Cleveland Sports Forum

Well, if they get in the HOV lane on I-10, they might be able to do it in 45 minutes or so.

rancona says having three centerfielders in the outfield who can run and catch but don't hit for power gives the Indians an "unconventional look."

I remember the Pony Outfield of Jose Cardenal, Tommy Harper and my alter ego Vic Davalillo in about 1967. I think that they had traded one or two of them before the season was over.

Make that 1968. They lined up from left to right with Tommy, Jose and Vic. Vic's 6th and final opening day with the Tribe. Harper had just arrived from Cincinnati, Cardenal from the Angels. In one of the bleak days in Indian history, Davallilo was dealt that summer for the power bat [sic] of Jimmy Hall.


BTW, the rest of the opening day lineup was Sims, Horton, Fuller, Alvis and Brown and Sonny Siebert on the mound for his only Tribe opener.

[all Tribe opening day lineups at: http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams ... ning.shtml]

Jason Giambi wins rave reviews from Terry Francona in Cleveland Indians' spring camp

By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer
on February 14, 2013 at 10:07 PM, updated February 15, 2013 at 11:51 AM Print


"I truly feel it's an honor that he's in our camp," said Francona. "That's how strongly I feel about him. This guy is everything you want in a ballplayer."

Giambi has spent parts of the last four years playing for Colorado in the league that doesn't recognize the DH except for interleague play. He's had to pinch hit and play first base, all the while longing to DH. In his meeting with Francona and GM Chris Antonetti on Thursday, he made sure that message got across.

"I told Tito as long as I can get four at bats in one game once, twice or three times a week and don't always have to pinch hit against a guy throwing 100 mph in the ninth inning, I'll take it," said Giambi.

Off the field, his job would be as a mentor. He did it in Colorado and Francona wants him to do it with the Indians.

"When I broke in with Oakland, I had a great opportunity with Mark McGwire, Terry Steinbach and Dennis Eckersley," said Giambi. "They really helped me through my learning curve. I'd like to do that here. I think that's how you pass the game on."

The Indians have a lot of young players who could benefit from Giambi's knowledge, but Francona believes it goes beyond that.

"Young players, veterans, coaches and the manager could benefit from him," said Francona. "This guy might be one of the most respected players in the game."

In 2003, the FBI named Giambi as one of the players who received steroids in the BALCO investigation. Years later he publicly apologized for using them.


"I've been on top of the world in this game and I've been down in the gutter in this game," said Giambi, a five-time All-Star and AL MVP in 2000. "I've faced a lot of adversity and I'm still here in this chair talking to you guys."

As for his steroid use, Giambi said, "That was almost 10 years ago. I hope it's in the past. ... Major League Baseball has been incredible about [testing] and being diligent about it. ... If this would have been around when I was a young player, I wouldn't have gone through that. Unfortunately, we didn't have testing then."

This is just the second time in Giambi's career he's gone to spring training without a guaranteed job. Francona knows it's a unique position for the 6-3, 250-pound Giambi, but he told him to be patient, listen to his body and not try do too much too soon.

When asked if the bench job was Giambi's to lose, Francona said it would be inappropriate to answer that so early in spring training.

"We want to see the best of him and we'd love to have him on our team," said Francona.

On Twitter: @hoynsie

Patience wins the day (and Michael Bourn) for Cleveland Indians: Terry Pluto

By Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer
on February 14, 2013 at 9:45 PM, updated February 14, 2013 at 9:47 PM Print

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Michael Bourn always was high on the Tribe's winter wish list.

Even before they made the four-year, $44 million offer to free agent Shane Victorino, the Indians checked in with Bourn's agent -- Scott Boras. The Indians let it be known that a similar contract offer could be made for Bourn, who made the 2012 All-Star team while playing a superior center field for the Braves.

This was about a month after the season. At that point, rumors were that Boras had originally asked Atlanta for a whopper of a deal in the $100 million range. The Braves decided that was not a good idea.

Instead, they turned to B.J. Upton, who signed a five-year, $75 million deal to play center field.

