Gomez down, White stays in rotation.

Per Hoynes in the P-D. My qualitative evaluation agrees.

about 1 year ago afh4 109 comments 0 recs |

Comments

Hoynes does manage to get the Indians’ record wrong in that piece (It’s 22-11, not 20-11).

Is the plan to start Carrasco in Gomez’ spot on Wednesday or to shuffle things around?(Masterson would be on regular rest if he started Wednesday, same for White on Thursday and Carmona on Friday). Hoynes’ piece makes it sound as if they might call someone else up in the short term and activate Carrasco later; but, he couldn’t really get another start in in the minors — he pitched Friday, so his next regular turn should be Wednesday (which would mean he couldn’t pitch in Cleveland after that until next week).

by peter m on May 9, 2011 3:12 PM EDT reply actions

I don’t know why Carrasco should start on regular rest and not Masterson or Fausto, so I’d have Carrasco start on Thursday between Masterson and Carmona, and push White, the #5 starter, back to Saturday. But I’m not the Indians, so what do I know.

by Matt Y. on May 9, 2011 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Makes sense to me.

by Jay on May 9, 2011 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh good, Herrmann’s stash from Grandpa’s Cheese Barn was just about to run out.

Yes, Jensen, he’ll say hi to that girl behind the counter for you.

by TKilbane on May 9, 2011 3:50 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

By the way, my dad filled me in the Grandpa’s Cheese Barn is basically a scam. It is mostly repackaged Troyer’s products.

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by USSChoo on May 9, 2011 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I’ve never been to this Grandpa’s Cheese Barn, but as I spent a good half of my childhood in Holmes County, I’m offended on behalf of Troyer’s.

by ameliorate on May 9, 2011 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah it sucks. I was drawn in with dreams of cheddar dancing in my head but left feeling like grandpa stole my wallet and sent me on my way with a handful of bland “smoked” swiss and bad memories to show for it.

by hans on May 9, 2011 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, their cheese isn’t really what is good. I like staring at their jams and drooling. Also, that Troyer’s honey beef jerky that their peddling is out of this world.

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by USSChoo on May 9, 2011 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions

i’d like to see Judy till Saturday.

by Brick. on May 9, 2011 4:35 PM EDT reply actions

I’ll bite — more than a one-night stand, but not much more?

by peter m on May 9, 2011 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs

He needs a rebound from his disastrous taste of Jess

by c9kay32 on May 9, 2011 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Basically a non-decision assuming the team thinks it can contend this year. Gomez is awful, but at least he’s very young.

LGT's resident moderate Yankee hating fan.

by Joe. on May 9, 2011 6:00 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I cant believe you can call Gomez awful when you’ve lived in the Huff/Josh Johnson/Sowers era

"Mixed emotions. Rather see him hit PEDroia [with that pitch]. I don’t care if he is in the dugout"

by Gradysmanldy on May 9, 2011 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Josh Johnson? Man, I wish we have a Josh Johnson in our rotation right now. Btw, I think you meant Jason Johnson.

by jayme on May 9, 2011 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions

If you say his name twice in the mirror he will reappear on the mound. Gradysmanldy was just being cautious.

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by USSChoo on May 9, 2011 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs

Sowers pitched circles around D’Amico.

by JRontherim on May 9, 2011 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

awful is a harsh terminology. He hasn’t fully developed yet, perhaps.

In the new Geico commercial, Marte sings "Let me be myself" on Wedge's front lawn (with the cavemen).

by V-Mart Shopper on May 10, 2011 12:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Awful right now.

LGT's resident moderate Yankee hating fan.

by Joe. on May 10, 2011 12:33 AM EDT up reply actions

What about Carlton Smith? No runs and 17 k’s in 14.2 innings pitched at Columbus

by SippOnThis on May 9, 2011 6:51 PM EDT reply actions

Smith isn’t on the 40-man and he doesn’t have a very good track record. It is nice to see him well, though (10.4 K/9, 2.5 BB/9, sub-1 WHIP, no HRs allowed).

by JRontherim on May 9, 2011 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions

“pitch well”, obviously.

by JRontherim on May 9, 2011 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions

So does he really go be Carlton or is it Carl?

by hans on May 9, 2011 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I think Carlton

by APV on May 10, 2011 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions

He’s always been listed as Carlton.

by JRontherim on May 10, 2011 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Aaron Laffey:
12 GP
17 IP
1.59 ERA
9K/4BB

1 game with 2 ER, 1 with 1 ER, 10 with 0ER. Not sure about inherited runners scoring.

