Game 112: Indians 5, Rangers 0
by Ryan on Aug 11, 2009 10:25 PM EDT
in Game Recaps
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Tonight's win was contributed to by elements that until recently hadn't worked at the same time. Those elements (the rotation and the bullpen) have been turned over at least once since the season began, and there aren't many pitchers still in the same position they were at the beginning of the season, with the very good being traded away for prospects and the very bad being sent away for nothing more than the hope that their replacement couldn't be any worse.
Aaron Laffey was not in the Opening Day rotation, but was in and out of the early season staff during those fateful first two months. Now, after an ill-advised move to the bullpen and an injury, he's finally a full-time starter. And the best starter on a rotation that's probably not done turning over. Tonight he ran into some early trouble in the first, but got his ground-ball double play. He also pitched around a one-out Hank Blalock triple in the fourth. Other than that, he cruised through his 6.2 innings. He gave up more fly balls than he usually does, but they generally weren't hit hard. He was helped out in the seventh when Asdrubal Cabrera made two fine plays, both on grounders up the middle.
All the game's runs came in the bottom of the third, and was set up by back-to-back singles by Grady Sizemore and Asdrubal Cabrera and cashed in by a Travis Hafner single and Luis Valbuena double. Jhonny Peralta also drove in a run by taking a walk, and Trevor Crowe ended the evening's scoring by driving in a run on a sacrifice fly.
After Laffey departed, Joe Smith and Tony Sipp shut down the Rangers in a way that seems foreign to one who's used to watching Indians relievers at work. Smith finally seems to be executing his pitches the same way he did with the Mets, and Sipp looks like he's improved his control enough to bring his slider into play.
Next Up: Carmona vs. Hunter, 7:05 PM
| Highest WPA | Lowest WPA | ||
| Aaron Laffey | .242 | Andy Marte | -.055 |
| Shin-Soo Choo | .093 | Trevor Crowe | -.044 |
| Luis Valbuena | .091 |
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Comments
He’s only 28 and has what could be considered an arm?
by The Grimace on Aug 12, 2009 12:40 AM EDT up reply actions
I was watching part of this game last night and saw this…was convinced it was some other F. Cabrera that was new to the big leagues because it sure as hell couldn’t be out Ferd! I guess not
by Luis (Tribe Fan in London) on Aug 12, 2009 8:28 AM EDT up reply actions
Speaking of the Sox game…I may not like the Tigers but I now like Rick Porcello a little after how he handle the Greek God of Walks.
by The Grimace on Aug 12, 2009 12:51 AM EDT up reply actions
I think it’s a little ridiculous that the pitcher gets tossed in a situation like that. Is he supposed to just run away?
by supermarioelia on Aug 12, 2009 1:01 AM EDT up reply actions
I understand why they tossed him, but you’re right, it’s silly. I still love the fact that he slammed Youk, I have to put it up there with Nolan Ryan putting George Bell in a head lock and punching him like crazy since Porcello managed to dodge the helmet toss and then back paddle a little more before dropping him.
You’re right…why the hell did I think it was George Bell? I also wish I could find video of Sandy Alomar Jr. charging some Tiger pitcher and jump kicking him, that was classic.
It probably says a lot about how small I am and how hollow my life is, but being right about that without having to look it up made me feel really good.
Sorry, man.
Everybody should get ice cream every day.
I am not sure Laffey to the bullpen was ill-advised—at least for a bit he seemed to stabilize the thing and gave us some quality innings in close games that might have otherwise been losses. I suppose that Sowers blew chunks in the rotation, but we sort of lacked for options. Anyway, as Andrew said, Aaron just does his job.
And Sowers maybe, just maybe, could have turned a corner as a result of these shenanigans.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
More like a curve in the wall than a corner.
by Ryan on Aug 12, 2009 12:14 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I really hope Sowers has indeed turned the corner, it would nice to seem become what we had a glimpse of a few years back.
by The Grimace on Aug 12, 2009 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Touche’
"I once spent a year in Philadelphia, I think it was on a Sunday." (W. C. Fields)
by ChitownTribe on Aug 12, 2009 8:21 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
It was ill-advised. He could have been more valuable to the team throwing six innings starting the game rather than simply coming in for Sowers in the fourth or fifth inning and going three. And with him starting, there was a better chance the Indians were actually leading the game when he left.
