Re: Articles

1921
The red sox should have given us someone to take this stiff off their hands. In the NBA the deal would have worked like that. Hard to follow baseball anymore. The offseason is boring the game is boring. The dolans are cheap. The Indians stink. The brain trust thinks they are smart but why do they get paid. They do nothing. This forum is dead. What a mess. I correctly burried this corpse on opening day. What do the remaining dolanites say now? Back to the CAVS.

Re: Articles

1922
-- After nearly 10 months, Roberto Hernandez will pitch for the Indians' organization again.

The team announced Tuesday that Hernandez will start for Class A Lake County on Thursday night, when the team plays West Michigan. Hernandez, formerly Fausto Carmona, [well not exactly; more like formerly known as but not really Fausto Carmona] last pitched for the Indians on Sept. 25, 2011. He returned to the U.S. on Sunday after spending six months in his native Dominican Republic following his arrest Jan. 19 for using a false name.

Indians manager Manny Acta said Hernandez will pitch four to five innings at Lake County, not to exceed 75 pitches. He had worked up to five innings and 75 pitches while pitching in D.R., but the atmosphere was more relaxed than it is in the Minor Leagues.

"We're going to see his stuff, stamina and where he's at right now," Acta said.

Acta said the team plans to have Hernandez pitch every five days until his three-week suspension ends on Aug. 11. As for what he expects from his former All-Star pitcher, Acta isn't so sure.

"We have to play it by ear," Acta said. "I'm sure if he throws the ball around the plate, he's going to be able to do OK. But I've seen so many guys go on rehab assignments and just get lit up by those kids, because guys are trying to work themselves into shape and throw strikes, and those kids are just hacking. It's not like I'm expecting him to go no-hit for four innings or anything."

Re: Articles

1924
I have no problem with Cunningham being DFA but I bet JoeZ does.
I've got no problems with Cunningham being DFA'd Seagull. I don't care if half this team gets DFA'd.

There are only a select few on this club that I like. Most of my favorite players right now are scattered throughout baseball.
“Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is.”
-- Bob Feller

Re: Articles

1926
So they replaced a .175 hitter with a .165 hitter.....nice!
Disgusting!
“Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is.”
-- Bob Feller

Re: Articles

1927
GM Chris Antonetti says series vs. Tigers will likely determine trade deadline actions: Indians Insider

CLEVELAND, Ohio --


Chris Antonetti was asked what effect the Indians' three-game series with the AL Central-leading Tigers will have on his plans for the July 31 trading deadline.

"I'm hopeful and confident that we'll be closer to first place than we are right now," said the Indians' general manager.

With a 3-2 victory in the opener Tuesday, the Indians are third in the Central, three games off the pace. Will Antonetti try to strengthen the roster? Or will he start planning for next year by trading players?

"We will assess between now and the deadline, and for the rest of the season, our short-term and long-term competitiveness," Antonetti said.

The Tigers on Monday acquired right-hander Anibal Sanchez and infielder Omar Infante from the Marlins for No.1 pick Jacob Turner, left-hander Brian Flynn, catcher Rob Brantly and next year's draft pick that the Tigers received in the competitive balance lottery.

The second-place White Sox have been adding talent since late June with the acquisition of third baseman Kevin Youkilis and closer Brett Myers.

"Both teams have improved themselves," said Antonetti.

Manager Manny Acta agreed, but added, "Our problem is not Detroit or the White Sox or the Twins or the Royals. We have to worry about ourselves. We have to play better baseball overall, be more consistent and worry about our own house."

New guy:

It can't compare to the additions the Tigers and White Sox have made, but the Indians acquired utility man Brent Lillibridge from Boston on Tuesday. Lillibridge, designated for assignment by the Red Sox last week when Carl Crawford came off the disabled list, will join the team on Wednesday.

The Indians sent right-hander right-hander Jose De La Torre to Boston. He was a combined 8-1 with a 2.91 ERA and two saves at Class AA Akron and Class AAA Columbus.

Lillibridge, 28, started the season with the White Sox. Chicago sent Lillibridge and right-hander Zach Stewart to Boston for Youkilis on June 24. Acta said Lillibridge can play all over the diamond with the exception of catcher. Look for him to be used mostly as a late-inning defensive replacement in the outfield. He'll also spell shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and second baseman Jason Kipnis.

Just a visit:

Former big leaguer Stan Javier, now working for the players association, visited the Indians before Tuesday's game.

Javier said the visit had nothing to do with the association's potential grievance for the team's treatment of left-hander Nick Hagadone, who broke his left wrist in a fit of anger after coming out of a game on July 4.

Hagadone was optioned to Class AAA Columbus and placed on the minor-league restricted list. Hagadone, making $480,500 in the big leagues and $78,250 in the minors, does not get paid or receive his salary while on the restricted list.

