I have more to come about the first game in what might be the most important week of baseball in April for the Indians in some time, but I just wanted to put the following here quickly.
On May 9th, 2006 in Kansas City, Danny Graves relieved Jason Johnson with no out and two men on. The Indians led 6-4 at the time. Graves gave up a homer to John Buck, got a hard ground out from Esteban German, and gave up a roped double to Mark Grudzielanek, and was releived by Scott Sauerbeck.
As Graves walked off the mound that day, I got the feeling that he had thrown his last pitch in the major leagues. I had the same feeling last night.
Afternoon update: Borowski has been placed on the disabled list with a "right triceps strain" which I'm pretty sure is something they came up with to get him off the roster for a while until the real problem is determined and, if possible, fixed. Tom Mastny got the call up.
I really hope that Rafy Betancourt doesn't move into the closer's role. No one else on this team could have done what he did to Ortiz and Ramirez last night.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
Indians leaving Buffalo?
In 1995, the Indians ended their relationship with the AAA Charlotte Knights and began one with the Buffalo Bisons. The relationship has worked well on both ends, the Bisons having the most successful period in their history and the Indians enjoying the closer proximity of their AAA affiliate and the support of the Buffalo fans. Buffalo's Opening Day in 1998 marked the announcement of a two year extension to the partnership. That announcement was duplicated in 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2006. It was not duplicated in 2008.
Obviously, neither side is saying that the lack of an extension marks the definitive end of the relationship. The Indians are praising Buffalo while saying they will wait till the end of the season to make a decision. The comments from Buffalo are much more telling:
Why would the Indians want to leave Buffalo? The answer is that it's not so much that they want to leave Buffalo, but that they want to move into Columbus. The Nationals deal with the Columbus Clippers expires at the end of 2008. Columbus is even closer to Cleveland than Buffalo, something obviously very important to the club. The Clippers will move into brand new Huntington Park in Columbus' growing Arena District in 2009. And, from Columbus' perspective, The Indians are obviously a much more hospitable parent than Washington.
There's more. There's a wealth of Indians fans already in Columbus, but there's about an equal number of Reds fans, and a thriving subset of Yankees fans. Whether the Yankees fans are a byproduct of the Clippers past association with that club or for some other reason, there's a logical theory that the placement of an affiliate in Columbus will help convert some fans, or at the least encourage future Indians fans.
A couple of years ago the Indians radio affiliate in Columbus moved from a smaller station, WMNI 920 to the big sports talk radio station, 1460 WBNS. This is actually a mixed blessing. While Indians coverage and discussion no doubt increased, 1460 is the parent station of a great deal of local sports, which have preference. In the spring, the Columbus Blue Jackets are aired ahead of the Indians. In the Fall, Ohio State football is aired ahead of the Indians. This also includes the Jim Tressel call in show. This past weekend, the men's Final Four was given radio precedence over the Indians. On Tuesday the women's Championship Game was as well.
So while the Indians have a significant presence in Columbus, there's room for more. That's why it's not a case of the Tribe wanting to leave Buffalo, but rather a case of them wanting to move into Columbus.
Obviously, neither side is saying that the lack of an extension marks the definitive end of the relationship. The Indians are praising Buffalo while saying they will wait till the end of the season to make a decision. The comments from Buffalo are much more telling:
We recognize that having a strong Major League partner is important to our success, and we will address our future Major League affiliation at the completion of this season.
Why would the Indians want to leave Buffalo? The answer is that it's not so much that they want to leave Buffalo, but that they want to move into Columbus. The Nationals deal with the Columbus Clippers expires at the end of 2008. Columbus is even closer to Cleveland than Buffalo, something obviously very important to the club. The Clippers will move into brand new Huntington Park in Columbus' growing Arena District in 2009. And, from Columbus' perspective, The Indians are obviously a much more hospitable parent than Washington.
There's more. There's a wealth of Indians fans already in Columbus, but there's about an equal number of Reds fans, and a thriving subset of Yankees fans. Whether the Yankees fans are a byproduct of the Clippers past association with that club or for some other reason, there's a logical theory that the placement of an affiliate in Columbus will help convert some fans, or at the least encourage future Indians fans.
