A New Spring

My fiancé and I took a winter vacation last week to Niagara Falls, Ontario.  Most of our friends thought we were crazy to go north in the winter time.  When it is February, and there is a polar vortex, it is clearly still winter in the Midwest.  While up there she got to see the falls for the first time.  It was my first time seeing them frozen like they were.  They aren’t actually frozen, but rather they are the pit for all of the ice that has built up along all the Great Lakes that feed into it, so when the ice goes over the falls, it just gets trapped and builds until it looks like the falls are frozen.  Underneath that ice, is the same water moving quickly, and in April, all of that ice that we saw will be gone, and every visitor can see the water flow for the entire summer season.  And starting around November, the ice will slowly return. 

                Our last night there, we went to Skylon Tower for dinner.  We saw the same falls as we did earlier in our trip, except that there was less ice, the water was beginning to seep thru.  As soon as we got back, she put away her winter themed table settings, and full team scrimmages were happening in Arizona and Florida.  It’s spring, and it’s time for a new baseball season.  The country is beginning to thaw, diamonds are being prepped for games, the stadiums are being stocked with souvenirs, and ticket offices are looking for any last minute season ticket holders they can find.  Once the snow melts, spring arrives.  It brings back so many memories from my childhood as an Indians fan, the Albert Belle flex, Kenny Lofton’s steals and climbs up the center field wall, Omar’s bare hands, Jeff Kent’s stache; Charles Nagy’s breaking ball, and more.  It flowed on thru my life into what were down seasons for the Indians, but still memorable moments, Jody Gerut’s sliding catches, Fausto vs. the midges, CC, Pronk, Bob Wickman putting all of us on edge every appearance, Victor’s swing, Cliff Lee’s resurgence and emergence, Grady Sizemore’s dives, and We are All Kipnisses.     

                 Once the snow melts, what will our new memories be?   While the snow covered the ground, we said ‘good-bye’ to Joe Smith, Chris Perez, Matt Albers, Ubaldo Jimenez, and Drew Stubbs.  We welcomed John Axford, Josh Outman, David Murphy, Elliot Johnson, and Shaun Marcum.  What will all these moves mean?  I can’t be certain, but I know one thing is certain, don’t think this is close to the same team that Cleveland fans saw last season.  What were the strengths of last season may not be the strengths this year, who was healthy, may not be healthy this year, and who was injured, may be fully healthy all season.  There isn’t any ‘What if’ or Harlem Shake promos, but instead a letter from Terry Francona to the fans.  Chris Perez’s twitter account is no longer important, but John Axford’s facial hair is.  Ubaldo’s mechanics are irrelevant (until we face Baltimore), but I suddenly care about Shaun Marcum’s rehabilitation. 

                Spring is here, and the Indians are practicing.  The blog is open for comments, and there will plenty of posts from me about whatever the season will hold.  Win or lose, we are all part of the Tribe, and there will be joy, heartache, and most likely a new grey hair or two.  If there wasn’t, would it even really be fun to be a Cleveland Indians fan?   

Roll Tribe (Oh wait…that was last year too…hmmm)

#Windians

Tribe Gets Francona

Listening to Jim Rome today and they have some local Cleveland radio guys filling in.  Figured it was the off-season, so maybe time to get off the schnide and blog on the Tribe.  I took a lot of time off for obvious reasons, August was impossible to watch, travel for work, CPA tests, weddings, etc.  Once one of these subs for Rome said "You think you got it bad in Oakland, in Indy, in New York, just shut up and look at Cleveland".   Truer words never spoken.

To sum up the season, the Indians were in first place as late as June, and then ended barely ahead of the Twins for last place in the AL Central.  It was one of the most amazing nose dives I have ever witnessed in any sport, except it mirrored the same nosedive they took the year prior.  After a crash landing to end the season, GM Chris Antonetti had seen enough and fired Manny Acta with 8 games left in the season.  Sandy Alomar took over and finished the season making us look decent, and only making a few minor changes(Chisenhall batting clean-up).  Then they said they would interview Alomar and Terry Francona(formerly a World Series Champion in Boston and Philadelphia), and on the day of the playoffs Terry Francona was named manager of the Indians.  For the next 4 years we get to see what Francona can do with a lot smaller payroll, and a pretty bare cupboard in the Indians farm system too.  So what now?

