Michelangelo is quoted as saying something to the effect that if you want to carve an angel, you take a block of marble and cut away everything that doesn’t look like an angel.  Terry Francona continues to carve away at the players in Spring Training in an effort to cut away everything that doesn’t look like a winning baseball team.

Outfielder Tim Fedroff, RHP Trey Haley, LHP T.J. House, RHP Chen-Chang Lee, and RHP Danny Salazar have all been optioned to the AAA Columbus Clippers. This isn’t surprising. They’re all young prospects who were primarily in camp for the experience. The Indians also reassigned non-roster invitees Matt LaPorta (oh Matt…), RHP Fernando Nieve, and C Roberto Perez to Minor League camp. In addition, outfielder Ben Francisco was granted his unconditional release. Don’t weep for Francisco, however, because he’s already been signed to a minor league contract with the Yankees. (May I just point out how delightful it is to have the Yankees picking up our cast-offs rather than the other way around?)

We also selected the contract of LHP Rich Hill from Columbus. To make room for hill on the 40-man roster, RHP Blake Wood was placed on the 60-day disabled list to rehab his right elbow. Hill started out with the Chicago Cubs but spent the last three seasons with the Red Sox. He had Tommy John surgery in June 2011 and came back last season to pitch just over 19 innings in 25 games for Boston with a 1.83 ERA and a 1.424 WHIP. So far in Spring Training, he’s pitched 5 2/3 innings and given up 1 unearned run. He’d be a nice addition to the bullpen.

With these latest cuts, the Spring Training roster now has 51 players on it: 26 pitchers, five catchers, 13 infielders, and seven outfielders. Terry Francona has four weeks to finish carving.

 

 

6 Comments

  • joey says:

    terry is being the best baseball mind/manager u can be…playing baseball is the most difficult/stressful thing in all of sports…try faceing a pitcher that throws a 92 mph fastball, than throws a 82 mph change up…better yet try being a pitcher with the skills to throw that junk…not easy cheesy…the best managers of great baseball teams now a days are men who can make u feel at ease,comfortable,and confident.im telling u,terry/tito is good for more than 10 wins…just cuz he knows how to treat ball players! roll tribe!

  • What a difference a year makes. Last years “art” was more refrigerator material. You love it just the same, but it has no place in the Louvre.

    And with the spring he is having, Ben Francisco would have had the starting left field job last year. Sure hindsight is 20/20, but throughout the Damon debacle, I should have been crying, “Why can’t we get Ben Francisco? Why? Why?”

  • Susan Petrone says:

    Joey, I agree–Francona is aces. He really makes me excited about this season.

    Bryan–Yes! Last year we would have given up a lot for Ben Francisco. How weird to think he’s seemingly expendable to the club this season. (Let’s hope that decision doesn’t come back and bite us in the rear, but still. Amazing turnaround this off-season.)

  • Mary Jo says:

    Living in the Bahstun TV market, I got to see a lot of Francona. Loved him then even though I hate the Red Sux. Hubby would say “why can’t we get a manager like that” even though he’s not into baseball. Surprise! He’s “our guy” now. 🙂 Now if he could just end the Tribe’s “curse” his first season like he did for Boston…

  • Matthew says:

    I prefer Michelangelo’s other quote: “Wise man say: Forgiveness is divine, but never pay full price for late pizza.”

    Not sure what that has to do with baseball, but I like it. 🙂

  • Kelly says:

    I am so enjoying having Francona as the Tribe Manager! He is a great baseball man with a great baseball mind. I cannot wait for the season to start! Terry know exactly who he wants on the field. I am confident of that. GO TRIBE!

1 Trackback or Pingback