A couple of years ago the Indians radio affiliate in Columbus moved from a smaller station, WMNI 920 to the big sports talk radio station, 1460 WBNS. This is actually a mixed blessing. While Indians coverage and discussion no doubt increased, 1460 is the parent station of a great deal of local sports, which have preference. In the spring, the Columbus Blue Jackets are aired ahead of the Indians. In the Fall, Ohio State football is aired ahead of the Indians. This also includes the Jim Tressel call in show. This past weekend, the men's Final Four was given radio precedence over the Indians. On Tuesday the women's Championship Game was as well.
So while the Indians have a significant presence in Columbus, there's room for more. That's why it's not a case of the Tribe wanting to leave Buffalo, but rather a case of them wanting to move into Columbus.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Previewing Buffalo
Overview: The Buffalo Bisons have a long and proud history. From Lou Boudreau to Luke Easter, from the 1880s to the 2000s, the Bisons have been there. They weren’t always very good, but they were there. Lately, though, they’ve been quite good, and the owners and fans of the team have come to expect a winner. Since 1995, they haven’t finished below .500. Since moving to the International league in 1998, they’ve won five division titles. However, the last two years the Bisons have missed the playoffs, so there’s a bit of unrest there.
The Indians recognize the pride that Buffalo takes in having a winning team. They often stock Buffalo with a good mix of minor league veterans, major leaguers who are on the way down and younger prospects not quite ready for the majors but who have solved AA. This season is no different.
Most of the “kids” will be discussed later on, so I’ll take some time to mention the veterans, both of the major and minor league variety. Scott Elarton was widely considered to be the last cut from the major league team. A top prospect in the mid-late 90s in the Astros system, he has battled injuries and ineffectiveness (one usually caused the other) since 2001. His best year since came in 2005 as an Indian, before he signed a surreal contract with the Royals (from the Royals perspective.) He is attempting to remarket himself as a reliever.
Jason Tyner is what most prospects who you read about has having great speed, good plate control and good small ball skills grow up to be. When you don’t have any power to speak of, nobody’s afraid to pitch to you. Your ability to get a walk becomes rather meaningless, because there’s no punishment for grooving a fastball. The speed is nice, the small ball skills are nice, and every so often, Ned Coletti gives you a 5 year $44M contract. However, most teams realize you’re nothing but a spare part, and you bounce between the majors and the minors. That doesn’t mean he can’t help Buffalo win, and that’s why the Indians signed him to a minor league contract in the offseason. He’s not likely to ever play for the Indians, unless something goes terribly wrong.
Another interesting minor league veteran is Andy Gonzalez. Gonzalez is an infield utility player, starting as a shortstop, but seeing more time at 2nd and 3rd as he gets older. He had an absolutely torrid spring, hitting four homers. He’s started out hot in Buffalo as well. His minor league track record isn’t laced with power, though, he hasn’t slugged over .400 since rookie ball. What he does give the team, however, is a reasonable OBP. This is his age 26 year, so if he’s going to have a career, he’s going to need another shot at the majors and make a lot more of it than the .180/.280/.249 line he put up with the White Sox last year. He would be able to do everything Jamey Carroll can for a quarter of the price and no commitment.
(As a side note, Jamey Carroll has the following bonuses in his contract, taken from Cot’s Baseball Contracts, the source of most of my salary information: “award bonuses: $25,000 each for All Star, Gold Glove; $50,000 for Silver Slugger; $75,000 for LCS MVP; $0.1M for MVP, WS MVP”. His agent must have really had to work hard for those.)
Best Reason For A Roadtrip: Adam Miller. He’s been well documented in this space and other spaces. He’s starting the season on the disabled list at Buffalo, but will come back as a starter. Despite this, if he’s healthy and effective during the season, he’s likely to be promoted as a reliever for 2008, as Earl Weaver used to do with young Orioles. When CC Sabathia leaves for richer pastures, Miller will be in line to move into the rotation in 2009, hopefully to make the sort of impact that Fausto Carmona did last year.