In USA Today, Bob Nightengale wrote, "The Braves ... made Upton their top center-field target when it became clear that Bourn's demands would be too prohibitive for their budget." ESPN and other outlets reported Bourn's agent seeking $100 million.

Meanwhile, the Tribe signed Nick Swisher to $56 million for four years, and added Drew Stubbs in a trade to revamp the outfield. They didn't think they'd have a shot at Bourn.

At the start of the free agent period, estimates by ESPN and fangraphs.com predicted Bourn would sign a five-year, $75 million contract. Last week, as Bourn remained unsigned, the Indians wondered if he'd accept four years and far fewer dollars as spring training was opening.

Boras was willing to talk. The Dolan family was willing to pay, especially because the contract is back-loaded, starting at $7 million in 2013. The final totals were $48 million for four years. Ownership had more than $130 million in contracts this winter, raising the current payroll from $65 million in 2012 to the $85 million range.

The Mets thought they'd sign Bourn, but stalled because they didn't want to surrender a first-round draft pick. Because of baseball's complicated rules and the Tribe coming off a horrible 68-94 season, the Indians lost only a pick between the second and third rounds (the 69th pick) to the Braves as compensation for Bourn.

New York later said it refused to give Bourn a $12 million option for a fifth season, and that's why the deal fell apart. The Indians did, but it becomes guaranteed only if Bourn has 550 plate appearances in 2017, and he also passes a physical. If he's good enough to bat 550 times in 2016, it would seem the same team would want him back the following season -- so the option is a non-issue.

Bourn, a two-time Gold Glove winner, is considered by many to be the best defensive center fielder in the majors. The Indians' internal stats last season rated their outfield the worst defensively in the majors. Fansgraphs ranked them 29th of 30 teams.

The Indians' 2013 starting outfield -- with three guys who played center field in 2012, Michael Brantley, Stubbs and Bourn -- is a pitcher's dream for all the fly balls they'll be chasing down.

Left field has been a nightmare for years. The Indians ranked last offensively among all teams at that position in 2012. Fans remember the attempt to turn a combination of Shelley Duncan, Johnny Damon, Aaron Cunningham and Ezequiel Carrera into some type of left fielder. They combined to hit .221 with a .280 on-base percentage and a .631 OPS -- the worst in baseball.

Shin-Soo Choo ranked last defensively among all AL right fielders, according to Fangraphs. So yes, if you thought he was bad, the metrics proved it. He'll be replaced by Stubbs.

Is there risk in giving a 30-year-old Bourn four years because his main asset is speed? Of course. They would have liked to add another outfielder with power (Swisher is moving to first base), but none was available.

The Indians had to be bold. Either they trade away every decent player and lose 105 games hoping the kids develop, or they aggressively enter the free-agent market determined to upgrade the roster and bring in the best talent they could find.

And that's what they did, along with a premier manager in Terry Francona.

Will they contend? Will they even have winning record? Who knows?

But they are better and they have fans talking Tribe in the winter for the first time in a long time.

Giambi, if he makes the team, will be gone by June 1........Can you say Brady Anderson.

One thing that stays the same is many washed-up players collect their last paycheck from the Cleveland Indians

I'm pretty sure there's more to playing the outfield than running down fly balls. Tell me more about Stubbs--can he throw?

The one man who decides on Stubbs is Manager Dusty Baker and Stubbs has his full, unadulterated support, despite the strikeouts. What the Stubbs haters fail to realize, or admit, is that teammates Jay Bruce and even super-stud Joey Votto strike out with almost the same frequency as the long, lanky Texan whose baby-faced countenance looks as if he always played the lead in the school Christmas pageants.

“He brings the one element that we need more of, which is speed,” said Baker. “And he also bring an easy element in the outfield on defense. He makes everything look easy out there.

“He has a strong arm and prevents runs,” Baker added. “He is like a rebounder in basketball. He prevents that second shot. And he is going to get better — I just know he is going to get better.”

