@klawthoughts (USA! USA!)


Pomeranz = Andrew Miller...lazy comp or fair comp? Avg. fastball, inconsistent hook, and, of course...Caucasian, tall, lefty.

Klaw (1:29 PM)


Lazy comp. Miller had a lower slot, slider usually finished out of the zone, didn't show this ability to make adjustments. But he did have a bigger FB.

There is mild concern that Jimenez's delivery is so complicated, being able to repeat it has been difficult, and will continue to be.

I think we have to have faith in Tim Belcher - he certainly has worked wonders with this year's staff IMO. Perhaps the Tribe or Belcher thought he could work with Ubaldo and get results. The arm is obviously there.

TFIR- Good point. If UJ comes through and becomes an ace we can be in the race for the next 2-3 years with a fear inducing staff.

Cabrera excited to return to shortstop
By Chris Haft / MLB.com | 07/31/11 2:46 PM ET
Comments (48)
printe-mailCINCINNATI -- Orlando Cabrera couldn't wait to join the Giants. Brandon Crawford didn't want to leave but senses he'll return. Miguel Tejada insisted that he's unconcerned by the club's latest move.

That's how San Francisco's changing of the guard at shortstop proceeded Sunday, as Cabrera arrived from Cleveland to try his hand as the fifth player to occupy the position this year. Crawford was optioned to Triple-A Fresno to accommodate Cabrera on the roster.

Cabrera, 36, arrived with a reputation as a leader and a winner. Proof of both lay across the diamond. Cincinnati Reds insiders said that Cabrera helped spur the Reds to their National League Central title last year and particularly motivated first baseman Joey Votto, the league's Most Valuable Player.

Cabrera's great stop00:00:367/31/11: Orlando Cabrera makes an impressive stop, then fires to first base to retire Ramon Hernandez in the second inningTags: San Francisco Giants, More From This Game, defense, Orlando CabreraShare:
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Crawford's grand slam
Tejada's injury
Cabrera's bases-clearing doubleCabrera, whom manager Bruce Bochy immediately designated as the team's primary shortstop, hopes to have a similar effect on the Giants. He felt miscast with Cleveland, where he had started 78 games at second base, four at third and only one at shortstop.







"I'm very happy to be here, because they cut off my legs over there," Cabrera said, referring to Cleveland. "I wasn't playing. I like to think I had a lot to do with that team not being expected to do anything and playing the way they have. I'll have a better chance here."

Readjusting to shortstop isn't likely to be a problem for Cabrera, who has appeared in 1,808 games at that spot during his 15 Major League seasons. Though Cabrera is expected to provide an offensive upgrade over Crawford, who hit .190 in 50 games, it's anybody's guess whether he'll produce more than Tejada. Cabrera's totals with Cleveland included a .244 batting average, four home runs, 38 RBIs, a .277 on-base percentage and a .321 slugging percentage. Tejada's corresponding figures: .242, four, 26, .274 and .334.

Bochy reiterated that the Giants needed an established presence at shortstop immediately, since Tejada's strained lower abdominal muscle could keep him sidelined for another two weeks.

Bochy said that "eventually I'll sit down" with Tejada to discuss the issue of playing time, given Cabrera's presence. Tejada signed a one-year, $6.5 million deal as a free agent to fill the shortstop void created by the departures of Juan Uribe and Edgar Renteria.

Asked how he felt about Cabrera's arrival, Tejada said, "Why should I have a feeling? I'm here. ... It's good. We need another veteran who can help the team. I'm not mad. I just want to help the team get back to the playoffs."

After complaining about what he perceived to be negative treatment in the media, Tejada pointed out that he played second base for the first time in his career to benefit the Giants. He also started 37 games at third base, mostly while Pablo Sandoval recovered from his broken right hamate bone and the subsequent surgery.

"I'm not worried about what position I play," Tejada said. "I'm still going to help this team win."

Crawford occasionally accomplished that while starting 41 games, more than any other Giants shortstop this year. But the 24-year-old, who hadn't played above Double-A until the Giants summoned him on May 27, was plainly overmatched at the plate.

"I'm not happy about it, obviously. I don't think anyone ever is when you get sent down," Crawford said. "But I'm not disappointed with how I played. I have some things to work on, but I think I'll be back up soon. I take this as a good experience, a good couple of months."

Bochy had encouragement for Crawford and indicated that he'd return when roster limits expand to 40 on Sept. 1.

"I think the kid did a nice job," Bochy said. "Sure, the numbers weren't what we had hoped. But he carried himself well and never lost his confidence. He showed defensive skills and on the offensive side, he showed that he has the ability to compete up here. ... He shouldn't look at this as a setback."

Chris Haft is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

"I'm very happy to be here, because they cut off my legs over there," Cabrera said, referring to Cleveland. "I wasn't playing. I like to think I had a lot to do with that team not being expected to do anything and playing the way they have. I'll have a better chance here."

You think Cabrera was not causing trouble ?

These guys can't get out of Cleveland fast enough.

I see SS JhonnyPeralta is hitting 317 for Detroit.

Look, the Tribe gave Cabrera a job this spring when he needed one. No surprises though, he had to know he was just a placeholder.

I think he understands deep down, but of course he was frustrated. I think he makes a great point that he helped change the mindset of this team.