Likely To Graduate: With the early struggles of Javid Dellichaels, Ben Francisco certainly appears as if he’ll be the first graduate. Granting, it’s a week in, but it’s not like there weren’t concerns about that platoon entering the season. The Indians are not in a position to be terribly patient with a struggling situation. If they continue, by the end of April, Ben Francisco will be promoted. Whether Dellucci will be waived or somebody disabled, or even Marte jettisoned, I’m not sure, but it will happen.
Obviously Jeremy Sowers and Aaron Laffey are candidates for graduation, either to the Indians or to some other major league team offering us a potential solution to, say, the left field situation. If Cliff Lee continues to pitch strongly and the rotation stays healthy, the latter possibility becomes much more likely. In the advent of injury or collapse, the pecking order is likely Laffey then Sowers, although that’s subject to performance as a Bison.
There are a couple of other young players/prospects that may see time in the majors. Josh Barfield is likely to be promoted at some point, whether it’s in the case of injury, ineffectiveness or Barfield’s own excellence in Buffalo early in the season, or whether it’s in September when rosters expand is to be determined. Wyatt Toregas is the next in line should an injury befall Victor Martinez or Kelly Shoppach to the point that one of them needs disabled. Jordan Brown is likely to be promoted if Garko gets hurt, maybe if Hafner goes down, though we could see Francisco then. Brown is not on the 40 man roster, though, so a move would have to be made there.
There are a myriad of possibilities for bullpen spots should, as inevitably happens, ineffectiveness or injury strike. In addition to Elarton, Tom Mastny almost made the team. Edward Mujica could also be promoted, and Tony Sipp, should he return strongly from Tommy John, is a possibility to get the call. Of players not on the 40 man, Brendan Donnelly is also due for a midseason return to health, he has a history of effectiveness at the major league level.
Key Season: Brad Snyder will be 26 in May. He can hit a baseball hard, and he can hit it far. Unfortunately, he can’t do it frequently. Over the past few years he’s taken more walks which gives him a reasonable OBP, but he also strikes out far too often – 91 times in 303 PA in Buffalo in 2007. The player I always considered Snyder similar to is Joe Borchard, though PECOTA prefers Jeromy Burnitz. Borchard’s K/BB ratio was worse than Snyder’s, while Burnitz’ was better. And there’s the difference between being a career minor leaguer and a player who got his first regular playing time at age 28 and still made a lot of money.
On the pitching side, I don’t think any one player has a make or break season, but 2008 is an important season for both Sean Smith and Brian Slocum. Slocum probably has the better chance at major league success, but he’s never really had great stats in the minors. He’s on the 40 man roster, but with the possibility that he could be rather painlessly removed from it. Should that occur, Slocum will need to have shown health and effectiveness in Buffalo to have a reasonable shot at any sort of major league career as a long reliever type. Smith, meanwhile, has put up reasonable numbers in a steady climb up the ladder, while never impressing scouts. His highest career ERA came last season in buffalo when he posted a 4.25 ERA in 133 innings. His numbers are weird, though. He gave up 130 hits, 16 of which were homers, walked 58 and struck out 90, numbers which one would associate with a higher ERA than 4.25. He’s done this throughout his minor league career, which is why stathead types aren’t impressed either. Tellingly, a 23 year old who had some measure of success at AAA who was available in the Rule 5 draft was not selected.
The Indians recognize the pride that Buffalo takes in having a winning team. They often stock Buffalo with a good mix of minor league veterans, major leaguers who are on the way down and younger prospects not quite ready for the majors but who have solved AA. This season is no different.
Most of the “kids” will be discussed later on, so I’ll take some time to mention the veterans, both of the major and minor league variety. Scott Elarton was widely considered to be the last cut from the major league team. A top prospect in the mid-late 90s in the Astros system, he has battled injuries and ineffectiveness (one usually caused the other) since 2001. His best year since came in 2005 as an Indian, before he signed a surreal contract with the Royals (from the Royals perspective.) He is attempting to remarket himself as a reliever.
