May 23, 2013

Lake Erie’s Dale Dickerson gets a second chance at the game he loves

May 15, 2013 by 3 Comments

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Last fall Dale Dickerson exchanged his cleats for a pair of dress shoes and took a job behind a desk.

“It was a real good job. It was a good opening with benefits and everything, but I just wasn’t ready to start that part of my life.”

After three and a half years pitching in the Indians’ farm system, working at a computer all day for his hometown newspaper just wasn’t the same.

On the side, Dickerson was giving pitching lessons. Of course he would throw occasionally himself. “The ball started jumping out of my hand, and that’s when I got the call from the Crushers.”

That call came from Lake Erie Crushers’ new manager Jeff Isom, but if Dickerson finds success closing for the Crushers this season, he will have teammate Alex Kaminsky to thank.

When the Crushers made a trade to acquire Kaminsky, the former Mahoning Valley Scrapper told his new coach about a relief pitcher that the team should really look into signing. A former teammate named Dickerson.

[Read more...]

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Phillies 6, Indians 2: Tired Tribe bats shut down again in Philly

May 15, 2013 by 13 Comments

Scott KazmirBaseball is a game of extreme ups and downs. The Indians won 12 out of 14 games with an offense averaging 6.5 runs per game and mashed their way to the league lead in home runs. On Monday, they were supposed to have a well-earned and much needed day off. But thanks to April rainouts, The Tribe played a traditional doubleheader against the New York Yankees. They would split the pair, but other than a Jason Kipnis first inning solo home run, the offense failed to score a single run.

After the brief spot at home, they went back on the road to Philadelphia for an interleague matchup with the Phillies. Ex-Tribe manager Charlie Manuel sent out rookie Jonathan Pettibone to the mound, a right-hander that the Indians had not seen. In the second inning, the bats looked like they were regain their mojo. Nick Swisher opened the frame with a single. Carlos Santana followed by going the other way for a double, which landed just fair down the line. After a Mark Reynolds pop out (on the first pitch) failed to bring in a run, Michael Brantley singled two center, scoring both Swisher and Santana. The inning ended with Drew Stubbs and pitcher Scott Kazmir striking out, but the offense was off to a good start, or so it seemed.

The game really changed course in the third. [Read more...]

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Indians 9, Athletics 2: Kazmir Sweeps Out Oakland

May 9, 2013 by 18 Comments

Scott KazmirThe Indians just keep the train rollin’. They do it with power. They do it with some speed. They do it with solid defense. They do it with a lock down bullpen. They do it with quality starting pitching.

Wait….what did I just say?

Yes, that’s right, they do it with solid starting pitching.

A night after Justin Masterson was sharp for six of his seven innings of work and the Indians caught a major break from the umpiring crew, they went for a four-game sweep of the Oakland Athletics with Scott Kazmir on the mound.

Kazmir’s story has been well documented. He went from 21-year old phenom to All-Star to broken down to out of baseball at 27. He spent 2012 in the Independent Leagues trying to remake himself. The Indians watched him throw this winter and decided to give him one last shot on a minor league deal. He came to Goodyear this Spring with an outside shot at becoming the Indians fifth starter. He ended up not only getting the job, but won it in a walk. Manager Terry Francona spent the month of March raving about him. Unfortunately  the injury bug bit him and the start to his season was postponed by a DL trip. [Read more...]

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Tribe Weekend Recap: Streak ends, but series Tribe takes series

May 6, 2013 by 7 Comments

Jason KipnisRemember back just eight short days ago heading into the night-cap of the double-header in Kansas City, the Indians looked completely lost. They were sunk. They couldn’t hit. The couldn’t get any semblance of quality starting pitching outside of Justin Masterson. They were banged up and sitting in the basement of the AL Central. And then, with one big win, the light switch just turned on.

A four-game winning streak (two against Kansas City and two against Philadelphia) had energized the club and had them riding high into the weekend, primed to go over .500 for the first time since the first week of the season. The Indians welcomed the Minnesota Twins to town, who look like a shell of the team that spent close to a decade at or near the top of the division. While Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau are still there, there isn’t much else to speak of outside of these two and Josh Willingham. With the way the Tribe has been playing, you had to like their chances to take the series and potentially keep the winning streak going.

The Wahoos ended up taking the first two games of the series behind more big time offense and stellar starting pitching, but the six-game winning streak came to an end yesterday as Minnesota’s Mike Pelphrey of all people finally shut them 4-2. But it is all about winning the series, and that is exactly what the Tribe did. But how did they do so? As we always do, let us take a look back on the weekend that was in Wahooland. [Read more...]

