Cleveland Sports Forum

Terry Pluto

About the Indians ...


1. I was with a small group of media people talking to Terry Francona last week when the new manager said this was what he likes about the Indians roster, "With the catcher, a second baseman, shortstop and center fielder -- you have some pretty athletic guys that know how to play baseball."

2. Unless a stunning trade offer materializes, the Indians will keep Carlos Santana because he can catch and play first base. Jason Kipnis (second base) and Michael Brantley (center) will stay because they are young players far from free agency who had pretty good years.


With two All-Star appearances and two more seasons left on his contract, Asdrubal Cabrera might be the most valuable trading commodity on the Tribe's roster.

3. While Francona mentioned "the shortstop" as someone he likes, I wonder if the Tribe would move Asdrubal Cabrera to bring back some good young players. Cabrera won't be 27 until Nov. 11. He is under contract for two more years: 2013 ($6.5 million) and 2014 ($10 million). He is a two-time All-Star and a free agent in 2015.

4. Fact is, the Indians have to trade somebody, if not some bodies who can bring value in return. As Francona mentioned, they need a first baseman, a left fielder and a DH. I'd add a starting pitcher to that list. Fans assume Shin-Soo Choo will be traded, and that's a safe guess. But the same reason the Tribe is willing to move their right fielder is why his market value isn't high -- Choo is a year away from free agency. He is represented by Scott Boras, an agent who often takes his clients into the open market -- and demands large contracts.

5. So a team trading for Choo will have to be a serious contender desperate for an outfielder and willing to view Choo as a one-year fix, because it's very unlikely Boras will sign an extension with any team when free agency looms a year away. That means the trade options may not be many.

6. That's why I wondered about Cabrera. Here's where he ranked among American League shortstops: 16 homers (third), 68 RBI (third), .270 batting average (fifth). He brings far more offense than most MLB shortstops. My concern is his defense. Fangraphs ranked him ninth out of 12 AL shortstops in its total fielding rating. He led all AL shortstops with 19 errors, and his range has been in a decline for more than a year.

7. An issue with Cabrera is his weight, as he showed up at camp heavy last spring. That has happened before. The issue for the Indians is they have absolutely no one else to play shortstop. They don't like Jason Donald as a regular, and even seemed to give up on him as a utility man when they traded for Brent Lillibridge. So if they deal Cabrera, they need to find a shortstop who is at least adequate in the field to replace him.

8. It's very possible the Indians could trade Choo, Cabrera and Chris Perez this winter as they attempt to retool the roster. They do have Vinnie Pestano as a closer replacement for Perez. Trading Choo leaves the Tribe with one viable big-league outfielder (Brantley).

9. Some fans want the Tribe to trade for Justin Upton. I hear he has a limited no-trade clause, and Cleveland is on the list. I also heard Arizona may keep him, and is more interested in trading Jason Kubel, who has one year left on a $7.5 million deal. Another note on Cabrera is how his numbers have fallen down in the second half of the past two seasons. In 2011-12, he batted .290 (.834 OPS) before the All-Star break, .248 (.698) after the break. I do think physical conditioning is an issue.

10. The interesting part of the winter discussions will be Francona's opinions, which should be different in some respects from the front office. He comes from a different background, and his year at ESPN should also give him a big-picture, outsider perspective. This much is obvious: They have to do something, and it can't be minor. That's why I mention the possibility of dealing Cabrera.

rusty2 wrote:Terry Pluto

About the Indians ...

That was a blah, blah, blah paid discourse from Terry Pluto, as he writes about the blah, blah, blah paid Mark Shapiro and paid Chris Antonetti lead Cleveland Indians.


Pluto lost me with this remark:

7. An issue with Cabrera is his weight, as he showed up at camp heavy last spring.



I'll note that the MVP of the 2012 World Series gets his second World Championship MLB ring playing the hot corner while he is a guy playing with a far less than chiseled body.

Sandoval is not a shortstop.

(Yonhap)

2012-10-25 15:09
Major Leaguer Choo Shin-soo hopes to join 'winning ball club'

A year away from free agency in Major League Baseball (MLB), Korean outfielder Choo Shin-soo of the Cleveland Indians said Thursday he'd like to "play for a winning ball club."

Upon returning home from the 2012 major league season earlier in the day, Choo said at a press conference here that if he could choose a team, he would go with a title contender.

