had a feeling he would not clear waivers so they traded him in a small deal to the Rangers. He made one scoreless appearance for the Rangers this spring allowing one hit and one walk in two-thirds of an inning.
Roster cuts
This week the Indians made some cuts from big league camp, though none were surprising as they optioned or reassigned several players to the minor leagues that were in big league camp the first few weeks just to gain the experience. Most of these players were in camp so the big league coaching staff and front office could get an extended look at them as possible options later in the season.
The players reassigned to minor league camp are right-handed pitcher Austin Adams, left-handed pitcher Scott Barnes, catcher Chun Chen, outfielder Thomas Neal, right-handed pitcher Danny Salazar, right-handed pitcher Tyler Sturdevant, and outfielder Nick Weglarz. With the moves, the current number of players in Major League camp now stands at 55.
Parting shots
The Indians today announced this week that they have agreed to a two-year player development contract extension with their short season Single-A minor league affiliate the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. The extension runs through 2014, and the Indians and Scrappers have been in partnership since the Scrappers inaugural season in 1999. … My new 2012 Cleveland Indians Prospect Insider book is now available at Amazon.com both in print and as an e-book for the Kindle (you can download an app to read it on the iPad and other tablets).
Tribe Happenings: Still no clarity on a lot of position battles
Photo: IPI
Photo: IPI
By Tony Lastoria
March 18, 2012
ShareThis
Some news, notes and thoughts from my Indians notebook…
Several roster decisions are still up in the air
We are now about halfway through spring training, and the battles for the last spot in the rotation, third base, two bench roles, and two bullpen spots are still nowhere close to being settled.
The options for the final spot in the rotation are still right-handers Jeanmar Gomez and Kevin Slowey as well as left-hander David Huff. Right-hander Zach McAllister is still technically in the mix, but is not an option for the rotation out of spring training.
Slowey still has an edge in the experience department and has $1.5 million reasons why he will win the spot, although he has not pitched well this spring as he has allowed 14 hits and five runs in 8.0 innings of work. He does have an option remaining so the door is still open for one of Gomez or Huff to take the spot.
Gomez has done his best to seize the opportunity as he is pitching the best out of the three. In three appearances this spring he has thrown 7.0 shutout innings and yielded just three hits and two walks while striking out four. His fastball command has been very good and his slider is showing improvement. Huff is definitely still in the mix, but in four outings has allowed seven earned runs and 14 hits in 11.0 innings, and has not separated himself enough from Slowey like Gomez has.
The four man bench is still unclear. Barring injury, catcher Lou Marson and Jason Donald will take up two of the spots on the bench. But the last two spots are in question because it depends on if Shelley Duncan and Jack Hannahan are the starters in left field and third base, or if one or both of them are on the bench.
No matter what happens, Duncan and Hannahan will be on the team. If Duncan wins the left field job and Hannahan the third base job, third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall would start the season in Triple-A Columbus and it would open up a spot on the bench for a versatile right-handed bat, a role the hot hitting Jose Lopez could fill. The fourth outfielder role would then go to one of Aaron Cunningham, Ryan Spilborghs, or Felix Pie.
If Duncan and Hannahan are on the bench, then Chisenhall would be at third base and there would be no room to add Lopez. One of the fourth outfield candidates listed above would become the starter in left field.
If you look how all of that sets up, it really looks like unless something crazy happens that Duncan is going to be the regular left fielder; however, Duncan would probably only play left about three to five games a week and the fourth outfielder would mix in regularly. Also, having Hannahan on the bench really limits the Indians’ chances of adding Lopez - a player they like - so it looks like Hannahan still has the edge at third base and Chisenhall would go to Columbus to start the season.
Russ Canzler is having a nice camp, but there appears to be no way he makes the team out of spring training unless one of Duncan or Lopez gets hurt. Lopez just offers up more experience and is having a great camp, plus Canzler has options and could be an option later in the year.