Except he never came in for Sowers in his bullpen stint. He mostly came in for Carl Pavano, who couldn’t go more than 5 early on because he was still building up arm strength. He also came in for an ineffective Carmona and an extremely ineffective Anthony Reyes. Our bullpen was terrible and we had some depth at starter, there was nothing ill advised about moving one of them to the pen especially when Carmona, Pavano, and Reyes were rarely pitching 6. They needed a long arm and Laffey was it.
by The Grimace on Aug 12, 2009 12:36 AM EDT up reply actions
For what it’s worth, I agree with both Ryan’s points and your points, but I think the best call would have been to take one of the guys who blew and put him in the pen rather than move an effective starter from that role. A good starter is by nature more valuable than a good reliever.
Everybody should get ice cream every day.
I believe the rationale for moving Laffey as opposed to others was that he had pitched out of the pen before and warms up quickly. As for the other pitchers that weren’t going deep you had Pavano who was lights out in those 5 innings, Carmona who was a wreck and moving him to the bullpen would have worsened it, Reyes who is fragile to the core, and lastly Sowers. Now while Sowers could have been moved I would say that since Laffey has the two aforementioned things going for him it was the right choice to move him. And remember, this was only supposed to be a short term solution until the bullpen settled down. They really couldn’t foresee that the bullpen would continue to suck and that Lafftey would get injured.
by The Grimace on Aug 12, 2009 12:50 AM EDT up reply actions
I believe the rationale for moving Laffey as opposed to others was that he had pitched out of the pen before and warms up quickly.
That’s the first I’ve heard of that.
This is Victor's home. Victor Jose, you too.
by westbrook on Aug 12, 2009 12:55 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I agree for those failed starters who seemed to be ok one time thru the order. (Sowers). Pavano seemed to be vulnerable early, but would sometimes settle in if he got thru it
"I once spent a year in Philadelphia, I think it was on a Sunday." (W. C. Fields)
by ChitownTribe on Aug 12, 2009 8:25 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
The Rangers don’t hit well on the road, don’t hit lefties as well and don’t take a lot of walks.
Fausto should have a good game tomorrow (?)
Only one I’m confused about is the lefties thing. Fausto changed throwing arms in Arizona?
by ahowie on Aug 12, 2009 12:20 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Wow. Just wow. To all of you.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Aug 12, 2009 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions
So, I assume Laffey starts Game 1 of the ALDS? Masterson, Sowers, and Carmona to follow??
by TribeJay on Aug 12, 2009 12:41 AM EDT reply actions 4 recs
I know this has been said before but next year’s rotation looks juicy.
"sometimes the internet is hard for me." - ClemsonGirl
by world dictator on Aug 12, 2009 1:02 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
The nice part is that our 4-man playoff rotation is pretty clear cut. No one in that group really stands out, so we don’t have the usual pitching on 3 days rest issue with an ace.
Frig I’m taking this fantasy too seriously.
by supermarioelia on Aug 12, 2009 1:03 AM EDT up reply actions
we’re over 1.4% today. AND MORE AND MORE AND MORE!
by supermarioelia on Aug 12, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ve seen this one before, we finish six games back. Is there anything else on?
Everybody should get ice cream every day.
