The Cleveland Indians recalled Asdrubal Cabrera today. The young second baseman arrives just in time for the Indians' three game set against the Seattle Mariners. To make room for Cabrera, Cleveland sent infielder Jorge Velandia to Triple-A Buffalo.
In 141 minor league at bats, Asdrubal hit for an impressive .326 batting average with 4 home runs and 13 RBI's. Before being sent to the minors in early June, Cabrera was hitting .184 for the Indians.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
Joe Borowski released
The Cleveland Indians cut ties with relief pitcher Joe Borowski on Thursday. Borowski, who lead the American League in saves in 2007, was sent to the minors on assignment last week after an ineffective start to the season (18 appearances, 6 saves, 7.56 ERA). The Indians decided they've seen enough and released their ex-closer into the free agent market.
Borowski's depature magnifies a growing issue for the Cleveland bullpen. Who takes over as closer?
Rafael Betancourt and Masa Kobayashi have split closing duties (4 saves each) in Borowski's absence to this point. Betancourt has been ineffective with an ERA over 6. Masa Kobayashi is having a good year (3.21 ERA), but is still unproven as a closer at the major league level. Kobayashi relies heavily on location and not on speed. He will not strike out a lot of batters, but should continue to sport a solid ERA and WHIP.
When asked who he was going to use at closer for the remainder of the season, manager Eric Wedge answered, "I think here at the beginning, we'll give Masa the bulk of it. But I want to pick spots to where we try other people, too. It's not just going to be Masa."
With Paul Byrd, Casey Blake, and Jamey Carroll coming off the books at the end of the year, and C.C. Sabathia no longer in the picture, Cleveland will have extra money to spend in the offseason. Closers Brad Lidge (Phillies), Brandon Lyon (Arizona), Rafael Soriano (Braves), Kerry Wood (Cubs), and Francisco Rodriguez (Angels) are all in line to be free agents this offseason. Cleveland might be interested in offering a 4 year contract worth around 40 million dollars (similar to the contracts recently signed by Joe Nathan and Francisco Cordero) to net a quality closer for 2009 and beyond.
Borowski's depature magnifies a growing issue for the Cleveland bullpen. Who takes over as closer?
Rafael Betancourt and Masa Kobayashi have split closing duties (4 saves each) in Borowski's absence to this point. Betancourt has been ineffective with an ERA over 6. Masa Kobayashi is having a good year (3.21 ERA), but is still unproven as a closer at the major league level. Kobayashi relies heavily on location and not on speed. He will not strike out a lot of batters, but should continue to sport a solid ERA and WHIP.
When asked who he was going to use at closer for the remainder of the season, manager Eric Wedge answered, "I think here at the beginning, we'll give Masa the bulk of it. But I want to pick spots to where we try other people, too. It's not just going to be Masa."
With Paul Byrd, Casey Blake, and Jamey Carroll coming off the books at the end of the year, and C.C. Sabathia no longer in the picture, Cleveland will have extra money to spend in the offseason. Closers Brad Lidge (Phillies), Brandon Lyon (Arizona), Rafael Soriano (Braves), Kerry Wood (Cubs), and Francisco Rodriguez (Angels) are all in line to be free agents this offseason. Cleveland might be interested in offering a 4 year contract worth around 40 million dollars (similar to the contracts recently signed by Joe Nathan and Francisco Cordero) to net a quality closer for 2009 and beyond.
Indians claim former number 1 pick from Pirates
Pitcher Ryan Bullington was claimed off waivers on Thursday by the Cleveland Indians after the Pittsburgh Pirates sent the former 1st pick of the 2002 amateur draft on assignment. Bullington, out of options, failed to clear waivers before being sent to the minors by the Pirates.
The 6 foot 4 inch, 27 year old will enter the starting rotation for the Buffalo Bison. In 3 major league starts this year, Bullington has an 0-3 record and 5.89 ERA.
The 6 foot 4 inch, 27 year old will enter the starting rotation for the Buffalo Bison. In 3 major league starts this year, Bullington has an 0-3 record and 5.89 ERA.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Sabathia traded to Brewers for minor leaguers
On Sunday, July 6th, Milwaukee GM Doug Melvin and Cleveland GM Mark Shapiro agreed on a trade that sent C.C. Sabathia to the Brewers for four prospects (I'm loosely considering Zach Jackson a 'prospect'). The terms of the deal are as follows.
Milwaukee receives:
SP C.C. Sabathia
Cleveland receives:
OF Matt Laporta (Double-A)
SP Zach Jackson (Triple-A)
SP Rob Bryson (Class-A)
Player to be named later (rumored to be a list of 2, to be determined by the end of the minor league season)
Recent reports suggest the Brewers' reigning Minor League player of the year Taylor Green could be the player to be named. Green plays third base at Class A.
Assuming Taylor Green is in the mix for the player to be named, I think the Indians made a smart move. Some argue Mark Shapiro didn’t wait long enough for teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, and Phillies to drive up Sabathia’s price tag. Cleveland owner Larry Dolan touched on the logic behind the deal in a radio interview on Monday. Dolan said every start Sabathia made in an Indians’ uniform was a legitimate risk. C.C.'s trade value hinges on his health, and the number of starts he can make before the end of the season. An untimely injury might break off trade talks.
Mark Shapiro found a deal that makes sense for the organization and didn’t hesitate to take action. Laporta is the type of power corner outfielder the Indians were looking for. Rob Bryson is showing potential to be a high strikeout pitcher at the major league level. Only time will tell if Cleveland made a good trade, but one thing's for sure... we will all miss our beloved C.C. Sabathia. Thanks for the memories big guy, and good luck.