As for the bullpen, the Indians have whittled it down to six pitchers for the final two spots in the bullpen: Frank Herrmann, Nick Hagadone, Chris Ray, Dan Wheeler, Jeremy Accardo, and Robsinon Tejeda. Herrmann and Hagadone are the only candidates from that list that are currently on the 40-man roster, so that gives them a big leg up in consideration for the final two spots.
Hagadone is pitching well and is one of the Indians’ best young relief prospects, and Herrmann has spent most of the last two seasons in the Indians bullpen. No one has really stood out, and it would not be a surprise to see the Indians make a waiver claim or trade at the end of camp to fill one or both spots.
Carmona charges dropped
As predicted last week, some news in the case involving the right-handed pitcher formerly known as Fausto Carmona and now Roberto Hernendez came to light as Dominican Republic authorities dropped the false identity charges on him in exchange for a work program.
This is the first of several hurdles that Hernandez needs to clear in order to get back to the United States and join the Indians, although it was probably the easiest step in the process. He now has to work through the U.S. Consulate to get approved for a visa so he can enter the country, something that will not be an easy task considering the United States government will not want to show any leniency in a high profile case such as this and with how public their decision will be.
The other thing to consider is even when Hernandez gets his visa approved, there is the possibility of a suspension from Major League baseball that could be handed down to him. This remains to be seen as they may view everything he has gone through as “time already served” and the players union would probably fight it.
It is anyone’s guess right now when Hernandez will return to the Indians, but it looks like it could happen anytime in May or June if all goes well. Considering there are always injuries and poor performance which crops up the first few months of the season, his return could come at just the right time to give a boost to the Indians’ starting rotation.
In other Hernandez news, he and the Indians agreed on a restructured deal this week. In exchange for eliminating his $12 million club option for 2014, he agreed to reduce his salary this season and his $9 million club option for 2013 remains intact. Nothing has surfaced as to what Hernandez’s salary for this season has been reduced to, but the drop is said to be significant.
Infirmary report
The Indians have a few guys dinged up in camp, so here is a quick update on how some of the walking wounded are doing:
Right-handed closer Chris Perez threw a bullpen on Friday and experienced no discomfort. He will throw another bullpen today, and if things go well with that he will throw a live batting practice session on Tuesday, and then could potentially make an appearance in a game on Friday. If he can manage to be ready with just five or six outings instead of the normal 10-12 in a spring - and not have any setbacks - he will open the season with the Indians and not have to open it on the disabled list.
Outfielder Grady Sizemore returned to Goodyear this past week to begin his post-surgery rehab. He underwent a lower back procedure on March 1st and is expected to be out for at least eight to twelve weeks, maybe more. [Maybe much much more]
Left-handed reliever Rafael Perez and right-handed reliever Robinson Tejeda both threw in simulated games on Thursday down in minor league camp and if all goes well could be back pitching in real games sometime this week.
First baseman Casey Kotchman has not played in over a week because of lower back tightness. He took soft toss on Thursday and is expected to be back in the lineup today.
Right-handed pitcher Carlos Carrasco is progressing well in his rehab from Tommy John surgery as he is currently playing catch at 75 to 90 feet. He likely will not pitch this season in the big leagues, though could see some time late in the season at a minor league affiliate to get some innings.
De La Cruz returns
On Friday the Indians re-acquired left-handed pitcher Kelvin De La Cruz from the Texas Rangers in exchange for the same cash the Rangers paid the Indians when they completed a trade with each other on February 21st. He is now back on the Indians’ 40-man roster, and to make room for him they placed Carrasco on the 60-day disabled list.
The Indians had designated De La Cruz for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for free agent signing Casey Kotchman about a month ago, but probably had a feeling he would not clear waivers so they traded him in a small deal to the Rangers. He made one scoreless appearance for the Rangers this spring allowing one hit and one walk in two-thirds of an inning.
Roster cuts
This week the Indians made some cuts from big league camp, though none were surprising as they optioned or reassigned several players to the minor leagues that were in big league camp the first few weeks just to gain the experience. Most of these players were in camp so the big league coaching staff and front office could get an extended look at them as possible options later in the season.