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Tribe Weekend Recap: Boom-or-Bust Offense Concerning

April 29, 2013 by 8 Comments

Mike Aviles
This road trip can’t end soon enough for the Tribe. Yet, here they are, eight games in with one game remaining, and they are 4-4. All things considered, that is pretty astounding. There is little doubt that the Indians are a flawed team. You look at the roster and it is considerably better than it was last year. The bullpen is still loaded with options. The lineup is solid to to bottom. The rotation? Well, that is an issue that doesn’t seem to be going away, but the real concern right now has to be the boom or bust offense.

The rains certainly have not helped the Indians cause. Twice this week, the Wahoos were washed out. These guys are professionals, but they are also creatures of habit. They have their routines and they don’t like to get to far out of whack. While it is resting the bullpen, the rotation situation keeps changing. Friday night’s rainout caused a Sunday day/night doubleheader in Kansas City. Because of this, two Tribe starters are now on the same schedule and a spot starter is needed for Wednesday night’s game against Philadelphia.  [Read more...]

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Tribe Notes: A Kansas City Preview

April 26, 2013 by 15 Comments

Scott KazmirLets take a break from draft talk for a moment to get back to our Cleveland Indians. A four-game road set with the first place (yeah, you read this correctly) Kansas City Royals starts tonight and once again, the Tribe is searching for some consistency. The offense has been hot and cold – mostly cold – and has started to show a little bit more of that speed we expected to see when the season began. Still, they are very reliant on the home run ball. Center fielder Michael Bourn is still out with the gash in his right index finger, but should return at some point next week. Manager Terry Francona has been attempting to mix and match all over the diamond. The versatility of bench guys like Mike Aviles and Ryan Raburn, along with the fact that Nick Swisher can be moved from first base to right field at any time, certainly helps.

I love Tito. I really do. But in all seriousness, how can he hit Raburn third or fifth? I don’t care who is injured or who doesn’t start, under no circumstances should Raburn be hitting in the middle of the order. Go ahead and tell me how he is hitting .313/.421/.500 against lefties thus far. That doesn’t mean he is the second coming of Albert Belle. Raburn still is what he is – a 32-year old journeyman who the Tigers DFA’d after last season. Remember how upset people were in 2012 when Manny Acta would hit Shelley Duncan in the cleanup spot at times? Or when Casey Kotchman would hit fifth? This is the same thing, but to me even more egregious. Acta’s club didn’t have better options with the injuries and a true lack of talent. But even when Francona decides to go to his bench, there is literally ZERO reason for Raburn to be in the middle of the order. [Read more...]

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Tribe Weekend Recap: Getting Healthy in Houston

April 22, 2013 by 20 Comments

Carlos SantanaThe Indians were a reeling bunch heading to Houston this weekend. They had just been swept by the Boston Red Sox and were essentially dominated for three games on their home field. Thursday night’s loss was a microcosm of the series; it was one missed offensive opportunity after another. Hitting the road sometimes is a good thing, especially for a team like the Indians who are still attempting to find themselves early in the season. Their next opponent, it seemed, was just what the doctor ordered – the sad-sack Houston Astros.

However, despite the optimism, the Tribe started the series without the DL’d Michael Bourn and with their three back-end starters slated to go. Brett Myers, Scott Kazmir, and Ubaldo Jimenez are not exactly Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, and Roy Halladay. But this is what the Indians rotation is in its current state. Naturally by the end of the weekend, the rotation picture has gotten even more cloudy. The Tribe did end up taking two of three in Houston, which you will take all day. But make no mistake, it was a struggle against an Astros team that resembles a AAA ball club. But hey, a series win is a series win.

So let us dig right in as we do every Monday morning with the weekend that was in Wahooland. [Read more...]

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While We’re Waiting… Draft day trades brewing?

April 21, 2013 by 3 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.

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Connecting the dots between a possible Kansas City-Miami trade that might affect the Browns’ plans with the No. 6 pick in the NFL Draft: “The connections between the Chiefs and the Dolphins, with regard to [Branden] Albert, have been present for awhile. Now, they possibility could be coming closer to being a reality. On Thursday, Arrowhead Pride passed along the information that the Chiefs had given permission to the Dolphins to speak to, but not meet with, Albert.” [Chris Pokorny/Dawgs By Nature]

[Read more...]

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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]

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MLB News: Trevor Bauer to start on Saturday versus Rays

April 4, 2013 by 10 Comments

The Cleveland Indians will promote prospect starting pitcher Trevor Bauer on Saturday to take the place of injured starting pitcher Scott Kazmir. Reported out of Toronto this afternoon, Indians manager Terry Francona said that 22-year old Bauer will get the nod while Carlos Carrasco serves a six-game suspension.

Kazmir will miss up to three starts after being placed on the disabled list with a right rib cage strain. Off during the first two nights of the season, the Indians are greeted with 13 straight games without a night off so it is conceivable that Carrasco would be promoted at some point after his suspension — stemming from an incident in 2011 — has been served. Bauer and Carrasco were in competition with Kazmir and others for the final spot in the Indians’ rotation this spring.

