Archive

Cleveland Indians Hot Stove---2011-2012

  • Wooball
    Intriguing prospect. Seems like a good kid, took him a little longer to make it through the minors than others, but did get a September call-up last year, going 1-3. Like grodt, it would be very strange for the Rays to give up a prospect for basically nothing, but seems he is a 3B, that can also play 1B or the corner OF spots. He is blocked by some pretty solid players ahead of him, not sure what they have behind him, maybe they don't want him slowing up some younger guys progression.

    Canzler was designated for assignment over the weekend to clear a spot on the 40 man roster for Jeff Keppinger. The Rays had 10 days to either trade him, put him back on the 40 man roster or put him on waivers. He has popped up on the Cubs and Rays top 20 prospect lists since 2008, but the last 2 years now has been released by both clubs. Will be interesting to see what he does this spring.
  • Mulva
    He sounds like a AAAA player.
  • lhslep134
    Mulva;1071283 wrote:He sounds like a AAAA player.
    Still probably an upgrade.
  • TBone14
    Maybe the kid just needs a change of scenery. Nothing to lose for the Tribe. Let's be honest though. If the Rays had this guy highly touted we would not have gotten him for cash considerations.
  • grodt
    Basically he's either a late bloomer or he's Matt LaPorta 2.0. Either way we got him cheap and competition in camp is almost always a good thing.
  • HitsRus
    This is the kind of move we have come to expect from the Tribe....taking a flyer on a player that costs hardly anything. Mulva is probably right. AAAA player.....but what the hell.
  • grodt
    Article on Canzler:
    http://mlb.sbnation.com/2012/2/1/2761985/russ-canzler-cleveland-indians
  • TBone14
    Interesting. I have extremely low expectations so getting anything from him would be a nice surprise.

    Poll results show Tribe fans heads buried in the sand. The guy has what, 3 major league ABs?

    [h=5]Will Russ Canzler play in at least 100 games for the Indians and post a positive WAR in 2012?[/h]59%
    [h=5]Yes[/h]188 votes


    40%
    [h=5]No[/h]130 votes
  • HitsRus
    I'm not saying that this guy is going to be an allstar, but with his minor league #'s he looks like he deserves an extended look in the bigs. I hope for our sake that he is a productive player, or it threatens to be a long year. I don't see where this team has gone forwards at all in this off season.
  • hoops23
    It makes no sense that the FO traded for Ubaldo to compete now if they're not making any complimentary moves as well.

    Tribe did avoid arbitration with Raffy Left today, signing him to a 1 year deal.
  • Crimson streak
    hoops23;1073482 wrote:It makes no sense that the FO traded for Ubaldo to compete now if they're not making any complimentary moves as well.

    Tribe did avoid arbitration with Raffy Left today, signing him to a 1 year deal.

    Exactly I was fine with the move if they were going to go all in and compete. But now there just making no sense in what there doing.
  • IggyPride00
    hoops23;1073482 wrote:It makes no sense that the FO traded for Ubaldo to compete now if they're not making any complimentary moves as well.

    Tribe did avoid arbitration with Raffy Left today, signing him to a 1 year deal.
    Bizarre is about the only thing I can think of to describe it.

    We traded away the best pieces of the farm system for a 2 year window with Jiminez, and as you said did absolutely nothing else to help the team.

    No one expects them to be in the market for $20 million dollar a year guys, but I get the distinct impression that $10 million a year is now way too rich for their blood. It just is not a realistic way to run an MLB team regardless of what market size you are in.
  • Crimson streak
    IggyPride00;1073531 wrote:Bizarre is about the only thing I can think of to describe it.

    We traded away the best pieces of the farm system for a 2 year window with Jiminez, and as you said did absolutely nothing else to help the team.

    No one expects them to be in the market for $20 million dollar a year guys, but I get the distinct impression that $10 million a year is now way too rich for their blood. It just is not a realistic way to run an MLB team regardless of what market size you are in.

    Agreed they could have went out and got cuddyer who would improve this line up a lot but 12 a year is too much for them unfortunately
  • grodt
    According to Bastian we've signed Casey Kotchman. Don't know terms of the deal yet.

