Indians swap with Bucs for Bixler!
Looks like Sandusky native and AAA infielder Brian Bixler gets a chance to play for the hometown team.
Indians lose a minor-leaguer.
[UPDATE: Bixler has been added to the 40-man roster. The Indians gave up Jesus Brito, a 22-year-old third baseman. Brito played last season for the Indians' Arizona League team and Mahoning Valley. Between the two levels, he hit .353/.431/.567 in 262 PA. I'll have more on this trade tonight. (Ryan)]
about 2 years ago
PatBordersHelmet
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Didn’t know much about Brito, but Bixler sounds more of a sure thing than Grudz at this point, but we’ll see.
In scouting we trust. He’s hit lefties well his entire minor league career. But he’s as hack-tasting as they come.
I was going for hack-tastic. Somehow, I got hack-tasting. My mind and my fingers going in opposite directions…
Mmmm… the delicious flavor of the hack…
by Logodaedalus on Jan 18, 2010 5:34 PM EST up reply actions
Jay Levin’s a hack.
Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile
by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Jan 18, 2010 7:00 PM EST up reply actions
A (probably incomplete) list of individuals called hacks on LGT: Addie Joss, Wes Ferrell, Hal Trosky, Roy Thomas, Joe Torre, Stan Hack, Pie Traynor, Andrew Zimbalist, Abner Doubleday, Austin Knickerbocker, Roy Halladay, Casey Blake, George Lucas, Scott Templeton, Jason Michaels, Bud Shaw, Bill Plaschke, Shelley Duncan, Luis Vizcaino, Lonnie Soloff, Bill Livingston, Chris Gimenez, Bill Hoynes, Pablo Picasso.
by FredOx on Jan 19, 2010 2:36 PM EST up reply actions 6 recs
People call picasso a hack??? wow.
The rest I can agree with a lot (especially bud shaw, plaschke, and torre)
joss, ferrell, and trosky kinda surprise me….
Definitely lucas…
Picasso was a hack.
Everybody should get ice cream every day.
by Joel D on Jan 19, 2010 8:15 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Heisenberg may or may not have been a hack.
"Nobody ever thinks, 'Hey, maybe I’m actually an idiot.'" - Jay
by woodsmeister on Jan 19, 2010 9:14 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
I had this discussion in one of my classes yesterday, who would win in a fight, Bohr or Heisenberg?
I hate the steelers the way a mother loves a child.
by notthatnoise on Jan 20, 2010 10:43 AM EST up reply actions
yeah…could you do any better??? No
don’t even get into this discussion with me
I know about just about every important artist from Botticelli to Warhol. Picasso was far from a hack and one of the most influential in that group
wait, was hank aaron a hack?? because picasso was like the hank aaron of painting.
by bross09 on Jan 19, 2010 8:27 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Your vast and no doubt overwhelming knowledge of painters aside, you seem to have completely missed the joke. It might do you some good to relax just a little bit rather than reading everything literally.
sorry…i didn’t know it was actually a joke…the problem is I can’t tell without the tone of the voice sometimes whether something is a joke or serious.
Yeah, and I’m sure you think Jackson Pollack was better than my seven-year-old brother with a box of crayons and a bottle of Jager.
Everybody should get ice cream every day.
Black licorice sucks. Jager is just crippled by it’s marriage to that awful taste.
Welcome back, Sandy! ATALECG...
so you’re saying if jager tasted completely different it would be good?
I hate the steelers the way a mother loves a child.
by notthatnoise on Jan 20, 2010 10:45 AM EST up reply actions
The good jager.
No, not you. Your helmet!
by PatBordersHelmet on Jan 20, 2010 11:03 AM EST up reply actions
I totally agree. It is not that black licorice completely sucks IMO (but it is pretty bad) but the idea of taking that flavor, mixing it with alcohol, and making it basically a syrup basically sucks….
then mix it with red bull (which I have never like the taste of) and it doubly sucks
I don’t like either, but I can stand the two mixed together. I’d rather just drink whiskey, though.
Welcome back, Sandy! ATALECG...
They don’t deserve forgiveness, for anything. Unless The Pacific is as good as BoB.
Welcome back, Sandy! ATALECG...
exactly…couldn’t have said it better myself. all the shows I keep up with I don’t even get. they are either on HBO (curb your enthusiasm, entourage, the wire, true blood) or showtime (weeds, bull$*, californication, dexter). I watch all of this online (when I have the time). I spend weeks without using my actual TV.
I can’t watch Deadwood or Mad Men without an overwhelming desire to drink whiskey.
Or Indians games, for that matter.
Steel Nick
by nickjs21 on Jan 21, 2010 10:55 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
there are a lot of things that give me an overwhelming desire to drink whiskey.
by bross09 on Jan 21, 2010 12:13 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
not at all. I am of the younger generation and I find both disgusting. what happened to a nice jack and coke people?
I had a wonderful Tom Collins the other night.
Actually, it was 2.
I've really got to change my signature.
that is a solid drink. people don’t seem to order it that much anymore and it is almost considered an older person drink now.
Sorry but Crwon is much much smoother than Jack. If you are gong to drink Jack, please at least drink Gentleman’s Jack.
not going to disagree with you. jack and coke was just one of the first good drinks that popped into my head. I really did not want to spend minutes thinking about the perfect drink
Single malt Scotch man, myself. Especially the Islay distilleries. If I drink Irish it has to be Bushmill’s but only because of the fabulous time I had on the North Coast of Ireland and how they treated me at the distillery. I have a mixed drink rarely, usually Gin. I think vodka tastes like nothing.
Bushmill’s and Jameson’s are fine beverages, but I still prefer Booker’s. Must be the Kentucky roots.
Bushmill’s is Protestant whiskey.
by Gradyforpresident on Jan 23, 2010 10:26 PM EST up reply actions
If you haven’t tried it already, give Powers Irish whiskey a go. I like Jameson’s and Bushmill’s as well but at the same price point I’ve found Powers to be much nicer.
Going to the scotch distilleries in Scotland was one of the best trips of my life …. and that’s taking into account my trip to spring training as a kid when Doug Jones was backing up the bullpen catcher and threw me three passed balls.
Before taking Pro-Acta, please consult your doctor. Do not taunt Pro-Acta.
I’ll be honest, I don’t drink Scotch because I have absolutely no idea where to start. And my hourly wage doesn’t really afford me to throw money on a rotten bottle.
Welcome back, Sandy! ATALECG...
Single malts are relatively expensive (much more expensive than Irish whiskey or Bourbon). A good affordable place to start is Highland Park, a high quality but affordable Highland Scotch. It’s not my favorite Scotch but it’’s pretty damned good and representative. If you hate Highland Park you probably hate single malt Scotch…period. If you love it you eventually move on from there to more rarified styles.
If you treat single malt drinking as a quasi-special occasion, it’s not so bad. I’ll buy $40 bottles but I stretch them out over months. You don’t need to drink much in one sitting, since you sip it slowly.
I tried some Bowmore “Legend” recently, which is their lower end bottle, though still technically single malt. For the price, I was impressed.
by Logodaedalus on Jan 22, 2010 11:26 AM EST up reply actions
I’ve been going that route as well and over the last few years have put together a growing (and simultaneously, shrinking) collection.
Tuthilltown distillery in New York is making a variety of fine spirits. I would highly recommend their Baby Bourbon and Hudson Single Malt. Ive also had the Rye and enjoyed it very much. Pricey by volume but well worth it if you happen upon it.
What’s your favorite distillery? I’m a big Bowmore fan.
by Logodaedalus on Jan 22, 2010 11:19 AM EST up reply actions
Laphroiag. Lagavulin. Bruichladdich. I’m a sucker for that big peaty, salty thing. I also like Clynelish and Glenfarclas (sp?). I love Old Pulteney too but it’s too damned expensive. I don’t mind Bowmore but I wouldn’t put them in my top 10.
Ah, yes, the “aggressive” Islays. I like those first three, but I generally prefer the balance of Bowmore. I had a glass of Clynelish once, but it was years ago…. The others I haven’t had.
by Logodaedalus on Jan 22, 2010 11:28 AM EST up reply actions
I like really hoppy beer too… I’ll almost always choose an IPA given a wide selection (once you factor in the price considerations of domestic IPAs vs. Belgian beers). Within IPAs, though, I much prefer the ones that are dry and “crisp” tasting to the ones that are syrupy or metallic. Stone IPA, for example, tastes a bit like metal to me, which in my mind occupies a similar position among IPAs that Laphroiag does among Islay malts — still good, but not ideal for my taste.
One of the best beers I’ve ever had was a Belgian IPA (which I didn’t know existed before). Not the most traditional of Belgian beers, but it combined everything I like in beer. I think the brewery was called ’tSmisje? Check it out if you can.
by Logodaedalus on Jan 23, 2010 2:24 PM EST up reply actions
Not really (in response to Mick showing his age). I hardly see anyone doing Jager or Jagerbombs anymore. They’re kind of like trucker hats or, maybe a little more timely, Affliction-esque shirts. Just like someone over 30 wears Affliction because he wrongly assumes that’s how to look young, he’s the only guy doing Jagerbombs for the same reason. Him and the Jersey Shore brethren, anyway. As for young people that drink it, they’re either ignorant to what else is available or still think trucker hats look cool.
