Cleveland Sports Forum

Zack Meisel‏ @ZackMeisel
Indians through 50 games:
2017: 27-23
2016: 26-24

We are right on track for a return to the World Series.

Tribe has homered in 15 straight games. Longest stretch since they homered in 15 straight in 2007.

With Tomlin and Bauer's recent efforts it seems Tito made right decision sending Salazar to the pen. Lets hope he learns from it.

Wasn't it Carracasco that got his act together after being demoted to bullpen?

Yes, Gaylord. Good memory.

Zach Meisel wrote this morning on how the Indians don't miss Napoli and Davis. Was good stuff.

How about a comparison of Napoli and Edwin Encarnacion?

MN: .194/.263/.411 slash line
EE: .232/.349/.420 slash line

MN: Strikeouts in 31.3 percent of plate appearances
EE: Strikeouts in 26.4 percent of plate appearances

MN: 11 home runs
EE: 10 home runs

Napoli is -0.5 WAR so far.

As much as EE has struggled he's still better than what we had. Not 12 mill better maybe, but EE is going to be better the rest of the way. He always starts slow and heats up in June. At his worst he's still been better.

Davis is -0.3 and is only 6 of 10 in SB attempts this year.

What about leadership in the clubhouse? I know you didn't like Nap, but Tito always said he was a vital part of our success last year b/c of that.

Well, easy now, it's not that I don't like Napoli personally and don't think he was a great clubhouse presence last year. Quite the contrary.

I just don't like having a clean up hitter that strikes out 200 times.

From June on and in the postseason I look for EE to be far more effective than Nap was. He was non-existent in the postseason. And I am very happy with the defense Santana is giving us. Better than Nap too.

And now we are in a place where that presence in clubhouse isn't needed. Kipnis has emerged as a leader. Brantley is a leader. Gomes is a leader, and more so when he's hitting good. I've noticed he's been more vocal of late. And despite his young age Lindor is emerging as a leader too. You see stories of young guys going to him and telling of the advice he's given them.

J.R. wrote:What about leadership in the clubhouse? I know you didn't like Nap, but Tito always said he was a vital part of our success last year b/c of that.

I'd add Rajai to that as well. In addition he brought that aggressive attitude to the basepaths that resulted in the team stealing an awful lot last year.

I think Zimmer/Eddie are certainly upgrades, don't get me wrong. But it is an interesting possibility that those guys brought something that so far hasn't been replaced.

Bring back Kenny Lofton and Giambi!

Rajai is hitting 200 and only 6 of 10 in steal attempts.

I think the Tribe did a Belichick and got rid of him and Napoli at the right time.

Indians have acquired infielder Josh Wilson from Rangers for cash. (I won't bore you with my Norm Cash joke again)

He is being sent to AAA Columbus.

He's a 36 year old 2nd baseman. Fill in journeyman...

He was hitting .329 with 4 homers on Texas' AAA team in Pacific Coast League.

Hillbilly wrote:Rajai is hitting 200 and only 6 of 10 in steal attempts.

I think the Tribe did a Belichick and got rid of him and Napoli at the right time.

I absolutely and completely agree. But that doesn't mean that those guys didn't have assets that might not have been replaced.

Let's talk about someone who doesn't stink ... Neat stat involving Frankie ...

MLB Stat of the Day‏ @MLBStatoftheDay
@Lindor12BC’s 12 homers through 51 team games are 2nd most for any switch-hitter younger than 24, behind Mickey Mantle’s 14 in 1955.

So Frankie is sort of a combo of Omar Vizquel and Mickey Mantle!