Cleveland Sports Forum

See below about CC.

As a CC fan since he played for the Scrappers, I am not convinced he's nearly done.

I don't think he's "nearly done" either, but I DO think what I said...quoted below.

CC is now past his prime, drastically overpaid and will remain so for a very long time.

For CC, he is in the process of learning to be a more finesse guy. Remains to be seen to what extent he will succeed. A TON of innings on that arm.

If those photos were CC he doesn't look nearly so heavy in his personal life.

They are recent pictures of CC. That is his wife and him at a wedding.

Carlos Santana begins the great test at 3B

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -

Carlos Santana has a new act. His name has not yet been announced with lights, but the views outside Broadway during his winter campaign a month in the Dominican Republic were decent.

"Everyone in the Dominican Republic was surprised with the way I played third base," Santana said. "The only thing I was not surprised because I have confidence."

Santana was in Goodyear, Arizona, on Tuesday, when pitchers and catchers reported Indians for the first day of spring training. After being the starting catcher on opening day for the Indians for the past three seasons, how much time Santana will spend behind the plate in 2014 is an open question.

Which explains why so much interest in Santana when he played third base during winter ball.

Among the critics who viewed the work of Santana this winter were former third baseman Fernando Tatis, current big league infielders Robinson Cano and Edwin Encarnacion and scout for the Indians in Latin America, Ramón Peña.

"Incarnation and Cano observed my games," Santana said. "They sent a lot of messages saying that I played well. Ramón Peña said Santana is a natural at third base. "

Tatis, who played 11 years in the majors, was the sharpest critic of Santana because he spent most of his time working with him.

"He was surprised because I was thinking, 'OK, I have not played third base for a long time. What am I going to look like? '"Santana said. "But he was surprised."

When Santana returned to the Dominican Republic after last season and started playing third base, he spent long hours together with Tatis. They worked at the Indian's Dominican Summer resort almost every day on the changes that Santana would have to make to make the move from catcher to third base. It helped that I played third base my original position when I signed with the Dodgers in 2004, but had not played regularly since 2006, when I was in Class-A ball.

Tatis and Santana were familiar with each other because they are teammates in winter ball with the Escogido Leones.

"Fernando Tatis spen may hours with me," Santana said. "He has taught me a lot about how to play third base.

"He has helped me with everything ... on and off the field. Not only how to play third base, but what kind of attitude I should have. "

It took five games before Santana began to feel comfortable at the hot corner.

Needless to say "Tribe Nation" will be giddy if Santana can play 3B.

It's nothing less than the equivalent of signing a big name free agent!

Westy retires.


Jake Westbrook Retires
By Steve Adams [February 14, 2014 at 1:20pm CST]

After 13 seasons in the Major Leagues and 18 years in professional baseball, right-hander Jake Westbrook has decided to retire, he said today in an interview with Rob Rains of STLSportsPage.com. Westbrook says he is looking forward to spending time with his four children and wife Heather:

"I’m excited about the next part of my life and that’s being home with the kids and my wife Heather and spending time with them and going to all of the things I haven’t had a chance to do over the last 18 years in the spring and summertime. Being home is going to be fun."

Westbrook tells Rains that he entered the season preparing to pitch another season but was only 50-50 on whether or not he would actually follow through on that plan. "The interest that I was getting wasn’t significant enough for me to go through the grind of another year and be away from my family," Westbrook said.

Originally selected by the Rockies with the 21st overall pick in the 1996 draft, Westbrook signed with Colorado out of high school but didn't make his big league debut until 2000 with the Yankees. The Rockies traded him to the Expos, who flipped him to the Bombers in a trade that netted Hideki Irabu. Westbrook would appear in just three games with the Yankees before being traded to the Indians, with whom he would spend the next nine seasons of his career.

A 2010 trade to the Cardinals in a three-team deal also involving the Padres propelled Westbrook to a World Series Championship in 2011, which he called the best thing to happen to him in baseball:

"...getting traded to the Cardinals was probably the best thing that happened in my career. It’s such a storied organization and the atmosphere I witnessed there, and being in the playoffs all those years. Getting a chance to pitch in the World Series and winning game six in 2011 was pretty special and something I will always have."