Surprised?

Len Barker Perfect Game Attendee

by PortlandVinny on May 9, 2011 7:24 PM EDT reply actions

Surprised?

No.

"I want to be playing at the end of October or the end of September -- not just at the beginning of April." —Grady

by westbrook on May 9, 2011 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions

He is a very good minor league pitcher, it’s true.

by Fire Slider on May 9, 2011 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Isn’t he pitching in a major league bullpen, though?

In the new Geico commercial, Marte sings "Let me be myself" on Wedge's front lawn (with the cavemen).

by V-Mart Shopper on May 10, 2011 12:33 AM EDT up reply actions

63.8% (86.9)

That’s Laffey’s FB% and average velocity. It doesn’t surprise me he is doing well…he has always shown a certain tenacity in doing what it takes to get by. I do still doubt the long-term viability of his stuff.

by APV on May 10, 2011 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Despite the new uniform, I still love the guy.

by callmrplow on May 10, 2011 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions

me too

by APV on May 10, 2011 9:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Flat brim and all.

LGT's resident moderate Yankee hating fan.

by Joe. on May 10, 2011 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions

I think Laffey is a case study of things that LGT got wrong.

by Gradyforpresident on May 10, 2011 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions

How so? Please elaborate.

"I’ll happily embrace elevated hopes if that is the price to pay." - APV

On Twitter at @grantgw - sports and Cleveland and Columbus stuff

by woodsmeister on May 10, 2011 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions

If you remember there were a lot of very, very glowing words on here in 2008 and even still that suggested he was a much more capable pitcher than actually is

by Gradyforpresident on May 11, 2011 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Didn’t we overwhelmingly love Laffey, but recognize it was time for him to go? Isn’t that the right attitude?

by APV on May 10, 2011 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions

That was my feeling towards him.

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by USSChoo on May 10, 2011 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I didn’t love him, and wanted him gone earlier.

by Brad D on May 10, 2011 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Should specify that I was referring to our more initial conceptions of his worth

by Gradyforpresident on May 11, 2011 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Screw Laffey.

by emd2k3 on May 10, 2011 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Speaking of LHP, wouldn’t mind seeing hagadone to get the ML debut/nerves out of the way in case he is needed down the stretch. It will be Herrmann though.

by riter on May 9, 2011 9:03 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I don’t think Hagadone will jump from AA. Needs to see Cbus first and prove himself. Like everybody else.

by mcrose on May 9, 2011 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions

And it is real early to burn an option year.

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by USSChoo on May 9, 2011 9:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Option already used 3/12. Since this is a 3/4 day hitch, could be part of promotion to cbus. Again probably Herrmann though.

by riter on May 9, 2011 10:09 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Ummm? I’m assuming you’re talking about Herrmann, even though nobody was playing in March, I was talking about Hagadone.

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by USSChoo on May 9, 2011 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Right. Hagadone was added to the 40-man, therefore, we’re already burning an option on him this year.

by Jay on May 9, 2011 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I keep forgetting that part of the equation for some reason.

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by USSChoo on May 9, 2011 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions

but that’s the only part of the equation, really. i think people confuse themselves on this unnecessarily.

by Brick. on May 10, 2011 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Well, I realized later that when I was saying option years I meant service time. I wasn’t going to post this here, for fear of looking wildly stupid, but screw it, it was wildly stupid.

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by USSChoo on May 10, 2011 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Just listened to Travis Fryman give his insights during latter half of the Clippers game. Great voice, candid and very familiar with the players.

He singled out Cord Phelps as being a guy whose work ethic, character and performance means a lot to the org. Took it for granted that he will have a ML career.

Had great things to say about Buck as well, in terms of his comfort with the Indians and ML potential.

Donald with his 2cnd HR in 30 AB’s too. Putnam closed out last two innings in style.