A long article that is a very interesting read:

http://www.theclevelandfan.com/clevelan ... d-by-as-os

Not mentioned in this article, but Tomlin was added to the 60 day DL to accommodate Bourn on the roster.


Bourn introduced as Indians' latest acquisition

Signing of speedy center fielder caps busy offseason in Cleveland

By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com | 2/15/2013 3:40 P.M. ET

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The Indians capped off an aggressive offseason on Friday, officially introducing Michael Bourn as their center fielder in a press conference at the club's Spring Training complex.

The signing has created a noticeable buzz in Cleveland's camp all week.

"It went from optimism to excitement," Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis said.

The Indians reeled Bourn in with a four-year contract worth $48 million, and a vesting option worth $12 million for the 2017 season. The fleet-footed Bourn will take over as Cleveland's center fielder and leadoff man, giving the club a dynamic defender and tablesetter.

The Bourn acquisition also serves as an exclamation point to a busy winter.

Cleveland spent a combined $117 million on Major League free agents over the offseason between contracts for Nick Swisher (four years, $56 million), Brett Myers (one year, $7 million), Mark Reynolds (one year, $6 million) and Bourn. That figure could spike to $157 million if options for Swisher, Myers and Bourn kick in.

In the previous two winters, Cleveland spent a combined $8.3 million on Major League free agents.

The Indians will lose their third pick (69th overall) -- the fifth pick in a sandwich round between the second and third rounds -- in the First-Year Player Draft for signing Bourn. The Indians lost their second-round selection for signing Swisher. The Tribe's first pick (fifth overall), however, is protected under the guideless within the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Bourn's fifth-year option vests if he achieves 550 plate appearances in the 2016 season and passes a physical at the end of that campaign. That is a realistic target for the center fielder, considering he has averaged 677 plate appearances over the past four seasons between stints with the Astros and Braves.

Over that four-year span, Bourn has hit .280 with a .348 on-base percentage and a .378 slugging percentage. He has averaged four homers, 28 doubles, 10 triples, 45 RBIs, 61 walks, 93 runs and 153 games in that time period.

Last season with Atlanta, Bourn set career bests in home runs (nine), RBIs (57) and walks (70). He hit .274 with a .348 OBP and a .391 SLG in 155 games, mixing in 26 doubles, 10 triples, 42 stolen bases and 96 runs scored for the Braves.

The two-time All-Star and two-time National League Gold Glove Award winner has topped 50 stolen bases or 90 runs scored in a season three times each over his career.

With Bourn now in the fold, Michael Brantley (Cleveland's center fielder a year ago) will shift to left field and Drew Stubbs (a center fielder by trade) will move to right. Swisher, who was initially in the plans as the Tribe's right fielder, will now play first base. Reynolds -- signed as a first baseman -- will assume the bulk of the designated hitter duties.

Marlins Sign Casey Kotchman
By Zach Links [February 15, 2013 at 1:05pm CST]

The Marlins announced that they have signed Casey Kotchman to a minor league deal with an invite to big league camp. Kotchman is represented by Casey Close of Excel Sports Management.

Kotchman, who turns 30 next Friday, hit .229/.280/.333 with 12 homers in 142 games for the Indians last season. Things have been quiet for Kotchman this offseason but he reportedly drew some interest from the Red Sox earlier this winter.

Letting go!

Anybody notice articles written about the Indians do not mention Shapiro as much as last year? Antonetti has assumed the face of the Indians and all the Front Office moves. Shapiro has been relegated to counting hot dogs.

Articles still mention the Dolans(plural) or the Dolan family, but Paul Dolan is the only one in charge of budgets these days. Larry has turned over control to Paul just as Shapiro has turned over control to Antonetti.

Could be the reason for all the moves this off season.

End of Sizemore and Hafner certainly was a factor too.

Indians Are Back And It’s OK To Feel Good About Tribe

Andy Baskin – Baskin & Phelps – Middays 10am - 2pm on 92.3 The Fan
February 14, 2013 11:30 AM

GOODYEAR, Ariz. – Like Captain America packed away on ice, Tribe fans wake up in early February.