First let's make a quick point, I know we as Cleveland sports fans are incredibly loyal, and of course in our hearts we wanted Alomar to get the job(now we are REALLY hoping he returns in some capacity on Francona's staff), but make no bones about it Francona is the right choice.  He has the winning pedigree, won't ditch us for a bigger stage(been there, done that), and he is completely removed from the meltdowns of the last two seasons.  What can Sandy say that he wasn't saying to the players the last few seasons?  I am sure Acta had final say, but I am pretty sure Acta was listening to everybody and doing anything his staff/GM suggested to stop those long losing streaks, and none of them worked.  I actually don't think Sandy will be back, I hope he does come back, but I see the Colorado Rockies needing a manager, and he just seems like a fit for them.

Francona is the right move because he commands respect from everyone on the roster.  This isn't a guy who managed the Nationals.  This guy stole our World Series opportunity away when they came back in the ALCS from down 3-1 when we had Sabathia and a stud rookie named Fausto Carmona(allegedly).  This guy will make Cleveland a more attractive place for free agents, believe it or not, people don't want to play in
Cleveland.  We don't have sell-outs, we don't spend a lot of money, we don't have a recent history of winning, and to win in Cleveland you have to beat the Tigers and White Sox.  Trust me, guys in the majors are there because they welcome challenges and overcome them, however do you think hitters who want to make big paychecks, put up big numbers, are volunteering to face Verlander, Fister, and Peavy on repeat in a cold weather town like Cleveland?  Do you think stud pitchers are foaming at the mouth to play in a hitters power park against Migeul Cabrera, Prince Fielder, Adam Dunn, Joe Mauer, Paul Konerko, and #PickAProspectFromKC.  Francona gives free agents a reason to come to Cleveland.  We aren't going to out spend anybody, but if you are a young guy who is trying to play for that BIG future contract, you want to play for a guy who has a track record of getting the most out of his players, and more importantly a track record of developing young stars.

Those are the facts, and since Lindor isn't ready to debut yet, the Indians are going to be relying on free agents to surround the core of this team.  They have money to spend with Hafner, Roberto Hernandez, and
Grady Sizemore finally off of the books.  So this off-season is HUGE for the Francona era.  You need to surround Choo, Kipnis, Brantley, and A-Cab with somebody who is better than Matt LaPorta, Shelley Duncan, Austin Kearns, Grimmace, and Derek Lowe.  Those guys aren't going to cut it.  Francona commands respect from free agents.  Let's see what happens this off-season.  I think the additions in free agency THIS off-season are huge, because if they work and lead to wins, then the fans in Cleveland will come.  When the fans come, the money comes, when the money comes the Tribe will spend it.  If they spend it properly(i.e KEEP CHOO!), then you could see a contender, and that's what the Indians need to foster a consistent winning ballclub.  Right now, with losing records, the fans aren't going to show up unless its fireworks night, and without fans ownership can spend to keep our favorite players. Francona's signing, will help ticket sales early in the season, bet on it.

Francona was the only choice, Alomar is definitely a sentimental choice, but even if he is the best manager ever, we need talent/money, and Alomar can't attract that using his history as a Mets/Indians bench coach and showing players the lovely sights of the Hard Rock Museum. Francona can point to his rings and past players he managed.  He will bring a superior staff who also want to learn from him.  My guess is Brad Mills will be on staff, and so will Alomar if he misses out on the Rockies job.

So let's congratulate Terry Francona on being the new Indians manager, lets also wish him lots of luck.  As a big viewer of the Indians, let me suggest what he should focus on immediately, in closing is a checklist in order that he needs to work on with Chris Antonetti.  I may address these all individually in future blogs during the off-season.

1.  Starting Pitching-get somebody who has a sub 4.00 ERA PLEASE!
2.  Starting Pitching-repeat step 1, 2 is better than 1, and we have none.
3.  Grady Sizemore-is he healthy?  How little can you spend to find out?
4.  First Base-how do we always have the worst offensive first baseman in the AL?  In Boston you had Youkilis, V-Mart, David Ortiz, and then Adrian Gonzalez.
5.  Lonnie Chisenhall- if he your franchise 3rd baseman why is Jack Hanahan starting opening day there?
6.  Shin Soo Choo - How good is he?  More importantly, how much are you willing to prevent him from hitting free agency?
7.  Left Field - I really liked Russ Canzler, but I only saw him in September
8.  Bullpen - If you touch it then this in any way(other than to trade to improve any of the above) then this was the wrong choice as manager
9.  Fireworks - Can we have more fireworks days?  Because this will increase attendance and thus payroll rises
10.  Carlos Santana - Pick a position for him.  First base works since it is a need.  Catcher does too, but you won't get any solid 1B to come to town if he knows Santana will take his starts every week.

