Where Do The Indians Go From Here?

Indians All Smiles Introducing Bourn on First Day of Workouts

February 16, 2013 | Mike Brandyberry

Friday the Cleveland Indians officially introduced outfielder Michael Bourn to the Tribe in Goodyear, Ariz.

The Tribe agreed to a four year contract with the speedy outfielder on Monday, believed to be valued at $48 million, with an option for a fifth season if Bourn has 550 plate appearances in 2016. The contract gives the Indians one of the premier leadoff hitters and center fielders in Major League Baseball.

“In signing Michael we feel we have signed one of the best center fielders in baseball,” Indians General Manager Chris Antonetti said in video of the press conference. “He’s a dynamic player, exceptional defender in center field and can really impact the game on the bases.”

After Arbitration Settlements, Tribe Roster Close to Taking Final Shape

January 19, 2013 | Mike Brandyberry

Friday the Indians agreed to contracts with six of their seven arbitration-eligible players, leaving only Mike Aviles as the lone road block to keeping the Tribe’s record of avoiding arbitration since 1991.

Cleveland settled on one-year deals with Drew Stubbs ($2.825 million), Chris Perez ($7.3 million), Justin Masterson ($5.6875 million), Joe Smith ($3.15 million), Matt Albers ($1.75 million) and Lou Marson ($1 million). Arbitration figures were reported by Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. Most settlements were for slightly more than what was projected for the player by MLBTradeRumors.

After the 1 pm deadline passed the Indians and Aviles exchanged arbitration figures, with Aviles reportedly asking for $3.4 million, while the Cleveland offered $2.4 million. The two sides have until mid-February to reach a contract on their own or an independent arbiter will decide between one of the two submitted figures. Aviles hit .250 with 13 home runs, with 60 runs batted in last season in Boston. It was his best year as a big leaguer and only as a full-time starter. Cleveland plans to use him as a utility player, giving rest to Lonnie Chisenhall, Asdrubal Cabrera and Jason Kipnis.

Francona’s Influence Gives Tribe a New Feel

January 5, 2013 | Mike Brandyberry | One Comment

There is a new feeling around the Cleveland Indians.

It isn’t a feeling of cockiness, but confidence. It’s a feeling of pride in what has been accomplished since the end of a 94-loss season in 2012, and also a focus on the work that is left to be done. It’s a feeling of comfort and trust, while starting so many things different and new.

However you try to describe the feeling, it is one created by new Manager Terry Francona.

Francona was hired on Oct. 6 after the end of a difficult and disappointing season for the Tribe. Cleveland’s 2012 season floundered and left a roster in despair at season’s end, but it also provided Francona a chance to recharge after eight seasons managing the Boston Red Sox. Francona spent the 2012 season as an analyst on ESPN, a break from managing between Boston and the Philadelphia Phillies for 12 seasons, Francona was ready for a new challenge—steering the small-market, tight-budget Cleveland Indians.

Swisher Happy for Ohio Homecoming and Signing with Tribe

January 4, 2013 | Mike Brandyberry

Nick Swisher may be the happiest person ever to move to Cleveland. If the production is half as entertaining and heart-felt as the press conference, Cleveland is in for a treat.

Thursday afternoon the Cleveland Indians introduced their new right fielder to the media. Swisher agreed a four-year contract, valued at $52 million on Dec. 23 with the Tribe but passed his physical and was officially added to the roster. His outgoing and infectious attitude could be felt in the room the moment he walked in, creating a feel not felt around the Indians in some time.

“We are excited to introduce Nick Swisher as the newest member of the Cleveland Indians,” Indians General Manager Chris Antonetti said. “As we started our off season we wanted to fortify our lineup by bringing in an established run producer. In agreeing to terms with Nick, we’ve done exactly that. I’m not sure we could have found a more perfect compliment to our team and our organization.”

Indians Sign Brett Myers to Bolster Rotation

January 2, 2013 | Mike Brandyberry

By Mike Brandyberry

Tuesday the Cleveland Indians opened the new year the same way they finished the old one, by making a free agent signing. This time the Indians signed right-handed pitcher Brett Myers.

Myers, who turned 32-years old in August, was used as a relief pitcher in 2012, splitting time between the Houston Astros and Chicago White Sox. He made 70 appearances last season, 35 with both the Astros and White Sox, going 3-8, with a 3.31 ERA in 65.1 innings. According to CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman, the deal is a one year deal, worth $7 million and includes a club option for 2014.

Does the Tribe Have to Trade Asdrubal Cabrera?

December 15, 2012 | Mike Brandyberry | One Comment

By Mike Brandyberry

When everyone knows, it’s no longer a secret.

And that’s where the secret may have reached in the Asdrubal Cabrera trade talks. The idea of trading Cabrera seemed like a foolish one when the season ended, then looked to be an inevitable conclusion after Mike Aviles was acquired and trade talk swirled, but now seem to have cooled again with talks the Indians could keep him.

Cabrera’s second half slumps and conditioning problems have been well-documented. In 2012, Cabrera hit .286, with 11 home runs and 42 runs batted in during the first half, but only .251, with five home runs and 26 runs batted in during the same in the second half. The same is true for 2011 when Cabrera hit .293, with 14 home runs and 51 runs batted in as the start of his breakout season, but only hit .244, with 11 home runs and 41 runs batted in.

Applaud Antonetti for Bauer Trade, Recent Moves and Roster Flexibility

December 12, 2012 | Mike Brandyberry

By Mike Brandyberry

It’s time to give Chris Antonetti some credit.