The players reassigned to minor league camp are right-handed pitcher Austin Adams, left-handed pitcher Scott Barnes, catcher Chun Chen, outfielder Thomas Neal, right-handed pitcher Danny Salazar, right-handed pitcher Tyler Sturdevant, and outfielder Nick Weglarz. With the moves, the current number of players in Major League camp now stands at 55.
Parting shots
The Indians today announced this week that they have agreed to a two-year player development contract extension with their short season Single-A minor league affiliate the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. The extension runs through 2014, and the Indians and Scrappers have been in partnership since the Scrappers inaugural season in 1999. … My new 2012 Cleveland Indians Prospect Insider book is now available at Amazon.com both in print and as an e-book for the Kindle (you can download an app to read it on the iPad and other tablets).
Re: Articles
1480Ocker on the Big U
GOODYEAR, Ariz.: Maybe there’s nothing to worry about.
Ubaldo Jimenez is not at his best in spring training. He said so himself Saturday after giving up six runs in 3‚ innings, as the Indians lost to the Cincinnati Reds 9-2 at Goodyear Ballpark.
“I’ve probably had one good spring training,” Jimenez said afterward.
That might explain why he has struggled to consistently retire batters and maybe not. It probably doesn’t allay the concerns of the Tribe’s deep thinkers, who gave up the farm system’s two brightest pitching prospects to pry him loose from the Colorado Rockies last summer.
With only two weeks left in spring training, manager Manny Acta is no longer willing to brush aside poor performances by pointing to the calendar.
“Ubaldo had very little command of his pitches today,” Acta said. “He threw 80-some pitches to get through 3‚ innings. He has three more outings to go. Those next three will tell us if we have something to worry about or what. It’s time for him to get it in gear.”
Saturday, Jimenez was back on his heels from the first batter on. Brandon Phillips led off the game by whacking a home run to left, and Jimenez never quite was able to restore order.
He explained the home run, saying, “It was a split that slipped out of my fingers and stayed up.”
Jimenez got a measure of revenge when he struck out Phillips in the second and fourth innings.
He reached his pitch count before he could complete his assigned four innings, mostly because he walked four. He also gave up five hits and struck out four. Three of the hits were banged for extra bases: a double and triple along with the homer. All were struck with authority.
“I was a little bit out of control today,” Jimenez said. “But I think I got better the last inning.”
Yet even then he gave up an infield hit and walked two to load the bases with two out, at which time Tony Sipp was summoned to spell him.
“You need to get through four innings with less than 80 pitches,” Acta said. “The last three outings is when you look at these guys — power pitchers — to get locked in.”
Jimenez clearly is not where he wants to be at this stage of spring training. He has not been able to command his pitches within the strike zone. That doesn’t mean he won’t be able to polish his control over the next two weeks. On the other hand, it’s difficult to point to areas where he has shown improvement.
In four starts, he has posted a 9.31 ERA, allowing 10 earned runs, 15 hits and six walks in 9‚ innings.
“I’m working on trying to be more consistent with this pitch or that pitch,” he said. “As a pitcher, I don’t want to let anybody score, but I’m trying to work on pitches and still get people out.”
Jimenez insists that this is a fresh start for him, because he is healthy. Last spring, he incurred two injuries that set him back, and he never really caught up. “I just want to get out of spring training healthy,” Jimenez said. “That’s the main thing for me. I’m just trying to get better and better.”
Then he paused, smiled and said, “Hopefully, they will score all their runs off me in spring training.”
Meanwhile, another struggling pitcher might have turned the corner.
Veteran reliever Dan Wheeler is trying to win the final job in the bullpen. Until Saturday, he had given up eight earned runs, 10 hits (three homers) in four innings.
Saturday, he delivered a hitless inning, striking out one and walking one.
Wheeler is trying to prepare for the season, but he knows he doesn’t have a roster spot locked up.
“I’ve got to come in and make pitches, and that’s one thing I haven’t done,” he said. “My outings haven’t exactly been great. But I feel I’ve been progressing.
“I have to throw strikes. And for me, I have to make sure the strikes are in a good location.”