-Grey Beard

Tribe falls to Royals 8-3

Well the Indians had an off day to re-group after the sweep in Minnesota.  They also got the news that "Operation Duncan Drop" was the organizational strategy for the rest of the year.  So they took BP, and
then hit the field!

Now cue up the goofy circus music....

- Derek Lowe walked the bases loaded and then proceeded to balk on the next pitch by getting his cleat stuck in the dirt.

- Grimmace went after a ball that bounced off the top of his glove, but it wasn't a foul ball like he thought and that led to an RBI double even with his complaints that he was out of bounds.

- Carlos Santana reached on an error, but he made a step towards second
and got tagged out while he walked back to 1st after changing his mind.

- Shin Soo Choo struck out all 4 times he went to the plate

- We pinch hit for our DH....this is just pathetic.

Needless to say the game was ugly, and it got ugly fast.  Derek Lowe continues to labor since April ended and he only lasted 2.1 innings allowing 7 earned runs.  He isn't pitching well, he isn't getting grounders, he is allowing line drives and hard hits.  To make matters more interesting, he had 3 runs of run support early, he just allowed the doors to get blown off the hinges and that allowed Luke Hochevar to settle down and just put the finishing touches on an already struggling offense.

Here is most intriguing part of the game, the pitcher out of the bullpen?  Josh Tomlin.  The same Josh Tomlin who was scheduled to start on Thursday, he also allowed a double and a triple to the first two batters he faced.  Think he will still start on Thursday?  I don't think so.  Be on the lookout for the Tribe to call-up one of two people depending on how the Columbus rotation shapes up.

Corey Kluber - 11-7 with a 3.59ERA in 125.1 IP.  Most important, he has
128 SOs which lead the International League.
Chris Seddon - LEFTY!!! 11-5 3.44 ERA in 123.0 IP.

My guess is that Kluber will get the call, we never have a left-handed starter.

I don't want to ignore the offense in this game, but Choo and Pronk didn't have a good game which cost us some bigger run scoring opportunities.  Michael Brantley was raking it, and he hit into a DP, but that was just bad luck as the 1B only caught his liner because he was holding the runner.  I have noticed Johnny Damon playing a full 9 innings recently, so maybe Cunningham was only platooning defensively until Damon got his endurance back.  That is wishful thinking, but the Tribe is struggling, gotta find a bright spot.

Tribe got two more games in KC, and we need the offense to hit a stride over the next two games.  The KC staff from top to bottom isn't close to as good as the Tigers is.  Plus, they just traded their closer so their bullpen is shuffling too.

Go Tribe!

Hitters      AB R H RBI BB SO #P AVG OBP SLG
S Choo RF     4 0 0   0  1 4 22 .288 .376 .479
A Cabrera SS  5 1 2   0  0 1 22 .279 .346 .442
J Kipnis 2B   3 0 1   0  1 0 13 .270 .344 .404
M Brantley CF 4 1 2   0  0 0 8 .291 .344 .418
C Santana C   3 1 1   0  1 0 14 .234 .362 .388
T Hafner DH 3 0 0 0   0  2 18 .230 .350 .434
a-J Lopez PH-DH 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 .247 .270 .376
J Damon LF    4 0 1   1  0 0 16 .227 .286 .335
C Kotchman 1B 3 0 1   1  1 1 17 .227 .293 .357
J Hannahan 3B 3 0 0   0  1 1 15 .232 .300 .342
Totals 33 3 8 2 5 9 149
a-flied out to left for T Hafner in the 8th
BATTING
2B: C Santana (19, L Hochevar); A Cabrera (23, L Hochevar); M Brantley
(29, L Hochevar)
RBI: J Damon (19), C Kotchman (39)
GIDP: M Brantley
Indians RISP: 2-11 (M Brantley 0-1, S Choo 0-1, C Santana 0-1, J
Hannahan 0-1, T Hafner 0-2, J Damon 1-1, J Kipnis 0-1, A Cabrera 0-2, C
Kotchman 1-1)
Team LOB: 8

