Let's Go Tribe!: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Around SBN: Defend That, Digger! The Overrated/underrated edition

Herges up, Perez down and Salas moved off of the 40-man.

No answer to the Sowers mystery either.

9 months ago 0420091953_tiny JK in CBus 137 comments 0 recs  | 

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

So Rondon is not batting eighth in tonight’s lineup?

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on May 6, 2009 4:03 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Good move. I hate to see the Scarecrow get optioned, but something’s not right with him.

Jen-Lew should be next.

by JulioBernazard on May 6, 2009 4:06 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I could see Lewis for Rundles when Rich’s ten days are up…if Lewis doesn’t miraculously straighten it out by then.

by NickFantana on May 6, 2009 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well, Wedge will certainly give him 4 chances in 2-run games to straighten himself out.

Ben Francisco: An Outfielder only on baseball cards and roster sheets.

by westbrook on May 6, 2009 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Jenny Lewis?

by hans on May 7, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Fair enough.

I hope Herges drinks whatever water he drank in 2007 with the Rockies. The Indians need a miracle 25 innings or so from him over the next two months just to stabilize some things.

by xrickx on May 6, 2009 4:09 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Get to work, Radinsky

by Roger Dorn on May 6, 2009 4:10 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

So, what happened to Juan Salas? Is he alive?

by NickFantana on May 6, 2009 4:14 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Didn’t we actually give somebody up to get him?

Ben Francisco: An Outfielder only on baseball cards and roster sheets.

by westbrook on May 6, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lastoria had him pegged as our 82nd best prospect, if that matters to anyone.

by JRontherim on May 6, 2009 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

His Net is -9 so far.

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

by Jay on May 6, 2009 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

There’s a reason I didn’t mention him by name.

by xrickx on May 6, 2009 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Skimming Lastoria’s site, it seems that after he was optioned out of camp, he pitched one minor league game, but only threw a third of an inning on 10 pitches. He never pitched again and was placed on the reserve list. Lastoria kind of pondered whether it was because of a personal issue, as nothing had been reported of an injury. I do enjoy a nice mystery.

by JRontherim on May 6, 2009 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I am pleased the Salas move is done. That was a bizarre situation that we didn’t need to be dealing with and we need the 40 man spots, it appears.

by afh4 on May 6, 2009 4:19 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Welcome to the pen, Matt. The bar is low.

by dgcambridge on May 6, 2009 4:22 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Why not Meloan?

by Joe. on May 6, 2009 4:24 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

He’s not pitching well and he’s probably not the guy you lean on to join the sinking ship. Herges isn’t throwing any better, but he’s long past the point of melting after one or two bad appearances. Plus, I doubt the Herges move is the final move.

by xrickx on May 6, 2009 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

He can contribute with his arm and be like another bullpen coach. He’s going to billupsify the whole group.

by dgcambridge on May 6, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

Great new word! Rec.

by JulioBernazard on May 6, 2009 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Looks for silver lining in his stats…

Hasn’t given up any HRs. Does that count? 3.86 ERA in April? Bound to be better than Perez?

by FredOx on May 6, 2009 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I mentioned this in passing in another thread, but his BABIP is otherworldly at .387. I don’t know what scale I should be using to measure LD%, but his is 18.2%. Hopefully someone else can line those up and say whether the BABIP is out of line or if he’s getting smoked.

(His GB% is 51.5%, which I do know is good.) Link.

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

by Manhattan Tribe Fan on May 6, 2009 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Small sample warnings apply.

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

by Manhattan Tribe Fan on May 6, 2009 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

is he any good?

by ASP on May 6, 2009 4:29 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

His career ERA+ is 109. If he gives us 50 innings at that level or higher, I’ll sponsor his page myself.

by dgcambridge on May 6, 2009 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

If he gives us 50 innings at that level

If he gives us 5 good innings this week I’ll be ecstatic

by APV on May 6, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

More and more looking like Sowers is about to be traded.

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

by Jay on May 6, 2009 4:48 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

you think the delay is related to physicals?

by APV on May 6, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

The delay could just be due to finalizing the deal, getting approval from both ownership groups, etc. Maybe there’s some haggling over a low-level prospect being included. Maybe they’re working more than one deal and are just pretty sure they’re going to do one of them.

