Daily Tribe News: November 5, 2011

by Ryan on Nov 5, 2011 7:19 AM EDT in News

Shelley Duncan prepared to be more than a role player | indians.com: News
Duncan was one of the best hitters in the lineup late last season, though I don't think the Indians will be comfortable penciling him as a starter in left field or first base. I do think though that even if he isn't an everyday player at one position, he'll have enough opportunities to get 350-400 plate appearances. Duncan can fill in for Travis Hafner once or twice a week next season (not to mention the inevitable DL stint), and either in left field or first base, depending on who the Indians bring in.

Phils sign Thome to one-year deal | Philadelphia Inquirer | 11/05/2011
A little surprising that Thome would go to an NL club for an entire season, but his mentor Charlie Manuel is there, and the Phillies will once again be a favorite to win the National League pennant. Ryan Howard may not ready to start the season, so perhaps Thome could play some first base. If you're wondering, the Indians will not get any draft pick compensation for Thome.

Ron Santo and Jim Kaat are among 10 on the Golden Era Hall of Fame ballot | MLB.com: News
Three former Indians are on the Golden Era Veterans' Committee ballot: Luis Tiant, Minnie Minoso, and Allie Reynolds. I think both Tiant and Minoso would be deserving Hall of Famers, though Ron Santo is probably the most likely player on the ballot to be voted in.

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It seems the consensus that Duncan remains a role player. After all, he’s been up and down and up and down — a literal Duncan Yo-Yo. But what’s the argument against giving him left field or first base? Might he have a more-than-respectable Major League season if given a full opportunity?

by just a bit outside on Nov 6, 2011 3:44 AM EDT reply actions

Perhaps, though the Indians take a big defensive hit if he’s playing in left field every day. We also just don’t know what he’ll do if he plays every day for six months, because he’s never done it. Not his fault, of course, but that’s a big chance to take. He put up a 123 OPS+ last season, but in only 247 Plate Appearances. It’s a big risk for the Indians to gamble that that production will play out over the course of a season when they really don’t have a backup plan. I’d rather Duncan be the backup plan.

by Ryan on Nov 6, 2011 8:52 AM EST up reply actions

I don’t normally like doing this, but it’s worth mentioning that the bulk of Duncan’s value came in 2 games last year where he went 5-8 with 4 HR and a walk. I’m not convinced Duncan is anywhere close to a regular, and he certainly shouldn’t be plan A going into the season if this team intends on competing.

by callmrplow on Nov 7, 2011 9:03 AM EST up reply actions

“the Phillies will once again be a favorite to go to the National League.”

Aren’t they already in the NL?

by JulioBernazard on Nov 6, 2011 9:05 AM EST reply actions

That’s why they’re a favorite.

by YoDaddyWags on Nov 6, 2011 12:08 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

Fixed.

by Ryan on Nov 7, 2011 8:59 AM EST up reply actions

Can we bring in Matt Murton as an invite this spring?

Baseball fans are junkies, and their heroin is the statistic. - Robert S. Wieder

by jerseywahoo on Nov 7, 2011 3:49 PM EST reply actions

so Bill Smith is out in Minnesota?

by westbrook on Nov 7, 2011 6:43 PM EST reply actions

Smith is indeed out .. replaced by Terry Ryan on an interim basis.

Apparently, 1 bad season isn’t tolerated in the Twin Cities.

it’s an interesting decision. Hard to argue with Ryan’s past success, and the fact that Smith made a lot of borderline trades.

But, with Morneau and Mauer under contracts … and some pretty big losses for the Twins in the FA market, it’s hard to see how Ryan can simply wave a magic wand and turn this around.

As an interim .. would he put Morneau on the market and put the team into a full-fledged rebuild? Or does he push his chips into the center to rebuild on the fly?

Should be interesting.

by FallsTribeFan on Nov 7, 2011 7:37 PM EST up reply actions

With Mauer locked up in that contract for the next decade, it’s hard to imagine they’ll admit defeat and go into rebuilding mode.

by callmrplow on Nov 8, 2011 2:41 PM EST up reply actions

They could always deal Mauer for a huge haul, but I doubt they go that route.

"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway

by notthatnoise on Nov 8, 2011 6:02 PM EST up reply actions

If he keeps trending this way, they would have to trade Mauer for whoever would take the contract.

Matt LaPorta is the bane of my existence.

by USSChoo on Nov 9, 2011 12:37 AM EST up reply actions

Joe’s not getting traded, he’s that local legend they’ll hang onto through any dark days they have. Anyone else is expendable, just not Joe. Plus, he won’t cause a stink if something happens.

The love this area has for Joe Mauer is beyond obnoxious.

With or Without the H

by johnf34 on Nov 13, 2011 11:24 AM EST up reply actions