Jason Tyner is what most prospects who you read about has having great speed, good plate control and good small ball skills grow up to be. When you don’t have any power to speak of, nobody’s afraid to pitch to you. Your ability to get a walk becomes rather meaningless, because there’s no punishment for grooving a fastball. The speed is nice, the small ball skills are nice, and every so often, Ned Coletti gives you a 5 year $44M contract. However, most teams realize you’re nothing but a spare part, and you bounce between the majors and the minors. That doesn’t mean he can’t help Buffalo win, and that’s why the Indians signed him to a minor league contract in the offseason. He’s not likely to ever play for the Indians, unless something goes terribly wrong.
Another interesting minor league veteran is Andy Gonzalez. Gonzalez is an infield utility player, starting as a shortstop, but seeing more time at 2nd and 3rd as he gets older. He had an absolutely torrid spring, hitting four homers. He’s started out hot in Buffalo as well. His minor league track record isn’t laced with power, though, he hasn’t slugged over .400 since rookie ball. What he does give the team, however, is a reasonable OBP. This is his age 26 year, so if he’s going to have a career, he’s going to need another shot at the majors and make a lot more of it than the .180/.280/.249 line he put up with the White Sox last year. He would be able to do everything Jamey Carroll can for a quarter of the price and no commitment.
(As a side note, Jamey Carroll has the following bonuses in his contract, taken from Cot’s Baseball Contracts, the source of most of my salary information: “award bonuses: $25,000 each for All Star, Gold Glove; $50,000 for Silver Slugger; $75,000 for LCS MVP; $0.1M for MVP, WS MVP”. His agent must have really had to work hard for those.)
Best Reason For A Roadtrip: Adam Miller. He’s been well documented in this space and other spaces. He’s starting the season on the disabled list at Buffalo, but will come back as a starter. Despite this, if he’s healthy and effective during the season, he’s likely to be promoted as a reliever for 2008, as Earl Weaver used to do with young Orioles. When CC Sabathia leaves for richer pastures, Miller will be in line to move into the rotation in 2009, hopefully to make the sort of impact that Fausto Carmona did last year.
Likely To Graduate: With the early struggles of Javid Dellichaels, Ben Francisco certainly appears as if he’ll be the first graduate. Granting, it’s a week in, but it’s not like there weren’t concerns about that platoon entering the season. The Indians are not in a position to be terribly patient with a struggling situation. If they continue, by the end of April, Ben Francisco will be promoted. Whether Dellucci will be waived or somebody disabled, or even Marte jettisoned, I’m not sure, but it will happen.
Obviously Jeremy Sowers and Aaron Laffey are candidates for graduation, either to the Indians or to some other major league team offering us a potential solution to, say, the left field situation. If Cliff Lee continues to pitch strongly and the rotation stays healthy, the latter possibility becomes much more likely. In the advent of injury or collapse, the pecking order is likely Laffey then Sowers, although that’s subject to performance as a Bison.
There are a couple of other young players/prospects that may see time in the majors. Josh Barfield is likely to be promoted at some point, whether it’s in the case of injury, ineffectiveness or Barfield’s own excellence in Buffalo early in the season, or whether it’s in September when rosters expand is to be determined. Wyatt Toregas is the next in line should an injury befall Victor Martinez or Kelly Shoppach to the point that one of them needs disabled. Jordan Brown is likely to be promoted if Garko gets hurt, maybe if Hafner goes down, though we could see Francisco then. Brown is not on the 40 man roster, though, so a move would have to be made there.
There are a myriad of possibilities for bullpen spots should, as inevitably happens, ineffectiveness or injury strike. In addition to Elarton, Tom Mastny almost made the team. Edward Mujica could also be promoted, and Tony Sipp, should he return strongly from Tommy John, is a possibility to get the call. Of players not on the 40 man, Brendan Donnelly is also due for a midseason return to health, he has a history of effectiveness at the major league level.