We’re gonna need a new “Post-All Star Break Standings” on the front page, aren’t we?
by Logodaedalus on Aug 12, 2009 3:44 AM EDT up reply actions
The turnaround, if that’s what it is, didn’t start until the Toronto series on July 21. Since then:
AL Overall Tm W L W-L% GB RS RA pythW-L% NYY 14 6 .700 -- 118 90 .621 LAA 13 6 .684 0.5 128 104 .594 CLE 12 6 .667 1.0 114 78 .667 TEX 11 8 .579 2.5 83 75 .546 OAK 11 10 .524 3.5 125 110 .558 SEA 10 10 .500 4.0 84 112 .371 TBR 9 10 .474 4.5 91 97 .471 BOS 9 10 .474 4.5 98 97 .505 CHW 10 11 .476 4.5 98 89 .544 DET 10 11 .476 4.5 91 110 .414 TOR 8 10 .444 5.0 96 88 .540 KCR 7 12 .368 6.5 93 114 .408 MIN 6 12 .333 7.0 95 126 .374 BAL 6 14 .300 8.0 82 106 .385
This makes my already crappy Wednesday, even more depressing. Shapiro really needs to tell our guys in April that its really July or something.
by MooneysRebellion on Aug 12, 2009 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions
I think the key is to trade our veterans in April and not June.
by Toxicadam on Aug 12, 2009 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
I think the key is to play as many home games in April in Milwaukee as possible.
"It's all part of life's rich pageant, you know?" - Inspector Clouseau
by woodsmeister on Aug 12, 2009 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Just want to mention Asdrubal’s fantasting diving/spinning/throw-em-out play to end the top of the 8th. It was a pitch-perfect Robbie Alomar impersonation (even took place on that half of the diamond due to shift). My Dad turned to me and said, “Asdrubal is turning into a superstar.” I replied, “turning into one?”
Have you ever seen Jhonny stretch/spin/contort like that? No, because he doesn’t need to.
by dgcambridge on Aug 12, 2009 12:59 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Also, it would be strange for him to stretch/spin/contort like that when the ball’s already in the outfield.
-Kyle
by Kyle Garret on Aug 12, 2009 3:04 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Anyone see the fracas in Boston? Youkilis was probably mentally lost half way through the mound when he realized he was about to attack a 20 year old that was absolutely reluctant to fight. Pretty funny how instead of swinging any punches, Youkilis opted to just hug Porcello. It was pretty clear he didn’t want to hurt the kid.
by Cleveland Indians on Aug 12, 2009 3:25 AM EDT reply actions
I actually like Youkilils. At least they way he plays the baseball.
Usually, an incredible waste of pixels.
He creeps me out with his odd batting stance. And his beard makes him look like a savage norseman.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Aug 12, 2009 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It was pretty clear he didn’t want to hurt the kid.
Is that why he threw his helmet off the kid’s face?
Everybody should get ice cream every day.
Yes, this is a common Greek sign of pacifism, often followed by a sprinting pursuit and flying tackle.
Youkilis is Dustin Pedroia, only taller and fatter.
I think the root cause of this Youkilis and Pedroia hate is the fact that they’re both Red Sox. How long until Martinez gets painted with the same brush?
Resident LGT results-oriented boob.
The difference with Vic is that he was an Indians for a long-time. I’m sure if we somehow ended up with Youkilis and he gave us even a few years of great play, I’d love him. I still love David Justice for just that reason. But right now, no matter how he plays the game, he does so for the Red Sox and with that annoying scruff on his chin.
I think the root cause of this Youkilis and Pedroia hate is that they’re both douches. Plenty of dudes have been Red Sox without being really hateable, but both of those guys are loathsome. I’ll grant you that the expanded media coverage that comes with being in Boston may reveal more of their respective natures, but I don’t think I could deal with either of those guys even if they were playing in Colorado.
Everybody should get ice cream every day.
Well,like I said about CC – just wait until Vic does a little celebetory thing after getting the winning hit offa Wood. You’ll see – some of the things we found likeable about Vic will be loathsome when we’re on the other end.
Resident LGT results-oriented boob.
CC chased the money to New York, just like everyone else. Vic cried when he was traded from the cellar to the thick of the playoff race, just like no one else. The two are not analogous.
Everybody should get ice cream every day.
Didn’t mean to imply that they were analogous, only that it’s tough to like the guy that rubs it in your face as often as those two – along with Pedroia, Pabelbon and Youk – do. I’m just trying to look at it from both sides is all.