If you’re in a bar and have to do a shot, there’s a) whiskey, b) good tequila, c) leaving it up to a bartender you trust. Those are pretty much my only options.
Steel Nick
So is a car bomb acceptable? Or is it the “bomb” aspect that’s the problem to begin with?
by TheVanillaGorilla on Jan 21, 2010 3:04 PM EST up reply actions
Nothing wrong with Irish car bombs, or Irish car bomb races for that matter.
Welcome back, Sandy! ATALECG...
unless you are actually in Ireland. They look at you very odd when you order an “Irish Car Bomb” in Dublin.
Fortunately, the idiot classmate of mine found this out before we spent a weekend in Belfast.
fka "DaytonDogg". Now a contributor to SBN's Dawgs By Nature. www.dawgsbynature.com
by Ryan Kelsey on Jan 23, 2010 12:51 PM EST up reply actions
Did you really research this? Because you probably could have typed “hack” into the search box.
"I'm a baseball lifer. It's what I do." —Manny Acta
his ideas plunged us further into the great depression (i know the whole hack thing is a lot of inside jokes but I am pretty serious about this one)
This statement, and my brutal would-be reply to it, no doubt would plunge us deep into a political discussion.
We do not ever do political discussions here.
Please stay away from politics, and as always, away from stuff you know nothing about.
by Jay on Jan 19, 2010 9:26 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Okay…I really wasn’t planning to go into politics
and so I know nothing about keynesian economics?? I know more than you might think, and possibly more than you know.
I will not admit to knowing a ton about sabermetrics. I also am not the biggest expert of art, but I do try to diversify my tastes a lot.
Claiming to know a lot makes an observer assume that you are either young, don’t know much about what you profess to, or both.
I need a new avatar...
Actually, really, neither.
I do not admit to knowing that much about sabermetrics, but I do go to the art museum whenever they have a new feature exhibit (every few months). I in fact just saw a great one about paul gauguin and his volpini exhibition at the same time as the worlds fair of 1889, and about his influence on cloisonnism in his early work, which is not emhasized like his primitivism work in tahiti
Classic episode. Damn I miss Chappelle.
by Buckeye Brad on Jan 22, 2010 6:58 PM EST up reply actions
Putting that show in its context (02?-03-04) makes it even more impressive. Really had the right comic touch for those (adjective) years.
by Gradyforpresident on Jan 23, 2010 10:31 PM EST up reply actions
I, too, know a lot about art, and economics, and Britney Spears, and the gold standard, and the café haunts of Barcelona’s anarchists during the Great War, and, to a lesser extent
by YoDaddyWags on Jan 19, 2010 10:37 PM EST up reply actions
…Chris Gimenez!!!
No, not you. Your helmet!
by PatBordersHelmet on Jan 19, 2010 10:58 PM EST up reply actions
Oh, and the score so far: degree 25, extent 11.
by YoDaddyWags on Jan 19, 2010 11:18 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t know who you are, but i like the cut of your jig!
No, not you. Your helmet!
by PatBordersHelmet on Jan 19, 2010 11:21 PM EST up reply actions
My ten-paragraph response to you would not have helped matters.
Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile
by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Jan 19, 2010 10:05 PM EST up reply actions
Why is this historical research not getting more recs?
"You are an LGT success story" -- Jay
by Turkmenbashi on Jan 20, 2010 9:57 AM EST up reply actions
If he was a pitcher I think his strike out totals would look pretty cool.
by GoTribe028 on Jan 18, 2010 5:43 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
His major league stats completely suck, and that’s in the NL.
But, it’s a SSS and he was a high draft pick. Lame high draft pick named Brian traded from Pirates to Indians: let’s call him Bullington.
"I'm a baseball lifer. It's what I do." —Manny Acta
where did i read brito’s name for the first time recently. sickels maybe. i remember cleverly thinking “mmmmm jesus burrrito.”
I had actually hoped we’d draft Bixler back when I was following college ball. Not really sure what he offers that Donald doesn’t, but hey, if the UT battle is going to be a primary source of entertainment, the more the merrier.
Well, for one thing, he’s a guy where we couldn’t care less about his service time or putting him on waivers.