Key Season: Brad Snyder will be 26 in May. He can hit a baseball hard, and he can hit it far. Unfortunately, he can’t do it frequently. Over the past few years he’s taken more walks which gives him a reasonable OBP, but he also strikes out far too often – 91 times in 303 PA in Buffalo in 2007. The player I always considered Snyder similar to is Joe Borchard, though PECOTA prefers Jeromy Burnitz. Borchard’s K/BB ratio was worse than Snyder’s, while Burnitz’ was better. And there’s the difference between being a career minor leaguer and a player who got his first regular playing time at age 28 and still made a lot of money.
On the pitching side, I don’t think any one player has a make or break season, but 2008 is an important season for both Sean Smith and Brian Slocum. Slocum probably has the better chance at major league success, but he’s never really had great stats in the minors. He’s on the 40 man roster, but with the possibility that he could be rather painlessly removed from it. Should that occur, Slocum will need to have shown health and effectiveness in Buffalo to have a reasonable shot at any sort of major league career as a long reliever type. Smith, meanwhile, has put up reasonable numbers in a steady climb up the ladder, while never impressing scouts. His highest career ERA came last season in buffalo when he posted a 4.25 ERA in 133 innings. His numbers are weird, though. He gave up 130 hits, 16 of which were homers, walked 58 and struck out 90, numbers which one would associate with a higher ERA than 4.25. He’s done this throughout his minor league career, which is why stathead types aren’t impressed either. Tellingly, a 23 year old who had some measure of success at AAA who was available in the Rule 5 draft was not selected.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
The Noon First Pitch
These noon starts have always intrigued me. They are almost always in April, May or September, rarely in the "summer" months. What's the point of them? They're referred to as Businessman's Specials for reasons I can't really figure out, since businessmen tend to work at noon. It can't be an attendance stimulant.
In any event, several years ago I came up with a wonderful idea. I came up with it during the time that the Indians were selling out every game, so that it wasn't pertinent to the Indians at that time. However, as things have changed, it is now very much pertinent. To be fair, this might already be going on and I just don't know about it, but I have a hunch I'd have heard something about it if so.
In high school we had a Physics Day at Cedar Point. Our Physics class hopped on a bus, we were given several problems related to the physics of various rides (how fast must the raptor go in order to successfully loop, what is the force on the corkscrew, etc), then we were free to spend the rest of the day being high school kids at Cedar Point. It was usually in May when the park was closed except for the youth of the nation.
I took this idea and adjusted it to these noon starts. They're not very popular to attend - today's game got all of 15 thousand and change. So why not get with local schools and turn the baseball field into a classroom? This could be done at right about the age that students are able to do some work on their own, but still at a young enough age that they'd be impressionable. Fifth or sixth grade tends to stick out to me.
Here's the plan: Students board bus in the morning to arrive at the park by 9:30 or so. They spend an hour or so doing some various problems, math relating to the field, maybe something about baseball's role in American History - the World Wars, Jackie Robinson, that sort of thing. At 10:30, take a half hour to meet with a ball player for a little Q&A session. A starting pitcher who is not going that day would be an excellent choice (Paul Byrd, CC Sabathia etc). Then a final half hour for some science stuff about the field. By this time it's 11:30, feed the kids lunch for a half hour out at the pavilion and watch the game.
The benefits to this are tremendous to all parties. The children get to do something fun and exciting for a change of pace. The teachers get a similar welcome break. I'm sure enough parents can be rounded up to help shepherd the children through the process. The team can use this sort of thing to demonstrate how they're helping the community. And, more practically, if/when the kids have a good time, they'll want to go back. A single positive experience on an impressionable youngster would go a long way towards creating an Indians fan for life.
In any event, several years ago I came up with a wonderful idea. I came up with it during the time that the Indians were selling out every game, so that it wasn't pertinent to the Indians at that time. However, as things have changed, it is now very much pertinent. To be fair, this might already be going on and I just don't know about it, but I have a hunch I'd have heard something about it if so.
In high school we had a Physics Day at Cedar Point. Our Physics class hopped on a bus, we were given several problems related to the physics of various rides (how fast must the raptor go in order to successfully loop, what is the force on the corkscrew, etc), then we were free to spend the rest of the day being high school kids at Cedar Point. It was usually in May when the park was closed except for the youth of the nation.
