The Value of Justin Masterson and the Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians open the 2014 season with new expectations despite many questions. The Indians’ 25-man roster will look different than the group that won 92 games and lost the American League Wild Card game to the Tampa Bay Rays. While the roster may change and the expectations grow, Cleveland will need answer many questions this spring before opening the season in Oakland on March 31. Today, we look at one of the Indians’ players who is a core member of the team and key to contention this season and beyond.

Despite a spring full of success and all signs pointing to a big year on the mound, it isn’t win totals, ERAs or strikeouts that are the numbers most discussed in regards to Justin Masterson this spring.

It’s years and millions.

Masterson compiled a 4-0 record and 1.09 ERA in 24.2 innings this spring and will be the Indians’ Opening Day starter Monday evening in Oakland. At 29-years old, Masterson is coming off his best season as a starting pitcher in 2013—going 14-10 with a 3.45 ERA and his first All-Star appearance—and will be asked to lead the Tribe’s otherwise young rotation into contention in 2014. With the loss of Ubaldo Jimenez and Scott Kazmir to free agency this winter, the responsibility to lead the rotation and be the Indians’ front of the rotation starting pitcher rests squarely on Masterson’s shoulders.

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Swisher Looking for Personal and Team Improvement from 2013

The Cleveland Indians open the 2014 season with new expectations despite many questions. The Indians’ 25-man roster will look different than the group that won 92 games and lost the American League Wild Card game to the Tampa Bay Rays. While the roster may change and the expectations grow, Cleveland will need answer many questions this spring before opening the season in Oakland on March 31. Today, we look at one of the Indians’ players who is a core member of the team and key to contention this season and beyond.

For Nick Swisher, the 2013 baseball season was not what he wanted from an individual standpoint. However, helping the Indians reach the postseason for the first time in six years made it impossible for the veteran first baseman and outfielder to call the year any sort of disappointment.

Swisher, in the first year of what could be a five-year deal, hit 22 home runs, with 63 RBI and a .246 batting average. All of those were below his career averages. In 10 big league seasons, Swisher’s 162-game averages are 28 bombs, 88 RBI and .255 BA. Read More

Kipnis Emerging as Leader and Star of Tribe

The Cleveland Indians open the 2014 season with new expectations despite many questions. The Indians’ 25-man roster will look different than the group that won 92 games and lost the American League Wild Card game to the Tampa Bay Rays. While the roster may change and the expectations grow, Cleveland will need answer many questions this spring before opening the season in Oakland on March 31. Today, we look at one of the Indians’ players who is a core member of the team and key to contention this season and beyond.

Nearly every member of the Indians team, coaching staff and front office organization talks about how the club doesn’t have a star. Instead, the group thrives as a unit as it grows and becomes a contender in the American League.

The Indians may not be able to tout the, “no-star status,” much longer as Jason Kipnis continues to grow into a core member and leader. The 2014 season could be his breakout to star level.

In 2013, Kipnis had his best season as a big leaguer, hitting .284, with 17 home runs and driving in 84 runs. After starting the season slowly, Kipnis got red-hot in June, hitting .412 and slugging his way to his first American League All-Star appearance. He was a snub the season before in 2012. The new atmosphere and roster in 2013, helped both Kipnis and the team grow in their development.

“When you brought in all those new guys last year and you saw the chemistry that happened and how we gelled together, we’re just one more year down the road,” Kipnis said.

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The Future of Lonnie Chisenhall Undefined with Tribe

When Lonnie Chisenhall was called up to the big leagues in late June 2011, he was perceived as the future third baseman of the Cleveland Indians.

When that future may actually be, if ever, still remains a question. After two and a half seasons of platoons and opportunities squandered, Chisenhall’s role and future is as unclear today as it has ever been. Tuesday, Indians manager Terry Francona announced Carlos Santana had earned the right to play third base during the season, yet Chisenhall would make the Opening Day roster.

“Carlos (Santana) is going to play third,” Francona told the media in his daily press conference. “To be honest with you, I don’t have a crystal ball. I’m not sure you really need to have one.

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Will Bourn Spark the Indians or Hamstring Them?

The Cleveland Indians open the 2014 season with new expectations despite many questions. The Indians’ 25-man roster will look different than the group that won 92 games and lost the American League Wild Card game to the Tampa Bay Rays. While the … Read More

Bringing Consistency and Calmness to the Field, Brantley Looks to Build On Past Accomplishments

The Cleveland Indians open the 2014 season with new expectations despite many questions. The Indians’ 25-man roster will look different than the group that won 92 games and lost the American League Wild Card game to the Tampa Bay Rays. While the … Read More

Versatility Makes Aviles Invaluable Member of the 2014 Goon Squad

The Cleveland Indians open the 2014 season with new expectations despite many questions. The Indians’ 25-man roster will look different than the group that won 92 games and lost the American League Wild Card game to the Tampa Bay Rays. While the roster may change and the expectations grow, Cleveland will need answer many questions this spring before opening the season in Oakland on March 31. Today, we look at one of the Indians’ players who has a key role in holding the team together.

