Am I a Blue Jackets Fan Now?
January 22, 2010While We’re Waiting…Kobe vs. LBJ, Braylon will win AFCCG, History of Modell’s Move
January 23, 2010The Cleveland Indians traded 22-year old prospect Jesus Brito to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Brian Bixler earlier this week. Bixler, 27, will make his way to the Tribe will he will look to find a role as a possible platoon with second baseman Luis Valbuena. For Indians fans, the recent addition of Bixler may be just another name that they will have to learn when they were so used to cheering for the same group of players for the mid-90s stretch.
But for Bixler, it is a return back home where he will be suiting up for the team that he also watched growing up back in Sandusky, Ohio.
“This is great in a lot of ways,” said Bixler. “Heading closer to home, closer to family, I’m looking forward to playing in Cleveland.”
It was not like the young infielder was far from home. “Bix” has spent the majority of the past three seasons with Pittsburgh’s Triple-A affiliate in Indianapolis – where he split time between shortstop and second base – after being drafted in the second round in 2004. In 108 games last season, he batted .275/.343/.439 with 71 runs, nine home runs, 23 doubles, eight triples (tied for second among the International League) and 13 stolen bases. The two seasons prior, Bixler stole 28 and 23 bases respectively. But for Brian, it isn’t as much about the location as it is the organization.
“I’m very excited to be a part [of the Cleveland Indians], he said. “I have a lot of respect for the organization, their decisions, talent and reputation. They have always had great players at each level, so to be a part of it is very exciting.”
One of the great players that Bixler may have been referencing was his favorite player as he was coming up through the game of baseball, Omar Vizquel. Bixler has had the chance to meet a lot of his soon-to-be teammates already as many of them were in the International League not all that long ago. And before too long, he will get the chance to play against his hero as Vizquel has come back to the AL Central via the Chicago White Sox.
The departure of free agent infielder Jamey Carrol has opened a vacant role within the Indians. While they have signed 39-year old Mark Grudzielanek to a minor league deal, his health is still in question. The team also traded for infielder Jason Donald last season within the Cliff Lee deal, but it is looking more and more like he will spend most of this season in Columbus. So while it will be a two-man race of sorts, Bixler is confident that working with someone as seasoned as Grudzielanek will only help him improve.
“It won’t be much of a change,” said Bixler. “Working with someone with that much experience can only make me better.”
Bixler cited former major league infielder Jose Hernandez who spent time within the Pittsburgh minor league system at the age of 38. He also cited one of the areas in which he would like to improve: strikeouts. In the last three seasons with Indianapolis, Bixler fell victim to the strikeout 131, 107 and 128 times respectively.
“You can always keep getting better,” he said. “Through practice and repetition, adjustments need to be made. I can’t say that I’m only going to strike out 20 times this season, but I can say that I will do what I need to to improve.”
Thankfully, there is an area of Bixler’s game which he feels truely brings value to the Indians organization in his speed. As referenced above, the right-handed infiedler has the ability to stretch singles into doubles and doubles into triples. And for a team that has had the scarlet letter of slowness over the last few seasons, and will be looking to add as many runs to the board as possible, Bixler’s speed brings a lot of value to the table.
Also fortunate for the Indians is Brian’s willingness to take the hill of needed. Knowing that the rotation is in a bit of disarray right now, I asked him if he would be willing to turn the clock back to the junior high days and take the mound if needed.
“It’s been a long time,” Bixler said while laughing. “But if the team asked me to throw a few innings, I would not be opposed.”
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(Many thanks to Brian for taking the time to speak with us. Welcome home, sir.)
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(Photo via Flickr – jmd41280)
10 Comments
Only the Indians would trade Jesus.
Best. Retort. Ever.
I’m getting my season tickets now! 😉
If it gets us a couple deciples and maybe an up and coming apprentice carpenter, then why wouldn’t you make that deal?
He can double as a PG fill-in for the Cavs. Bonus.
The Major League ‘Who the … are these guys?’ quote is becoming more and more true with each move this offseason.
I keep clicking on the Tribe posts hoping that one will spark my interest for this season…it has yet to happen.
I live just west of Indy now, and I take my kids to many Indianapolis Indians games every summer. Bixler has been my son’s favorite player for the past two seasons. He plays hard and plays the game right. I know that doesn’t mean he will be a good player for the Tribe, but he is someone I’m am rooting for.
you can book it. bixler for MVP this year!!!!!
Grudzelanik, Kearns, Bixler . . . You just know Epstein and Cashman are sitting in their offices right now wondering how on earth they’re going to counter these moves. Kudos to you Mr. Shaprio.