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

by Jay on May 6, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

What makes you say that?

by world dictator on May 6, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

1. Held out of start last night.
2. Not called up today.
3. No clear need for a starter in our rotation.
4. Still need more relievers.
5. Wedge reference to trying guys from “outside of the organization.”
6. Selling high is smart.

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

by Jay on May 6, 2009 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Consider myself Lawyered.

Wonder who would be taking a flyer on Sowers.

Ha, I bet its Baltimore, Washington, or Pittsburgh

by world dictator on May 6, 2009 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Tony’s now reporting that Frank Herrmann is being promoted to AAA. This is definitely starting to look more like a long-term move of Sowers out of Columbus. And if he’s not going to Cleveland, the trade seems likely. Wonder if Seattle has any middle relievers?

by APV on May 6, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

and Castro:

The Indians aren’t done there. They’ll continue to look for relief trade possibilities, though that’s not an easy area to shop for right now, and they’ll potentially slot some mid-level starting prospects into relief roles with the hope that they’ll click and can come aboard.

by APV on May 6, 2009 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Link for Castro’s piece…

by JK in CBus on May 6, 2009 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

His new site banner is tragic.

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

by Manhattan Tribe Fan on May 6, 2009 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sounds like something was already working

by JK in CBus on May 6, 2009 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Atlanta badly needs a 5th starter

by APV on May 6, 2009 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

We could get Rafael Soriano and move one step closer to my dream of an all Rafael bullpen

by Roger Dorn on May 6, 2009 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

This would be worth calling up Perez ASAP, issues or no.

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

by Manhattan Tribe Fan on May 6, 2009 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

And now Tony says Putnam is getting promoted to AA and getting moved to the bullpen. This is a lot of early May movement.

by APV on May 6, 2009 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wow. That feels big. I wonder if they have always considered him a relief prospect in the long term or if they think they can make him into a middle reliever real quick.

by afh4 on May 6, 2009 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I can’t believe that a month ago we were making fun of the Tigers’ pitching desperation.

Ben Francisco: An Outfielder only on baseball cards and roster sheets.

by westbrook on May 6, 2009 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, it raises all the same questions. Is this a failure of scouting? I mean, we could’ve had Edwin Jackson or any number of other relatively successful guys over the last three years, be they rotation or bullpen options. Our scrap heap pick-ups, which were for a while a point of pride, have become failures exactly as they’ve needed to be successes.

As the burden of expectations has risen, the Indians have continued to try to fill the gaps the way they always have (and perhaps are financially compelled to)-dumpster diving and finding undervalued veterans. Unfortunately, they’ve failed at that of late.

by afh4 on May 6, 2009 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I was pimping Jackson this offseason. Young, live arm, pretty cheap, available, relief or rotation. But then, I thought the pen was pretty strong on opening day too.

by mcrose on May 6, 2009 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not sure that Wood represents an “undervalued” veteran. Or that trading for Smith was “dumpster diving.” Or that Jackson has been “relatively successful” for the past three years.

Or, for that matter, that we’d be having this discussion if Smith were healthy and Lewis and Perez hadn’t simply forgotten how to pitch.

by spreidel on May 6, 2009 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Obviously, Jackson was not successful over the last three years. He represents the kind of player available that the Indians could’ve gotten before this season. Instead of getting him, they got Smith, Herges, Chulk, etc. That’s a choice they made and Smith is, for lack of a better term, closer to dumpster diving than anything else-we traded a spare part for a spare part-a reliever from the NL.

Wood is obviously a change of course but even if he were good, he would not have solved many problems. The Indians major league player acquisitions generally fall into those categories-not every one, but many.

by afh4 on May 6, 2009 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Or, Smith is just a little banged up and could be pretty effective and cheap for several years.

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

by Jay on May 6, 2009 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Isn’t that sort of the definition of dumpster diving? Taking on a small level of risk to get something pretty effective?

by afh4 on May 6, 2009 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

You’re now saying that 99% of all relievers are essentially in the dumpster, basically everyone except Mo Rivera.

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

by Jay on May 7, 2009 7:58 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Is that really an indefensible position?

by afh4 on May 7, 2009 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Defensible, but provocative.

