Cleveland Sports Forum

In another low risk deal, Manny Ramirez! He 's hitting .300 in the Dominican with four homers in 63 at bats. Two of those homers coming tonight in the final game of the Aguilas season.

The Indians don't want a player that can only DH.

Canzler claimed by Toronto. That pisses me off. There were a bunch of stiffs they could have DFA off the 40 man that would have got through waivers with no problem. Don't know what they were thinking.

I'm not surprised. Pisses me off too.

Canzler had no chance to make this team this year. No chance.

Doesn't have to make the club.

Canzler is 26 years old...virtually no major league service time which means not arbitration eligible till 2016...has a minor league option left.....plays left field....bats RIGHT.

Perfect guy to stash in Columbus.

But if you look back at the offseason to date, the Indians in effect already made their decision on Canzler by acquiring Yan Gomes in the Rogers deal and selecting Chris McGuiness in the Rule 5 Draft. If they end up keeping McGuiness, they will no doubt try him out in the outfield, and would use Gomes as a backup catcher and also the corner positions if needed.

Wow. Terrible.


Former big leaguer Freel dead at 36

CINCINNATI -- Former Reds utility player Ryan Freel was found dead in his home of an apparent suicide on Saturday, the Jacksonville, Fla., sheriffs office told the Florida Times-Union.

Freel, 36, was discovered dead on Saturday in Jacksonville with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police told the newspaper.

"The Reds family is deeply saddened to hear of the death of Ryan Freel," the team said in a statement. "His teammates and our fans loved him for how hard he played the game, and he loved giving back to the community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends."

An eight-year Major League veteran from 2001-09, Freel spent the bulk of his career with the Reds from 2003-08 and rose to become an everyday player and fan favorite for his gritty play and hustle.

"He was a guy who was always all in, the way he tried very hard and hustled like he did," Freel's former agent, Tommy Tanzer, said. "He played all out and he lived that way too."

A .268 hitter with 143 stolen bases in 594 career games, Freel broke out of the utility role and became a regular in 2006 while playing 132 games, mostly in center field.

Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips tweeted a picture of Freel on Saturday with the words "Rest in Peace" written on it.

"Really hurt by his passing," Phillips wrote on his Twitter feed, datdudebp. "You never will be forgotten."

Injuries were often a byproduct of Freel's all-out style of play and he missed numerous games his last two seasons in Cincinnati. He was limited to 75 games in 2007 and only 48 games in 2008.

In December 2008, the Reds dealt Freel to the Orioles in a four-player trade that brought Ramon Hernandez to Cincinnati.

Freel bounced around multiple organizations, including the Cubs and Royals, before retiring during the 2010 season.

Since retirement, Freel was reportedly living and working in the Jacksonville area with an organization called Big League Development, coaching local players. Freel also participated in the Reds fantasy camp in 2011.

Sean Casey, a former teammate of Freel's in Cincinnati, tweeted about Freel's death on his Twitter feed, @TheMayorsOffice.

"RIP Ryan Freel!!," Casey wrote. "Great teammate, great guy, n loved his family! Such a sad day today with his passing! Awful news! Prayers are with his family! "

Nick Swisher leaves Yankees for Indians, inking four-year, $56 million deal with Cleveland
After Josh Hamilton's megadeal set market, 32-year-old outfielder also nets $14 million option for a fifth year



Nick Swisher is officially a former Yankee.


Swisher agreed to terms on a four-year, $56 million contract with the Indians late Saturday night, the Daily News has learned. The deal includes an easily-attainable $14 million vesting option for a fifth year based on plate appearances that could bring the total value of the contract to $70 million through the 2017 season.

The 32-year-old outfielder had received interest from no less than a half-dozen teams, but the Indians made the strongest push for Swisher’s services. The Rangers, Mariners, Red Sox and Orioles were among the other teams that had expressed interest in Swisher.

Swisher’s $56 million deal is the fifth-largest contract signed this winter, and the third-biggest for a position player. Josh Hamilton, 31, inked a five-year, $125 million deal with the Angels while 28-year-old B.J. Upton signed a five-year, $75 million pact with the Braves.

The only other deals larger than Swisher’s this offseason were Zack Greinke’s six-year, $147 million deal with the Angels and Anibal Sanchez’s five-year, $80 million contract with the Tigers.

The Tribe gave Swisher and his wife, JoAnna, the red-carpet treatment during a visit to Cleveland last week, making it known how badly they wanted him in an Indians uniform.

Swisher grew up in a West Virginia town only 14 miles from Ohio and attended Ohio State, so the Indians’ pitch centered around his potential homecoming.

Former Buckeyes head football coach Jim Tressel helped recruit Swisher during a lunch, while current Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer, basketball coach Thad Matta and baseball coach Greg Beals each recorded personal messages to Swisher that were played on the Progressive Field scoreboard.

Swisher’s history with new Indians manager Terry Francona played a key role in the decision. Francona, who in 1988 was managed in the minor leagues by Swisher’s father, Steve, has known Swisher since he was a child. Francona was very involved in the Indians’ recruitment of Swisher last week.

Swisher played nearly 150 games per season during his four-year tenure with the Yankees, averaging 26 home runs and 87 RBI during the regular season. He struggled in the postseason, hitting .162 in 36 games, though he was a key contributor during the Yankees’ 2009 World Series triumph over the Phillies.

After making a $13.3 million qualifying offer to Swisher last month that he rejected, the Yankees never thrust themselves into the bidding for his services. The Yankees will receive a draft pick as compensation.


Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseb ... z2FtND0B9r

Welcome Nick Swisher. I like his offense. That part I do like. The rightfield bleachers should be perfectly suited for him.

The only negative will be his defense which leaves a lot to be desired. He runs a nice route but has a scatter arm often overthrowing his cutoffs. If the Indians can work with him this spring like the Yankees tried to, that would be awesome.

Gotta say I'm in shock. I never thought they would come up with that kind of money for any ballplayer. Thanks to Swisher for choosing Cleveland.

I still would like to have Manny in town though. He really does look good playing in the Dominican this winter. I think he's worth a gamble. Shouldn't cost a lot. Fills the DH void. We could always place him on waivers.

Tribe Fan in SC/Cali wrote:Mark Shapiro and/or Chris Antonetti cannot close any deal Dolan might be able and willing to fund.

What say you now, CALI/FLA?

fkreutz wrote:No way no how is Swisher coming to Cleveland folks.

I should have known it was a certainty once you posted this

kenm wrote:So this is the dog and pony show before the look good offer. We have seen this before. Will it be any different this time around?

Looks like the answer is affirmative...

seagull wrote:Agents do a good job of selling an inferior product to desperate suckers.The Skankees didn't want him back. Can't see a young guy like Swisher wanting to spend the next 4 years in Cleveland.

Surprise!

civ ollilavad wrote:Maybe it's just the Holiday spirit of happiness and joy, but I think they'll make a real offer and a real effort to sign Swisher.

Give that man an RG Dunn!