Testing, testing:

Roberto Hernandez will start for Class A Lake County Thursday night.

"He'll pitch four to five innings or 70 to 75 pitches," said Acta.

Hernandez, just granted his visa to enter the United States, is serving a three-week MLB-imposed suspension for identity fraud. In 2003, when Hernandez was known as Fausto Carmona, he went 17-4 with a 2.06 ERA at Lake County.

Finally:

Rafael Perez, who has not pitched in a big-league game since late April because of a strained left lat, threw two scoreless innings for Akron. Acta said Perez still needs to pitch in a couple of more game-type situations (consecutive games, etc) before he's activated.

On Twitter: @hoynsie
“Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is.”
-- Bob Feller

Re: Articles

1928
Tribe has many needs but no priority as Deadline nears

By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com | 07/27/12 10:58 AM ET

CLEVELAND --

The Indians appear to be caught in a holding pattern. With two months to play, they can realistically claim to still be within striking distance of the postseason discussion, but their needs are such that one move is unlikely to propel them past the competition.

That leaves the Indians' front office pondering how to approach the final days, hours and minutes leading up to Tuesday's non-waiver Trade Deadline. There is a debate about whether the club should be aggressive, stand pat and hope the pieces it has in place improve, or flip the switch from buyer to seller.

Cleveland does not necessarily see things so black and white.

"We don't look at it quite that way. We don't look at just 'buy' or 'sell,'" general manager Chris Antonetti said. "Our focus, and where we spend the majority of our energy, is to try to figure out ways to improve our team."

That includes balancing the team's performance -- below expectations to this point -- with the belief that the current core can still help form a contender in 2013. Antonetti believes his roster has what it takes to be a factor in the American League Central next year, and the organization is certainly not ready to throw in the towel on this season.

Cleveland has clear needs in the rotation and the offense, but the team could also benefit from strengthening its middle relief as well. The Indians have some intriguing trading chips on the Major League roster, and their best prospects (those most likely coveted by other clubs) mostly occupy the lower levels of the farm system.

Antonetti has discussed a wealth of scenarios with other clubs.

"We've probably talked about 50 guys within our organization with different teams," he said. "That's just a ballpark figure. This time of year, a lot of different players, a lot of different combinations, get talked about. We've been asked a lot about Major League players, Minor League players, prospects, advanced prospects, young prospects. It really runs the gamut."

For all the talk, though, it is certainly possible that the Tribe will be quiet through the Deadline.

"Absolutely, that's possible," Antonetti said. "It's difficult for all of the ingredients of a trade to align. There's a possibility that [nothing] happens over the next five days, but I wouldn't say that's a certainty."

To this point, the only moves the Indians have made have been minor.

The club acquired reliever Esmil Rogers from the Rockies for cash on June 12, and he has helped solidify the bullpen. On Tuesday, Cleveland swung a deal with Boston to acquire utility man Brent Lillibridge, who offers a right-handed bat and versatility (he can play seven positions) off the bench.

Meanwhile, the Tigers and White Sox -- the two clubs ahead of the Indians in the AL Central -- have made larger moves. Detroit addressed two needs in a recent swap with Miami that brought in infielder Omar Infante and starter Anibal Sanchez. The White Sox reeled in third baseman Kevin Youkilis from the Red Sox and nabbed reliever Brett Myers from the Astros.

A year ago, the Indians swung a blockbuster deal with the Rockies, acquiring pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez. Among the players shipped to Colorado were highly touted pitching prospects Drew Pomeranz and Alex White.

That was a stunning deal by Antonetti, who has been careful not to tip his hand in terms of his thinking as this year's Deadline approaches.

Entering Friday, the Indians sat 3 1/2 games behind the first-place White Sox in the division, with the Tigers a half-game off the lead. All three are in the thick of the AL Wild Card chase, among eight teams that are within five games of the two available berths.

That is quite the pack with two months to go.

Antonetti believes the current roster is more important than any potential addition.

"We'll continue to look for ways to add to it, and to supplement that group," said Antonetti, "but no one or two players that come in externally -- whether that's now or whether that's in the offseason -- is going to dictate our success. It's going to be about the guys that are here."

As for the search, Antonetti said the Indians are focused on targets who are contractually controllable beyond this season.

"I think it's fair to say that," he said. "That's probably our focus, but we're not limiting ourselves. If there's the right opportunity for a player that's on a shorter term of control, that we feel can improve the team and the acquisition cost is right, we wouldn't rule out that type of acquisition."

The Indians have been mentioned in various reports as a possible suitor for Padres third baseman Chase Headley. On the pitching front, they have reportedly checked in with the Rays on the availability of right-hander James Shields.

Though Cleveland needs help in multiple areas, Antonetti is unwilling to label any one of them as a priority.