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

by Jay on May 7, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

That’s me. Safe yet exciting!

by afh4 on May 7, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Neither Herges nor Chulk were major league player acquisitions. They both signed minor-league deals, essentially to be insurance policies. Unfortunately, injuries and comical ineffectiveness have required both policies to be cashed in.

I’m also at odds with the assertion that trading for a cheap young pitcher with a history, albeit short, of success approximates dumpster diving, while failing to acquire a cheap young pitcher with a history of ineffectiveness represents some sort of failure of scouting. And I say that fully cognizant of their relative statistics to date.

We agree on two things: Wood is a major change of method, and Wood has been no good.

by spreidel on May 6, 2009 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Jackson is dumpster diving. So is Smith. The point is picking the right guy out of the dumpster. It’s probably luck, not a failure of scouting, but when it hurts your team like this, there’s a breakdown somewhere.

Signing guys with ML records to STIs is a type of major league player acquisition. Sure, it’s insurance. So is Carroll. The point is picking the right insurance.

Is it ultimately about Perez and Lewis? Sure. But when everyone you evaluated as viable is this bad essentially 3 of 4 seasons, there’s a breakdown.

Look, I’ve been absolving the FO of this stuff for a long time with the old “the players have to play better” or “this is all a guessing game” or whatever. But at some point, you’ve got to guess right in order to contend.

by afh4 on May 7, 2009 12:03 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Perez and Lewis aren’t/weren’t dumpster diving. They were in the system and called up. They were depth, next in line and performing ok, not evaluated for acquisition.

But, more to the point, the front office seems to have a better track record acquiring undervalued prospects than overrated veterans.

Though I’m not sure I’d put Jackson and Smith in the “overrated veterans” category yet.

by mcrose on May 7, 2009 12:53 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Bad scan. While dumpster diving, they’re just as good at getting overrated vets as they are undervalued prospects.

by mcrose on May 7, 2009 12:56 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don’t think I wrote anywhere that Raf/Jens are dumpster reclamation projects. Obviously they were depth.

I’d agree they’re better with the prospects than with the vets but my larger point is simply you can’t screw up nearly every one of your bullpen evaluations nearly every season.

I’m really just parroting Jay here but the bullpen cannot continue to be historically bad and the answer simply be “Ah, bullpens! Crazy, right?”

by afh4 on May 7, 2009 1:00 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

If Raf/Jens aren’t dumpster diving, than neither is Smith. He’s had the exact same career path, we just acquired him in a trade after his first big-league season. But all pitchers come with risk for at least minor injuries.

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

by Jay on May 7, 2009 7:59 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I’m confused. How is Smith dumpster diving? He is young, sped through the minors and was solid part of a good team for two years. We acquired him with the thought that he would give us 50-65 innings of 120 ERA+ quality or better- what he is done his entire pro and amateur career. Some in high leverage situations. This is a very significant player. And we acquired him as part of a pretty significant trade. He is under team control for several more years at affordable prices. Essentially, between Wood and Smith, Shapiro was breaking any perceived mold that the bullpen can survive organically.

In other words, what could the organization have done differently?

by Ryan Kelsey on May 7, 2009 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I’m making this point. Andrew is saying there’s no real difference.

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

by Jay on May 7, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I could argue Jackson wasn’t dumpster diving as well. He was always on my radar as a potential breakout guy even since his days coming up with the Dodgers. Sometimes pitchers take a while to develop and figure things out at the ML level. That said, I wouldn’t be surprised if his success isn’t sustainable over a long period of time.

Sometimes, I just like to b****.

by emd2k3 on May 7, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Always considered him a relief prospect.

by fleerdon on May 6, 2009 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Cha ching. Love this site.

by afh4 on May 6, 2009 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

But the Hermann and Putnam moves just fill in Herges’ spot, right? Doesn’t really say anything about Sowers.

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

by Jay on May 6, 2009 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Anyway, RHP Frank Herrmann has been promoted from Double-A Akron to Triple-A Columbus. RHP Jack Cassel was moved to Mahoning Valley to make room for Herrmann, though as reported earlier LHP Jeremy Sowers has left Columbus and Herrmann will ultimately be replacing him most likely. Still no word on what Sowers’ situation is, whether he is being traded or in Boston with the Indians for another forthcoming roster move.

Lastoria. Just tossin it in.

by JRontherim on May 6, 2009 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

What’s the deal when a guy like Cassel gets sent to like Mahoning Valley? He never actually goes there, right?

by afh4 on May 6, 2009 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Nope. Purely paper move. The Scrappers aren’t in season yet.

by xrickx on May 6, 2009 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, I know. I just have this image of him being forced to ride a bus alone to Mahoning Valley and like practice or something.

by afh4 on May 6, 2009 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

With the way he’s pitched, he could probably use the bus ride to think about some things.

by xrickx on May 6, 2009 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

“Yo, Matt. It’s Jack. I’m in KC, you got an extra bed I can crash in for a while?”

by zempf on May 6, 2009 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I assume for bullpen help, then. What type of reliever could we expect for Sowers? He’s still young, and starters are generally more valuable than relievers. Who has a surplus of relievers that we could be talking to?

by Buckeye Brad on May 6, 2009 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

So, would you say it’s more likely that he is traded than he’s being converted to the pen?

by NickFantana on May 6, 2009 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Why pull him from his start and then not call him up?

by xrickx on May 6, 2009 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

How can I give odds on this? I’m just speculating; that’s what the combination of events looks like to me.

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

by Jay on May 6, 2009 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

See bottom of this post. Surprise.

by xrickx on May 6, 2009 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Ben Francisco: An Outfielder only on baseball cards and roster sheets.

by westbrook on May 6, 2009 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I’m guessing its either Oakland, Baltimore, or the Mets.

I’m hoping its instead with the Dbacks or Dodgers.

by xrickx on May 6, 2009 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

What about Rockies?

by Roger Dorn on May 6, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Though about it. They have five decent starters (Cook, Jimenez, De La Rosa, Marquis, and Morales) and I’m not sure the Rockies are dealing Huston Street just yet. Jason Grilli is intriguing, but I’m not sure he’d be enough to make Cleveland bite with Sowers. Cleveland probably has no interest in the struggling Manny Corpas, and that’s before mentioning the guaranteed dollars attached to him.

by xrickx on May 6, 2009 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Herges, by the way, has a sister who’s married to Todd Hollandsworth. In fact, it was Herges’ idea. Talk about your good teammates …

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

by Jay on May 6, 2009 4:49 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

… if you think marriage is a good idea.

I keed, I keed.

by JulioBernazard on May 6, 2009 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well, it wasn’t Herges’ idea that they get married, only that they get together. You know, like in Spies LIke Us … “Here’s a picture of my sister …”

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

by Jay on May 6, 2009 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions   2 recs

obligatory “Spies Like Us” rec

by APV on May 6, 2009 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ha: “I hear she’s very good. You can all have her.”

by RD74 on May 6, 2009 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

“She would think a certain player is cute. Like Paul Konerko. He’s one of my best friends in the world. But that was an immediate no. An absolute not. He’s not dating my sister.”

Herges = True Indian!

by JulioBernazard on May 6, 2009 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Money quote:

There was always guys she would ask about. She would think a certain player is cute. Like Paul Konerko. He’s one of my best friends in the world. But that was an immediate no. An absolute not. He’s not dating my sister.

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

by Jay on May 6, 2009 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

OUR BEST PLAYERS DO NOT WEAR SUPER-SUITS!

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

by Jay on May 6, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I give you credit for not putting quote marks in your quote box.

by JulioBernazard on May 6, 2009 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

That’s why I get the big bucks.

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

by Jay on May 6, 2009 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

“big”

by APV on May 6, 2009 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

“bucks”

Ben Francisco: An Outfielder only on baseball cards and roster sheets.

by westbrook on May 6, 2009 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Laffey to the pen, Sowers in the rotation. Confirmed by Wedge.

by xrickx on May 6, 2009 6:07 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Link.

I don’t support this move.

by xrickx on May 6, 2009 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Why is Laffey always considered the more obvious bullpen option? He started 104/126 in the minors and was never really used as a reliever.

by afh4 on May 6, 2009 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

And he’s been a good starter at a young age in his entire major league career. I think Sowers is deserving of another chance, but not at Laffey’s expense.

by xrickx on May 6, 2009 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah I don’t think I like this.

