Cable monopolies, the real NFL Network and more – WFNY Podcast – 2015-03-27
March 29, 2015Does Anyone Want to Win? 76ers vs Cavs: Behind the Box Score
March 29, 2015Former Minnesota Twins pitcher Anthony Swarzak made the Cleveland Indians roster out of spring training, the team announced on Sunday morning. Starter Josh Tomlin was sent down to Triple-A Columbus. TJ House and Zach McAllister won out the final two rotation spots.
Swarzak, 29, has spent his entire baseball career with the Minnesota Twins. A second-round pick in 2004, he was once a hot-shot starting pitching prospect — ranking No. 100 in Baseball Propsectus’ league-wide prospect rankings prior to 2006 — but flamed out in the past few seasons. He was a reliever and spot-starter most recently.
His inclusion into the 25-man roster is a bit of a surprise after his rough spring training. In 8.2 innings, he allowed nine runs (all earned) with nine hits, two walks and 11 strikeouts. He’s expected to be potentially the final reliever on the team.
Over on the starting rotation, the news of Tomlin’s demotion was not as surprising. McAllister, 27, had a better spring and the Indians brass was largely effusive in their praise. With his hold on the No. 5 spot, he’s projected to start the home opener on April 10.
Tito on Zach McAllister: "He came in here and blew the doors off it."
— paul hoynes (@hoynsie) March 29, 2015
Of course, the 25-year-old House had a sensational second half to last season, so even though he had worse spring numbers than the other two, his spot seemed largely safe. He was 5-3 with a 3.35 ERA in 19 games (102 innings) for the Tribe last season.
As a recap, here is then your Indians starting rotation:
#Indians starting rotation: 1. Kluber 2. Carrasco 3. Bauer 4. McAllister 5. House
— Nick Camino (@NickCaminoWKYC) March 29, 2015
.@CLBClippers Starting Rotation thus far:
1.) Danny Salazar
2.) Josh Tomlin
3.) Bruce Chen— Josh Samuels (@jsamuels6) March 29, 2015
And the bullpen now safely includes: closer Cody Allen, Bryan Shaw, Scott Atchison, Marc Rzepczynski, Nick Hagadone, Kyle Crockett and Swarzak. The team held a 13-man pitching staff for most of last season, so one extra bullpen spot could be up for grabs. Reliever Austin Adams was informed he’s in the mix for that spot. It also could be given to a position player like Tyler Holt, Jerry Sands or Jesus Aguilar.
Austin Adams has been told he could make the club depending if Indians go with reliever or position player for last spot on roster.
— paul hoynes (@hoynsie) March 29, 2015
8 Comments
Who is going to take Raburn’s spot?
Holt had a better ’14, can play defense at any OF spot, and had a better spring. One of Tito’s few flaws is he leans on those veterans even if they are washed up.
Francona really seemed to like Sands even before his monster homerun. He’s been given up as a 4A player by both the Dodgers and Rays, but I guess you never know (I would prefer Holt for the defense).
I don’t remember the last time I was as excited about younger guys making their way up.
Who will be the first non pitcher callup? Lindor?
Lets not forget about James Ramsey. I was a little bummed when Walters got hurt.
We will likely need a position player before we would call Lindor up. Depends on what position and for what reason (injury or true promotion).
I really like the Columbus roster–hat tip to the FO. For the first time in at least a decade, there is fire (and depth) below. Holt, Lindor, Ramsey, Agiilar, Walters, Moncrief, Urshela. To paraphrase John Hart, pretty much a prospect at every position. None of them are of the Thome-Belle-Ramirez caliber, to be sure. But the days of relying on 4A guys like Shelly Duncan and Aaron Cunningham to round out big league roster spots 22-25 are clearly over. Over a 162 game season, these guys will prove valuable.
Now if Chen or Marcum can put it together in the C-Bus rotation, we’ll really be into something.
I’m still trying to decide whether the headline is bad or good!
I said Sands/Murphy in RF a couple weeks ago so I’ll stick with it. I’m sure Moss will be out there as well although I’m hoping it’s only a once in awhile thing.
Holt’s as good of a candidate as any. If I had to make a blind guess on a call up, it would be him.