Wheeler had three impressive seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays before landing in Boston in 2011, where his performance slipped.
“Last year started pretty rough,” he said. “I was always trying to play catch-up. I thought I was making pretty good progress, then I had a problem with forearm stiffness in September.”
Wheeler ended up with the Indians when the Red Sox chose not to exercise the option clause in his contract.
“I didn’t have any thoughts either way,” he said. “I didn’t know which way they were leaning. I haven’t been in this position for some time, but I have to treat it like any spring.”
Hafner on upswing
Travis Hafner had two doubles and drove in a run to raise his spring average to .360.
“The last couple of games, he’s been swinging pretty good,” Acta said.
The only other player with two hits was Cristian Guzman, who singled twice.
No problem
Sipp gave up one run, one hit and two walks in one inning and has allowed six earned runs and seven walks in five innings for the spring.
“I’m fine with him,” Acta said. “Tony never has been a spring training-type of guy. I’m not worried about Tony.”
Injury updates
Casey Kotchman has taken batting practice two days in a row and Acta said he will play today after missing a week with tightness in his lower back.
Robinson Tejeda (strained right calf) and Rafael Perez (sore shoulder) will pitch in a minor-league game today, and Chris Perez will throw his second bullpen session.
Marching onward
The Indians travel to Surprise, Ariz., this afternoon to play the Kansas City Royals. Josh Tomlin will start against Luke Hochevar, with Nick Hagadone, Frank Herrmann, Hector Ambriz, Corey Kluber and Chen-Chang Lee set to follow Tomlin
GOODYEAR, Ariz.: Maybe there’s nothing to worry about.
Ubaldo Jimenez is not at his best in spring training. He said so himself Saturday after giving up six runs in 3‚ innings, as the Indians lost to the Cincinnati Reds 9-2 at Goodyear Ballpark.
“I’ve probably had one good spring training,” Jimenez said afterward.
That might explain why he has struggled to consistently retire batters and maybe not. It probably doesn’t allay the concerns of the Tribe’s deep thinkers, who gave up the farm system’s two brightest pitching prospects to pry him loose from the Colorado Rockies last summer.
With only two weeks left in spring training, manager Manny Acta is no longer willing to brush aside poor performances by pointing to the calendar.
“Ubaldo had very little command of his pitches today,” Acta said. “He threw 80-some pitches to get through 3‚ innings. He has three more outings to go. Those next three will tell us if we have something to worry about or what. It’s time for him to get it in gear.”
Saturday, Jimenez was back on his heels from the first batter on. Brandon Phillips led off the game by whacking a home run to left, and Jimenez never quite was able to restore order.
He explained the home run, saying, “It was a split that slipped out of my fingers and stayed up.”
Jimenez got a measure of revenge when he struck out Phillips in the second and fourth innings.
He reached his pitch count before he could complete his assigned four innings, mostly because he walked four. He also gave up five hits and struck out four. Three of the hits were banged for extra bases: a double and triple along with the homer. All were struck with authority.
“I was a little bit out of control today,” Jimenez said. “But I think I got better the last inning.”
Yet even then he gave up an infield hit and walked two to load the bases with two out, at which time Tony Sipp was summoned to spell him.
“You need to get through four innings with less than 80 pitches,” Acta said. “The last three outings is when you look at these guys — power pitchers — to get locked in.”
Jimenez clearly is not where he wants to be at this stage of spring training. He has not been able to command his pitches within the strike zone. That doesn’t mean he won’t be able to polish his control over the next two weeks. On the other hand, it’s difficult to point to areas where he has shown improvement.
In four starts, he has posted a 9.31 ERA, allowing 10 earned runs, 15 hits and six walks in 9‚ innings.
“I’m working on trying to be more consistent with this pitch or that pitch,” he said. “As a pitcher, I don’t want to let anybody score, but I’m trying to work on pitches and still get people out.”
Jimenez insists that this is a fresh start for him, because he is healthy. Last spring, he incurred two injuries that set him back, and he never really caught up. “I just want to get out of spring training healthy,” Jimenez said. “That’s the main thing for me. I’m just trying to get better and better.”