Milwaukee receives:
SP C.C. Sabathia
Cleveland receives:
OF Matt Laporta (Double-A)
SP Zach Jackson (Triple-A)
SP Rob Bryson (Class-A)
Player to be named later (rumored to be a list of 2, to be determined by the end of the minor league season)
Recent reports suggest the Brewers' reigning Minor League player of the year Taylor Green could be the player to be named. Green plays third base at Class A.
Assuming Taylor Green is in the mix for the player to be named, I think the Indians made a smart move. Some argue Mark Shapiro didn’t wait long enough for teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, and Phillies to drive up Sabathia’s price tag. Cleveland owner Larry Dolan touched on the logic behind the deal in a radio interview on Monday. Dolan said every start Sabathia made in an Indians’ uniform was a legitimate risk. C.C.'s trade value hinges on his health, and the number of starts he can make before the end of the season. An untimely injury might break off trade talks.
Mark Shapiro found a deal that makes sense for the organization and didn’t hesitate to take action. Laporta is the type of power corner outfielder the Indians were looking for. Rob Bryson is showing potential to be a high strikeout pitcher at the major league level. Only time will tell if Cleveland made a good trade, but one thing's for sure... we will all miss our beloved C.C. Sabathia. Thanks for the memories big guy, and good luck.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Rumors suggest LeBron is leaving Cleveland in 2010
I’m taking a small break from baseball to discuss a recent hot topic in basketball. The New Jersey Nets set off a fury of “LeBron James to New York” rumors after trading Richard Jefferson to the Milwaukee Bucks for Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons. NBA experts speculate the move was made to clear cap room and make a run at LeBron James in 2010.
Seriously, we’re talking about 2010? Really?
So maybe you are among the crowd worried LeBron James is going to leave Cleveland. Let’s examine the facts that forced writers into a frenzy of rumors.
1. LeBron is friends with New Jersey Nets part-owner Jay-Z.
2. LeBron “likes” New York City.
WOW. Compelling evidence.
How is this even news worthy? We know LeBron likes New York, and we know LeBron is friends with rapper Jay-Z. What I don’t understand is why writers decide to be ignorant, selectively choosing information that supports their claims and disregarding anything that might refute it.
Take Dan Wetzel of Yahoo! Sports for example. After explaining LeBron’s favorite New York borough is Brooklyn, Wetzel writes, “Brooklyn is where the New Jersey Nets are expected to move to in 2010 (at least if community groups don’t blow it). The franchise is owned, in part, by James’ friend Jay-Z, and should be stock full of young, complementary talent and a King’s ransom in salary cap room.”
I must be missing something. I understand the part about the Nets moving to Brooklyn, and I’ll even buy the part about James’ friend Jay-Z. Then Wetzel chokes and blindly claims the Nets will be “stock full of young, complimentary talent.” Even if we are to assume the Nets will have young talent (which is a major assumption), why would that entice an all star forward looking to win a championship? Young players take time to develop. LeBron James will turn 26 in 2010. With 7 years under his belt, he’s not likely to be patient.
Cleveland Cavaliers GM Danny Ferry is committed to putting the pieces around LeBron to win now. The only reason James would leave is if he felt that commitment was no longer there. In a recent Team USA press conference James said "I just want to win. I want to get better every year. That's all I ask. I know me. I know I will go to the gym and work out and make sure I'm better the next year. I just need for the organization to make that same commitment, which I think the Cavs have."
Please don’t panic, Cleveland. There’s nothing to worry about right now. I’m not guaranteeing LeBron James will stay in Cleveland post-2010, because no one knows what the future holds. I’m just saying there is very little evidence right now to suggest he won’t resign with the Cavaliers if offered a max contract.
Seriously, we’re talking about 2010? Really?
So maybe you are among the crowd worried LeBron James is going to leave Cleveland. Let’s examine the facts that forced writers into a frenzy of rumors.
1. LeBron is friends with New Jersey Nets part-owner Jay-Z.
2. LeBron “likes” New York City.
WOW. Compelling evidence.
How is this even news worthy? We know LeBron likes New York, and we know LeBron is friends with rapper Jay-Z. What I don’t understand is why writers decide to be ignorant, selectively choosing information that supports their claims and disregarding anything that might refute it.
Take Dan Wetzel of Yahoo! Sports for example. After explaining LeBron’s favorite New York borough is Brooklyn, Wetzel writes, “Brooklyn is where the New Jersey Nets are expected to move to in 2010 (at least if community groups don’t blow it). The franchise is owned, in part, by James’ friend Jay-Z, and should be stock full of young, complementary talent and a King’s ransom in salary cap room.”
I must be missing something. I understand the part about the Nets moving to Brooklyn, and I’ll even buy the part about James’ friend Jay-Z. Then Wetzel chokes and blindly claims the Nets will be “stock full of young, complimentary talent.” Even if we are to assume the Nets will have young talent (which is a major assumption), why would that entice an all star forward looking to win a championship? Young players take time to develop. LeBron James will turn 26 in 2010. With 7 years under his belt, he’s not likely to be patient.
Cleveland Cavaliers GM Danny Ferry is committed to putting the pieces around LeBron to win now. The only reason James would leave is if he felt that commitment was no longer there. In a recent Team USA press conference James said "I just want to win. I want to get better every year. That's all I ask. I know me. I know I will go to the gym and work out and make sure I'm better the next year. I just need for the organization to make that same commitment, which I think the Cavs have."
Please don’t panic, Cleveland. There’s nothing to worry about right now. I’m not guaranteeing LeBron James will stay in Cleveland post-2010, because no one knows what the future holds. I’m just saying there is very little evidence right now to suggest he won’t resign with the Cavaliers if offered a max contract.
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