Which reminds me. How many options does Niuman Romero have left?
by Brick. on Jan 18, 2010 7:42 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
No. He’s no longer on the 40-man roster, so he wouldn’t be optioned, he would be reassigned to the minor league camp. So, he’s still good for a while longer.
by Fundamentals on Jan 19, 2010 7:33 PM EST up reply actions
Wait, are we worried about Donald’s options?
I guess the thinking is that if Grudz isn’t sharp, we don’t want to force Donald onto the 25 too soon. Mebbe not because of his clock, just that he could use some more AAA time around the infield…
But I guess Bixler is somewhat in the same boat – he’s not exactly your wily vet…
Just typing out loud… see? The UT situation is much more entertaining than it was a few hours ago!
I think the job is Grudz’ to lose. If he’s not looking very mobile in the field and Bixler is healthy through the spring, he’ll get first dibs.
I’m just thinking, if Redmond gets injured, then Grudz basically has to make the team, because he’s old and lousy, and we need one of those.
by Jay on Jan 18, 2010 10:12 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
This gets funnier and funnier as we learn how to deploy it properly.
Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile
by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Jan 18, 2010 11:01 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Oh yeah. Who else can pass on the knowledge?
by mcrose on Jan 18, 2010 10:24 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
No, but it would behoove us to keep him at minimum salary as long as possible, i.e., at least through 2013 and probably 2014.
The other element here is, they want to feel they have a viable option in the event they want to demote Valbuena for a little while. Not saying that expect that, but it’s a scenario worth anticipating.
Sure. See Cabrera, Asdrubal.
Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile
by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Jan 18, 2010 11:02 PM EST up reply actions
Those 12 days were critical.
What really irks me is how Valbuena was platooned late in the season. Sure, you want to ease a guy into the big leagues. But in what became a meaningless season very early, Valbuena was platooned so strictly long after the Indians fell out of contention. At age 23 he got 40 ABs against LHP.
Why? That’s a waste. He’s alternated good and bad years in the minor leagues against LHP, but he’s not going to get the chance to prove that in Cleveland?
Wait, why does that fall on Wedge?
Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile
by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Jan 19, 2010 6:17 AM EST up reply actions
Wedge wanted him, Shapiro let him have him. It falls on Shapiro, but it also falls under the category of dunderheaded ideas that Wedge demanded and Shapiro tolerated. What really needed to be fired was “the partnership.”
by Jay on Jan 19, 2010 8:31 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
see Success for asdrubal when demoted. in ’08 after being called back up he regained his hitting form.
But he also was successful immediately when first called up.
This whole side debate is kind of pointless. Nobody should be taking a couple hundred PA too seriously regardless of how good or bad they are.
All I meant was that he was a guy who appeared to be in the big leagues for good after a partial season, but was demoted. Nothing more, nothing less.
Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile
by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Jan 19, 2010 10:07 PM EST up reply actions
Interestingly enough, Bixler takes the last spot on the 40. So the roster flexibility is fairly limited, but there are still a few guys who could easily be DFA’d, etc.
I’m actually really looking forward to this season. All bets are off. The pursuit of excellence is freed from motto. Talent and performance win out. We play .500 ball and have a lot of fun. Shap wears his polo shirts with top button undone, etc.
Hmm….I’d say the overwhelmingly most likely scenario is that Bixler gets cut in spring training and Brito never sees major league baseball. Beyond that, Bixler’s strength seems to be his defensive ability. His numbers on minorleaguesplits give the impression he is an above average middle infielder defensively. If that is the case, I’m totally fine with this. I still don’t think he’s likely to earn the spot, but that’s fine. I see that Tony is sad to see Brito traded and had him slated as the Indian’s 35th best prospect. I’d disagree with that pretty strongly. Brito spent 3 years not being very good on the Indians DSL team after being signed. He did have a great 2009 (.998 OPS across two levels), but he played as a 22-year old with two rookie league teams. Maybe it was a real breakthrough for him – but the best case scenario for his development would make him a 25 or 26 year old marginal corner infielder/DH pawing at the big league door.
i can’t believe that a post about jesus brito getting traded for brian bixler has gotten 160+ comments.
If you don't respect Aaron Laffey, I will fight you.
by Cap'n Snegiryov on Jan 21, 2010 3:33 PM EST reply actions
I’m going to miss Jesus Brito, if only for this tidbit:
Date of Birth: December 25, 1987
by FredOx on Jan 21, 2010 4:21 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Since when does anything about that guy have to make sense?
No, not you. Your helmet!
by PatBordersHelmet on Jan 21, 2010 11:27 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
No, we sent Jesus away. We’re following Brian now.
by Jay on Jan 21, 2010 10:10 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
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