Cleveland Indians
Pitchers      IP  H  R ER BB SO HR PC-ST ERA
D Lowe
(L, 8-10)     2.1 8  7 7   2 1 0 54-35 5.52
J Tomlin      2.2 3  1 1   0 0 0 35-23 5.81
J Accardo     2.0 1  0 0   0 2 0 34-24 4.05
J Smith       1.0 2  0 0   0 1 0 14-10 3.07
Totals 8.0 14 8 8 2 4 0 137-92
PITCHING
Balk: D Lowe
First-pitch strikes/Batters faced: D Lowe 12/17; J Tomlin 7/11; J
Accardo 4/7; J Smith 5/5
Called strikes-Swinging strikes-Foul balls-In Play strikes: D Lowe
12-5-5-13; J Tomlin 4-1-7-11; J Accardo 7-3-10-4; J Smith 1-3-2-4
Ground Balls-Fly Balls: D Lowe 2-4; J Tomlin 6-2; J Accardo 1-3; J Smith
2-0
Game Scores: D Lowe 12

Trade Deadline was very Quiet

The Trade Deadline come and went, and there were big moves.  The biggest may be the rebuilding that the Philadelphia Phillies are beginning to go thru.  The traded Shane Victoriano to the Dodgers and Hunter Pence to the Giants.  They are still linked to waiver wire rumors that have Joe Blanton being moved.  GO CATS!!  In the AL Central Royals closer Johnathon Broxton was shipped off to Cincinnati for two minor leaguers.
The Chicago Cubs continue to revamp their farm system by trading Ryan Dempster, Reed Johnson, Geovonny Soto, and Paul Maholm for all prospects.

However, the Indians made a trade too.  The Indians traded Stephen Wright who is a minor-league knuckleballer with Akron to the Red Sox, for 1B/OF Lars Anderson.  Anderson has around 9 major league At-bats, so he does have some experience.  He is mostly like Matt LaPorta, a formerly big time prospect who just hasn't stuck yet and his star has faded.  Maybe he will be a Brandon Phillips for us, but most likely you won't see him as long as the Grimmace era is ongoing in Cleveland.  I hope Lars called Tony Sipp and said "I am feeling skinny Tony!".  I can keep going, don't be alarmed when you hear him hit HRs either, he makes a loud and disturbing sound when he swings, but don't be alarmed, he is fine. 



So what did the Indians do?  First off, I believe they really did try to trade Jose Lopez to the Yankees, especially when you see that the Yankees acquired Casey McGehee from the Pirates who basically plays the
same positions.  However, from what I can tell the Indians have successfully installed the "Shelley Duncan Plan".  Yes, our very own Shelly Duncan inspired, and designed the master plan that is in effect by the Chris Antonetti regime.  Mr. Duncan has said several times that the Indians did not need to make any trades, they can win with the talent they got right now.  It's just about execution, but he sees a playoff team in the clubhouse.  Well, congrats, there were no additions, no subtractions, and now Operation Duncan Drop is underway.  The 'Drop' is referring to the Indians recent trend in the standings.  Even Manny Acta said that if you can't make up 5 game deficit in 60 games than you have no business being a playoff team.  Currently it is 6 games back and 59 games left after dropping our first game to the Royals.

What do you think of the Tribes lack of movement at the trade deadline? I totally agree that 5 games back is totally recoverable, but the Indians got a tough 60 games, they got several meetings with the Tigers, the A's, Red Sox, and I believe at least one more meeting with the White Sox.  They can't sell the entire team, they aren't far enough back to quit.  However, the eye, paper, logic, and luck test are all not in the
favor of the Indians.  The Tigers or White Sox will win this division. That's not me quitting on the season, that's not being a pessimist, but it's the way the season is trending.  If you disagree, great tell me about it, comment, whatever.  However, if the reason is "We just need _______ to get going and we will be right back in it" then don't talk to me.  The whole season we just needed ________ to find his form and we
would be a playoff team.  Facts are that we got a platoon at LF, 3B, and DH.  Last I checked playoff teams don't platoon that many positions, and if they do, at the trade deadline they don't ignore it and bring in a
guy to play every day at that spot.