"I grew up winning championships since I was young and I am used to winning," the 30-year-old said. "And it's been disappointing to go through the same thing in the past three years (with the Indians missing the playoffs). I would like to play for a strong team that contends for the championship."

Choo, the only Korean in the majors, bounced back this year after an injury-plagued 2011 season, during which he was also arrested for drunk-driving charges.

This year, Choo played in 155 games, most since 2009, and batted .289 with 16 home runs, 67 RBI and 21 steals. In 2011, a year after he put up his second straight season with at least 20 homers and 20 steals, Choo only managed eight home runs and 12 steals in 85 games with a .259 average.

Despite Choo's contribution, the Indians ended fourth among five clubs in the American League Central, with 68 wins and 94 losses. Manager Manny Acta was fired in late September with six games remaining in the season.

The Indians led the division in June, but went 24-53 in the second half. They suffered 24 losses in August, tying the franchise record for defeats in a month. The Tribes, who also went through a second-half swoon in 2011, haven't been to the playoffs since 2007.

Though he came up shy of a '20-20' season, Choo set career-highs with 88 runs scored and 43 doubles, which placed him fifth in the American League.

The solid season should go a long way toward raising his stocks with the free agency looming after the 2013 season. Choo made $4.9 million this season and could be in for a big payday, especially with uber-agent Scott Boras representing him.

Choo insisted the Indians also have a wealth of young talent and they may only be a few moves away from becoming a contending team. Choo said, however, he doesn't know whether he will be a part of the Indians' future.

"Baseball has so many variables, and my agent and I don't know whether I will be traded or not," he said. "Only the team knows, and I can't give you a clear answer at this point. But the one thing is for sure: I'd like to play for a winning team."

Choo had batted mostly third in the lineup in recent seasons, but he appeared in 99 games this year at the top of the order. As the leadoff man, Choo had 12 homers and 13 steals along with a .310 average.

Choo said he doesn't really care where he hits in the lineup as long as he gets to play on a regular basis, though batting leadoff certainly didn't hurt.

"You'd see more fastballs on first pitches at the leadoff spot than in the middle of the order," Choo said. "I had a lot of fastballs to hit, or at least pitches close to the strike zone. And there was less pressure mentally in batting first."

To further increase his value, though, the left-handed Choo must start hitting better against left-handed pitchers.

This season, he hit just .199 against lefties in 206 at-bats with two home runs, compared to a .327 average against the right-handers.

Choo, who debuted with the Seattle Mariners in 2005 and only began playing regularly with the Indians in 2008, carries a .249 average against southpaws and a .307 mark against righties in his career.

Choo also had to overcome his fears of inside pitches, in particular from lefties. In June last year, Choo broke his left thumb when the then-San Francisco Giants lefty Jonathan Sanchez nailed him with a pitch. Then in April this year, Sanchez, now pitching for the Kansas City Royals, hit him again, this time on his right leg.

This year, Choo was plunked 14 times by a pitch, eight of them against southpaws.

Choo said he sought out help from other left-handed sluggers, such as Prince Fielder of the Detroit Tigers and Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds, on how to hit left-handers. Because everyone has a different approach at the plate, Choo said he didn't really get one particular piece of advice that he took to heart.

It came down to exorcising the devil on his own, Choo said.

"I didn't want to get hit, and so I would step back a little at the plate, but I still kept getting nailed," he said. "Then I decided I couldn't play baseball unless I overcame this fear. I became more aggressive and pitchers started throwing more mistakes. I can't say I am 100 percent over it, but I am confident I will be better next year."

With the World Baseball Classic (WBC) scheduled to start next March, Choo said he'd love to represent South Korea once again. He was a key member of Korea's gold medal-winning team at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games and also the runner-up squad at the 2009 WBC.

Choo said he would need to discuss the situation with the new Indians' manager, Terry Francona, who Choo said may want to hold back some key players for the spring training that overlaps with the WBC. The player said he is hoping for "good news" in the near future regarding his status for the WBC.

Hey, that article had a negative slant so Joe just had to post it.

Don't worry Joe. Choo will get traded and we will no longer have to hold our breath while he circles another fly ball and catches it right before it hits the ground. We will no longer have to see him be totally useless against left handed pitchers.

Hopefully he has enough value to get some decent return.