Bauer was 12-2 with a 2.42 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 157 strikeouts in 130 1/3 innings in 22 starts among Double-A and Triple-A last season in the Diamondbacks organization. He was the main piece of the trade which sent outfielder Shin-Soo Choo to Cincinnati this past offseason and is considered a top-20 prospect in all of baseball.

[Related: Trevor Bauer: Eccentric, or just smarter than the rest of us?]

 

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MLB News: Hagadone optioned; Kazmir could hit disabled list

April 2, 2013 by 2 Comments

The Cleveland Indians have selected the contract of left-handed pitcher Scott Kazmir from the Triple-A Columbus Clippers and added him to the 25-man Major League roster.

Kazmir, 29, went 1-0 with a 3.46ERA in four games this spring (13.0IP, 18H, 5R/ER, 1BB, 13K), winning the fifth spot in the rotation after accepting a non-roster invitation to Major League camp on January 8.

To clear space for the veteran lefty, the team optioned left-handed relief pitcher Nick Hagadone to Triple-A Columbus.

The Indians made this move before the start of Tuesday night’s game allowing flexibility for Kazmir who strained his abdominal muscle during Monday’s workout. In the event that he may need a trip to disabled list, this allows club to back date his DL stint and bring up and optioned starter for Saturday’s game in Tampa Bay against the Rays — the right-handed Corey Kluber is a candidate for this temporary spot. Kazmir will throw a bullpen session on Wednesday and a decision will be made shortly thereafter.

[Related: WFNY 2013 Tribe Predictions]

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Tribe Season Preview Part Two: The Pitching Staff

April 2, 2013 by 13 Comments

Justin MastersonTerry Francona’s re-made Indians will take the field full of confidence and excitement, ready to turn the page on the debacle that was the close of the 2012 season and the Manny Acta era. ActaBall is no more. Long Live TitoBall. Ownership had seen enough. The hiring of Francona signalled a new day was upon us. It was time to turn the page and move forward. There was an enormous amount of negative energy surrounding the franchise. Things had to change. We just had no idea how quickly and how massive the changes would be.

Gone (for now) are the days of seeing a band of merry-4A players rotating in left field, third base, and the utility spots. GM Chris Antonetti, with the help of Team President Mark Shapiro and owner Paul Dolan, added not one, but two big name, big money free agents. Between Francona, Nick Swisher, and Michael Bourn, the Indians want you all to know that they mean business. A once barren farm system is getting stronger with the addition of top prospect Trevor Bauer in the Shin-Soo Choo trade. Bauer joins Francisco Lindor, Jose Ramirez, Tyler Naquin, Ronny Rodriguez, and Shawn Armstrong as names to know down on the farm.

But it is no longer about the future. It is about the NOW.

[Read more...]

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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...]

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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]

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While We’re Waiting… A conversation with Mark Shapiro

March 24, 2013 by 2 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.

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Our friends at The DiaTribe had a neat opportunity of a sit-down with Mark Shapiro. Here is Shapiro’s first quote: “‘Yeah, if you define active by spending money. This is my 22nd season with the team, and there’s never been anything of this magnitude. It’s clearly both a statement and effort by ownership. This isn’t just a front office effort. We identify players, make recommendations and provide alternative plans and they ultimately make the decisions. With both Swisher and Bourn, Paul Dolan was extremely involved and assertive in our efforts to get those players.’” [Al Ciammaichella] [Read more...]

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MLB News: Matsuzaka, Capps will not make Indians’ Opening Day roster

March 18, 2013 by 4 Comments

The Cleveland Indians have informed starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka and relief pitcher Matt Capps that neither will make the team’s 25-man Opening Day roster.

Per reports from Goodyear, Arizona, the team desires to keep both players within the system, but would have to do so via retention bonuses if they were willing to report to Columbus and play with the Triple-A affiliate Clippers. If Matsuzaka decided to take the trip, he would be eligible for $100,000 and an opt-out clause that would take effect on June 1. Per Jordan Bastian of Indians.com, the same scenario would then apply to Capps.

The players would have until March 26 to accept or reject the team’s offer. If they opt for the latter, they would subequently become free agents. Matsuzaka, who reportedly chose to come to Cleveland this winter due to his relationship with manager Terry Francona, stated that his intentions are to stay with the Indians and is open to starting the season in the minors.

The Indians’ race for the fifth spot in the starting rotation appears to be down to Scott Kazmir, Carlos Carrasco, Trevor Bauer and Corey Kluber. Multiple reports — coupled with his solid spring training numbers 1  – appear to have Kazmir as the odds-on favorite.