Resident LGT results-oriented boob.
I agree with you that it’s hard to like a guy who beats you. I don’t feel like Vic’s little shenanigan is as overtly offensive as some of the stuff CC does, or the behavior of Justin, Papelbon, et al., but perhaps different things bother you than do me. Bottom line, I just find Youkilis and Pedroia really hard to deal with, and not (just) because of the laundry.
Everybody should get ice cream every day.
I don’t mind sincere celebration. It is celebration just for the sake of celebration that is annoying. Papelbon’s jerk-off, Justin’s obnoxiousness and the like are what intolerable. Those are planned acts that are not intended to express some innate joy at winning a competition, but rather manifest some internal arrogance that can only be released upon classlessly humiliating an opponent.
I think even if I was a Red Sox fan I’d be slightly uncomfortable with the jerking-off motion Papaelbon does while sporting the “O” face after every save. I’d be happy for the save, but, um, dude?
Steel Nick
These are all separate pictures, and only from page one of image results for “Papelbon save,” in case you don’t know what I’m talking about.
Steel Nick
If that last one doesn’t crack you up I don’t know what will.
Steel Nick
by nickjs21 on Aug 12, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The man is clearly an onanastic genius.
by Brad D on Aug 12, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Rec rec rec
How the F did I get through 48 years of being a completely infantile, yet poly-syllabic dolt without knowing about the word "onanism ". My life has been for nothing…
Rec rec rec
Stuart Dean
The two definitions dictionary.com offers mean two completely different things to most people. I think there’s a reason that word isn’t used so much.
But wow, nice vocab.
Steel Nick
Is the word onanism really so obscure, even to the notoriously verbal folk around here? I’m surprised.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
I’ve never heard that word.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Aug 13, 2009 12:29 AM EDT up reply actions
I actually didn’t know the word either. I had to look it up and encountered the same difficulty you did.
by Logodaedalus on Aug 12, 2009 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Ugh…he constantly looks like he’s doin’ somethin’ dirty with that hand. What a jackass.
by MooneysRebellion on Aug 12, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Vic will do the same celebratory thing he always does – the handclap, cross himself and point to the sky thing. He’s not about to go bigtime on us.
"It's all part of life's rich pageant, you know?" - Inspector Clouseau
by woodsmeister on Aug 12, 2009 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions
What does he have to be defensive about? I mean, all he did was mindlessly attack a much smaller, younger man (who proceeded to recover from being obviously startled to slam Youkilis) who had unintentionally hit him with a baseball.
If this had happened at the Youkilis family dinner table in January, I can see where maybe his anger could have been justified. In a major league baseball game, getting hit by the ball is kind of an occupational hazard.
Everybody should get ice cream every day.
I like how you seamlessly went from sarcasm to not here.
by Logodaedalus on Aug 12, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions
I believe next time Detroit is in Boston that Youk needs to take the kid out for some souvlaki and baklava. He seriously overreacted.
"It's all part of life's rich pageant, you know?" - Inspector Clouseau
by woodsmeister on Aug 12, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions
The helmet hit the kid’s back, and the helmet wasn’t even tossed that hard nor was it directed at the face.
by Cleveland Indians on Aug 12, 2009 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions
No, it was a gentle toss of love. Come on man, he threw the helmet at him. He was in the wrong here, don’t turn this into something it isn’t.
And Youkilis ain’t Charley Manson either. Common, they’re both professional athletes and should be able to protect themselves for 3-5 seconds until help arrives. I’m sure that Porcello’d like another crack at Youkilis in a fair fight.
Resident LGT results-oriented boob.
What was Youk protecting himself from? Being accidentally hit by a baseball? Stay in the damn batters box and this never happens.
They’re both testing the limits. Youkilis crowds the plate, Porcello pitches inside. Sometimes one or both miscalculate. These things happen. And it’s not like the BoSox pitcher’s gonna get a chance to play a little chin music for Porcello at his next at bat, cuz Porcello’s next at bat’s gonna be in the WS.