Daniel Hahn

Trade Rumors

Guess what?  The Tribe are linked to trade rumors, no real shock here.  This is how the rumor mill has swirled since my post about this being one of the most important weeks in Tribe history.  After the Tribe won 2 out of 3 from the Tigers, the Tribe was linked to Hunter Pence and Chase Headley.  Cool.

Then the weekend sweep in Minnesota.  Oh brother.....  Now we got rumors of Shin-Soo Choo heading to Pittsburgh for top prospect Starling Marte.  On top of that, that the Indians are asking teams if they want Justin Masterson.  What?  One sweep, drastic change in outlook for the season.  Imagine if the Tribe won the series vs. Minnesota, or even looked respectable, what might be the case.  Last year the Tribe said we want to win NOW, this year you can tell they are just torn.  What is this team?  A contender?  A pretender?  Are we just in a really tough division?  I have no answer to these questions either.  We got holes sure, but on paper the bullpen is strong, the rotation is respectable, and there is potential in the lineup.  Unfortunately games aren't played on paper.  Unfortunately there are no guarantees that Carlos Santana will ever live up to his potential and hit around .280 with power.  There is no way to be sure that Grady Sizemore will ever come back, there is no assurances that Masterson will pitch well in back to back starts.  Simply this team is plagued by the major gap that separates the great teams from the rest, consistency.  The Indians simply don't have it from enough players.

How many times has Michael Brantley had a 6 game or more hit streak?  Consistent.  Look at Choo's numbers since moving to the lead-off spot...consistent.  A-Cab is hitting near .300, consistent.  The entire bullpen overall...consistent.  The rest of the team I just don't know what to say.  You don't give up on Carlos Santana, not with the talent that he has.  You don't quit on Ubaldo, not with what it cost you to acquire him.  I left out Jason Kipnis, but he is a streaky guy right now, its only his second full season, he has been very good, but he shouldn't be our #3 hitter.  He is because there isn't a better option.  Look at the mess after the 3 spot, Hafner, Jose Lopez, Santana, and Shelley Duncan have all tried a shot at #4. 

So you are Chris Antonetti, and the word is the Tribe would have to be "overwhelmed" by an offer to trade Mr. Choo.  Good, it should be overwhelming, he is the face of this franchise, and he genuinely likes playing in Cleveland, but he is a fan who wants to win. You will lose Choo if they do not make the playoffs this year or next year.  That is the only guarantee I can make right now.  However, I promise this, if they trade Choo, they are throwing in the towel on this season and next season, which will not attract fans, and keep the payroll extremely low.

However, I think you COULD trade Justin Masterson and replace him next season.  I like Masterson, I want him to stay, however he is more inconsistent than Ubaldo and Masterson has an easier motion to repeat.  If you get a high level prospect that is a starter, or a left fielder, then you pull the trigger.  Don't forget, the rotation has one too many guys currently because Roberto Hernandez will be called up eventually, and you still have Jeanmar Gomez in the minors.  Next season Derek Lowe is out, so that does open a spot, but you would think with the Tribe saving $13million by shedding Pronk's contract, that money can go to a better pitcher than what we have gotten from Lowe.  Lowe is highly valuable to a contending team, he still eats innings, and he still can mentor a pitching staff, but currently we aren't contending without a jolt of consistent play.

So in conclusion, keep Choo, and trade Masterson(IF you get the right group of players back).  This season isn't over, the Tribe are 5.5 games out, they have slid like this before(last season), what is the mood in the clubhouse?  Are they saying ("Here we go again") or are they saying ("Not again").  The difference this season than last is that the team is for the most part healthy.  This is happening with our starters on the field, not the Cleveland Clippers.

I believe, but can't trade the farm to make a move.  The guys we have have to show something, but don't trade Choo.  That's foregoing the entire organization's chances at a championship until Fransisco Lindor mans SS.

Daniel Hahn    

White Sox add another

Well it looks like the room for error is getting smaller and smaller for the Tribe.  The White Sox added Fransisco Liriano last night to their roster in exchange for 2 minor leaguers.  Liriano has a major control problem and mirrors the play of Roberto Hernandez in many ways.  When this guy can find the strikezone, he has Cy Young potential, when he can't, he may walk 8 batters in a game and be chased before the 4th inning.  Either way it is an upgrade for the White Sox rotation. 