Westbrook's career will come to a close with a 105-103 record, a 4.32 ERA, 965 strikeouts and 571 walks in 1747 2/3 innings at the big league level. Among 147 pitchers to have thrown 1000 innings since 2002, Westbrook (and his sinker) produced a 58.7 percent ground-ball rate that trails only Brandon Webb and Derek Lowe in that time. The 36-year-old has earned more than $71MM in his career (including his signing bonus out of the draft). We at MLBTR extend our best wishes to Westbrook and his family in his post-baseball life.

Indians working to save Bob Feller Museum

GOODYEAR, Ariz. --

The Indians are doing their part to keep the doors to the Bob Feller Museum open.

The museum, in the Hall of Fame pitcher's hometown of Van Meter, Iowa, has experienced financial troubles in the years since Feller's passing in December 2010. The Indians are working with the museum's board on potentially bringing some items to Cleveland.

"Bob Feller was the engine that powered the museum," said Bob DiBiasio, the Indians' senior vice president of public affairs. "Unfortunately, since his passing, the business model for the Bob Feller Museum has not been working. As we move forward, our primary objective is to foster Mr. Feller's legacy in the two places he called home -- Van Meter, Iowa, and Cleveland."

To help reduce costs, the museum has remained closed during the winter, but the plan is to reopen later this spring, around Opening Day. DiBiasio, who is also on the museum's board, confirmed that the facility has seen its membership dwindle, to roughly 100, over the past four years, after that number stood at around 400 in the past.

In 18 seasons with the Indians, Feller went 266-162 with a 3.25 ERA in 570 career contests, including 279 complete games. The eight-time All-Star was signed by the Indians in 1936, and made his big league debut that season at the age of 17.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. – Justin Masterson and Homer Bailey are scheduled for arbitration hearings Thursday, but Masterson could be a solo act in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Bailey and the Reds are reportedly negotiating a six-year deal that could be worth $100 million. If that’s the case, Bailey will set the market for Masterson and his negotiations with the Indians on a multiyear deal.

If Masterson and the Indians can’t use Bailey’s reported deal to reach a multiyear deal, it could mean that this will be Masterson’s last year in Cleveland. He’s eligible for free agency at the end of the season.

Masterson, 28, and Bailey, 27, are comparable players in terms of service time and performance. Bailey, like Masterson, is eligible for free agency at the end of this season.

In arbitration, Masterson filed for $11.8 million, while the Indians countered at $8.05 million. Bailey filed for $11.6 million, while the Reds countered at $8.7 million.

Here’s how The Plain Dealer’s Dennis Manoloff compared the two pitchers in a story in January.

Bailey is coming off a 32-start, 209-inning season in which he went 11-12 with a 3.49 ERA and 1.12 WHIP (walks plus hits per inning). He has a career record of 49-45 with a 4.25 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 143 games (all starts). He has pitched exclusively for the Reds, who play in a league where pitchers hit.

Masterson is coming off a season of 32 appearances (29 starts) and 193 innings. He went 14-10 with a 3.45 ERA and 1.20 WHIP. Masterson owns a career record of 53-63 with a 4.03 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 212 games (150 starts). He has pitched for the Boston Red Sox and Indians, who play in a league where offense is enhanced by the designated hitter.

Bailey is 49-45 with a 4.25 ERA in a career in which he’s made 143 starts and pitched 853 innings.

Masterson is 53-63 in 212 games, including 150 starts. He has a 4.03 ERA and has pitched 1,013 innings.

In regards to the Indians and Masterson avoiding arbitration on a one-year deal, there has been movement on both sides. The midpoint is $9.925 million.

So far this month, the Indians are 2-0 in arbitration hearings. They have been awarded decisions over right-handers Vinnie Pestano and Josh Tomlin.

