Matt Albers
Gomes Walkoff Gives Tribe Sweep; Indians 10, Mariners 8
May 20, 2013 | Craig Gifford | One CommentMonday afternoon’s game between the Cleveland Indians and Seattle Mariners was reminiscent of a boxing match. Both sides took turns absorbing the other’s best shots, but would not stay down for the count.
Finally, in a back-and-forth affair, it was Yan Gomes who delivered the knockout punch. A 10th inning, three-run home run, erased an 8-7 deficit and gave the Tribe a 10-8 win. It was Gomes’ second longball of the day and fourth of the season. The comeback victory completed a four-game sweep over the Mariners and gave Cleveland its fifth straight win. At 26-17 the Indians are now two and a half games up in the AL Central Division over the Tigers, who visit Progressive Field on Tuesday and Wednesday.
A count of 19,390 fans witnessed the Indians’ third walk-off home run of the year and third walk-off victory during the four-game tilt with Seattle. Gomes’ blast was the sixth time on the day a team had a lead erased. Seattle had the lead to start both the ninth and tenth innings. Read More
Tampa Walks to Easy Victory; Rays 6, Indians 0
April 6, 2013 | Evan MatsumotoSaturday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays featured Trevor Bauer, who was called up from Triple-A Columbus for injured Scott Kazmir, and Tampa’s Alex Cobb.
Cobb (1-0) pitched 7.1 innings and recorded six strikeouts and only allowed four hits in the Rays’ 6-0 win over the visiting Indians. Tampa Bay improves to 3-2 on the season while Cleveland drops to 2-3.
“Well the first four hitters were rough. That’s not the best way to start the game. To his credit, he reeled it in,” Cleveland Manager Terry Francona said.
Indians Name Kazmir Fifth Starter, Make Several Roster Decisions
March 25, 2013 | Mike Brandyberry | 2 Comments
By Mike Brandyberry
The Indians made several roster decisions on Monday afternoon, including naming Scott Kazmir the team’s fifth starter. However, Kazmir will not begin the season on the team’s Opening Day 25-man roster.
Cleveland informed Kazmir he has won the fifth starter’s job, but will not be added to the Indians roster until his first scheduled start. They also informed Jason Giambi he has made the roster, but he will begin the season on the 15-day disabled list and will not be eligible to be activated until April 9, one day after the team’s home opener against the New York Yankees. Ezequiel Carrera was designated for assignment to make room for Giambi on the 40-man roster.
Kazmir will make his first start for the Indians on April 6 in Tampa Bay, the team that he had so much success with from 2004-2009. He was an All-Star with the Rays in 2006 and 2008 and led the American League in strikeouts in 2007. He struggled in 2010 with the Los Angeles Angels before being released in 2011. Last summer he pitched with the Sugarland Skeeters of the Independent Atlantic League.
Albers Brings Consistency, Veteran Presence to Indians
March 16, 2013 | Mike Brandyberry
During Spring Training the DTTWLN staff will profile and examine the coaches and players that make up and are vying to be part of the 2013 Cleveland Indians—A Team With A New Direction. Today, we examine one of the 15 newcomers to the 40-man roster this winter and the role they can play moving forward.
By Craig Gifford
Matt Albers could probably be considered a forgotten man. In the end, he is likely ok with that because it means he does not need to sweat out whether or not he will wearing an Indians uniform when the regular season opens.
The veteran right-hander has a job in the bullpen pretty well secured. He gets little attention in Goodyear, Ariz. because the general assumption is he will be a middle reliever who will generally get the job done. Read More
Bullpen Taking Shape with Two Weeks Remaining in Camp
March 16, 2013 | Mike Brandyberry
By Mike Brandyberry
The picture that is the Indians’ Opening Day 25-man roster is starting to become clearer by the day.
Friday night, WTAM’s Nick Camino tweeted that Cody Allen will open the season in the Tribe’s bullpen and that Indians’ Manager Terry Francona told him last week. Allen has had an electric spring, with Francona commenting how he came to camp with something to prove.
“He obviously knows he’s coming to camp with something to prove,” Francona said earlier this month. “He looks like he is in midseason form. You never tell a guy to back off, but it’s obvious he worked hard and prepared for Spring Training because his stuff is electric.”
Wahoo Watch Podcast #18, March 10, 2013
March 10, 2013 | Ronnie TellalianDuring this week’s podcast Erik Pinkerman, Ronnie Tellalian, Mike Brandyberry and Bob Toth talk about the Tribe’s bullpen. The quartet discuss the locks for the back end of the bullpen in Chris Perez, Vinnie Pestano and Joe Smith and then … Read More
After Arbitration Settlements, Tribe Roster Close to Taking Final Shape
January 19, 2013 | Mike BrandyberryFriday 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.
Did The Tribe Win Last Night Podcast #6, December 16, 2012
December 16, 2012 | Ronnie TellalianIn this week’s Wahoo Watch podcast, Erik Pinkerman, Ronnie Tellalian and Mike Brandyberry break down the three team trade between the Indians, Reds and Diamondbacks that got the Tribe Trevor Bauer, Drew Stubbs, Matt Albers and Bryan Shaw. The trio … Read More
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.