It's news my friend. Just happened to be skimming my morning sports pages from around the globe

For some reason Asdrubal's performance fell out markedly the second half of each of the past 2 seasons. Maybe a fat SS is less able to sustain his effort than a fat 3B. Maybe there's something else wrong, but the dropoff has been significant.

rusty2 wrote:Sandoval is not a shortstop.

And Sandoval is unique in his physique playing the hot corner.

That Choo article looks like a rehash of the comments he made to the Korean press, last season (or maybe it was the season before last).

So basically little has changed, and I doubt the Indians will let him walk as a free agent.

Tribe Fan in SC/Cali wrote:

rusty2 wrote:Sandoval is not a shortstop.

And Sandoval is unique in his physique playing the hot corner.

You might have missed that the AL triple crown winner Miguel Cabrera plays 3rd base and weighs over 240 lbs.

"I'd like to play for a winning team"

Who doesn't? Not too many athletes would come out to the press and say "I'm content with playing for a perpetual loser"

If they did I wouldn't want them on my team.

It's bad enough that we Cleveland fans have some kind of blown microchip that allows us to override common sense and actually watch our teams lose day after day, week after week, year after year.....

Would it be traiterous for me as a fan to say:

"I'd like to root for a winning team"


I don't know how Major League or NFL contracts work....but I would hazzard a guess that most contracts are signed by players on the premise that they would be part of a winning organization, granted when they are drafted early in their careers they don't have much of a say, but I'm sure they sign under the idea that by the end of their contract they will have some thing to put on their mantle. Can't blame them for being frustrated. We fans are frustrated and it isn't even our livlihood at stake.

I remember seeing Choo his first year in the organization at Spring Training...think that was the year I met Donna, Sonny, and Lou in Winterhaven..(2007 ish?). I think I was married to my current wife at that time...who upon seeing him run by said "that is the tallest asian guy I have ever seen in my life, didn't know they grew that big, who is he?" I couldn't remember his name or how we got him, but because of that exchange have followed him a bit more closely than I had other players. I don't think he was on the roster when we went to Championship game against Boston, in fact I think his injury was the reason we got Kenny Lofton. I followed closely times when it was up in the air as to whether he would have to go and serve his manditory time in the Military, understood the problems he was going through with the DUI, and always hoped he would succeed and be an integral part of a championship team. Wouldn't say he was my favorite player but I did like him a bit more than others.

At this point in his career and in the Indians scheme of things he is probably an "Expendable Asset" who may bring some decent value in trades. I will be sorry to see him go if that is the case, and if he stays I hope that he can have another year like 2009 or 2010....but I feel that we have already had too many players on the roster we hoped would have another year or a better year than 19__ or 20__.

I bid adieu to Choo and hope we can get some good young talent who are closer to being more than passable AAAA ballplayers to have at least a slight if not less than significant impact on the team and eventually make the big league roster. And I secretly hope that we become a winner and he wishes he would have never left.

Grady Sizemore and Casey Kotchman file for free agency: Travis Hafner, Roberto Hernandez could soon join them

Published: Monday, October 29, 2012, 2:49 PM Updated: Monday, October 29, 2012, 3:00 PM
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore and first baseman Casey Kotchman were among the 137 players who filed for free agency Monday following the final game of the World Series.
Sizemore and Kotchman can sign with any team beginning at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.

Two other Indians, Travis Hafner and Roberto Hernandez, will be eligible for free agency Wednesday if the Indians don't exercise their 2013 options. The Indians will not pick up Hafner's $13 million option and are likely to pass on Hernandez's $6 million option.

The Indians must also make a decision Wednesday on Ubaldo Jimenez's $5.75 million option for next year. If they don't exercise Jimenez's option, he would still belong to them because he doesn't have enough service time (six years) to become a free agent.

The Indians signed Sizemore to a one-year $5 million deal in December, but he never played in a single game. He needed surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back before the start of spring training, but was ultimately sidelined for the season because of pain in his surgically repaired knees.

Sizemore, 30, made his big league debut with the Indians in 2004. He was a three-time All-Star and a two-time Gold Glove winner. In 2008, Sizemore's last healthy season, he hit .268 with 101 runs, 39 doubles, five triples, 33 homers, 90 RBI and 38 steals. His 30-30 season (30 homers, 30 steals) was only the second in franchise history.

There are rumblings that Sizemore's four-year run of injuries and surgeries may prevent him from playing in 2013.

The Indians signed Kotchman to a one-year $3 million deal in February. He provided stellar defense at first base, but not as much offense as the Indians were expecting. Kotchman, in 142 games, hit .229 (106-for-463) with 12 doubles, 12 homers and 55 RBI.

Kotchman is not expected to re-sign with the Indians. GM Chris Antonetti said it was possible that they might re-sign Sizemore, but that seems doubtful.

Hafner, on the disabled list twice, hit .228 (50-for-219) with six doubles, two triples, 12 homers and 34 RBI.

Hernandez, the pitcher formerly known as Fausto Carmona, didn't join the Indians until mid July. The U.S. State Department wouldn't give him a visa after he was arrested in January by Dominican authorities for lying about his identity and age.

In three starts, Hernandez went 0-3 with a 7.53 ERA. His season was cut short by a right ankle injury.
Jimenez went 9-17 with 5.40 ERA in 31 starts. He led the American League in losses and wild pitches. He finished second in walks and fifth in runs allowed.

J.R. wrote:Grady Sizemore and Casey Kotchman file for free agency: Travis Hafner, Roberto Hernandez could soon join them

Published: Monday, October 29, 2012, 2:49 PM Updated: Monday, October 29, 2012, 3:00 PM
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore and first baseman Casey Kotchman were among the 137 players who filed for free agency Monday following the final game of the World Series.
Sizemore and Kotchman can sign with any team beginning at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.

Two other Indians, Travis Hafner and Roberto Hernandez, will be eligible for free agency Wednesday if the Indians don't exercise their 2013 options. The Indians will not pick up Hafner's $13 million option and are likely to pass on Hernandez's $6 million option.

The Indians must also make a decision Wednesday on Ubaldo Jimenez's $5.75 million option for next year. If they don't exercise Jimenez's option, he would still belong to them because he doesn't have enough service time (six years) to become a free agent.

The Indians signed Sizemore to a one-year $5 million deal in December, but he never played in a single game. He needed surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back before the start of spring training, but was ultimately sidelined for the season because of pain in his surgically repaired knees.

Sizemore, 30, made his big league debut with the Indians in 2004. He was a three-time All-Star and a two-time Gold Glove winner. In 2008, Sizemore's last healthy season, he hit .268 with 101 runs, 39 doubles, five triples, 33 homers, 90 RBI and 38 steals. His 30-30 season (30 homers, 30 steals) was only the second in franchise history.

There are rumblings that Sizemore's four-year run of injuries and surgeries may prevent him from playing in 2013.

The Indians signed Kotchman to a one-year $3 million deal in February. He provided stellar defense at first base, but not as much offense as the Indians were expecting. Kotchman, in 142 games, hit .229 (106-for-463) with 12 doubles, 12 homers and 55 RBI.

Kotchman is not expected to re-sign with the Indians. GM Chris Antonetti said it was possible that they might re-sign Sizemore, but that seems doubtful.

Hafner, on the disabled list twice, hit .228 (50-for-219) with six doubles, two triples, 12 homers and 34 RBI.

Hernandez, the pitcher formerly known as Fausto Carmona, didn't join the Indians until mid July. The U.S. State Department wouldn't give him a visa after he was arrested in January by Dominican authorities for lying about his identity and age.

In three starts, Hernandez went 0-3 with a 7.53 ERA. His season was cut short by a right ankle injury.
Jimenez went 9-17 with 5.40 ERA in 31 starts. He led the American League in losses and wild pitches. He finished second in walks and fifth in runs allowed.

I wonder if the "Sizemore" on the Jersey I bought a couple years ago is stiched or sewn on....gonna have to ask the wife to check for me when she gets back to TN. Still trying to get rid of that "Hillis" jersey I got.

Someone last week, an Eagles fan at Applebee's I think, asked me if my last name was Cribbs. I think when I looked at her like she had a penis growing out of her forehead answered her question but I still managed to reply with a simple "No it is not" and turned back to my beer.

Was she cute?

Indians exercised RHP Ubaldo Jimenez's $5.75 million option for 2013.
An expected move. Jimenez had a miserable 5.40 ERA this season and led the AL with 17 losses, but the chance of a rebound is worth keeping him around at this price. His contract includes an $8 million option for 2014, but Jimenez can void it because he was traded. If he has a bounce-back season, it's a good bet he'll opt out.


Source: Jordan Bastian on Twitter Oct 31 - 12:34 PM