M’Callister another strong start, 6-0 now. Putnam isn’t on the 40 man, but if he was, I think he and Donald would be the next two callups.

by mcrose on May 9, 2011 9:45 PM EDT reply actions

The organization has not particularly acted as if anything Phelps does “means a lot” to anyone.

by Jay on May 9, 2011 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Fryman’s a Tribe coach now, but I was pretty taken with his lack of orgspeak. He’s coached Chiz, Phelps and ( I think?) Kipnis as manager, and I liked his takes on players he’s either directly coached or been exposed to in ST.

I was particularly impressed that he didn’t use the word “scrappy” or “grinder” regarding Phelps, but still managed to hold him up as an example of the type of player that they’re looking for in the system. Given the high level of internal competition, trying to keep all these guys trying to get a shot happy and playing hard, mebbe guys like Phelps, regardless of whether they are first in line, actually do mean a lot.

by mcrose on May 9, 2011 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions

“Scrappy” is organizational speak for “just a keystroke away from being crappy”

by APV on May 10, 2011 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs

This bothers me a lot.

LGT's resident moderate Yankee hating fan.

by Joe. on May 9, 2011 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions

What’s the other option? Put Kipnis at AA? He doesn’t belong there either.

I do agree with others that if they stay in contention and feel they need to make a deal, I can see Kipnis being the one to go. He’s got the more pure bat and more power, but Phelps seems to be a player that does a lot of things well, and is probably the better defensive player. With the continuing trend of lower scoring, I can see how Phelps might profile better there. But this is all speculation at this point.

by TribeJay on May 10, 2011 7:41 AM EDT up reply actions

and is probably the better defensive player

I wonder about this long-term. Phelp’s experience certainly gives him the edge now, but he has a much bigger frame than Kipnis and I wonder whether Kipnis will grow into a better defender than Phelps.

by APV on May 10, 2011 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions

That seems unlikely. It seems more likely that he’s a bit overvalued at this point.

by Jay on May 10, 2011 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions

I am certainly in favor of trading Kipnis if it nets us the right piece. Assuming we are trying to trade for something at the deadline, he is a heralded prospect at a position where we could afford to lose him.

LGT's resident moderate Yankee hating fan.

by Joe. on May 10, 2011 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions

McAllister looked really good, throwing 93-95 consistently from what they said, throwing the fastball by a lot of guys. Right now, the starting pitching depth looks like this – White #6, McAllister #7, Gomez #8, and Huff #9. Until Talbot gets back, I think Carrasco and White are possibly fighting for a spot in the rotation, as long as Talbot doesn’t pay a visit to Setback University.

by TribeJay on May 10, 2011 7:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Did I hear/read 4A whispers about him somewhere?

by stuart dean on May 10, 2011 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions

From what I’ve read, yes, based on his stuff last year. They said he’s throwing harder this year, for whatever reason. From what I saw last night, he IS throwing harder, and that stuff will play at the MLB level.

by TribeJay on May 10, 2011 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions

HOORAY STEROIDS!

by NickFantana on May 10, 2011 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Setback University

Exams were last week. He should be good till September now.

by APV on May 10, 2011 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Aren’t they on quarters? That means it’s only week seven!

by ameliorate on May 10, 2011 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Are you a senior? Are you guys switching next year or the year after? Not gonna lie, I loved quarters.

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by USSChoo on May 10, 2011 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Also, McAllister certainly seems to fit a mold that the coaching staff in the system knows how to develop. Big-bodied guys who rely on the downward action of their fastball, coupled with a slider and change, seem to be our specialty.

by APV on May 10, 2011 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions

I think Carrasco would really have to struggle for several starts for White to be given his spot.

LGT's resident moderate Yankee hating fan.

by Joe. on May 10, 2011 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions

It depends on how long it takes for Talbot to come back, but I’m kind of anticipating struggles from Carrasco.

by TribeJay on May 10, 2011 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Related to the injury or otherwise?

by TKilbane on May 10, 2011 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Moreso the injury – perhaps some temporary loss of arm strength or command. Complete speculation with a hint of guesswork by me.

by TribeJay on May 10, 2011 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Ya I wouldn’t be surprised by that either, but if the Indians were worried about it, why wouldn’t they just have given him more time on his rehab?

by TKilbane on May 10, 2011 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions

This is what I keep telling myself, although I am bracing myself for a bit of a post-DL letdown from Carrasco.