Cabrera, 36, arrived with a reputation as a leader and a winner. Proof of both lay across the diamond. Cincinnati Reds insiders said that Cabrera helped spur the Reds to their National League Central title last year and particularly motivated first baseman Joey Votto, the league's Most Valuable Player.

Asdrubal himself credited Orlando with helping his mindset this year. That's pretty damn important, he helped create a future (and present) superstar for the Tribe.

It's all good - both the Tribe and O. Cab. got what they wanted. The Tribe was good enough to trade him to the team he wanted when they were done with him.

I think the plan all along was to trade OC at the deadline and get something useful back....like an outfielder.

I think they also planned to re-dump Kearns at the deadline but he stinks so bad, nobody will take him.

If it's possible for someone to be embarrased to take a paycheck, it's Kearns.

You certainly may be right sea, but IMO the Indians need bodies in the outfield at this point - especially bodies that swing from the right side. Acta likes him. Therefore, he stayed.

Mitch Talbot - S - Indians

Indians sent RHP Mitch Talbot outright to Triple-A Columbus.
The Indians designated the right-handed for assignment Sunday, but he's cleared waivers and because it was the first time he's been outrighted, he has to accept the assignment.

Talbot is likely a candidate only for the bullpen later this season.

Well, guess that Shoppach for Talbot trade back in the day was a helluva lot of discussion about nothing.

FO has done a wonderful job figuring out who would pass through waivers.

Jack Hannahan was placed on the paternity list (this seriously exists?!) and Shelly Duncan was recalled.

In the spirit of one of my fave bar restroom graffiti writings, "I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than have a frontal lobotomy".....


"I'd rather be on the paternity list than to receive a paternity subpoena."

Jason Kipnis, on 14 Memorable Days
by David Laurila - August 5, 2011

Jason Kipnis has had a memorable start to his big-league career. Called up on July 21, Cleveland’s top prospect delivered a bases-loaded walk-off single for his first hit — and he’s been making history ever since. The 24-year-old second baseman hit home runs in four consecutive games, a feat never before achieved in a rookie’s first two weeks.

Kipnis talked on Wednesday about his never-to-be-forgotten 14 days just hours before hitting home run No. 4, at Fenway Park.

——

Kipnis, on his first two weeks in the big leagues: “It’s been hectic and it’s been crazy. At the same time it hasn’t been anything out of the ordinary. I think I’ve done a good job of slowing the game down as fast as I could, to the point where it’s just baseball. I haven’t over-hyped anything. I haven’t been overwhelmed by the fact that I’m in Fenway Park. That said, with the ballparks I’m playing in — and the fans — it’s unbelievable.

“The first game was a blur. It went by really fast and it didn’t feel like a real baseball game to me. Now things have slowed down and I’m starting to get my swing back a little bit. Things are starting to get better.”


On his reaction to Orlando Cabrera getting traded: “At first, it was almost put off to the side because we kept hearing about the Ubaldo [Jimenez] trade talks. A lot of people didn’t even know about the trade at first. It was like, ‘Hey, did you hear Orlando got traded, too? Oh, really?’

“I never got to talk to him too much. For all that stuff about his presence in the locker room, you’d have to talk to the other guys on the team. I was only here for about a week before he was traded. I’m sure I wasn’t his favorite player, but he handled it professionally.

“[The trade] was a little bit of confidence boost. It was like, ‘OK, these guys really believe in me; it’s time to step up, meet the challenge and reward them for the faith they’re putting in me.’”

On fellow-rookie Lonnie Chisenhall: “Lonnie has been one of my good friends as I’ve come up through the organization. We’ve come through the chain together, and having him in the locker room has helped me get accustomed — to get comfortable. He was here [first], so I’ve bounced ideas off of him, and asked questions to help me fall in line faster and not step out of bounds. We talk about everything, including stuff that’s completely non-baseball related. But a lot of what we talk about is hitting.

“We’re pretty similar as hitters. We like to have the same approach. You find guys you can work with in the cages, and he’s definitely a guy I can work with in the cages. We have similar ideas of how to go about hitting when we’re facing certain pitchers, and having that same mentality makes it easy to work with each other.”

On his top-three highlights: “Number-one has to be the first hit, the walk-off single. Number two is probably the home run here at Fenway, off of [Josh] Beckett. Number three is maybe the double play I turned a couple of days ago against Kansas City. It was a diving play in the hole, spinning on my knees to throw it to second base. It was really cool, because I had never done that in my career and never even expected to do that.”

On ranking a defensive play over his first career home run: “Coming from a position change [from the outfield], defense is something I really take pride in. It’s something I’ve spent a lot of time with, trying to adjust as fast as possible. I haven’t wanted defense to be an excuse for holding me down — from making it here — so I’ve put in a lot of effort. I take pride in my defense.”

On breaking into the big leagues during a pennant race: “In a way, it’s harder because everything is more under the magnifying glass. Everyone has to really buckle down and play at a divisional-race pace. You have to step up and elevate.

“It’s easier because this experience can only lead to more success down the road. And the pressure kind of goes away if you’re not coming in to be the man. I’m just here to help this team go in the same direction it’s been going the whole year. I’m trying to help finish off what was started before I got here.”




David Laurila grew up in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and now writes about baseball from his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He authored the Prospectus Q&A series at Baseball Prospectus from February 2006-March 2011 and is a regular contributor to several publications. His first book, Interviews from Red Sox Nation, was published by Maple Street Press in 2006.