Then he paused, smiled and said, “Hopefully, they will score all their runs off me in spring training.”
Meanwhile, another struggling pitcher might have turned the corner.
Veteran reliever Dan Wheeler is trying to win the final job in the bullpen. Until Saturday, he had given up eight earned runs, 10 hits (three homers) in four innings.
Saturday, he delivered a hitless inning, striking out one and walking one.
Wheeler is trying to prepare for the season, but he knows he doesn’t have a roster spot locked up.
“I’ve got to come in and make pitches, and that’s one thing I haven’t done,” he said. “My outings haven’t exactly been great. But I feel I’ve been progressing.
“I have to throw strikes. And for me, I have to make sure the strikes are in a good location.”
Wheeler had three impressive seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays before landing in Boston in 2011, where his performance slipped.
“Last year started pretty rough,” he said. “I was always trying to play catch-up. I thought I was making pretty good progress, then I had a problem with forearm stiffness in September.”
Wheeler ended up with the Indians when the Red Sox chose not to exercise the option clause in his contract.
“I didn’t have any thoughts either way,” he said. “I didn’t know which way they were leaning. I haven’t been in this position for some time, but I have to treat it like any spring.”
Hafner on upswing
Travis Hafner had two doubles and drove in a run to raise his spring average to .360.
“The last couple of games, he’s been swinging pretty good,” Acta said.
The only other player with two hits was Cristian Guzman, who singled twice.
No problem
Sipp gave up one run, one hit and two walks in one inning and has allowed six earned runs and seven walks in five innings for the spring.
“I’m fine with him,” Acta said. “Tony never has been a spring training-type of guy. I’m not worried about Tony.”
Injury updates
Casey Kotchman has taken batting practice two days in a row and Acta said he will play today after missing a week with tightness in his lower back.
Robinson Tejeda (strained right calf) and Rafael Perez (sore shoulder) will pitch in a minor-league game today, and Chris Perez will throw his second bullpen session.
Marching onward
The Indians travel to Surprise, Ariz., this afternoon to play the Kansas City Royals. Josh Tomlin will start against Luke Hochevar, with Nick Hagadone, Frank Herrmann, Hector Ambriz, Corey Kluber and Chen-Chang Lee set to follow Tomlin
Re: Articles
1481Pluto can't thnk of much to say about the Tribe this Sunday:
About the Indians ...
View full sizeAP fileJose Lopez looks to be getting closer to a utility player spot on the Indians.
1. Two weeks remain in spring training, but right now it appears Jack Hannahan will start at third base, with Lonnie Chisenhall headed to Class AAA. This may open the door for Jose Lopez to make the team as an extra infielder, along with Jason Donald. In 2009, Lopez hit 25 homers with 96 RBI, batting .272 (.766 OPS) for Seattle. He is only 28, so the Indians are intrigued about him as he's having a monster spring.
2. So far, left field belongs to Shelley Duncan, who is hitting as he did last September (.265, 7 HR, 23 RBI). Aaron Cunningham is warming up after a slow start. The Indians want a solid outfielder to play behind Duncan, and possibly back up centerfielder Michael Brantley. That probably will come down to Ryan Spilborghs and Cunningham for that spot. Donald also can play some outfield.
3. When Josh Tomlin (a fly ball pitcher) is on the mound, the Tribe may go with Cunningham/Spilborghs in left. When ground ball pitchers such as Derek Lowe and Justin Masterson start, they will go with Duncan. They definitely want Hannahan at third when those guys are on the mound.
4. Of the newcomers, the most impressive hitter has been Russ Canzler, but he has minor league options (Cunningham does not), and he is not very good in the field. Of course, if he hits at Class AAA, the Indians will find a spot for him.
About the Indians ...
View full sizeAP fileJose Lopez looks to be getting closer to a utility player spot on the Indians.
1. Two weeks remain in spring training, but right now it appears Jack Hannahan will start at third base, with Lonnie Chisenhall headed to Class AAA. This may open the door for Jose Lopez to make the team as an extra infielder, along with Jason Donald. In 2009, Lopez hit 25 homers with 96 RBI, batting .272 (.766 OPS) for Seattle. He is only 28, so the Indians are intrigued about him as he's having a monster spring.