I took this idea and adjusted it to these noon starts. They're not very popular to attend - today's game got all of 15 thousand and change. So why not get with local schools and turn the baseball field into a classroom? This could be done at right about the age that students are able to do some work on their own, but still at a young enough age that they'd be impressionable. Fifth or sixth grade tends to stick out to me.
Here's the plan: Students board bus in the morning to arrive at the park by 9:30 or so. They spend an hour or so doing some various problems, math relating to the field, maybe something about baseball's role in American History - the World Wars, Jackie Robinson, that sort of thing. At 10:30, take a half hour to meet with a ball player for a little Q&A session. A starting pitcher who is not going that day would be an excellent choice (Paul Byrd, CC Sabathia etc). Then a final half hour for some science stuff about the field. By this time it's 11:30, feed the kids lunch for a half hour out at the pavilion and watch the game.
The benefits to this are tremendous to all parties. The children get to do something fun and exciting for a change of pace. The teachers get a similar welcome break. I'm sure enough parents can be rounded up to help shepherd the children through the process. The team can use this sort of thing to demonstrate how they're helping the community. And, more practically, if/when the kids have a good time, they'll want to go back. A single positive experience on an impressionable youngster would go a long way towards creating an Indians fan for life.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Opening Day!
Man, I missed baseball.
Some Opening Day notes:
Whoever wrote this: "Jim Thome is still an incredible hitter against righties, but has become nearly impotent against lefties" sure missed the mark Monday. Thome hit two homers off of C.C. Sabathia.
The Victor Martinez injury looked pretty bad, but he seemed to be walking it off fine, and the off day tomorrow will help. I'll admit I was pretty worried initially, because there are two players this team cannot stand an injury to, and Martinez is one of them.
The Indians sure did seem to get every close call in their favor. As a Cleveland fan, I can attest to the rarity of having that happen, but I'll certainly take it. Cleveland teams have been owed more than a few over the past many, many years.
Sample Size comments: Good to see Casey Blake come through in the clutch. Over the past couple of years he'd really struggled in those opportunities. I realize it's one game, but is it too early to be a little worried about Jensen Lewis? Lewis' velocity was down all spring, and he didn't look terribly good Monday.
I can't help but dig the old school uniforms. I tend to enjoy any cap that doesn't have Chief Wahoo on it - my favorite cap had been the one with the script I. I have one of those that no longer fits my Bondsianly (wow, that's an impressive made up adverb) swelling head. Apparently, these throwbacks are the new home alternates, although I really liked the previous alternates, which were the vests.
Within the next week or so I'll have previews of the Indians minor league affiliates, as well as some thoughts on the rest of baseball, although understandably not as focused as my mini-previews were on the AL Central teams.
Some Opening Day notes:
Whoever wrote this: "Jim Thome is still an incredible hitter against righties, but has become nearly impotent against lefties" sure missed the mark Monday. Thome hit two homers off of C.C. Sabathia.
The Victor Martinez injury looked pretty bad, but he seemed to be walking it off fine, and the off day tomorrow will help. I'll admit I was pretty worried initially, because there are two players this team cannot stand an injury to, and Martinez is one of them.
The Indians sure did seem to get every close call in their favor. As a Cleveland fan, I can attest to the rarity of having that happen, but I'll certainly take it. Cleveland teams have been owed more than a few over the past many, many years.
Sample Size comments: Good to see Casey Blake come through in the clutch. Over the past couple of years he'd really struggled in those opportunities. I realize it's one game, but is it too early to be a little worried about Jensen Lewis? Lewis' velocity was down all spring, and he didn't look terribly good Monday.
I can't help but dig the old school uniforms. I tend to enjoy any cap that doesn't have Chief Wahoo on it - my favorite cap had been the one with the script I. I have one of those that no longer fits my Bondsianly (wow, that's an impressive made up adverb) swelling head. Apparently, these throwbacks are the new home alternates, although I really liked the previous alternates, which were the vests.
Within the next week or so I'll have previews of the Indians minor league affiliates, as well as some thoughts on the rest of baseball, although understandably not as focused as my mini-previews were on the AL Central teams.
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