Cleveland Sports Forum

Pitching and batting coaches rarely have they been successful in the majors.

Ted Williams was famously unsuccessful manager. I think Ty Cobb tried his hand at it disasterously. Frank Robinson wasn't bad.

While Walter Alston's big league career was a game or two; Tony LaRussa was briefly a utility infielder; I don't think Earl Weaver ever came close. Maddon never played in the majors did he? Francona did a bit.
Don't think those famous Orioles [Harry Brecheen] Braves [forget who] pitching coaches were major league stars.

Trying to think of a lineup consisting of Indians' managers. Can get a reasonably decent team:

C: Al Lopez [and Wedge, Corrales, Torborg, Tebbetts, and clearly the best hitter of the bunch: Steve O'Neill]
1B: Mike Hargrove
2B: Joe Gordon
SS: Lou Boudreau
3B: Ken Aspromonte [or did he only play 2nd?] or Alvin Dark [same question]
LF: Terry Francona and Charlie Manuel
CF: Tris Speaker
RF: Frank Robinson
P: no one comes to mind; not Mel McGaha, Jimmy Bragan, Johnny Dykes, too bad Mel Harder never got the job, ditto Bob Lemon; I'm sure there's someone]

Problem Solved: Walter Johnson, 1933-35, another great player lousy manager. And I forgot Lajoie. He can be my DH, since at age 142 he might be a little slow afield. So here's a lineup

1. Nap Lajoie DH HOF
2. Joe Gordon 2B
3. Lou Boudreau SS HOF
4. Tris Speaker CF HOF
5. Frank Robinson RF HOF
6. Steve O'Neill C
7. Mike Hargrove 1B
8. someone in LF
9. someone else at 3B
PITCHING: several days a week, Walter Johnson. HOF
In fact he could probably pitch everyday and I think he'll have to since I don't see any other known pitchers on the list

One month to pitchers and catchers.

Fans waited in line for 7 hours the other day to get Cubs Spring Training tickets.

very short off-season this year. I'm hoping for another short winter next year, too.

Tribe has reached 1 year deals with Bauer, Cody Allen, McCallister, and Otero to avoid arbitration with them.

Salazar and Chisenhall just signed 1 year deals to avoid too.

with his $3,550,000 Bauer can ditch the drone and buy a jet.

According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Indians have been "in touch" with free agent Jose Bautista.
The Indians were expected to have a relatively low-key offseason but so far it's been anything but. They already made a huge splash by adding Edwin Encarnacion and could go for the jugular by bringing in Bautista, who played seven years alongside Encarnacion in Toronto. Signing Bautista would fall in line with Cleveland's win-now approach, but the Indians' outfield is already overcrowded and it's unlikely they'd break the bank for a 36-year-old coming off a down season. The Indians have already forfeited their first-round pick and would only have to give up a second-rounder in order to sign

Bautista.
Related: Indians
Source: Fox SportsJan 14 - 8:35 PM

what would we do with Bautista?

civ ollilavad wrote:with his $3,550,000 Bauer can ditch the drone and buy a jet.

He should stick with these:

rusty2 wrote:According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Indians have been "in touch" with free agent Jose Bautista.
The Indians were expected to have a relatively low-key offseason but so far it's been anything but. They already made a huge splash by adding Edwin Encarnacion and could go for the jugular by bringing in Bautista, who played seven years alongside Encarnacion in Toronto. Signing Bautista would fall in line with Cleveland's win-now approach, but the Indians' outfield is already overcrowded and it's unlikely they'd break the bank for a 36-year-old coming off a down season. The Indians have already forfeited their first-round pick and would only have to give up a second-rounder in order to sign

Bautista.
Related: Indians
Source: Fox SportsJan 14 - 8:35 PM

If they are serious, they must not be counting on Brantley!

Blue Jays, Jose Bautista Nearing Agreement

By Connor Byrne | January 16, 2017 at 2:07pm CDT

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/01/ ... ement.html

The old "shop Cleveland's offer to see if anybody will better" trick.

I don't believe the Indians were ever interested in him.

On HIGH HEAT today they mentioned that the Tribe might not be finished picking up free agents. The mentioned utility types and outfielders. Especially Trevor Plouffe, he could play 3b and Ramirez could ply OF. Also mentoned playin Chisenhall in CF!?
I thought Plouffe had been picked by Oakland a few days ago. Also raises questions about Brantley again. Also could mean that Diaz and Urshula are being dissed again. If this is all true.