I just want to believe.

by mjmarble on May 10, 2011 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

That Carrasco is back after one rehab start probably says more about Gomez than it does about Carrasco’s projected effectiveness.

by FredOx on May 10, 2011 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions

It may also say that Carrasco’s stint on the DL may have been largely precautionary, regardless of what else it may or may not say about Gomez.

"I’ll happily embrace elevated hopes if that is the price to pay." - APV

On Twitter at @grantgw - sports and Cleveland and Columbus stuff

by woodsmeister on May 10, 2011 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I disagree – if it was truly about Gomez then McAllister would’ve been called up.

I just want to believe.

by mjmarble on May 10, 2011 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Clarification: what I meant is that the team thought a maybe-still-rehabbing-from-injury Carrasco would (1) not be harmed physically by pitching in Cleveland instead of the minors and (2) give the club a better chance to win than a healthy Gomez.

Part of a Carrasco > all of a Gomez.

by FredOx on May 11, 2011 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Dispatch write up of last night’s game, with some nice details:

link

by mcrose on May 10, 2011 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

He didn’t say it explicitly, but from Fryman’s comments it sounded like the role he was envisioning for Phelps was a utility role. Does a lot of things well, but nothing jumps out at you; work ethic is a good example to the other guys.

Maybe he’s got a Tony Phillips upside? Phelps should have more power potential, though, he has a much bigger frame.

by InfiniteMonkeyTypists on May 10, 2011 8:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Off topic, but I thought Jay said we’d be getting better Tribe coverage on FanGraphs now.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/fangraphs-power-rankings-5911/

I assume Swydan isn’t one of the Mariners guys.

by cheech99 on May 9, 2011 10:12 PM EDT reply actions

I dunno. That piece and the comments represent A LOT of Tribe coverage… Whatsayou to comment about the 2003 Royals?

"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge..." C. Darwin

by Spidey on May 9, 2011 10:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I tried to post a response incognito, but my avatar showed up. The internet is following me.

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by USSChoo on May 9, 2011 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah those boys over at FanGraphs can keep from tripping over their own feet there…

by hans on May 9, 2011 11:40 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t really see how this is their fault. Blame them for using fans’ opinions, but it’s not like anyone on the staff thinks we’re worthy of that ranking. Anyway, I think if I had to objectively put us somewhere, it would be in the 10-15 range.

LGT's resident moderate Yankee hating fan.

by Joe. on May 10, 2011 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Really? Not even a top 10?

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by USSChoo on May 10, 2011 12:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Too many good things happening right now that I would bet against continuing to happen if I wasn’t actually a fan of this team.

LGT's resident moderate Yankee hating fan.

by Joe. on May 10, 2011 12:32 AM EDT up reply actions

But don’t good teams get high rankings based on good things happening to them?

In the new Geico commercial, Marte sings "Let me be myself" on Wedge's front lawn (with the cavemen).

by V-Mart Shopper on May 10, 2011 12:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Tomlin’s pitching over his head for one, though not by as much as some would have you believe. Also, we would need continued success from Brantley and LaPorta, neither of which have really been any good so far in their respective careers. Hannahan would need to continue to hit this well plus we are going to have to assume Grady will struggle a bit once he stops hitting everything for extra bases and realizes he needs to learn to take a walk like he used to back in the day. Plus, I think Rafael Perez is going to cost us games once his ERA goes to where it should be and Chad Durbin will definitely keep costing us games. Of course, the two hitters everyone assumed would be the heart of our lineup have struggled mightily. I mean I don’t think this success is definitely a fluke, I am just saying right now I would not bet on it not being one.

LGT's resident moderate Yankee hating fan.

by Joe. on May 10, 2011 12:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Well, poop on that outlook!