Resident LGT results-oriented boob.
Both custom and the rules dictate that pitchers are allowed to pitch inside, and batters who crowd the plate are going to get hit. The batter knows damned well which one of them is apt to get hit for “testing.”
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
Yes and the old school was that the pitcher took the same risks in the batter’s box that the batters did. Of course this custom dates back to when pitcher’s actually hadda stand in the batter’s box. Unfortunately, such is no longer the case in the bastardized game we now play in the American League.
Resident LGT results-oriented boob.
The game where we don’t have to endure watching someone haplessly flail every two innings. I sure miss that. Youkilis charged because he doesn’t enjoy accepting the repercussions of his actions. If you lean over the plate, you might get hit. It’s true in Little League, it’s true in the MLB. Be a man and jog to first. You are the one who just did his job, let the other guy deal with you being on base. Don’t be a giant douche and overreact to some perceived slight.
I don’t have a problem with charging the mound if you really feel it’s warranted and outside of business as usual. Of course I don’t think that was the case here. But either way don’t be a priss and throw the helmet. Just go at him.
Steel Nick
The thing is, this was almost certainly unwarranted. I agree that you should go out there if the situation calls for it. In this case thought, Youkilis overreacted to a two seamer that ran. Get over it and get on base.
i’ve always thought that if you really feel a mound-charge is warranted, it’s much better to go ahead and take first, take your lead…and then charge the pitcher from first base. your chances of getting there and doing some damage are much greater that way.
youk is a douche and overreacted.
by DontCallMeJoey on Aug 13, 2009 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions
the AL central is as bad as the NL west. the DH sucks. there’s no real men in cleveland anymore. maybe it’s time to follow your boy and start rooting for the Giants and spare us the daily “back in the day” blather.
You’re right Brick, thanks for pointing this out. The AL Central is the dominant division in all of baseball, baseball began in 1994, Cleveland is the macho capitol of the world and there were ten guys on the Indians roster with a high OPS than Garko when he was traded. How could I possibly be so mis-informed?
Resident LGT results-oriented boob.
So the batter risks getting hit. What exactly does the pitcher risk?
Resident LGT results-oriented boob.
Getting his stuff parked in the third deck if he misses over the plate, having to deal with a baserunner if he hits the dude, or getting choked by his teammates when they decide they’re tired of getting nailed in the ribs because of him.
Everybody should get ice cream every day.
Ain’t good enough. You know no one on his team’s gonna take a shot at Porcello. The only physical risk – read real risk – is getting his ass kicked by the batter.
Resident LGT results-oriented boob.
You really think extra baserunners and homeruns don’t amount to real risk for a pitcher? Than you don’t know much about how the game works and how pitchers earn money.
Beyond that, it’s not unheard of for a pitcher and a position guy to come to blows in plain view of everyone, to say nothing of how often in may or may not happen behind closed doors.
Everybody should get ice cream every day.
See, sometimes it’s a game and sometimes it’s business. Also do you realize what’s at risk when a pitcher throws inside? If you don’t ask Tony Conigliaro.
Resident LGT results-oriented boob.
It’s always a game and always a business. You don’t realize what’s at risk if you can’t spot the ball inside? If you don’t, ask Bryce Florie.
Everybody should get ice cream every day.
Are you saying that getting hit by an aimed pitched ball is analogous to being hit by a batter ball? I know you konw better.
BTW, Herb Score – possibly the best left hander the Indians ever had – wouldda been a better “example”.
Resident LGT results-oriented boob.
Porcello didn’t mean to hit Youkilis any more than any batter ever means to hit any pitcher with a batted ball (ironically, Youkilis intentionally hit Porcello with his thrown helmet). The point is that pitchers face a very real risk, both in the extremely slim face-ending injury department and the far more likely career-ending propensity for leaving the ball over the plate department. That’s why the inside of the plate is so hotly contested between pitchers and batters and why people like Youkilis who hang over the plate are going to buy the occasional base the hard way.
This has become laborious.
Everybody should get ice cream every day.
I wish I had some data on the rate batters went after pitchers priot to the advent of the DH – you remember waaaay back when you watched guys like CC, Bob Lemon and Rich Ankiel flail helplessly at pitched balls. My guess is that it was a lot less common.
And the reason it’s so “laborious” is because your argument lacks merit.
Resident LGT results-oriented boob.
Ooops, sorry I meant when your brother was watching pitchers flay helplessly. You can see how I got confursed.
This is fun, kinda like one of those WWF tag-team spectacles. Which one of you is the “baby face”?
Resident LGT results-oriented boob.
Well, he’s younger so I guess he would be. This actually has been pretty fun. If you are ever in Ohio again we can do this how it should be done, over some wings and a beer or two with the game on in the background.
Rick Ankiel has to be considered an exception. He’s clearly just a phenomenal athlete. If CC and Bob Lemon are your only two arguments, I rest my case.
I hate watching pitchers do something they don’t get paid to do. It adds nothing to the game. Some helpless guy hitting .170 is of no real interest to me, it’s not baseball. As a matter of fact, it’s hard to find any league other than the NL that doesn’t use a DH. All high school and college leagues do and the AL does. Why? Because it is a lot more fun to watch and because it doesn’t detract from the game.
Plenty of examples. These guys are professional athletes, not a bunch of beer league clods. Hell my boy Cliff went 2 for 4 with a double his first game for Phillie and I’m pretty sure he hasn’t hit live pitching in over six years.
Pitchers in the American League are like punters in football. Over specialized and pampered. It ain’t right.
Resident LGT results-oriented boob.
So should shortstops attack every guy who comes in hard on a double play? Should the catcher punch every batter who foultips the ball? No, it’s part of the game. Just like inadvertently getting hit if you lean over the inside part of the plate.
shortstops attack every guy
Not every guy but I’ve seen it. Plus the SSs pitcher can always stick one in his ear next time he’s up.
every batter who foultips the ball
Reductum abserdum.
Resident LGT results-oriented boob.
Now, I never pitched when I played baseball so take this with as much credence as you wish, but if I was a pitcher I would almost rather be the one getting plunked in response for my headhunting than my teammates. I would feel like a royal a-hole.
Of course there’s also the cool part where I don’t get beaned. So who knows.
Steel Nick
So the batter risks getting hit. What exactly does the pitcher risk?
This is exactly my point — not much. You say, both guys are testing the limits. I say, both guys are well aware that only one of them is at risk for getting hit. So when the batter crowds the plate and gets hit — with no particular reason to suspect a purpose pitch — the hitter is responsible for understanding that that’s a natural result of crowding the plate.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
I’m sure that Porcello’d like another crack at Youkilis in a fair fight.
Why? He won the first one.
Steel Nick
You really think that (a) Porcello’s goal was to cease Youkilis’ respiratory cycle and (b) he actually thinks he can accomplish that in a fair fight? Porcello came out about as well as he possibly could in that altercation, I don’t think he’s itching for another one.
Everybody should get ice cream every day.
I once saw a 170lb guy kick the crap outta Chris Ward out front of Papa Joe’s on High Street in Columbus one winter night. Don’t be fooled by size alone. Porcello might just surprise you.
Resident LGT results-oriented boob.
I can attest that Joel has been in enough altercations to know that. The point is that Porcello neither instigated nor prolonged that fight. He didn’t want to fight, that was very clear.
I love the two brother’s responses right next to each othere here. It’s so perfect. Illustrates the subtle (or not) differences in personlaities.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Aug 13, 2009 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions
He’s spent years living in my shadow, so I thought I’d let him take the lead on this site.
Everybody should get ice cream every day.
Aren’t you younger? That’s the impression I got.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
Joe DiMaggio was younger than Vince, and I think we can safely say that Vince lived in Joe’s shadow.
