Cleveland Sports Forum

While thinking recently about the Indians' outfield depth when Naquin went on the DL, and the forthcoming promotion of Melky Cabrera and the release of someone, likely to be Davis, I recalled the long-forgotten name of Lonnie Chisenhall. When reading periodic stories on the rehab efforts of the Tribe disabled, I don't recall seeing Lonnie even being mentioned. I suppose it won't happen but giving him a DFA would not be unreasonable. Davis is one of those rare Tribe outfielders who tends to stay healthy. With Zimmer bouncing off walls and Chisenhall forever rehabbing his calf, Greg Allen loses valuable time to perfect his game in AAA.

The Indians have to bring Melky up by June 1st as part of his contract. So we will see him soon. Doubt they DFA Chiz though.

Right now they can just send Allen back, who has been really bad at the plate so far. Picked up his first hit today. When Chiz gets back they can decide between Davis and Naquin. (I personally would have no problem considering Guyer, but Tito won't)

I agree that they won't drop Chiz, but it's also probably a long time before he returns.

AtBat had Miller as high as 94 mph

Which is reasonable first time back. Tough to throw him right into the fire but what were the options?

Today he came in with no pressure. And we got our first look at Oliver Drake, too. It's always nice to get 8 solid innings from the starter and 11 runs from the offense.

The TV gun had him topping out at 93 today. I had no wife distractions and made a point to look.

This was his second outing since back from DL I thought.

I just don't think he's the same as when we got him. He regularly threw 96-97 and topped out at 98 when we first acquired him. Last year he was at 94-95. This year even a tick lower. Though wouldn't be shocked to see him add another MPH or two as he gets back in groove as weather warms up. But don't think he will get back to where he was.

I don't think his huge sweeping slider is the same now either. Anybody else been watching him this year have an opinion on that?

Look back if you want, I was suggesting trading Kipnis, Chisenhall, and Salazar 2 years ago Could have gotten something then .I am not happy about seeming to be right about my prognostications. But it secretly makes me feel a little Rusty like.

I think Tito's dedication to vets is showing itself again. Last year Kip was injured, JRam went to 2nd and we had strong defense. The number of errors this team is accumuulating and is extending not just extra outs, but elevates the pitch counts.

The only thing keeping Kipnis on this team is his untradeable, long term salary.

Lou, I put up an argument for Kip. I thought he would come around. Don’t know about that anymore. This has been going on for quite a while now.

Wonder if Shapiro would want him? Toronto has a kid playing 2nd who is hitting .209.

HB - with Donaldson now playing the Jays move Solarte over to 2B (he was at 3B when Donaldson was out). He also has a contract of consequence and is actually hitting something so I doubt that works.

Oh, OK. Well, unless there is something else going on I don't know about the only other contenders I see that could use help at 2nd base is Cardinals and D'Backs.

Cano is going to be out quite a while for Mariners but since Kipnis is signed 2 more years I don't think they'd be interested.

That's about it.

Cards and D'Backs 2nd base situations both look grim on surface. One of them might be willing to gamble if trade price tag is cheap. But I dunno. Kip has been so bad for so long now I just don't know. May have to ride it out and hope for best. He is owed a ton of money next few years.

merely $13,666,667 this year; $14,666,667 next year; $2,000,000 buyout for 2020.

We thought he wasn't very good last year when he hit 232, but he still had 25 doubles and 12 homers in not too much more than half a season. His walks had dropped from 10% of total plate appearances to about 7% and his steals only 6. His full line was 232/291/414

But this season the numbers have really crashed. Average is a miniscule 173. 9 doubles aren't bad. 1 homer is. His walk rate has picked up to closer to 10%. He hasn't even tried to steal a base. 173/256/253

I don't know to read advanced fielding stats, but at least his errors are not excessive, 3 to date.

But he has less range than he used to have and arm and turn on DP's are quite slower.