Tony Sipp
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.
Arbitration Will Likely Signal the End of the Bullpen Mafia
October 17, 2012 | Mike Brandyberry
After a disappointing 2012 Cleveland Indians season the organization is at a crossroads to decide how to progress with the organization, not just for the 2013 season but several seasons to come. Decisions involve ownerships, the front office, managerial and coaching decisions and the players. For the month of October, we’ll look at how the Indians ended up in their current predicament, but most importantly, Where Do the Indians Go From Here. Today we analyze how salary arbitration this winter will affect the bullpen.
By Mike Brandyberry
Like any good mafia, you could see the breaks in the group’s cohesion before it became a problem. The group that was once, one unit, split into two groups, and now it’s about to get worse.
But most likely, by Opening Day 2013, The Bullpen Mafia will be a thing of the past.
With Chris Perez seeming to be one of the Indians’ largest trade pieces this offseason the bullpen is headed for a shake up. Perez stands to garner about $8 million in salary arbitration this winter—a rather steep price for a closer on a team that didn’t have many games to close in the second half. Meanwhile Vinnie Pestano seems to be a suitable replacement for Perez if he is dealt. Pestano would be an easy move from his eighth inning role to the ninth inning.
Tribe Falls to Yanks as Offense Continues to Flail; Yankees 4, Indians 2
August 26, 2012 | Mike Brandyberry
By Dave Roberts
The Indians looked to build upon their great victory last night and string together consecutive wins in hope of winning their first series since taking two out of three against the Tigers on July 26. In the rubber match of the series with the Yankees, Cleveland sent Ubaldo Jimenez to mound against Freddy Garcia for this Sunday daytime affair. What unfolded in Cleveland was more of the same game play fans have been used to as the offense sputtered yet again in a 4-2 loss.
Pitching wise the Tribe arms yet again managed to keep the Yankees high-powered offense in low gear throughout the game. Jimenez gave the Indians a decent start going five innings allowing three runs on eight hits while striking out four and walking only one. Of the five frames he tossed, the Yankees were only able to capitalize in the second inning. It was the one inning that Jimenez allowed himself to get into trouble and the Yankees took full advantage.
Allen Could Be Key to Future Bullpen Stability or Shakeup
August 10, 2012 | Mike Brandyberry
By Craig Gifford
When the Cleveland Indians selected relief pitcher Cody Allen in the 23rd round of last year’s Major League Baseball draft, the pick was not even a blip on the radar to most Tribe fans.
For one, a pick that low is rarely lauded. Most players selected at that point either never make it to the big leagues or take a while develop. Secondly, a reliever out of a small school like North Carolina’s High Point College is often overlooked by the media and team followers.
Allen may have been overlooked last year, but now people are noticing. The 23-year-old right hander has made people see just how overlooked he really was. He made exceedingly short work of the minor league circuit and has been nearly unhittable in his brief time in the majors.
Bullpen Rebirth Necessary for Second Half Charge
July 20, 2012 | Mike Brandyberry
By Craig Gifford
When Indians ace Justin Masterson struggled early in his Wednesday night start at Tampa Bay, the prevailing thought was, “uh-oh, here we go again!”
That is not meant to be an edict against the way Masterson was pitching. In fact, he has been pretty good of late. That thought was because there was one out in the fifth inning and Tribe manager Manny Acta was forced to go to the bullpen early.
Of course, Acta going to the bullpen late in games is no big deal. That’s where set up man Vinnie Pestano and closer Chris Perez, arguably the best 1-2 back-end relievers in baseball, are waiting. Joe Smith, another stellar reliever, is also held for late innings.
Deadline Deal is Necessary but Not Easy to Make, Spark Has to Come From Within
July 16, 2012 | Mike Brandyberry
By Mike Brandyberry
When the Indians crawled out of bed Saturday morning in Toronto they were in second place and tied with the Baltimore Orioles for the second and final wild card spot. As they crawl out of bed this morning in Tampa, losers of their last two games, they are now a third place team and a game back of that wild card spot.
Meanwhile, fans and talk show hosts scream for a trade to ignite the Indians. Some fans act as if a trade will solve the teams’ woes and catapult them to the top of the standings. There’s no doubt the Indians have holes that need filled and a trade could certainly give the life to a team that seems to be struggling to find some out of the All-Star break. However, a trade isn’t as easy fans seem to believe it is.
ESPN’s Buster Olney reported Sunday evening that six teams (San Diego, Colorado, Chicago Cubs, Houston, Seattle, Minnesota) are fielding offers on players and preparing to sell. That means, right or wrong, 24 teams still feel they have a chance to make a push for October. With amazing September runs by St. Louis and Tampa Bay a year ago, teams aren’t so quick to give up on their season. Philadelphia is on pace for a 90-loss season and they haven’t flown the white flag yet.
What Are the Tribe’s Trade Deadline Needs to Reach October?
July 13, 2012 | Mike Brandyberry
By Mike Brandyberry
While the Cleveland Indians are just hours away from the beginning of the second half, many fans have turned their focus to the looming trade deadline just 18 days away. With the Indians in contention for the wild card and the American League Central Division, it’s expected the Indians will be buyers. Cleveland opens the second half three games back in the division and only one game behind in the wild card chase.
Cleveland has several needs that could be met in the trade market. The Indians need to add a right-handed bat to help stimulate an inconsistent offense and one that has floundered against let-handed pitching most of the first half. The obvious hole that could be filled is in left field, where Shelley Duncan, Johnny Damon and Aaron Cunningham have all struggled, however, another position that could be stabilized by some offensive production could be third base. Jack Hannahan has failed to produce offensively since his return from the disabled list and Jose Lopez’s aggressive nature at the plate leave him very streaky.
Jimenez Shuts Down Rays, Gives Tribe Second Series Win; Indians 7, Rays 3
July 7, 2012 | Mike Brandyberry
By Mike Brandyberry
It took a little time, but Ubaldo Jimenez is finding his groove in the Indians’ rotation.
Saturday evening the Tribe used a quality six-inning effort from Jimenez to defeat the Tampa Bay Rays, 7-3. The Tribe was able to score early on the young, left-handed Matt Moore to give Jimenez all the support he would need. Every Indian starter, except Asdrubal Cabrera, would record a hit on the evening.
“Ubaldo continues to give us good outings,” Indians manager Manny Acta said. “This is number seven in a row. He had a very good slider and was able to throw it even when he was behind in the count, even 3-1.”
Jimenez relied heavily on his off-speed pitches, not his customary fastball to retire the Rays and was able to settle in quickly with good run support.
“The slider was really good and the split (finger),” Jimenez said. “I get really comfortable when we score early. I can go out there and pound the strike zone. You don’t have to be too fine.”
Unrest In the Bullpen Mafia Creates Shaky Situations
June 29, 2012 | Mike Brandyberry
By Craig Gifford
The 2011 Cleveland Indians bullpen, also known as The Bullpen Mafia, was widely considered one of the best, if not the best in Major League Baseball.
That group sported five go-to relievers who were hard for the opposition to score runs off of. Closer Chris Perez was the head of the group. Vinnie Pestano and Joe Smith shut down bats from the right side of the mound, while lefties Rafael Perez and Tony Sipp did the same from the other side. The quintet gave manager Manny Acta numerous match-up options. They could also hold most leads or keep a bad day by a starter from getting out of hand.
What a difference a year makes. Chris Perez, with 23 consecutive saves, is as good or better than he was last year. He should be an All-Star for a second straight year. Pestano and Smith have also remained strong options in the bullpen, picking up where they left off last season.
However, the left side of the pen has collapsed like the Berlin Wall. Raffy Perez, a key contributor since 2006, was put on the 60-day disabled list with a side lat strain in April. He was just eight appearances into the season. There is no timetable for his return and he should not be counted on to be a significant contributor in a possible late-season pennant race.
Sipp and Santana Could Provide Tribe Jumpstart
June 15, 2012 | Mike Brandyberry | One Comment
By Craig Gifford
On May 24, a mere 22 days ago, the Cleveland Indians had just swept the Detroit Tigers. They were riding high at 26-18 and held a three-game lead over the Chicago White Sox who were about to visit Progressive Field. Then, it all unraveled.
Since that high point, the Tribe has gone 6-12. They were swept by the Sox in that three-game series to kick off the bad stretch. In the middle of this, Cleveland did go 4-2 on trips to Detroit and St. Louis. However, the past three days, getting swept by the Cincinnati Reds, has shown something is not quite right with the Indians.
Cleveland needs something to get things going in the right direction again. The prevailing thought is that the Indians need to go out and make a trade for a power bat or an arm to strengthen a struggling pitching staff. San Diego power hitter Carlos Quentin is apparently available and some fans and media have started saying the Tribe should look at him before the Tigers swoop in.
Cueto Shuts Down Tribe, Bullpen Bombed; Reds 7, Indians 1
June 13, 2012 | Mike Brandyberry
By Evan Matsumoto
Jeanmar Gomez is hitting .500 on the season. That was about the highlight of the night for the Indians as they lost to the Reds, 7-1.
Gomez’s night began on a less sweet note than his batting average. He beaned the first Reds’ batter with his opening pitch and laid down a curious bunt toward first base with two outs already in the book.
The Tribe’s offense got off to a quick start in the first when Shin-Soo Choo hit a leadoff double to deep left field. Choo was forced to third on an Asdrubal Cabrera groundout and was then driven in by Jason Kipnis’ single to left.
Reds’ starting pitcher Johnny Cueto knocked just his second hit of the season in 21 at-bats—a .095 average—and then found himself on second base after a Gomez slider snuck by catcher Carlos Santana and a Wilson Valdez single drove him to third. A throwing error by Santana brought Cueto home to tie the game in the third inning.
The Tribe was sat down in order in the top of the fourth. Immediately following in the bottom of the inning, Todd Frazier drilled a double to the warning track to lead off but was then stranded there with Ryan Hanigan after Cueto grounded out to second.
Shaky Start, Untimely Hitting Allows Twins To Take Second Game Of Series; Twins 7, Indians 4
June 3, 2012 | Mike Brandyberry
By Mike Brandyberry
Sometimes one hit makes the difference.
The Minnesota Twins benefitted from timely hitting early to build a lead—and a Joe Mauer homer late—to down the Cleveland Indians 7-4 Saturday evening at Progressive Field. While the Twins capitalized with two outs, the Tribe could not put together a big inning to take control of the game.
Tomlin struggled from the first pitch of the game, allowing base hits to the first three hitters. The Twins took control in the top of the first inning when Denard Span singled to right field and Ben Revere singled to center. Mauer followed with the third consecutive hit to start the game—a single into the right field corner—to score Span and give the Twins an early 1-0 lead without an out being recorded.
After Josh Willingham popped out to shortstop, Justin Morneau singled to right field to score Revere and move Mauer to third base. Ryan Doumit walked to load the bases before Brian Dozier grounded to Casey Kotchman, who threw home for the force play.
“Everything I threw up there, they were taking it, or putting a good swing on it,” Tribe starting pitcher Josh Tomlin said. “I don’t know how to explain it other than that.”
