Agreed. He knows exactly what he's doing and why.
Sometimes a player is demoted at the time he is so he can be brought back up when something develops that the team is coming and we don't.
It's always important to have a few players with remaining options available so every demotion doesn't become a DFA

Trevor Bauer - S - Indians

Trevor Bauer tossed six shutout innings, scattering five hits and one walk while striking out nine batters on Wednesday night for Triple-A Columbus.

Bauer seems to have finally taken that leap that the Indians wanted to see when they acquired him as part of the Shin-Soo Choo trade. Given that most of the rotation in Cleveland is struggling, the 23-year-old right-hander may not be in Columbus for much longer.

When they say "most of the rotation is struggling that means 3 out of 5. Carrasco, Masterson and Salazar.

I think it's reasonable to assume Masterson will steady the ship. Carrasco has more than used up his chances IMO. Great stuff, leave him in the bullpen. And Salazar, we know what he can do. Exercise patience there, he is honing his craft.

To me, the KEY guys in all this are Kluber and McAllister. The other 3 are what they are. Those are the wild cards. Which is why I am actually so encouraged by the rotation potential.

Good points. The New Bauer added to that mix could be pretty dynamic group. Would like to see Justin right himself soon; he has had some miserable seasons mixed in with his All-Star years; he's not necessarily an established No. 1.

OK, Michael Brantley. Our early season savior.

The guy has 9 walks and 6 strikeouts. I believe, civ, that those were the types of numbers in regards to plate discipline that he was putting up in the minors when we traded for him.

At this point, the CC trade was a disaster for the Milwaukee Brewers and a steal for the Tribe. And yes, enough has now elapsed to make that judgement.

Great news: The "transfer rule" has been amended to go back to the way it has always been.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-bas ... mmediately

MLB channel is showing Elliot Johnson's catch as an example of how it needed to be changed.

That play turned out to be the most discussed "poster child" of the rule.

Hey, what does anyone else think the Indians should do about Santana? He's a proven hitter who is absolutely not hitting. Cleanup man batting 129 for a full month! That's nuts. It's interesting but of course irrelevant that the catcher for our AAA team who is a great defender is hitting just short of 300 points higher!
If it were possible (options and contract permitting) I don't think it could hurt to give Carlos a couple weeks with the Clippers to try to get things right and Roberto Perez could spell his as Gomes' backup while Aviles and Chisenhall shared third for awhile.
Don't see how it could hurt, but it won't happen.
So instead, and since Francona doesn't want everyone's spot in the batting order to be shuffled, why not just move Carlos to 8th or 9th and hit the Murphy/Raburn platoon cleanup? It just seems foolish to have your cleanup hitter a guy who has only twice in 20+ games have to batted in runs (a two-run homer and something earlier in the month).
Or keep him in Cleveland but just as a reserve, working with hitting coach and pinch hitting when we need a walk with RISP

Cleveland Indians place second baseman Jason Kipnis on the disabled list, recall infielder Jose Ramirez


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians' scuffling lineup has lost its No. 3 hitter.

Cleveland placed second baseman Jason Kipnis on the 15-day disabled list on Friday. Kipnis suffered a strained right oblique during his second at-bat on Tuesday. The move is retroactive to Wednesday. To fill Kipnis' spot on the roster, the team recalled infielder Jose Ramirez from Triple-A Columbus.

Kipnis underwent an MRI exam on Wednesday and has received treatment to his abdominal area since the injury occurred. This marks his second career stint on the DL.

Kipnis is batting .234 (22-for-94) with a .354 on-base percentage, three home runs and 12 RBIs in 27 games. Ramirez, 21, was hitting .319 (29-for-91) with four homers and 17 RBIs in 23 contests for the Clippers. He collected four hits in 12 at-bats during a brief cameo with the Tribe last September.

The Indians also have Mike Aviles and Elliot Johnson available at second base.

Something tells me Elliot won't be at 2B today.



And I would not be laughing if the Tribe had lost that game.

OK, you didn't HAVE to be psychic to see this one coming...


Elliot Johnson - OF - Indians

Indians designated infielder-outfielder Elliot Johnson for assignment.

There was no good reason for the Indians to keep Johnson coming out of spring training, and it was really surprising to see him stick after Michael Bourn and Jason Giambi came off the DL.

Friday's ugly game defensively at second base finally got him the boot after he went 2-for-19 in seven games.

Early this reminds me of periods last year where you left them for dead then they would rebound.

Masterson effort badly needed. Thank goodness for Chisox.

Nyjer Morgan - OF - Indians

Indians recalled OF Nyjer Morgan from Triple-A Columbus.

Morgan was demoted last month even after hitting .348/.484/.348 with three steals over nine games. He'll provide some depth in center field while Michael Bourn (hamstring) is banged up.

Figured he wouldn't be gone long. DL Bourn and let Morgan do his thing. No reason to have Bourn playing unless he is 1000%

When do we play Houston?