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by USSChoo on May 10, 2011 8:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Remember when the White Sox won the World Series with everything going right for them? It’s our turn.

by callmrplow on May 10, 2011 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Same with Giants last year

My watch is broken... it's stuck on Tribe Time
#suckitLaw

by Turkmenbashi on May 10, 2011 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Joe. = palcal v2011

My watch is broken... it's stuck on Tribe Time
#suckitLaw

by Turkmenbashi on May 10, 2011 1:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Eh?

LGT's resident moderate Yankee hating fan.

by Joe. on May 10, 2011 1:22 AM EDT up reply actions

My watch is broken... it's stuck on Tribe Time
#suckitLaw

by Turkmenbashi on May 10, 2011 1:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Just being realistic. It’s not like I don’t want the team to be good.

LGT's resident moderate Yankee hating fan.

by Joe. on May 10, 2011 1:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, but PalCal was/is informational — all I’m seeing from Joe is conjecture.

by emd2k3 on May 10, 2011 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m going to guess he’s an NL fan. That’s why Oak/Cle/KC are underrated.

I have the same low opinion of the Marlins and the Rockies even though I have yet to see them play. Just kind of a natural inclination.

by Toxicadam on May 10, 2011 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions

The guy didn’t make the rankings. And honestly he has a point, we’re still doing better with the Fan Standings system than the ZiPs forecast.

LGT's resident moderate Yankee hating fan.

by Joe. on May 10, 2011 12:04 AM EDT up reply actions

I know it’s a little ridiculous to get upset about a power ranking, but this power ranking is a little ridiculous.

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

by notthatnoise on May 10, 2011 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions

I prefer this power ranking.

As General Manager of this team, I demand to know when I'm getting a start.

by bigbrabbs on May 10, 2011 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions 5 recs

Man, Cahill shutdown the Rangers tonight in their park. I think we were looking at the 2011 Cy Young.

by Toxicadam on May 9, 2011 11:02 PM EDT reply actions

I thought we’d agreed Tomlin had locked that up.

I just want to believe.

by mjmarble on May 10, 2011 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Not if Masterson has anything to say about it.

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

by notthatnoise on May 10, 2011 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Carmona resents both of these statements.

"Mixed emotions. Rather see him hit PEDroia [with that pitch]. I don’t care if he is in the dugout"

by Gradysmanldy on May 10, 2011 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions

As does Talbot and – interestingly – Pestano. I know, I was surprised too.

Trombone/creamy/soda.

by Joel D on May 10, 2011 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions

The power rankings at fangraphs are bizarre for many teams. We will know a lot more about the season after this next month. It is strange to me, though, that all these people-including Keith Law-talk about the easiness of the Indians schedule at the start of the year. The Indians have played the Red Sox, White Sox, Twins, and Tigers who have all underperformed. The Royals, A’s, Mariners, and Angels are all better or around expectations. The Orioles are shit. It is not the fault of the Indians that all of the teams supposed to be good have not started well. I say this as someone who generally likes Keith Law and is reserved but excited about the Tribe this year.

by Paul Shuey's Groin on May 10, 2011 6:39 PM EDT reply actions

“Paul Shuey’s groin likes Keith Law, excited about Tribe”

Trombone/creamy/soda.

by Joel D on May 10, 2011 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions

The Fangraphs power rankings include as a major component fan expectations heading into the season. Thus, the Red Sox at the top and the Indians at the bottom. They claim that the weighting of that component will decrease as the season progresses, but for now it’s a silly list.

by FredOx on May 11, 2011 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions

I get the feeling it’s going to be a silly list at the end of September, as well.

Isn’t the point of power rankings to get a general feel for how teams have been performing over the short term while factoring in some of the long term success (within the same season)? This “power ranking” gives no indication of how the teams have been performing over the course of the season, nor does it really indicate the “hot” teams, rendering it pretty useless (like pretty much all power rankings, but this seems even worse).

I almost forgot why I don’t bother reading power rankings. This is a nice reminder.

by callmrplow on May 11, 2011 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions

Perhaps a component of why the Red Sox and Tigers in particular have underperformed is that they ran into the buzzsaw that is Cleveland Indians baseball.

"I’ll happily embrace elevated hopes if that is the price to pay." - APV

On Twitter at @grantgw - sports and Cleveland and Columbus stuff

by woodsmeister on May 11, 2011 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions