Comments on: Who’s on First? Nobody yet

By: tom trull

tom trull — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 04:05:49 +0000

i had been a red sox fan for over 60 years that all stopped after Sept of 2011. Additionally the way Francona and Epstein were run out of Boston was a crime and added to my dislike for the organization. They should have left as hero’s. They brought the magic to Boston, the players individually were minor parts of the puzzle. I will root for the Indians mainly on account of Francona being the manager. Do not be surprised at how many Sox players may end up with the Indians. Youk for one maybe Elsbery for another. I think Pedroia would like to go but he is still under contract and i don’t think they could afford him.

By: Glenn

Glenn — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 21:40:37 +0000

I watched Chen all season at Akron. He definitely has the potential to be a good line drive type hitter but not a power hitter. He will need one more season to continue learning first base. He seems to have a great make-up. Aguilar played for Akron just a couple weeks at the end of the season. He does definitely look like a power hitter, but he is probably two years away. Both guys are definite possibilities for the future, just not in 2013.

By: Keith

Keith — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 21:21:34 +0000

It’s always fun to play this game – dream about what big bat or ace could be donning the tribe colors during the offseason. But… it’s just not gonna happen. Sure they may take a flier on an incentive laden deal for an older player as they did with Lowe last year, but check out the thinking at the top of the organization in this Q&A w/ Shapiro:

http://www.foxsportsohio.com/10/24/12/A-conversation-with-the-Indians-Mark-Sha/landing_indians1.html?blockID=809163&feedID=3652

Fascinating read, but if you don’t want to take the time to read it all, scroll down to the part where he talks about increased attendance, and how the front office translates that into dollars, and what little those dollars – in their minds – mean to the end of season outcome (very little). My prediction is that they trade both Chris Perez and Choo and it probably won’t be for Major League-ready talent, though maybe a #4-type of starter. I doubt they’ll sign any free agent to a contract of more than 1-year, $5M. Sorry to be so pessimistic….

By: Posts about TheIndians From Other Great Blogs issue #1 | Cleveland Indians Dugout Online | Cleveland Indians Blog

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 19:11:23 +0000

[...] Red Sox have named Torey Lovullo as bench coach under new manager John Farrell. more… Who’s on First? Nobody yet – itspronouncedlajaway.com 10/26/2012 When I was growing up, my favorite player was Indians [...]

By: Steve Alex

Steve Alex — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 15:26:52 +0000

If Chicago declines the $13M option on Youkilis, he could sign with any team as a free agent for any amount. I’m guessing it would be half what Napoli would get, maybe for two years. That assumes that our front office isn’t too “risk averse” to sign somebody for two years.

By: Jeremy C

Jeremy C — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 14:04:48 +0000

After last year Youk will not be getting payed that much $. His past two years have been a discouraging trend though

By: Susan Petrone

Susan Petrone — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 09:11:44 +0000

I hadn’t seen the public statement about Kotchman not returning. I won’t shed any tears if he doesn’t come back. I like what I know of Chen, but I don’t know that he’s ready either. Texas paid Napoli $9.4 million last year. Youkili’s contract w/ Chicago for 2013 is for $13 million w/ $1 million buyout. So yeah, Napoli would be pricey but he’d be cheaper than Youkilis (whom I dislike for irrational reasons). I’m hoping one of the home-grown options breaks out next year.

By: Steve Alex

Steve Alex — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 04:40:24 +0000

The Indians burned their bridge with Kotchman, stating publicly that he won’t be back. Washington won’t let LaRoche get away. Napoli is the best choice among the free agents you listed, but will be pricey. Aguilar is just breaking out of the low minors, but Chun Chen might be an option sooner. He moved to 1B at Akron this year and hit .308/.394/.426 with a .995 fielding pct. He only hit 5 HRs but did have 30 doubles. However, he hasn’t played at AAA yet. Terry Francona might push for Kevin Youkilis if Chicago declines his option. He’d be a good fit as a right-handed bat with some power and a good glove with positional flexibility. And then there’s Matt LaPorta.