Ben Francisco: An Outfielder only on baseball cards and roster sheets.

by westbrook on May 6, 2009 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I thought the same thing, but Sowers has even less experience out of the bullpen. Zero games. I guess Laffey has, at least, more composure than Sowers has shown in his career. And that can help when Laffey is used in high leverage situations within the week.

by JRontherim on May 6, 2009 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

This is not suggesting I agree with the move, however. I still want Jonathan Sanchez.

by JRontherim on May 6, 2009 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I like Sanchez, but you think Fausto walks a lot of guys…

by xrickx on May 6, 2009 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh, he does. But he’s fun to watch since I go to a lot of Giants games. But I guess his shortcomings would be a lot less fun when it’s in an Indians uniform and I actually care about the outcome of the game.

by JRontherim on May 6, 2009 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I’m running a summer program out in Berkeley this summer; we’re going to tour the Giants park. Let me know if you want to catch a game during one of my breaks or, alternately, work professionally as an engineer and want to make some extra scratch for a speaking book.

by afh4 on May 6, 2009 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

speaking gig. not book.

by afh4 on May 6, 2009 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sounds good. Will do.

by JRontherim on May 6, 2009 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, I don’t love this but I don’t hate it only because I am on the side of Sowers does not profile as a reliever at all to me.

I can see Laffey being a good reliever and that’s where the need is right now-it appears that all the possible options were considered and they decided to put the largest talent into the ‘pen. I can’t disagree with that too strongly.

I’m surprised Rondon didn’t go to Columbus to take Sowers’ spot. Where is Rondon? Have we figured that out?

by afh4 on May 6, 2009 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Akron still. I don’t think he’s developed his secondary pitches, yet. I read, I think from Tony, that Rondon still is developing his other pitches. If he’s in the bullpen, that development probably stops.

by xrickx on May 6, 2009 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

So he was just scratched for no reason? Or was that just misinformation?

by afh4 on May 6, 2009 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I did not know that Rondon was scratched. Sowers was scratched yesterday, and now we know why. But when was Rondon scratched?

by xrickx on May 6, 2009 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don’t even know if he was. Thought I saw that.

by afh4 on May 6, 2009 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Nothing new on him skimming Lastoria. But he hasn’t pitched since April 28th, for whatever reason. Haven’t a few Akron games been rained out, though?

by JRontherim on May 6, 2009 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah a ton.

by afh4 on May 6, 2009 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

The last three. It’s been Rondon’s turn to pitch since the first rain-out.

by xrickx on May 6, 2009 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

That seems to solve it, then.

by JRontherim on May 6, 2009 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

No, they’ve just had 4 rainouts in a row. He’s been scheduled to pitch each time.

by mcrose on May 6, 2009 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Don’t like it one bit.

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

by Manhattan Tribe Fan on May 6, 2009 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sorry, I’m a little lost Matt Herges up, Raffy Perez down. Jeremy Sowers up… Aaron Laffey to bullpen… who was sent down? Lewis?

by cheech99 on May 6, 2009 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

The move will be made tomorrow according to the article. No one was specified. But Lewis seems the most logical, I suppose?

by JRontherim on May 6, 2009 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Could very well be LaPorta.

by afh4 on May 6, 2009 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I just can’t see farming out Lewis right now. He’s still the best right-handed option behind Betancourt. I think Herges is up for more than one day, though, so I’m guessing that if it’s a pitcher it has to be Lewis. Maybe Chulk gets the boot—I don’t think he has any chance of contributing in meaningful innings.

by xrickx on May 6, 2009 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Man, what upside down world is this where we’re more willing to demote Rafael Perez, Jensen Lewis, and Joe Smith before parting ways with Masahide Kobayashi?

by JRontherim on May 6, 2009 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I’ve repeated it so many times, but I believe it: Masa can be effective when used correctly.

He threw 47 innings in 2007 in Japan. He threw 53 the year before, and 45 the year before that.

