Tony%20Lastoria Archive

Smoke Signals is back on the cyberwaves tonight for a special half hour edition from 11:00pm – 11:30pm EST. Indians Baseball Insiders Tony Lastoria and Jim Pete talk about the stunning signing of outfielder Michael Bourn to a four year $48 million deal and talk about all the ways his deal impacts the team.

Tony is hard at work finishing up the new 2013 Indians Baseball Insider prospect book, and he shares a quick update today where he is at with it, when it may be available, and how it can be purchased. The book continues to grow every year, and this edition may be the first to feature 200 scouting reports.

The IBI's 2013 Indians Top 60 Prospect countdown continues on with outfielder LeVon Washington. Last season he once again struggled with injuries, and as a result he was unable to consistently stay on the field to develop his raw tools on offense and defense. He is a tremendous athlete with tons of ability, but needs a healthy season this year to realize his potential, and Tony breaks down all his abilities and some areas of opportunity in this detailed scouting report.

The Indians have reportedly agreed to terms on a minor league deal with free agent right-handed pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka. The deal has not yet been made official as he still has to take and pass his physical, but if he makes the team and is added to the roster he will make $1.5 million and has incentives in his deal which could push it up to $4 million.

Spring training is finally here. While most have already reported, pitchers and catchers will officially report to Goodyear today and tomorrow and thus begins the journey that is the Indians' 2013 season. Over the course of the seven weeks of camp the Indians will need to make several roster decisions, and Tony goes through them all in great detail in today's edition of Tribe Happenings.

The IBI's 2013 Indians Top 60 Prospect countdown continues on with first baseman Chun Chen. Chen has proven to have a solid, productive bat in the minors, but he lacks a regular position which hurts his value. Last season he moved from catcher to first base, and Tony provides all the details on how that transition is going and if he has a Major League future there, plus takes a look at his hitting potential in this detailed scouting report.

The IBI's 2013 Indians Top 60 Prospect countdown continues on with right-handed pitcher Jake Sisco. Sisco came out of nowhere in 2011 as he shot up draft boards and looked like a steal for the Indians in the third round of the draft, but his lackluster showing last season leaves many questions about him that need answered. Did he just have a bad year and his 2011 campaign is his true self, or was 2011 the outlier and last season was what he really is? Tony breaks it all down in this detailed scouting report.

The IBI's 2013 Indians Top 60 Prospect countdown continues on with left-handed pitcher Shawn Morimando. Morimando is one of the more promising young pitchers in the Indians’ system because he is so young, raw, and inexperienced, but shows a lot of ability already and more is expected to come with his command and stuff. Tony breaks down what he brings to the table as an athletic lefty, and some areas where he could see improvement in this detailed scouting report.

On Thursday the Cleveland Indians announced that they have signed infielder Mike Aviles to a two-year $6 million contract that includes a club option for the 2015 season. His signing brings all arbitration eligible players under contract for the 2013 season, and keeps the Indians streak intact of not going to arbitration since 1991 (Swindell, Browne). They also announced the signing of lefty Rich Hill to a minor league contract.

The IBI's 2013 Indians Top 60 Prospect countdown continues on with catcher Yan Gomes. The Indians acquired Gomes in an offseason trade from the Blue Jays and he is in the mix this spring to make the opening day roster as a versatile player off the bench. So what exactly does this newcomer bring to the Indians and what future does he have in the big leagues? Tony breaks it all down in this detailed scouting report.

The IBI's 2013 Indians Top 60 Prospect countdown continues on with outfielder Jorge Martinez. Yes, that's right, Martinez has moved from shortstop to third base last year and is now moving to the outfield this season. Tony explains the move, talks about the incremental strides he is making with his approach and body, and goes into detail on all of his positives and negatives in this detailed scouting report.

Today the Cleveland Indians announced that they have signed free agent catcher Omir Santos to a minor league contract with a non-roster invitation to Major League spring training camp. He will add to the Indians catching depth this spring and be an option for assignment to Triple-A Columbus.

The IBI's 2013 Indians Top 60 Prospect countdown continues on with right-handed pitcher Cody Anderson. Anderson is still a little rough around the edges and is more of a projection at this point, but has the work ethic, aptitude, and stuff to be a whole lot more and is an interesting starting pitching prospect for the Indians. This coming season will tell a lot about him, and Tony breaks down all the good and bad with him as a prospect in yet another detailed scouting report.

Today the Indians have agreed to terms on a minor league contract with free agent outfielder Jeremy Hermida. The deal is still not official because he has yet to take his physical. Provided he passes his physical, the deal should be officially announced in the next few days and will probably include an invite to Major League spring training.

The IBI's 2013 Indians Top 60 Prospect countdown continues on with right-handed pitcher Dylan Baker. There are a lot of unknowns about Baker as he could be a boom or bust prospect for the Indians, and because of that he comes in with a more conservative ranking in this year's countdown. Tony breaks down all of the unlimited potential, but the many question marks about him in this detailed scouting report.

It has been over a month since the last inbox, and since I am down sick this weekend and working feverishly to finish my new 2013 book, the regular Sunday morning format of “Tribe Happenings” will take a one week hiatus. But fear not, you will get your usual dose of Indians commentary on a variety of topics, but just in a different format this week.....via questions from the fans! The starting rotation among others things are the hot topics discussed...