[Related: McAllister Clinches, Kazmir vs. Dice-K, The Race For Bench & The Harlem Shake]

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  1. The left-hander has been fantastic this spring, striking out 13 over 11 scoreless innings while sitting around 91-92 mph with his fastball. [back]

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Jon talks Vinnie Pestano, NFL salary caps and more – WFNY Podcast – 2013-03-12

March 12, 2013 by Leave a Comment

WFNY Podcast LogoI was able to grab Jon on location in Arizona. Unfortunately “on location in Arizona” for his purposes has nothing to do with the Cleveland Indians spring training location. Anyway, we battled the time zones (and my bed time) for a chat.

Here’s what we talked about.

  • Scott Kazmir’s great day
  • Daisuke Matsuzaka injury
  • Matt LaPorta cut and crickets respond
  • Vinnie Pestano and his new contract
  • Mike Trout and his pre-arbitration deal
  • The Angels short-change Mike Trout. How short-sighted is it?
  • What did the Indians offer Vinnie Pestano?
  • Who do you have ill will for?
  • NFL Free agency and waiting for the efficiency
  • Market inefficiencies and roster dynamics
  • PECOTA and Nate Silver’s book
  • The Belichick tree is dead after Bill Belichick
  • Bob Kraft and his willingness to give people leeway
  • Dealing with parents as a coach

[Read more...]

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McAllister Clinches, Kazmir vs. Dice-K, The Race For Bench & The Harlem Shake

March 11, 2013 by 12 Comments

Swisher and GiambiAs each day goes by, we get closer and closer to Opening day. The Indians open their season in Toronto three weeks from tomorrow. There are still open spots in the bullpen, on the bench, and that pesky fifth starter job. Each week in Spring brings a new hot name and a new guy struggling. This past weekend saw the start of the World Baseball Classic and a couple of names moving closer to solidifying their role on the team.

The biggest news of the weekend was Zach McAllister being named the fourth starter. This shouldn’t be a shock to anyone. The Zach Attack was at times the Indians best starting pitcher in 2012. One thing you can say is that he was clearly the most consistent. Sad but true – his 4.24 ERA ranked the best of all of the Tribe starters. This Spring, the big right-hander has been phenomenal. In his last two outings, McAllister hasn’t allowed a run in seven innings, striking out seven without walking anyone. [Read more...]

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The Weekend That Was in Wahooland

February 25, 2013 by 18 Comments

Scott KazmirThe weekend in Wahooland saw the games beginning in Arizona. We have been hearing about how great the vibe is in camp and how loose yet focused the Indians have been under new skipper Terry Francona. Now it was time to see how that translated into Spring Training games. The results in these tilts are meaningless, but the Tribe won all four, including two split-squad games Sunday afternoon. There was lots to like. Here were some of the takeaways:

The first lineup we saw will be something close to what will be on opening day, barring injury. Francona’s Friday nine was Michael Bourn, Asdrubal Cabrera, Jason Kipnis, Nick Swisher, Michael Brantley, Carlos Santana, Mark Reynolds, Lonnie Chisenhall, and Drew Stubbs. If seeing that batting order, with nine real legit major league ball players, didn’t make you feel better about the team, then nothing will. A full year of bottom fours that included the likes of Shelley Duncan, Jack Hannahan, Casey Kotchman, and Brett Lillibridge will make you wonder how your team can compete. This year’s one through nine looks to have no holes in it.

In that first game, the Indians trailed 5-0 after the top of the first, but struck back to take a 7-5 lead by the end of the third. All of the damage was done by those starters. The highlights a the two-run blast from Chisenhall, two doubles from Brantley, and an RBI single from Swisher in his first at-bat as in Indian. The Tribe won 11-10 on a walk-off bases-loaded double off the bat of Mike McDade. [Read more...]

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MLB News: Indians’ Scott Kazmir “looks so good it’s scary”

February 25, 2013 by 16 Comments

Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona said that starting pitching hopeful Scott Kazmir has “looked so good it’s scary” early on in Goodyear, Arizona.

Kazmir, signed to a minor league deal this past offseason, is one of the player vying for the fifth spot in the Indians rotation. He has already shown improved velocity and claims to be feeling better than he did in his peak years as a pitcher. Having not pitched in the majors since 2011 due to injury, Kazmir once led the league in strikeouts, fanning 239 would-be hitters in 2007.

This weekend, in a spring training appearance, Kazmir threw nine pitches, all for strikes. It is tough to place too much emphasis on Spring Training reports, but the former Tampa Bay Rays hurler looks to be the clubhouse leader when it comes to Tribe general manager Chris Antonetti’s 2013 reclamation projects.

“I wish we could bottle it right now for the season,” said Fracona.

[Related: On the 2013 Indians starting rotation and narratives]

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