"There are a number of ways we could potentially improve our situation," he said. "We'll be flexible in how we go about it. With the exception of the back of the bullpen, I don't think there's one area that's continued to excel consistently throughout the course of the season."
“Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is.”
-- Bob Feller

Re: Articles

1929
Hernandez goes five innings in return to mound

By Justin Albers / MLB.com | 07/27/12 12:06 AM ET

EASTLAKE, Ohio ---

Right-hander Roberto Hernandez returned to the mound on Thursday night, making a Minor League start for Class A Lake County at Classic Park. Hernandez, formerly known as Fausto Carmona, went five innings, allowing three runs -- one earned -- on six hits while striking out four and walking none. He threw 66 pitches, 46 for strikes.

"It feels good," Hernandez said. "I focused on throwing strikes, keeping the ball down and getting [the] ground ball. I tried not to overthrow [it]."

It was Hernandez's first start since returning to the U.S. last Sunday. The 31-year-old spent six months in his native Dominican Republic after being arrested on Jan. 19 for using a false name. He's serving a three-week suspension issued by Major League Baseball, and he is eligible to return to the Indians' roster on Aug. 11.

"He looked strong," said Lake County manager David Wallace. "He seemed to get better as the game went on. I'm happy for him to be on the road back to Cleveland."

Hernandez addressed the media afterward with a smile that never left his face. After 10 months he was finally back on the mound for the organization.

"I'm happy," he said. "The second opportunity is here. I'm very, very happy."

The majority of Hernandez's struggles on Thursday night came in the first inning. After Hernandez induced consecutive groundouts to begin the game, West Michigan's Eugenio Suarez reached on an error, and Hernandez gave up a two-run homer to Aaron Westlake that soared over the 400-foot fence in center field. Both runs were unearned because of the error.

"Sinker," Hernandez said of the pitch Westlake blasted. "No movement, nothing. [It] was over the plate."


Hernandez gave up at least one hit in each of his five innings, but he minimized the damage by using his sinker to get ground balls. West Michigan -- a Tigers affiliate -- had eight groundouts and two flyouts against Hernandez.

"In the first inning, the ball was a little bit up," Hernandez said. "But after that I threw strikes."

Hernandez hovered between 89 mph and 91 mph for much of the night, but his velocity fell off a bit in his final two frames, when he didn't throw faster than 86 mph. He topped out at 93 mph on one pitch in the first inning.

Despite the loss in velocity, Hernandez had more sinking action on his fastball in the fourth and fifth innings.

Westlake said that Hernandez's pitches had a lot of cutting action.

"Early in the game, he wasn't as sharp as the last two innings," said West Michigan manager Ernie Young, a teammate of Hernandez's in 2004 with the Indians. "His fastball had a little more life in that fourth and fifth inning than it did in the first two innings. He threw fewer changeups and sliders late in the game."

Hernandez will throw a bullpen session at Classic Park on Saturday. It has not yet been determined where or when his next start will be.
“Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is.”
-- Bob Feller

Re: Articles

1931
Twins deal Liriano to division rival

By Kyle Ratke, USA TODAY

A few seasons ago, the Minnesota Twins would have never imagined trading one

of their best players to the Chicago White Sox, a division rival. In fact before Saturday, the last trade between the two clubs was April 30, 1986.

Well, a few things have changed and the Twins find themselves 14 games back in the AL Central, while the White Sox hold a 2.5 game lead over the Tigers for first place.

The Chicago White Sox have announced that they have acquired pitcher Francisco Liriano from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for infielder Eduardo Escobar and left-handed pitcher Pedro Hernandez.

The 28-year-old left-handed Liriano is 3-10 on the season with a 5.31 ERA in 17 starts for the Twins.

In 2006, Liriano had his best season as a big leaguer. The rookie went 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA and was named to the AL All-Star team. The Tommy John surgery that ended his '06 campaign has somewhat derailed Liriano's career. He's gone just 38-49 since the surgery. While he has shown signs of his former self, he's struggled to stay consistent.

On May 3, 2011, Liriano pitched a no-hitter against the White Sox.

Escobar, 23, is batting .207 this season with the White Sox in 36 games. The switch-hitting rookie was drafted as a shortstop, but has also seen time at third base, second base and in left field this season. According to Future Sox prospect rankings, Escobar was ranked as the No. 9 prospect in the team's organization before the season started.

Hernandez, also 23, is 8-2 with a 2.94 ERA in 15 appearances between Class AA and Class AAA this season. He was ranked as the No. 17 prospect in the organization before the 2012 season started.

Liriano was scheduled to start for the Twins on Sunday.

Re: Articles

1933
I swear its not bias but other teams seem to give up less in their trades. It would have cost us a lot more to get guys like Liriano or Youkolis.

I still dream of us having signed Willingham and gotten Youk, our RH bat problems would have been settled.