2. So far, left field belongs to Shelley Duncan, who is hitting as he did last September (.265, 7 HR, 23 RBI). Aaron Cunningham is warming up after a slow start. The Indians want a solid outfielder to play behind Duncan, and possibly back up centerfielder Michael Brantley. That probably will come down to Ryan Spilborghs and Cunningham for that spot. Donald also can play some outfield.
3. When Josh Tomlin (a fly ball pitcher) is on the mound, the Tribe may go with Cunningham/Spilborghs in left. When ground ball pitchers such as Derek Lowe and Justin Masterson start, they will go with Duncan. They definitely want Hannahan at third when those guys are on the mound.
4. Of the newcomers, the most impressive hitter has been Russ Canzler, but he has minor league options (Cunningham does not), and he is not very good in the field. Of course, if he hits at Class AAA, the Indians will find a spot for him.
Re: Articles
1482Thanks for the shares Civ. I missed a couple of those in my daily reads of the Northern Ohio press.
Sometimes when reading by iPhone it takes more digging to find stuff than it does when on a PC.
Sometimes when reading by iPhone it takes more digging to find stuff than it does when on a PC.
Re: Articles
1483The Indians are interested in signing free-agent reliever Mike Gonzalez, tweets Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun, although it may depend on the health progress of dinged up relievers Rafael Perez and Chris Perez. Rafael has battled left shoulder soreness while Chris was sidelined early in spring by a left oblique injury.
Re: Articles
1484Perez, Gonzalez & Perez.
Sounds like a low cost immigration law firm.
Not as good as "Dewey, Cheatem and Howe."
Sounds like a low cost immigration law firm.
Not as good as "Dewey, Cheatem and Howe."
Re: Articles
1485The team's only perceived area of depth was our bullpen, but by trading away several options (Putnam, Burns, Jones) we have made ourselves susceptible to a couple injuries which are now causing us to go shopping for relievers.
All in all, I have come to conclude that the team heading into the 2012 season has the worst prepared roster I can recall. We came to spring training with a rotation exclusively right handed. We came to spring training with a lineup of 6 lefties and 3 switch hitters; the only reason we will have any RH in the starting lineup is Sizemore's injury. We came to spring training with an incredibly second rate group of OF's beyond the starting 3, all of whom were injured for sizeable portions of last season. We have gutted our farm system by what is appearing will be a disasterous trade for Ubaldo (although I sure hope it turns out ok) when "we knew better" than most everyone else in baseball that Jiminez wasn't really losing his velocity. Our farm system now rates No. 29 of 30 and we have not a single prospect of high value who has ever played above Low A -- thus we have several years before we can possibly turn things around. The 1B and OF depth is so miserable that in projecting our 2015 lineup, BA had to list all the 2011 holdovers: LaPorta, Brantley, Sizemore and Choo.
Please attempt to convince me anyone, that the GM knows what the heck he's doing.
All in all, I have come to conclude that the team heading into the 2012 season has the worst prepared roster I can recall. We came to spring training with a rotation exclusively right handed. We came to spring training with a lineup of 6 lefties and 3 switch hitters; the only reason we will have any RH in the starting lineup is Sizemore's injury. We came to spring training with an incredibly second rate group of OF's beyond the starting 3, all of whom were injured for sizeable portions of last season. We have gutted our farm system by what is appearing will be a disasterous trade for Ubaldo (although I sure hope it turns out ok) when "we knew better" than most everyone else in baseball that Jiminez wasn't really losing his velocity. Our farm system now rates No. 29 of 30 and we have not a single prospect of high value who has ever played above Low A -- thus we have several years before we can possibly turn things around. The 1B and OF depth is so miserable that in projecting our 2015 lineup, BA had to list all the 2011 holdovers: LaPorta, Brantley, Sizemore and Choo.
Please attempt to convince me anyone, that the GM knows what the heck he's doing.