Shapiro conference call (4/20)

From Castro:

(On yesterday's replay)
"There was a second feed from the YES Network that was very different from the STO feed. It certainly appeared the ball went over Crowe's glove and into the stands. I can understand the umpire's ruling. Most importantly, focusing on that play would be an excuse. We didn't execute situationally, and our bullpen didn't execute. That play was influential, but to use that would be an excuse, and that's not how we play."

(On possible roster moves)
"We'd consider any move that would make our team better. No one at Columbus has made themselves a clear, better alternative to the guys up here. We need to balance the importance of making us better and understanding there's some urgency with also understanding the long schedule and respecting what players have done and giving them the opportunity to get on track."

9 months ago millionairesrow 40 comments 0 recs |

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We’re not locked into any date to make a decision. We’re not going to be passive. We clearly understand the expectations.

I know this is PR conversation, and the goal is not to actually inform, but what’s the point of saying this? I’m as big a fan of this FO as there is, but at least be straight with us. Or, if you’re going to say something that is the opposite of what is true, don’t say anything at all.

You’re passive. It’s one of your defining characteristics. And when I say passive, that’s on the scale of MLB front offices. I’m not saying it hasn’t worked. In hindsight, it’s probably been the right choice. Regardless, it’s how you do business. Maybe passive sounds too negative, so try ‘patient’ or ‘loyal.’ Wedge is still here. I would tried someone else in an attempt to ‘shake it up.’ I probably would have been wrong.

When you “balance the importance of making us better and understanding there’s some urgency with also understanding the long schedule and respecting what players have done and giving them the opportunity to get on track,” you’re going to rank well down on the “opportunity to get on track” end. Your players probably love you for it, just own up.

by dgcambridge on Apr 20, 2009 7:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hmm, translate, if LaPorta’s still got a shiny 1000 OPS two months from now, and Ben’s not hitting his weight, we’ll start thinking about it maybe. Can’t really think of any other deserves-to-get-sent-down sitch, unless he’s talking about pitchers.

by fleerdon on Apr 20, 2009 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

“We’d consider any move that would make our team better. No one at Columbus has made themselves a clear, better alternative to the guys up here. We need to balance the importance of making us better and understanding there’s some urgency with also understanding the long schedule and respecting what players have done and giving them the opportunity to get on track.”

laporta (columbus) = .314/.368/.714

francisco = .211/.286/.368

no “clear, better alternative”? right. . .

by Cap'n Snegiryov on Apr 20, 2009 8:12 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Even if LaPorta came up and hit better than Francisco, it wouldn’t necessarily mean more wins. Our losses have come because of untimely hitting (mostly from positions 2-5), SP only going 5 innings and a bullpen that has been taxed and struggling.

by Toxicadam on Apr 20, 2009 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

you’re probably right about the marginal value of adding laporta to our lineup right now, but it bothers me how content shapiro seems to be with this roster.

by Cap'n Snegiryov on Apr 20, 2009 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We’re one of the highest scoring teams in baseball. Hitting and scoring is not our problem.

Resident LGT results-oriented boob.

by mauichuck on Apr 20, 2009 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

But only one other club has had the luxury of playing in new Yankee Stadium.

by JulioBernazard on Apr 21, 2009 8:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

LaPorta will be up sooner rather than later with how he is hitting. I am not worried about him getting his chance

by Roger Dorn on Apr 20, 2009 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think that has more to do with Matt LaPorta’s best interests in mind. There have been a decent amount of guys this year where GM’s just decided that AAA was not needed. I think it’s going to bite a lot of them in the butt in the end.

by Joe. on Apr 20, 2009 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think our organization thinks more highly of AAA competition than some. I’m sure there’s a reason for that. I wonder if there’s a pattern with our AAAA guys, that they’re good coaches, or good examples, or something. If anybody’s squeezing value out of career minor leaguers, it’s this front office.

by fleerdon on Apr 20, 2009 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Reflecting on this some more. We know that a larger percentage of of AAA is roster depth — mature ballplayers who work year to year. There’s got to be less statistical noise in that than in AA.

by fleerdon on Apr 21, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Never thought of that before.

by still ill on Apr 21, 2009 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m guessing he’s referring more to the bullpen here. And if LaPorta is still raking by end of May and Ben isn’t pulling his weight, I’ll be willing to wager that LaPorta comes up.

by TribeJay on Apr 21, 2009 12:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

LaPorta (MLE): .270/.308/.514. Better, but enough better to make a huge difference? Enough better to make that move in April?

by FredOx on Apr 21, 2009 8:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

In 39 PA. Francisco has 43 PA. If starting LaPorta in AAA made sense 20 days ago, it should still make sense today.

by ClarkM on Apr 21, 2009 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think there’s some value to calling a guy up when he’s seeing the ball well. It sort of depends on their internal plans for deploying him—if they were hoping to have him up by mid-May, call him now. If they were planning for the All-Star Break or later, come hell or high water, then 40 good plate appearances shouldn’t change that.

Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile

by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Apr 21, 2009 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I promoted to front page but cut back the direct quotes drastically. We don’t just copy-paste whole articles here; it’s unfair to the author.

The link is worth following to read the whole thing, I will say that.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Apr 20, 2009 8:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m thinking we need fresh bullpen arms, maybe Meloan and Sipp. Does Raffy P have options remaining? Same for Jensen Lewis. Maybe they can work out their issues at Columbus. We need bullpen outs to bridge to Kerry.

by larzko on Apr 20, 2009 9:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Posted this over at Paul’s place. Meloan is getting K’s, but the line-drive rate is high. Sipp is getting K’s, but the walk-rate is high. We’ve already got Stomp and Betancourt, you know? Who we really need is for Perez to be Perez. Also! God damn it, Adam Miller.

by fleerdon on Apr 20, 2009 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There is no Adam Miller.

Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile

by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Apr 20, 2009 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs

Sipp and Meloan are both guys that I think need time in the minors to get past the transitions they are making (Sipp from injury, Meloan from the conversion). Hopefully one of them will straighten it all out and be ready for a May/June call-up.

by Roger Dorn on Apr 20, 2009 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I agree with this. I do not want to wait for the bullpen to come around. I know these guys have good track records and this would probably be seen as a panic move, but maybe they can work out their issues in Columbus while some new guys give it a go. It couldn’t be any worse.

by Cols714 on Apr 20, 2009 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I read that they re-worked Meloan’s delivery in spring, and his velocity was down from 94-95 to 90-91. He was cut early, with very little work in preseason games. He wasn’t even remotely considered for that last spot, so I’d find it hard to believe they’d bring him up quickly based on what happened in Goodyear.

Meloan had a couple good outings early, but got hit hard in his next appearance and gave it up tonight as well. I think Sipp is a candidate, but as said below, they probably want to make sure he can stay healthy for awhile before bringing him up.

by TribeJay on Apr 21, 2009 12:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It couldn’t be any worse.

Careful. We could go all day naming off the bad relievers who’ve come and gone.

by jhon on Apr 20, 2009 11:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

At least he mentioned the slow start trend.

by mcrose on Apr 20, 2009 11:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

to use that would be an excuse, and that’s not how we play.

Good to know that Cleveland has two “no-excuse” teams.

by JulioBernazard on Apr 21, 2009 8:01 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thought I’d pass this along:

Tomorrow, Wednesday, April 22nd from noon to 1:30 pm in Sandstone 3 (Baldwin Wallace Campus) Mark Shapiro is a keynote speaker in a talk titled, "Leading in Turbulent Times".

“Mark’s perspective on leadership includes a global perspective and concerns about regional economic development. The Indians have operations in Latin America and Asia. He views innovation and integrity as the way to respond to uncertain times.”

I will add that pizza and refreshments provided. This is a free event.

by jhon on Apr 21, 2009 11:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

but how much is it?

by hans on Apr 21, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Depends. If you show up drunk on a Wednesday afternoon you could end up on a slippery slope, in which case it could cost a pretty penny.

by jhon on Apr 21, 2009 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I will add that pizza and refreshments provided. This is a free event.

If possiblem, in the future, can you post any event where the above quote is true.

by hans on Apr 21, 2009 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

“possible” not “possiblem”

by hans on Apr 21, 2009 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Link to the event detail

Do you know something I don’t? Is this not free? Will there not be pizza?

by jhon on Apr 21, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, I think I get what you mean. Yeah, I’m not sure if it’s open to the general public, but the two people (at most) who want to go because I posted this can probably wiggle there way in as prospective students or whatever. Or just go.

If it concerns you, I didn’t make it a fanpost.

Are you going?

by jhon on Apr 21, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ohhhhh. I thought I was being berated for tipping people off to a free-bee. You like the free events. So do I.

Sorry hans, I just drank a whole pot of coffee.

Far as I can tell all’y’all can just go if you’d like. I mean, I was invited. Someone go in my place, please, and then write about it.

by jhon on Apr 21, 2009 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

thats ok, yes I like free, plus I really like pizza and I’m sure I probably like whatever refreshments are available. I unfortunately probably have to be in at work around the time he’s speaking tomorrow, but I would have went if not for work.

by hans on Apr 22, 2009 1:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

actually if this event was taking place next Wednesday I would have been able to swing it as I would have been at a work related meeting in Berea… damn.

by hans on Apr 22, 2009 1:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If I were in the C, I’d go to this. Sounds sweet.

by joeee on Apr 21, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope it’s better than the one I went to with John Mozeliak, Cards GM. It was just kind of a generic speech on leadership and he’s not the best public speaker in the world.

by ClarkM on Apr 21, 2009 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs