May 25, 2013

MLB News: Scott Kazmir to make Indians debut on Saturday

April 20, 2013 by 7 Comments

For the first time in over two years, left-hander Scott Kazmir is scheduled to appear in an MLB game tonight. The now-29-year-old former pitching phenom will be the starting pitcher for the Cleveland Indians at Houston at 7:05 p.m., as the Tribe looks to break a five-game losing streak.

Officially, Kazmir has returned to the Cleveland Indians’ 25-man roster today, taking the spot of infielder Cord Phelps, who goes back down to Columbus now that Jason Kipnis has returned to the lineup.

Kazmir was quickly placed on the DL this season retroactive to April 2 as he strained his right rib cage just before Opening Day. He made one rehab appearance in Columbus on April 15, posting an effective 5-inning start with only one run and five hits allowed, against zero walks and five strikeouts.

Fans and the coaching staff appear eager to see Kazmir compete again at the major league level. He was a non-roster invitee to spring training, seemingly a long-shot to ever make the roster, but emerged with a 3.46 ERA in 13.0 IP out in Arizona to win the No. 5 rotation battle.

“He’s not going to back down to anybody,” manager Terry Francona said Friday, per a notebook from the Akron Beacon Journal‘s Sheldon Ocker. “The biggest thing is getting him stretched out again, so he can go deeper in games. So I think he’s very excited about this.”

Additionally, it’s also fitting that Kazmir’s long-awaited return will take place in his hometown of Houston. He graduated from Cypress Falls High School in 2002, becoming the 15th-overall pick in the MLB draft, and then returned home in 2012 to play for the Sugarland Skeeters, an independent team in a nearby suburb. Many family members are expected to attend Saturday’s game.

“You go out there the first time you want to show out, you want to do real [well],” Kazmir told MLB.com’s Gene Duffy. “At the same time, you don’t want to overthrow. You want to stay within yourself and get your game. You have to slow back on that adrenaline.”

While he’s no Satchel Paige, Joe Nuxhall or Jose Rijo, Kazmir’s 2-plus year absence — dating back to April 3, 2011, with the Los Angeles Angels — still will put him on an elite short list of MLB pitchers all-time. Many Indians fans also are hoping for his debut to spark the suddenly struggling 5-10 team.

[Related: On Scott Kazmir and My Impending Middle Age]

Filed Under: Headlines Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Red Sox 6 Indians 3: Stumbling Offense, Bumbling Defense Lead To Sox Sweep

April 19, 2013 by 5 Comments

Ryan RaburnIt doesn’t get much worse than yesterday in the wacked out world that is Cleveland Sports. Late morning brought us the news that the Cavaliers had relieved Byron Scott of his duties leaving Terry Francona, on the job all of 13 games and all of six and a half months as the longest tenured manager/coach of our three major sports franchises. Then we all learned that the man who was as popular as The Beatles in this town, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, had his company and “first love” Pilot/Flying J under FBI investigation for the past two years on charges of alleged rebate fraud. According to a 120-page affidavit, Haslam had direct knowledge of the wrongdoings. Meanwhile, the Indians were trying to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Boston Red Sox, who have done just about everything right in the first two games of the series.

Well this is Cleveland, and sometimes when it rains, it doesn’t just pour, it monsoons on us.

This is supposed to be a time of excitement and hope. The NFL Draft is a week away. The NBA Playoffs are starting this weekend. The baseball season is just getting off the ground. The Indians are fresh with new players and a manager that is about as respected as they come. But yesterday the sports world was the dog, and our three teams were the tree.  [Read more...]

Filed Under: Indians Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

MLB News: Indians call up second baseman Cord Phelps

April 16, 2013 by 7 Comments

The Cleveland Indians have recalled infielder Cord Phelps from Triple-A Columbus.

Phelps, 26, began the year on the Minor League disabled list (neck stiffness) and has appeared in two games for the Clippers at second base since his April 14 activation. In a small sample size, Phelps is batting .125 with a double, a run scored and an RBI. He is coming off a spring exhibition season where he hit .375 (18-48) with four doubles, one triple, three home runs and seven RBI in 23 games (1.143OPS).  In 49 games over two seasons with the Indians, Phelps has a career average of .173 with two home runs and 11 RBI.  

This move is on the heels of recent elbow stiffness experienced by Tribe second baseman Jason Kipnis.

To clear space for Phelps, the Indians optioned catcher Omir Santos to Triple-A Columbus. They also outrighted right-handed pitcher Robert Whitenack to Double-A Akron. 

[Related: Turning the Masty Corner?]

 

 

Filed Under: Headlines Tagged With: , , ,

Roster Is Set, Any Concerns?

March 26, 2013 by 17 Comments

Scott KazmirWe are a week away from Opening Day! Your 2013 Cleveland Indians have finally come to complete form. Manager Terry Francona and GM Chris Antonetti had a vision on how they wanted their roster to come together. Throughout the spring, things seemed to break exactly how they wanted them to.

Heading into Goodyear. there were two bench spots, one rotation slot, and four bullpen openings to be won. The signings of DH Jason Giambi and utility man Ryan Raburn were both talked up big time by Francona.

”The day I got the job, Chris and I were talking,” said Francona in late February. “I said if this guy [Raburn] ever comes off the Tigers’ roster, he’s a guy I like. Chris said he liked him, too. So we targeted him early.”

From the jump, Raburn made himself noticed with an 11-23 start (.478). His ability to play second, third, and corner outfield, plus the pop he has shown with hit bat made it an easy decision for Francona and Antonetti to keep him. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Indians Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

MLB News: Kazmir, Giambi, Raburn make Indians roster

March 25, 2013 by 4 Comments

As expected, the Indians made some decisions and announcements this afternoon as it pertains to their Opening Day 25-man roster. The team’s official Twitter account broke some of the nuances, none of which were all that surprising based on existing predictions.

Notably: LHP Scott Kazmir, RHP Carlos Carrasco, LHP Nick Hagadone, RHP Bryan Shaw, 1B/DH Jason Giambi and IF/OF Ryan Raburn all officially will be on the team’s roster. Technically, Carrasco will be serving a six-game suspension at the start of the year, so the Tribe will be down to 24 men.

The fact that Kazmir and Carrasco might both make the team was not news today. Because of Carrasco’s suspension, and the fact the Indians start the season with 13 straight gamedays, it was thought that the front office might decide to roster 6 starters. This also delays the eventuality of deciding who might be the No. 5 starter long-term, as Kazmir had the better spring, but both haven’t pitched much since 2011.

On the position player side of things, both Giambi and Raburn were expected to land near-final 25-man nods. Along with C Lou Marson, these three beat out IF Cord Phelps and C Yan Gomes, who both were sent down to Triple-A Columbus.

The last decision remaining is for one final reliever on the roster. The two most likely candidates are RHP Matt Albers and LHP David Huff.

Finally, the @Indians added one vital caveat to these tweets today: “barring injury.” That’s almost the entire for now and we’ll see for certain if anything changes between now and next Tuesday, when the Tribe open the season in Toronto against the Blue Jays.

[Related: Four Stat-Lines to Watch on the 2013 Indians]

Filed Under: Headlines Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sunday Tribe Notes: Indians Look to Avoid Another Sweep, Aeros Claim Eastern League Title Again

September 16, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Isn’t it unbelievable to consider that the Cleveland Indians are 9-8 against the Detroit Tigers this season? Think of all of the things that had to go right for that to occur.

Yes, it kind of makes some sense when you hear that Detroit has won five of seven since the Indians’ latest six-week nose dive, but it’s still an unbelievable fact.

It means that even if the Tribe falls today – which would mark a scintillating seventh series sweep since July 26 – they’d still perfectly finish at .500 against the superstar-heavy Tigers.

After today’s contest at Progressive Field – which many have called Comerica Park this weekend because of the lack of Cleveland noise and influx of Motor City fans – the Indians will have 15 games remaining in 2012. It’d be a huge miracle if the team even manages 70 wins, a crazy concept if you had asked me on July 26 when we were 50-49. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Indians Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

WFNY Wednesday Wahoos: Indians Minor League Weekly Review 6/27

June 27, 2012 by 3 Comments

And we’re back on normal time this week. As usual, every Wednesday I bring you all of the news and notes from the Cleveland Indians minor league system.

Last night was exciting in the ninth, but it doesn’t hide the fact the Indians have lost four straight by a margin of 28-7. Yikes. So, since the Indians declared they’re likely to make improvements from within, what possibilities are there down on the farm? General manager Chris Antonetti shared some names yesterday and I’ll provide some insight on those now.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Indians Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

WFNY Wednesday Wahoos: Indians Minor League Weekly Review 5/9

May 9, 2012 by 3 Comments

Every Wednesday, I bring you all the highlights from the week that was for the Cleveland Indians organization, along with some added insight on what it means for the major league squad.

The topic du jour in the Cleveland Indians organization has to be the bullpen. After last night’s disappointing 5-3 loss to the Chicago White Sox, people must be asking what is the future for the Tribe pen, or as many call it, the “bullpen mafia”? Are there any players down in the minors that could join it soon and what would they contribute? [Read more...]

Filed Under: Indians Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Spring Training: Indians Option Phelps, Re-Assign Crowe

March 22, 2012 by 4 Comments

The countdown to Opening Day stands at ’14′ and the Cleveland Indians are preparing to return home.

Alas, their latest transactions involve optioning right-handed pitcher Zach McAllister and second baseman Cord Phelps to their Triple-A affiliate Columbus Clippers. In addition, pitcher Chen-Chang Lee and outfielder Trevor Crowe have been re-assigned to minor league camp.

The Cleveland Indians roster stands at 46. With only 31 players presently on the 40-man roster, nine of the remaining 15 non-roster invites are looking at a spot with the team.

[Related: Player Profile: Josh Tomlin and the Other Shoe]

Filed Under: Headlines Tagged With: , ,

While We’re Waiting… Cord Phelps’ time, Loving some Kyrie and the Tribe’s window to win

February 7, 2012 by 9 Comments

While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email at tips@waitingfornextyear.com.

Five prospects with the most to prove this year- “Unfortunately for Phelps and Tribe fans, his brief, 35 game major league stint was a disaster. Phelps had terrible offensive stats (.155/.241/.254 slash line, .494 OPS (39 OPS+), .231 wOBA (39 wRC+), -0.9 fWAR in 80 PA) and struggled defensively (five errors in only 75 chances). Phelps ended up back in AAA while Kipnis solidified his hold on the second base job later in the season.

While Phelps won’t be able to prove himself at the major league level this year, he will need to impress as the everyday second baseman in Columbus in order to rebuild his stock. If he keeps producing at a high level in AAA, he’ll get another shot in the majors. With the lack of middle-infield talent the Indians have in the higher levels of the minors, one injury will give Phelps his chance to prove himself again. He’ll need to work hard this year to be prepared for that moment, whenever it comes.” [Paiscik/Indians Prospect Insider] [Read more...]

Filed Under: General Tagged With: , , , ,

Clippers Clinch IL West; Nick Hagadone Looks Beastly

August 24, 2011 by 1 Comment

The Clippers entered Tuesday night’s game with a magic number of just two, but also riding a four-game losing streak. Their pitching had been suspect at best during the streak, and given that projected starter Zach McAllister was up in Cleveland, they needed Paolo Espino to step up.

And step up he did, working 7.0 strong innings, allowing just two hits, walking none, and whiffing seven Buffalo Bisons en route to a 5-0 win. Espino got some help from the long ball, and the Clippers as a whole got some help from the Indianapolis Indians, who lost 7-6 to Lehigh Valley to give the Clippers the IL West title.

Jared Goedart, Jerad Head, and Cord Phelps each hit home runs for Columbus, and Nick Hagadone (more on him below) and Josh Judy each worked a perfect inning to seal the win. Goedart’s home run in the first inning would provide all the margin that Espino needed, and Head’s solo shot in the fourth and Phelps’ two-run bomb that cleared the bleachers in left field in the seventh provided the cushion. But Espino cruised, and didn’t need any extra help. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Clippers, Indians Tagged With: , ,

Indians At the Break: Infield and Catcher

July 12, 2011 by 6 Comments

The Indians head into the All-Star break a surprising 47-42 and a half game out of first place in the AL Central. Many experts think they have done it with smoke and mirrors. I believe they have gotten this far thanks to Actaball- a combination of great pitching, solid defense, and timely hitting. Regardless of how they have gotten to this point, during the break from the action, WFNY will take a look at the four cogs of this roster, how they evolved during the first half, and where they look to be going forward through the rest of the season. Yesterday we assessed the outfield and DH positions. Today in the second of our four part series, we will move to the infielders and catchers. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Indians Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Cleveland Indians Make Roster Moves – Cord Phelps, Zach McAllister

July 7, 2011 by 18 Comments

Just a quickie here because there hasn’t been a lot of news today…

Cord Phelps is headed back to Columbus to make way for Zach McAllister.  More on him in a bit.  Cord Phelps goes down after 19 games and 46 at-bats.  He had nine hits, one spectacular homer – a walk-off winner against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He might end up being known as the guy who scared Orlando Cabrera out of his slump. That is, if Cabrera can continue to play well after a tough month of June.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Indians Tagged With: , , , ,

Yankees 9 Indians 2: The Whole Game Turned On a Turn

July 6, 2011 by 10 Comments

This game could have been completely different. One single play, or should I say play not made, changed the entire complexity. What could have been a low scoring pitchers duel into the late innings turned into a laugher for the Yankees, all because of one single play.

In the top of the second, Tribe starter Carlos Carrasco loaded the bases on a single and two walks with one out. He badly needed a double play ball to get out of the jam he had put himself in. With the weak spot in the lineup, backup catcher Francisco Cervelli, coming to the plate, Carrasco needed to make a big pitch.

He did.

Cervelli sent a ground ball right to shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera. He flipped to second baseman Cord Phelps for one, and Phelps sent his throw to first for what should have been an inning-ending double play. Instead, Cord’s throw was low and in the dirt. With a bright sun in his eyes, first baseman Carlos Santana couldn’t come up with the throw. A run scored and the inning was kept alive. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Indians Tagged With: , , ,

Tribe Weekend Review: Sweep and So Much More

June 20, 2011 by 9 Comments

Just when you think you have this team pegged, they go out and do something you didn’t see coming. Your Cleveland Indians came home this weekend as a second place with an offense that was sputtering to say the least. A red-hot Pittsburgh Pirates team came to town brimming with confidence. It seemed like a recipe for disaster. Instead, it was the Indians who brought out the brooms in a three-game sweep of the Buccos.

This weekend series had it all. Close games, good pitching, much anticipated returns, injuries, strange base-running, a fired coach, and a walk-off homer by a rookie. Let us start there.

Good for you, Cord Phelps. I know we all tend to have a knee-jerk reaction towards players, especially if they struggle early on. Like with the Indians hot start and subsequent slide, they weren’t as good as they were in April, and they weren’t as bad as they were during the 4-14 skid. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Indians Tagged With: , , , , ,

Seven Reasons Not to Give Up Hope for the 2011 Indians

June 10, 2011 by 10 Comments

The sky is falling, and even the mighty Cord Phelps might not be enough to hold it up much longer.

The Indians have lost ten of their last 13 games, displaying all of the faults we knew this team had coming into the season.  The starting rotation looks aceless.  The heart of the lineup has been injured and/or ineffective.  The defense has deserved scare quotes.  It’s been bad.

But I’m not jumping ship here.  For one thing, I’ve seen nearly every game this team has played over the last two years, so it seems sort of silly to freak out about being in first place in mid-June.  Second, though?  It’s not rational to lose hope just yet.  And as I try to wrap my head around all the things that are currently going wrong, I keep coming back to a few fundamental positive thoughts about this team.  Let’s run through a few. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Indians Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Tribe Fans, Welcome to the Cord Phelps Era

June 8, 2011 by 10 Comments

With June in full swing, the Cleveland Indians have decided to promote much-discussed infielder Cord Phelps. The Triple-A standout will not only be in uniform for Wednesday afternoon’s rubber match with the Minnesota Twins but will start at second base and bat seventh.

Prior to getting the nod, Phelps had been hitting at a .299/.391/.488 line with the Columbus Clippers, chipping in seven home runs, 15 doubles and 40 RBI in his 211 at-bats.  He had been the subject of many discussions, including but not limited to a recent WFNY podcast as well as a piece on the “Free Cord Phelps” movement that had picked up steam with each additional Indians loss. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Clippers, Indians Tagged With: , , , ,

Indians 1 Twins 0: The Kids Had Fun

June 8, 2011 by 10 Comments

Let me tell you a quick little story.

My brother and his 10 year old son (visiting from out of town) along with my four year old son and I decided to head down to the game last night and bought $8 upper deck seats as walk-up patrons. As we walked through the concourse, two staff memebers stopped my brother and asked him if he had bought seats walking in. He told them yes. Then they asked him if he would like to be upgraded. Of course, he obliged. Then they dropped the news on us, we were being ushered into one of the dugout suites.

Right there on the spot, they handed us four tickets in the suite right behind home plate. The kids went crazy. Mad props go out to Maggie Rodriguez and Dave Taylor of the Indians for hooking us up and making the day of two young Tribe fans (as well as their dads, who bleed Wahoo Red, White, and Blue). [Read more...]

Filed Under: Indians Tagged With: , , ,

Da Clip Show: Keeping an Eye on the Tribe’s AAA Squad – 6/7/11

June 7, 2011 by 2 Comments

Clip Show aims to be your weekly update for all things Columbus Clippers. Check back each Tuesday afternoon for team records, roster updates, and performance updates on some of the brightest prospects in the Tribe system.
Throw the brakes on. After a pretty sweet streak in which the Clippers pushed their record to 20 games over .500, the Clippers have lost seven of nine and have seen their division lead cut to just two games. For once, it wasn’t just the pitching that let them down, either. The bats, much like their major league brethren, have deserted them at times. 27 runs in eight games (3.4 runs per game) from a team that was scoring at a 6+ run-per-game clip… when you have a weak pitching staff, that drop-off is going to hurt you. It hurt the Clippers this week.

Two Weeks: 2-6
Season Record: 37-22, 1st place (of four) in ILW (International League West)

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Clippers, Indians Tagged With: , , , , ,

On Overvaluing Prospects and Staying the Course: The #FreeCordPhelps Edition

June 7, 2011 by 5 Comments

I don’t know if you’ve heard, but the problem with the Cleveland Indians is that Cord Phelps has been playing at Columbus while Orlando Cabrera and Austin Kearns and Adam Everett are sucking the life-blood from the Big League club like so many parasitic vampire bats.  It’s true.  I heard it on the radio.

Like so many prospects before him, Cord Phelps is the solution to what ails us.  A panacea for all our deficiencies.  The answer to the enduring question: why the front office is always wrong.

And let me go on the record: I wish they’d bring up Cord Phelps too.  I really do.  I wrote several weeks back that it’s possible that “what we’ve gotten from [Orlando] Cabrera is already more than we had any right to expect, and that sometimes you need to quit while you’re ahead.” This was before he was moved up in the lineup, which I’ve been pretty vocally against.  Snark happened, as it’s wont to do. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Indians Tagged With: , , , ,
«Older Posts