After some initial talks on a multiyear deal following their arbitration filings, the Indians and Masterson decided to concentrate on reaching a one-year deal before re-assessing the possibility of a multiyear deal.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. – Justin Masterson and his agent will leave for St. Petersburg, Fla. on Tuesday afternoon to prepare for Thursday’s arbitration case with the Indians. Masterson would like to avoid the trip if possible.

“We’re seeing if it’s possible if we can make something happen before we leave,” said Masterson.

Masterson filed at $11.8 million and the Indians offered $8.05 million. He made $5.75 million last year.

Cleveland.com reported Sunday night that there has been movement toward a one-year settlement. The midpoint is $9.925 million.

“We’re trying to see if we’re being too stubborn or not,” said Masterson. “We’re trying to be smart and reasonable. We’re definitely moving a little bit here and there to see what can happen.”

The Indians are 2-for-2 in arbitration cases this month, winning decisions against right-handers Vinnie Pestano and Josh Tomlin.

Hot corner: Carlos Santana looked smooth and comfortable Monday at third base as he took ground balls with Lonnie Chisenhall in a variety of different infield drills during the Indians first full-squad workout.

“I don’t know if skeptical is a fair word when he started doing this,” said manager Terry Francona. “I will say from the minute we have laid eyes on him, he has been nothing but diligent. I mean he’s stayed at it to the point of taking that little weird-sided ball – it’s almost like a crazy super ball – back to his room at night to work on his side-to- side movement.

“I am so proud of him at this point to see what he’s done that it’s going to be interesting going forward.”

Santana is trying to make the move from catcher to third base. He came up as third baseman with the Dodgers, but they moved him to catcher.

“He’s aware that just because he wants to play third, doesn’t mean he’s going to play third,” said Francona. “We have a responsibility to our team to put the best team on the field and that’s what we’re going to do.”

What about Lonnie? Santana is competing with Chisenhall for the job at third. Chisenhall has had chances to win the third base job the last two years and it hasn’t happened.

“We told Lonnie the truth in our meeting,” said Francona. “We believe we’re a better team with him on it. But we want him to earn it. That’s being very truthful and I think he agrees with it.”

Remembering Jim Fregosi: Former Tribe manager Mike Hargrove reported to camp Monday.

Hargrove made the Texas Rangers in 1974 out of spring training as a rookie after playing Class A ball the year before.

“I got to the big leagues and I didn’t know what to do,” said Hargrove. “I went to Jim and told him, “I need help.’ He took me under his wing. He’d sit next to me on the bench and tell me what I did right and what I did wrong.

“I learned more baseball from Jim Fregosi in one year than I did in 16 years of managing . . .and I think I learned a few things in 16 years of managing.”

Fregosi, 71, died of a stroke on Friday.

Stick around: Francona made it clear that he wants to see more of Hargrove in spring training. Hargrove will stay for a couple of days this week, but will return later in camp for 10 days.

“I told Grover this winter that I wanted him to stay in camp a little longer,” said Francona. “Being a former manager, I think he’s very cognizant of not wanting to do too much. I told him he can’t do that here. He has carte blanche.

“He knows he’s very welcome. He knows to get in and get dirty.”

Hargrove, a former player, coach and manager with the Indians, serves the team as a special advisor.

Managerial prospect: Carlos Baerga, in camp as a guest instructor, managed the Mayaguez Indians to the winter ball championship in Puerto Rico. In the Caribbean World Series, Baerga’s Mayaguez club finished second, losing the title to Mexico.

This is Baerga’s second year managing in Puerto Rico and he said he’d like to continue.

“When I retired, I never thought I’d want to get back on the field, but I’ve really enjoyed it,” said Baerga. “I really like working with the young players.”

Indians catcher Roberto Perez played for Mayaguez this winter.

“It was nice to play for him, a good experience,” said Perez. “When you talk about Carlos Baerga, you’re talking about a good player back in the day. You can ask him questions and he gets along with the guys.”

Finally: Indians pitchers and hitters will start facing each other in batting practice on Friday.