The Indians General Manager has deservedly received his fair share of criticism for the Tribe’s struggles over the last few seasons, but after several decisions that resulted in disappointment, he seems to have made a very positive move Tuesday evening.

“We need to do a better job of shaping our roster,” Antonetti said at his season end press conference in October. “There were some decisions we made last year that didn’t turn out the way that we had hoped. We certainly need to reinvent our process that led to those decisions.”

Tuesday’s three-way trade that sent Shin-Soo Choo and Jason Donald to the Cincinnati Reds and Tony Sipp and Lars Anderson to the Arizona Diamondbacks isn’t the only move to change the shape of the roster, but it is the biggest. The Indians received Drew Stubbs in return from Cincinnati and Trevor Bauer, Matt Albers and Bryan Shaw from Arizona.

Tribe Trades Choo to Cincinnati in Three-Team Deal for Stubbs and D-Backs’ Bauer

December 11, 2012 | Mike Brandyberry

By Mike Brandyberry

The Cleveland Indians have traded outfielder Shin-Soo Choo in part of a three-team deal with the Cincinnati Reds and Arizona Diamondbacks. The Indians dealt Choo and infielder Jason Donald to Cincinnati for Reds center fielder Drew Stubbs and Diamondbacks starting pitcher Trevor Bauer and right-handed relief pitchers Matt Albers and Bryan Shaw. The Indians sent Didi Gregorius from the Reds, plus left-handed relief pitcher Tony Sipp, minor league first baseman Lars Anderson and cash considerations to the Diamondbacks

Choo, a right fielder with the Indians, is expected to become the Reds center fielder. Cincinnati hopes to recuperate what they will lose in Choo’s defense with his increased offense. Choo rebounded from an injury-riddled 2011 to hit .283, with 16 home runs and 67 runs batted in during 2012, primarily in the Tribe’s leadoff spot. It is expected that Cincinnati will insert him into the top of their order to hit in front of Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips and Jay Bruce.

What Mark Reynolds Brings to the Indians at First Base

December 10, 2012 | Mike Brandyberry | 3 Comments

By Ronnie Tellalian

First base has long been a place of woe for the Cleveland Indians. From Casey Kotchman to Matt LaPorta, Shelley Duncan and Andy Marte, the last three years have produced abysmal offense from an offensive-driven position. This off season the Cleveland Indians sought to remedy those struggles, most notably their pursuit of free agent Kevin Youklis.

Sunday the Tribe took a left turn by signing 29-year old first baseman Mark Reynolds to a one-year, $6 million deal. Several questions may linger in the minds of Indians fans. What contribution can Reynolds make in 2012? What does this mean for Kevin Youklis? Did the Indians make the right choice?

Reynolds spent the majority of 2012 manning first base for the Baltimore Orioles. He has put up some seesaw numbers in his career and things have been no different since joining Baltimore in 2011. He hit 60 home runs over the last two seasons, averaging 34 home runs per 162 games. He also averaged 87 RBI, 86 runs scored, and 83 walks per 162 games during that same span. To go with that is an above average .328 on-base percentage and a .458 slugging percentage. The other side of that three year seesaw is his poor .221 average, and his massive number of strikeouts, 355 in 290 games. The real question is what can those numbers tell us, and what can he bring to the Indians lineup in 2013?

Indians Sign Mark Reynolds to One Year Contract

December 9, 2012 | Mike Brandyberry

By Mike Brandyberry

The Cleveland Indians have signed Mark Reynolds to a one year contract, valued at $6 million according to Britt Ghiroli of MLB.com. The free-swinging, right-handed bat will most likely fill the first base void with the Indians. The … Read More

Are the Indians Ready to Fool Fans in Free Agency Again?

December 8, 2012 | Mike Brandyberry | One Comment

By Mike Brandyberry

The Cleveland Indians have fooled fans many times in their pursuit of free agents, often chasing a player to the final negotiation, only to lose out to another team. It happened again on Tuesday when Cleveland lost out on Shane Victorino when the Boston Red Sox inked the outfielder to a three-year, $39 million deal.

Maybe the Indians are about to fool fans again, in another way.

Cleveland currently has a contract offer on the table to both Kevin Youkilis and Nick Swisher. The Tribe offered Youkilis a two-year, $18 million contract, and Swisher a four-year, $48 million deal. Youkilis is weighing the Indians’ offer against a one-year, $12 million deal from the New York Yankees. Considering Youkilis is from Cincinnati — his family often visits Progressive Field when Youkilis comes to town — and Swisher was born in Ohio, raised in West Virginia and was an Ohio State Buckeye, there are reasons for each to take the money and join Manager Terry Francona in a unique opportunity to be a part of an Indian revival.

Tribe Talks Trade In Many Directions, But Appear to Head Home With Same Roster

December 6, 2012 | Mike Brandyberry | One Comment

By Mike Brandyberry

If the Indians acquired every player they’ve inquired about at this week’s Winter Meetings in Nashville, Tennessee, they’d have a new 25-man roster to field. However, the actual players they’ve acquired would leave Progressive Field as empty as an early December day.

The rumors involving the Indians have become so many, it leaves questions about the direction the team is moving, or even if the team has a direction.

Wednesday’s rumors surrounding the Tribe had them heavily linked to the Arizona Diamondbacks in a trade that could also involve the Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays. The Diamondbacks seem rather determined to trade for Asdrubal Cabrera and are willing to give up a young starting pitcher, but the Indians want two, young arms for their shortstop. Arizona seems reluctant to meet the Indians’ terms and thus the trade has grown to involve several teams at times with players like Justin Upton and James Shields involved and some of the Rangers top prospects, including Mike Olt.