He is, he’s also lying. I will grant that, by virtue of his being a baseball player, he knows baseball better than I do. He’s the Brian Bannister of the NAIA.
but I bet you’re better at Earth Science.
by Logodaedalus on Aug 14, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I brought it up after Huff’s start: The race to most wins by an Indian this season is on like Donkey Kong. This is going to be a fight to the finish, and when the dust settles one of the two is going to be left standing proud with 13 wins.
Great start, but I would like to see more Ks than BBs.
Steel Nick
by nickjs21 on Aug 12, 2009 5:08 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I actually didn’t mind the walks, in context. He was a bit wild in that first inning, but my impression was, those were walks that got worked by hot, right-handed hitters. I don’t LIKE them, necessarily, but I don’t think they tell the whole story.
by fleerdon on Aug 12, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions
I think it ironic that all the bashing Jhonny has taken over the last few years has been because he was not, nor could never be Omar. Yet one might argue that our love for Asdrubal is only increased when we remember Omar.
Here Lies the Victor Martinez Era:
Sept. 10, 2002 - July 31, 2009
“You don’t want to be the guy who replaces the guy — you want to be the guy who replaces the guy who replaces the guy.”
by Logodaedalus on Aug 12, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Hi all, I’m a newbie here. I enjoy your conversations.
I saw Cabrera play at Akron a few years back and you could tell even then he was something special. He had a certain confident swagger about him.
The Jhonny bashing wasn’t because he wasn’t Omar, it was because he wasn’t a true shortstop. His signature move was the “half-slide-half-fall-to-the-side-because-I-should-dive” move. He just can’t dive, or move laterally very well for that matter. I like him at third ok. The most ridiculous aspect of the SS mess was having Peralta play 3B all winter then saying “Jhonny Peralta is our shortstop” when Cabrera was clearly the shortstop of choice for the present and future. I suppose they had to be sure that he hit before they bruised Jhonny’s feelings…
by Halifax on Aug 12, 2009 10:46 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Another guy who can’t dive at all is Choo. I’m continually mystified by his little sliding to the side thing when he should be laying out.
Everybody should get ice cream every day.
I remember reading an article years ago that theorized that diving was actually an inborn thing. Some people dive while others prefer to run full speed due to their makeup, more than some learned behavior. A half an hour of Googling has revealed nothing of the sort. It’s an interesting theory though.
I remember making up that diving was actually an inborn thing. Some people dive while others prefer to run full speed due to their makeup, more than some learned behavior. A half an hour of Googling has revealed nothing of the sort. It’s an interesting theory though, if I do say so myself.
Hey, I clearly mentioned that I could find no documentation. I’ll willingly admit that this could be some bizarre figment of my imagination. I just tossed it out there to see if anyone else remembered it.
I’ve found a lot of stuff like that. The article I remember/invented put forth the idea that players like Omar are predisposed to diving while players like Jhonny are not. (The example may not have been our guys).
Not really worthy of a fanshot, but take a look at Bernard Wilkey’s bizarre contract.
What a kickass retirement fund.
I keep on wanting to be surprised by Valbuena’s power numbers, but then I look back at his minor league numbers and realize it shouldn’t be surprising at all. I like that guy.
The potential of our up the middle of Santana-Valbuena-Cabrera-Brantley (with Grady in LF) for years just makes me drool. The thing is that they may all be here and productive within the next 18 months. Valbuena is the real surprise to me. It just has me all kinds of stoked.
I just wanted to believe.
I think you’re very confused or possibly high. I’m not aware of a single scouting report that says that Brantley is capable of being a Gold Glove center fielder, and I’ve read several that said he wasn’t well suited to center at all.
There is zero, zip, nada, no reason at all to think this will happen.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
I really don’t think it will play out that way. Our post-2011 free agents are Peralta, Shoppach and Wood, none of whom will be considered seriously for an extension, and only Westbrook is gone after 2010. The 2012 class is just Grady and Rafael Perez — unless you want to worry about Barfield and Marte — and Hafner, who obviously won’t be extended. The 2013 class includes Cabrera and Choo, both of whom probably will be under contract through 2014 or 2015 well before we get to that point, plus Sowers, Smith, and JLewis.