Then, Wedge used him heavily in 2008’s first half: Masa threw 40 innings in the first THREE MONTHS of the season. He was on pace for 80 innings. There’s a reason why he was burned out. He was used as heavily as the most frequently used “MLB” relievers, and his traditional workload in Japan was completely ignored or perhaps acknowledged and bypass as a result of the need for him to pitch a lot at the start of last year.

by xrickx on May 6, 2009 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

It would be nice for him to keep up his effective pitching, and I suppose Wedge has used him considerably less this year. This time last year he had thrown 15.1 innings, and he has 9.2 this year. Extrapolated, that could keep him for burning out again.

by JRontherim on May 6, 2009 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Why the Masa hate? I wasn’t high on him coming into the season, but isn’t he, with Sipp, the most obvious 8th inning option right now?

by Ryan Kelsey on May 6, 2009 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

That’s my point. I was mostly stating that this is an upside down world in comparison to what we all expected/hoped for coming into the season. The idea of Perez, Lewis and Smith being more expendable than Masa would have been ridiculous.

by JRontherim on May 6, 2009 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ah yes, my bad. I mistook your bewilderment for someone that still wants Masa released before other guys are sent down.

by Ryan Kelsey on May 7, 2009 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don’t actually hate this — I feel like Laffey’s GB tendencies could serve him well coming in with guys on base, and it’s not like this is a permanent move or anything. Whatever helps the team at this point, since we definitely need something.

by zempf on May 6, 2009 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

it’s not like this is a permanent move or anything

Unfortunately, there’s a chance it is. Have you seen our pen?

Ben Francisco: An Outfielder only on baseball cards and roster sheets.

by westbrook on May 6, 2009 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

unless you mean permanent as in 2010, too.

Ben Francisco: An Outfielder only on baseball cards and roster sheets.

by westbrook on May 6, 2009 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I guess that’s what I’m saying, he could spend all year in the bullpen in ‘09 and still start in 2010. It doesn’t mean anything for his future, really, it just means that this is the role where he fits best now.

by zempf on May 6, 2009 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Laffey’s GB tendencies could serve him well coming in with guys on base

Yeah, I think ultimately this is why he goes to the pen rather than Sowers. Let’s just hope Sowers doesn’t generate more extra work for the pen than Laffey can absorb.

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

by Jay on May 6, 2009 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Isn’t it the opposite? Don’t groundballers give up more hits?

by Joe. on May 6, 2009 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

They’re sort of a one-man no-doubles defense.

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

by Jay on May 6, 2009 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Anti-wingmen.

by fleerdon on May 6, 2009 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Constantly updated Indians news, lots of in-depth analysis, live in-game discussions — and more fanatical and thoughtful Indians fans than every other web site combined.
Start posting about the Indians »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

39135485-59af19dbb26654095f910f34176af094_4ae8a81e-scaled_small
Predictions Group
Small
I think we found our utility infielder
Small
Baseball in Japan
3444ant_black_small
Spring Training Trips
Hans_small
Trade Peralta?
3444ant_black_small
Beware the year of the Ox
Bos-fod_small
award-winning independent baseball documentary released
Calavera_small
Create your own 2010 BA Top Ten list (then sign Grady to an extension)
Img_0108_small
Jason Grilli Signs Minor League Deal?
Mariahcareyglitter_medium_medium_small
2009 AL Central Off-Season Transactions and Rumors

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Featured Poll

Poll
Who would you like to see hired to manage the Cleveland Indians?
Bobby Valentine
106 votes
Travis Fryman
41 votes
Manny Acta
113 votes
Don Mattingly
78 votes
Torey Lovullo
30 votes
Other
51 votes

419 votes | Poll has closed

FanShots

Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.

Recent FanShots

Lee has Foot Surgery
Jamey Wright Signed to Minor League Deal
2010 Cleveland Indians draft preview
Jim Ingraham Angers You.
BP Calls John Hart One of the, STRIKE THAT, BEST GMs of the 90s
Sizemore Addresses Offseason
Can we reach 1,000 on a post about Adam Kennedy?
"At this time, we're looking to make the biggest impact possible on the...
Casey Blake shaved his beard
ICBWDSTGFO550K

+ New FanShot All FanShots >

Sweet Baboo

Sweet Baboo, now with glitter


Managers

427px-nap_lajoie_1913_small Ryan

Dosequisman_small Jay

Authors

3444ant_black_small APV

47b8dd28b3127cceb64839d9746800000026102bauwjrq3za_small afh4