In the clubhouse, new Indian Nick Swisher is ready to embrace his new weapon in the Tribe’s $100 million-plus upgrade. His name Michael Bourn.

Swisher tells ESPN, “I just want to hug him.”

When we last left the Cleveland Indians, it was July 31, 2009.

A tearful Victor Martinez packed his bags he was off to Boston. Cliff Lee was gone two days earlier, and you had a year to sulk about C.C. Sabathia on July 7, 2008.

For most Indians fans enough was enough. Two Cy Young-award winners and a fan favorite gone. Why? Because the Indians knew they couldn’t afford to keep them around.

The Indians welcomed home Swisher to Ohio, where they used OSU football coach Urban Meyer to close the deal on the scoreboard, gently reminding him he is a Buckeye. The only thing not used in the recruiting pitch was Drew Carey holding the $56 million check, surrounded by beautiful women.

Bourn is the guy that gets Indians fans back to the ballpark. The Indians beat out the Mets to bring in a free agent for $46 million. It’s really the most significant free agent signing the Indians have made since Robby Alomar in 1999.

Yes, the Indians inked a Gold Glove, All-Star. Most Indians fans are still in shock.


Why? It’s a drastic change in team philosophy. Perhaps if the team can start winning, you can bring a shovel to the perception the Dolans won’t spend money. It’s a long road to haul, but, it has to start somewhere. Most fans aren’t ready to believe this will be a new trend, until they see it.

What might be missed in the free-agent hype is that the Indians made a good trade that put more flex on the hill and in the outfield. Drew Stubbs from the Reds and three pitchers from Arizona: right-hander Trevor Bauer , the third pick in the 2011 amateur draft, and relievers Matt Albers and Bryan Shaw .

It’s all behind a manager that loves his players and has two rings to show them that only respect can be tolerated. Terry Francona is a reminder that we are no longer going to see the Columbus Clippers in a big league ballpark.

Chris Perez was right last year when he said to Jon Paul Morosi of FoxSports.com when comparing the Tigers to the Tribe.

“It comes down to that. They (the Tigers) are spending money. He (Mike Ilitch) wants to win. Even when the economy was down, he spent money. He’s got a team to show for it. You get what you pay for in baseball. Sometimes you don’t. But most of the time you do,” Prerez said.

But it was also the same Perez that just said to Paul Hoynes of the Plain Dealer, “It feels like we’re a big-market club.”

“We identified some problems and went out and spent on guys. It all started with Tito (Francona). He set the tone. I don’t think a lot of these moves would have happened without him being here. He attracts players. His reputation is pretty impeccable among the baseball players and that goes a long way.”

So now you have reason to be excited about the Indians. I’m not going to ruin a good moment by reminding how much of a turnaround the starting rotation is going to have to have to make this team a winner. Thursday is the first day that the entire team needs to be in camp. I’m just going to keep my fingers crossed in early February.

It’s just nice to care about the tribe again, even C.C. Sabathia said to CBSSports.com’s Danny Knobler “I never got a free agent like that when I was there. Good for them.”

It’s a long-time coming, but it feels good to have this franchise out of the deep freeze. If Captain America can come back to Cleveland to shoot another movie this spring, then maybe the Indians thawed out checkbook can take out the opposition in the same way.

civ ollilavad wrote:Make that 1968. They lined up from left to right with Tommy, Jose and Vic. Vic's 6th and final opening day with the Tribe. Harper had just arrived from Cincinnati, Cardenal from the Angels. In one of the bleak days in Indian history, Davallilo was dealt that summer for the power bat [sic] of Jimmy Hall.


BTW, the rest of the opening day lineup was Sims, Horton, Fuller, Alvis and Brown and Sonny Siebert on the mound for his only Tribe opener.

[all Tribe opening day lineups at: http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams ... ning.shtml]

But, Jimmy Hall brought the acceptance of ear cover to the batter's box.