My point is that from 2009 through 2015, it is very likely that Grady is the only player we’ll even have to consider extending beyond his lockup deal. Add to this, Grady is everything you would want in considering a post-lockup extension. He’s a great player, he’s a two-way player, he’s still young, he’s on the left side of the defensive spectrum, he’s a great all-around athlete (suggesting productive longevity), and of course, he’s the face of the franchise and a sex symbol.
When the 2011 starts, he’ll be two years from free agency and 27. If he remains a very good to great player, there’s a strong chance the Indians will extend him, perhaps through 2016.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
So what’s it gonna take to sign Grady post-2012? If you assume that he plays at his ‘08 level and not his ’09 level for the next two years, my guess is the Yankees will offer him something like 5 years and something north of $80M. The Indians’s would be insane to sign him to that kinda deal.
Value is not same to all the teams. What he might be worth to the Yankees of baseball is a hellava lot more than the Indians should pay for one player.
Resident LGT results-oriented boob.
I agree that we will not sign him post-2012.
We will extend him in 2010. As I already wrote.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
My Valbuena feelings make me feel uncomfortable…
Stuart Dean
by stuart dean on Aug 12, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Anybody else see BenFran’s homer last night? I bet they’re swooning in Philly all ready.
Resident LGT results-oriented boob.
BenFran’s being in Philly makes watching the current Indians a little bit easier.
Everybody should get ice cream every day.
by Joel D on Aug 12, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Random thought: Some team that’s 5 games out of a race right now could really use a “second-half genius” running their team. SOMEONE TAKE HIM!
This is Victor's home. Victor Jose, you too.
Nope, I’m not from Halifax, just like the neighborhood.
I agree, I was never a Francisco fan. I actually enjoy watching these young guys play. In the AL Central I’m not so sure they can’t compete next year if the pitching holds up. They should at least have a solid bullpen (unfortunately, that sounds eerily familiar).
Indians today claimed LHP RJ SWINDLE, 26, on outright waivers from Tampa Bay and optioned him to AAA Columbus (40-man now at 34)
Bart Swain, Tweet Machine.
Steel Nick
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/S/R.J.-Swindle.shtml
Seems like a good candidate for 2010 pen.
Seems like he has dominated everywhere he has pitched (save his couple of cups of coffee in the bigs), yet 4 organizations have now let him go. Anyone know his story?
Blah blah blah CF blah blah backup blah Crowe mumble mumble Grady zzzzzzz VERSATILITY.
Look over there, cookies! NOM NOM NOM.
Crap or not, it’s the rationale and it’s not changing until (a) rosters expand in September or (b) Grady goes on the DL. It really doesn’t do much good to complain that LaPorta’s still in AAA, unless you like pain.
Well, I think you are undervaluing complaining.
I don’t think it has anything to do with roster expansion. It’s that they feel they need to have Crowe up, and that he needs to have at-bats too. The obvious move here is that LaPorta takes Gimenez’s spot, and plays everyday, while Crowe and Toregas become true backups. (Or send Toregas down and make CG the true backup.) Even if they could add LaPorta as a 26th man right now, they wouldn’t, because how could they get at-bats for him and (swoon) Crowe and Gimenez? Maybe I’m wrong, but I think they’re going to keep LaPorta down until AAA ends, or Grady gets cut open.
A crippling phobia of gulls. He’s working with a psychiatrist and we’re hoping to see progress in time for a September call up. The kid’s got a good mental make-up, nobody’s betting against him.
Everybody should get ice cream every day.
Why on earth do you know that word? This is on par with Be Rad dropping “onanastic” a little farther up the page. What an odd group of people.
Everybody should get ice cream every day.
This Be Rad thing is awesome. Y’all’s ten year old brother must be the coolest.
Oh, and the Indians are good?
And I am positive Sowers still sucks.
by afh4 on Aug 12, 2009 5:18 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
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