    EDIT: Hoynes just tweeted that it's $3 million plus incentives
  • Laley23
    grodt;1073627 wrote:According to Bastian we've signed Casey Kotchman. Don't know terms of the deal yet.

    EDIT: Hoynes just tweeted that it's $3 million plus incentives
    Blah. Id rather LaPorta. At least Matt will accidentally hit 15+ HRs this year.
  • grodt
    My biggest fear with Kotchman is regression towards the mean. As it seems to be the case with everyone they are relying on last year being actual growth and not a fluke.
  • hoops23
    Laley23;1073646 wrote:Blah. Id rather LaPorta. At least Matt will accidentally hit 15+ HRs this year.
    Exactly..
  • TBone14
    Laley23;1073646 wrote:Blah. Id rather LaPorta. At least Matt will accidentally hit 15+ HRs this year.

    What a horrible deal. How do we not get a club option for a 2nd year? Let's say out of some incredible fortune he matches his career best year or even has a career year..then we lose him in free agency next season.

    At least Kotchman will resemble a professional hitter at the plate. He should put the ball in play...hit sac flies and not strikeout as much as the rest of whiffers we run out there.

    With all that said...as I posted a week or 2 ago, I didn't want Pena or Kotchman. Another lefty to throw in the lineup so LHPs can continue to dominate our lineup.
  • IggyPride00
    TBone14;1073666 wrote:What a horrible deal. How do we not get a club option for a 2nd year? Let's say out of some incredible fortune he matches his career best year or even has a career year..then we lose him in free agency next season.

    At least Kotchman will resemble a professional hitter at the plate. He should put the ball in play...hit sac flies and not strikeout as much as the rest of whiffers we run out there.

    With all that said...as I posted a week or 2 ago, I didn't want Pena or Kotchman. Another lefty to throw in the lineup so LHPs can continue to dominate our lineup.
    Beggars can't be choosers. When you shop at Big Lots for free agents you can't expect to get everything you would want ideally.

    A team option would be nice, but considering their track record signing anyone we should be happy he came here at all.
  • hoops23
    It seems like the Tribe FO has done nothing but 1 or 2 year deals recently.
  • BR1986FB
    hoops23;1073681 wrote:It seems like the Tribe FO has done nothing but 1 or 2 year deals recently.
    Maybe Hoynsie was right in speculating that Dolan is positioning himself to sell the team? God...we can only hope.
  • mucalum49
    royal_k;1070256 wrote:Tampa Bay drafted in the top 5 for a number of years. The players they have now are a result not being competitive during those years. When they reach the end of their original contracts, they won't be able to sign all of them to their next contracts. A number of these players will be playing for Boston, the Yankees, etc.

    Look at KC. They have a bunch of very good position players that resulted from drafting near the top every year. You think these players will still be there when their contracts are up?
    Sorry for being late to the party on this. But the good thing about having Boston and the Yankees sign our guys is that it means they don't suck. When they are Class A free agents we get compensation draft picks. This past year we had 12 of the top 60 picks. The cupboard is not bare by any means. Couple that with current stars like Longo signed through 2016 when he is going on 32. They got a lot of good years out of him and will probably still get 2 compensation picks when he leaves.

    The Indians can be successful under this model too. It sucks to be the farm team of the powerhouses but as long as drafting and developing is a strength of the organization then there is always something to be optimistic about.
  • hoops23
    BR1986FB;1073691 wrote:Maybe Hoynsie was right in speculating that Dolan is positioning himself to sell the team? God...we can only hope.
    Or they're moving the team lol
  • OQB
    BR1986FB;1073691 wrote:Maybe Hoynsie was right in speculating that Dolan is positioning himself to sell the team? God...we can only hope.
    God I hope these rich but rather cheap bastards sell the team to someone who actually wants to WIN!
  • IggyPride00
    BR1986FB;1073691 wrote:Maybe Hoynsie was right in speculating that Dolan is positioning himself to sell the team? God...we can only hope.
    Not a chance, he has already said he has a succession plan in place for his kids.

    He is making money on the team the way it is. The only time these guys sell is when they're broke, or losing money hand over fist.

    Public ridicule and pariah status doesn't bother him apparently, so he and his family won't be going anywhere anytime soon.