Daniel Hahn

What Happened?

Sorry for not posting game updates for the Tigers series, I was going to do a summary, and then I saw the first Twins game, and now most of the second Twins game.  So I will put some time into this blog shortly, but it's tough to take time out your day to watch a team tank when you got other things going on.

I know we live in a society today where mass media is always quick to jump to conclusions.  It's easy for us as fans to do the same thing too, especially with a team that you watch everyday.  I am a University of Kentucky graduate, and I usually watch every football and most basketball games each year.  It's always interesting when March Madness rolls around and I start to fill out my bracket.  Usually money is at stake, but the problem is my fanhood is a big issue usually.  As a fan you never want to pick your team to lose, it goes against everything fans stand for.  However when you got your own money on the line, and you have your own team to bet with, reality usually settles in after a bias pick or two.  The reality is that as fans who watch most games, you see the good, the real, and the ugly.  Manny Acta references this all season when he drops quotes that when Jack Hannahan is hitting .380 to start the year, that he will average out, and same with guys who enter slumps and the team's overall play in general.  You can't help but to jump to conclusions, you know your favorite team can win any game at anytime.  You have seen them do it for most every sport you watch.  Even the Cavs beat the Heat at home 'post Decision'!  However you have seen them play at their worst too.  Losing games that a team should have no business losing, even this past season I saw UK basketball play one of the worst halves I have ever seen in any basketball game when they went down to Starkville(luckily they recovered in the 2nd half to win). 

Media will always present the rush discussion.  They have to, when you have a 3 hour TV or radio show and only 3 major things happened the night before, you got to yuck it up all day until something else happens.  As a midwest sports fan it always stinks that our teams rarely get mentioned unless you are a fan of any Chicago team, and even then does anybody really remember a no-hitter by Phillip Humber earlier this year? 

The big point here is, what in the world do we take from the week the Indians are having(Other than Tomlin and Lowe may be done for the year)?   I was not trying to rush to conclusion about this team based on the Tigers series, however they just turned off their own momentum.  When Santana and Pronk hit two HRs in that 7th inning off of Justin Verlander to change the momentum and turned out to win the game that inning, you knew this team could skyrocket.  That was their moment!  Just like the Tigers did around this time last year, and the White Sox a few years before that, winning that series and then getting a big time selling Twins team should have been lights out!  In sports momentum plays a key role.  Yes it is imaginary, but why do you think that it is so hard for a team to start losing, or a player to break a slump?  It's much easier to stay in a zone, or to keep loose when wins are happening.  This team was in a funk all summer, then you got the favorite to win the division at home, and you win the series.  Huge right?  Now your going to have a series against the bottom of the division, and you squander all momentum.

They win a series against the defending division champs, and then lose 11-0 the next night.  Right now it is 11-3 in the 8th inning, and we are not ahead.  This was the week to make a run!  This was the week to tell management, "We are who you thought we were!  Now get us some help!", or "We don't need anybody else!".  Now what is the message that Chris Antonetti is looking at when it comes to trades?  He said he will decide on Tuesday if the team is a buyer or a seller. 

Good thing for us, Antonetti doesn't act like a media member or a fan and rushed to a conclusion following that Tigers series, because I am sure right now he is second guessing buying anybody(PLEASE CHASE HEADLEY).  Chris Antonetti doesn't have the luxury of rush decisions, and he can't be loyal to anybody other than the Indians organization.  He has to be a realist about where this team is, and what this team can afford to do.  Unlike my march madness bracket, Chris Antonetti can add the pieces mid-season that we need to make those really bad moments not spring up as often after July 31st.  Or maybe he realizes this team isn't one you could or even should pencil in all the way to the championship this year when you got money and jobs on the line.  Maybe it's time to add something that will pay dividends long term.  

We still have 2 more games before Tuesday, maybe the Indians will turn it around behind the non-struggling starters(McAllister, Jimenez, and Masterson).  I think it's time for Josh Tomlin to skip a start and regroup or do so in 2.5 weeks. 

Good luck Mr Antonetti, I do not want to be in your shoes on Tuesday. 

Daniel Hahn