Orioles sign Jiminez

Jimenez's deal with O's helps Tribe's draft: Cleveland Indians spring training notes

Paul Hoynes

GOODYEAR, Ariz. – The draft pick that the Indians will receive as compensation for Ubaldo Jimenez when his deal with Baltimore becomes official means they’ll be a lot busier on the first day of the first-year player draft in June than they were last year.

“We’ll have four picks in the first day,” said Brad Grant, Indians director of amateur scouting.

Last year the Indians took high school outfielder Clint Frazier in the first round, but then had to wait because they lost second- and third-round picks as compensation for signing free agents Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn.

Jimenez’s deal with the Orioles, pending a physical, improves the Indians’ draft standing in two ways. With Baltimore losing its first pick in the draft (No.17), the Indians move up from No. 22 to 21.

The compensation pick for Jimenez comes between the first and second round. It’s No.30 at the moment, but it could drop to the mid 30s depending on what teams sign remaining free agents Nelson Cruz, Kendrys Morales and Ervin Santana. Cruz, Morales and Santana have draft pick compensation tied to them just as Jimenez did.

The Indians will have another pick in-between the first and second round thanks to last year’s competitive balance lottery. At the moment, that’s the 37th pick.

“Any opportunity we have to acquire talent is an important opportunity for us,” said GM Chris Antonetti. “Our long term success will be predicated on how successful we are at acquiring and developing our own talent.

“The model we need to follow is the one where we add and supplement through free agency, but not build teams through free agency. Having those additional draft picks, we’re excited about having that opportunity.”

Easy does it: First baseman-DH Brian LaHair will have to wait to make his Cactus League debut as he recovers from September surgery on his left wrist. The Indians signed LaHair to a minor-league deal after he opted out the second year of his deal with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks in Japan.

The Indians begin Cactus League play on Feb. 26.

“There’s a gradual routine for him (to come back),” said manager Terry Francona. “I don’t think he’ll be a ton behind everybody else.”

LaHair is hitting off a tee, but so far he hasn’t hit against pitchers.

Slow go: Right-hander Danny Salazar, expected to carry a big load in the rotation this year, is being brought along slowly. He threw a bullpen session Tuesday and isn’t scheduled to throw again for at least two days.

The only two other pitchers who are getting that much time between bullpen sessions are Frank Herrmann and Shaun Marcum. Herrmann is coming off Tommy John surgery, while Marcum is recovering from surgery to relieve thoracic outlet syndrome.

Antonetti said Salazar isn’t hurt.

“His focus in spring training is to prepare to pitch the whole season,” said Antonetti. “He’s not competing for a job.”

Said Salazar, “I’m 100 percent. They just have me on a program.”

The Indians have handled Salazar carefully since he had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in 2010. When they brought him up last year, he was on a pitch count for much of the season.

Salazar is taking part in all the pitchers conditioning and fielding drills. Last year he made his first 10 starts in the big leagues, hitting 100 mph on occasion and averaging 11.25 strikeouts and 2.59 walks per nine innings.

Francona said that he expects Salazar to open the season in the rotation, but that if he needs extra rest, there are enough off days in April (two) to do that.

No numbers, please: Francona wouldn’t speculate on how many games Yan Gomes would catch this year.

“We told him to come to camp prepared to be the main catcher,” said Francona. “He’s never done that before so we’ll try to use some common sense.”

Gomes had a solid offensive year last season as he split the catching job with Carlos Santana. As a starting catcher, Francona wants Gomes concentrating on one thing – the pitching staff.

“He’s a good hitter and he will help us offensively,” said Francona. “But again, the goal for Gomer is if were shaking hands after the game, whatever he did was good enough. If you take ownership of a staff, you’re going to lose at-bats, I don’t care how good of a hitter you are.”

Finally: Jason Giambi wanted to play until he’s 40, but he never really thought about playing at 43. So he has no problem coming to camp on a minor-league deal for the second straight year to let the Indians use a roster spot on a younger player.

“They want a little bit of security because they eventually feel the rubber band is going to snap,” said Giambi, with a laugh.