how about….the pinch-running and defensive replacement part? though, i suppose having a lefty on the bench when dellucci starts is a good thing….or something.

See, Jay. I just knew this guy was key to our season. Key.

i kind of want tyner to pinch hit for cc. i can see the gamethread now. it will make the calls for marte seem tame. “why would you pinch hit a lefty for cc who is a lefty with more power?!”, they’ll scream. “what does cc have to do to prove he deserves at bats?!”, they’ll plea. “fire, wedge!!”, they’ll demand….

That seems highly unlikely, as does the idea that the Indians will go with 14 position players and only 11 pitchers for very long.

Goodbye, Francisco?

Michael, but without the power. Are we playing a bunch of turf games?

Not sure I get this one at all. You’re telling me we had no idea a week ago that Mastny would eventually be sent down? And that since we’re paying most of Michaels salary anyway, that he isn’t a better option than Tyner? I really hope this isn’t anything more than a ceremonial “thanks for a few months of work, Tyner” callup followed by a quick DFA.

Maybe they’re bringing him in to boost Victor’s morale.

From the reports in the paper, it sounds as if they really wanted Mastny to pitch, so part of this move is about him - giving him regular work so he would be useful later on. So, whom could they call up instead? Makes little sense to call up Barfield - he hasn’t hit that well at AAA and would likely sit up here anyway. Another pitcher would just be in Mastny’s situation, although I’m a little surprised they didn’t take a flyer on Elarton, since I think he can opt out pretty soon if they don’t call him up. So, if it’s a hitter, it’s really Aubrey (on the 40-man) or “whatever.” I guess they don’t think Aubrey is ready to jump two levels in a couple of weeks, so it’s whatever—Tyner (or Gonzalez) by default. Seems like the pinch-runner/defense argument won out.

This might also give us a hint of what they’ll do when Choo becomes available. If the bullpen works out with only 5 guys, they might try, for a while, to replace Tyner with Choo (in this sense, calling up Tyner, not Gonzalez makes more sense, then, since Gonzalez is insurance at several infield positions—if they have to DFA the guy they call up, they may prefer to lose Tyner).

If Jay’s right about the deadline, then it’s possible they’re really serious about keeping him around all year. But, if not, I think this move actually says the opposite—that they’re perfectly happy to dump Tyner when Choo comes back and/or when they find they need additional pitching help and have to call someone up.

honestly, isn’t this just till borowski comes off the DL?

...

Championship?

Most boring call-up ever. Our starters have been too good, our pen is fine, with Carroll, Marte, Francisco, Shoppach we’ve got our positions covered. Never has the 25 spot been less necessary. I think we should have signed Canseco for two weeks, just for the stories from the bench.

More speculation- but it seems like we’ll need Sowers or another starter sometime this week (Friday?) with the doubleheader today. Someone is getting sent down or DFA. With Francisco playing really well, it has to be Tyner, doesn’t it?