Waiters’ move to reserve is long overdue, but in a good way
January 3, 2013Report: Bill O’Brien to stay at Penn State
January 3, 2013
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For being the first time I’ve ever gone through something like free agency — nine years in the league and I’ve never gone through something like that — you kind of look around the league and see how it’s broken down, you want to push toward the things that really excite you. When Terry [Francona] signed – you don’t bring in a guy like this over here if you don’t plan on winning. To have that captain of your ship, that guy who’s a proven guy, who knows the game and manages the game the right way, it was a very easy decision for me, especially on the manager side. That has to be your guy and you have to be with him every day. I think it was a big, big thing with what Cleveland did bringing him over here.
— Newly signed Cleveland Indians outfielder Nick Swisher in his introductory press conference on Thursday afternoon. Swisher said that he and his wife wanted to go somewhere where they were wanted and would be loved — that place ended up being Cleveland, Ohio. Swisher referred to the Indians as his “home team.”
14 Comments
With current roster, I’d go……Stubbs, Kipnis, Santana, Swisher, Reynolds, Cabrera, Brantley, Chisenhall, Canzler…….but would like to see….Stubbs, Kipnis, Santana, Swisher, Reynolds, Cabrera, Hafner, Brantley, Chisenhall.
Meh. He’s full of crap. We offered him much more money then anyone else. He would have happily come here if I was the manager. I remember Mike Hampton signing his huge contract in Colorado, and at his introductory presser, he lauded the school system.
Swisher is just a guy who never stops smiling, and I think the kind of positive energy he provides is sorely needed for a (mostly) miserable fanbase. I watched the press conference, and it was one of the most fun press conferences I’ve ever watched. There were a lot of laughs and a lot of jokes. This may not be a big deal to some people, but I seriously haven’t seen another player more genuinely excited to sign with Cleveland in my lifetime than Nick Swisher.
That’s missing the point. He essentially admitted today that if Francona wasn’t the manager, he probably wouldn’t have signed here, no matter how much money we offered him.
Don’t know that I want a guy who K’s 200 times a year in my leadoff spot, but then I’m still a sucker for Brantley’s skills-set.
Do not want Stubbs leading off because of the high K’s, don’t want Brantley leading off either because his stats are way lower when he leads off. My ideal lineup: Kipnis, Asdrubal, Swisher, Santana, *Future DH still to be signed*, Reynolds, Brantley, Chisenhall, Stubbs. If we don’t sign another DH bat, then I’d slot Aviles as DH in the 8 spot.
I meant this as our lineup for Game 1 of the ALDS….after Stubbs seizes the leadoff spot in June with a turn-around, talent-tapping season.
I like Kipnis a ton….but think he is ideal at the #2 spot. Left-handed for the holes at 1B with a runner on, and pop. I love pop at the 2-spot.
Hence my reply that I don’t believe him. I read it this way. We offered him the contract, and by my estimation he took 5 days or so to sign. To me it looked like he was trying his best to find somewhere, anywhere to go but Cleveland. However no one ponied up the money so he was forced to sign here. That being said I like the signing. I’m from NY so I’ve gotten to see him alot. I think he will bring great energy and a positive attitude to the clubhouse.
Man, Swisher was acting like a guy whose medication was just adjusted. I’ll have what he’s having.
Kipnis might slot leadoff followed by Cabrera, Swisher, Reynolds, Santana, Chisenhall, DH (Canzler), Brantley, and Stubbs. Aviles/Gomes would be hitting 7th if IF is DH/Santana is 1B/DH (Reynolds would be DH when Santana plays 1B).
Stubbs’ highest ever OBP for a season is .329. Turn-around or magical improvement aside, that highwater mark isn’t even close to what they mean when they call your #1 hitter the table setter. He will bat in the lower 3rd of the order.
Yeah, no chance Stubbs leads off.
Considering that this team has “best money” offers have been turned down recently, I’m inclined to believe him.