From his roles as “Handsome Mike” to founder of the Goon Squad, it’s obvious that Mike Aviles is a man of many talents. As the Indians strong utility infielder, that versatile nature is nothing something to be taken for granted. As the ever-popular GV Artwork shirts stated, Aviles, along with the rest of the Goon Squad, is “ready to go at the drop of a bat,” ready to take on any role and perform at the highest level whenever he is called upon.

Already, Aviles’ versatility has been tested during 2014 Spring Training, when manager Terry Fracona had Aviles play left field during a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Proving that the new field location was not something to throw off his game, Aviles when 3-for-3. He has also appeared in center field for the Tribe during Spring Training, along with fulfilling his more standard roles roaming the infield. Read More

McAllister Looking for Consistent, Healthy Season

The Cleveland Indians open the 2014 season with new expectations despite many questions. The Indians’ 25-man roster will look different than the group that won 92 games and lost the American League Wild Card game to the Tampa Bay Rays. While the roster may change and the expectations grow, Cleveland will need answer many questions this spring before opening the season in Oakland on March 31. Today, we look at one of the Indians’ players who has a key role in holding the team together.

Zach McAllister is penciled in as the number three starter in Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona’s starting rotation. The move did not come as much of a surprise given the current collection of starters on the roster.

The 2014 season will mark the second time in the big league career of the 26-year-old right-hander that he begins a season in the Tribe’s starting rotation.

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Marc Rzepczynski is a Lefty to Rely On

The Cleveland Indians open the 2014 season with new expectations despite many questions. The Indians’ 25-man roster will look different than the group that won 92 games and lost the American League Wild Card game to the Tampa Bay Rays. While the roster may change and the expectations grow, Cleveland will need answer many questions this spring before opening the season in Oakland on March 31. Today, we look at one of the Indians’ players who has a key role in holding the team together.

It came as no surprise last summer that general manager Chris Antonetti was trying to obtain a solid left-hander to bolster a worn and torn bullpen. With Rich Hill being the only somewhat reliable left-handed pitcher, there was a blatant need for a new lefty to rely on. What ended up being the surprise of the summer was when the Indians finalized a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals to receive lefty Marc Rzepczynski for minor leaguer Juan Herrera.

Originally, Rzepczynski, or “Scrabble,” was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the fifth round of the 2007 First Year Player Draft. He later would go on to stay in the Blue Jays minor league system for the next couple of years before making his debut in 2009 due to a slew of injuries to the Blue Jays pitching staff. Originally Rzepczynski was a starter for the Blue Jays and filled a key role in their rotation while their pitchers were on the disabled list. Read More

Chisenhall Running Out of Chances With Tribe

The Cleveland Indians open the 2014 season with new expectations despite many questions. The Indians’ 25-man roster will look different than the group that won 92 games and lost the American League Wild Card game to the Tampa Bay Rays. While the roster may change and the expectations grow, Cleveland will need answer many questions this spring before opening the season in Oakland on March 31. Today, we look at one of the Indians’ players who will need to take his game to the next level.

Indians General Manager Chris Antonetti was on record for saying early in spring training that it was time for third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall to begin taking control of his career.

At 25, Chisenhall may seem a lot older than he is. That is because he has spent parts of the last three seasons in Cleveland as Tribe management has had high hopes for the talented prospect.

A first round pick in the 2008 draft, there is little doubt Chisenhall has the ability to hit. He has hammered Triple-A pitching the last two seasons. The problem is, he has done little to show Indians fans just why the front office has been so patient with him. Read More

Focus and Consistency are Key for Hagadone to Appear in Cleveland

The Cleveland Indians open the 2014 season with new expectations despite many questions. The Indians’ 25-man roster will look different than the group that won 92 games and lost the American League Wild Card game to the Tampa Bay Rays. While the roster may change and the expectations grow, Cleveland will need answer many questions this spring before opening the season in Oakland on March 31. Today, we look at one of the Indians’ players who will need to take his game to the next level.

It’s hard out there for a left-handed pitcher.

Despite the highly sought-after nature of the role, the competition level between lefties fighting for a place on the roster of a Major League baseball team seems to be one of the most challenging competitions in the clubhouse. Although it is not explicitly stated that there is a limited number of spaces available for left-handed throwers on a roster, it has been suggested that there are only a few spots open for left-handed relievers when camp breaks at the end of March.

For Nick Hagadone, one of a number of left-handed relievers invited to participate in the Tribe’s big league camp this spring, his chance to appear with the team in Cleveland this season will have to wait. Read More

Forecasting the Tribe’s 2014 Fantasy-Baseball Outlook

As Indians fans dream of another playoff run for the Tribe, they’re also contemplating which players to target in their fantasy baseball drafts.

Unlike last year, pitchers like Danny Salazar, Corey Kluber, and Scott Kazmir won’t last until the final … Read More