Later today Tony will provide an extensive recap on the Indians activity and rumors at the first day of the Winter Meetings, but here are some quick notes and news bits on things connected to the Indians coming out of Nashville today. Asdrubal Cabrera continues to garner interest from teams, the Indians miss out on James Loney, they may wait on Delmon Young, and more.
Low-A Lake County had the youngest team in the Midwest League and caught fire in the second half to get into the playoffs. Tony recently had a chance to sit down with former manager and now new High-A Carolina manager Dave Wallace about the season his players had and how they improved over the course of the season. Players discussed include Jose Ramirez, Jake Lowery, Jerrud Sabourin, Jordan Smith, Francisco Lindor and more.
We continue with our 2013 prospect coverage here at the IPI with a look at the third basemen in the Indians system. With the graduation of Lonnie Chisenhall to the big leagues, the Indians lack immediate big league options at the position but have a lot of young talent with upside a few years away. Tony talks about Kyle Bellows, Leonardo Castillo, Erik Gonzalez, Nick Hamilton, Todd Hankins, Yonathan Mendoza, Giovanny Urshela, Joe Wendle, and all the rest of the third basemen up and down the system and ranks them all, talks about their potential, and what kind of big league future they have.
Well, this is it. This is the time the Indians can prove a lot of naysayers wrong this offseason by making a few well orchestrated moves this week in Nashville during the frenzy that is the baseball winter meetings. The Indians have spent a lot of time the past two months assessing their roster and how they can fill the holes they have, but will they be one of the busier teams on the rumor front this week (as expected) or will they once again stand on the sidelines and watch? Tony has thoughts on that and lots more...
The Cleveland Indians today announced that they have claimed first baseman Mike McDade off outright waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays. The Indians made room on the 40-man roster by designating left-handed pitcher Chris Seddon for assignment.
The Cleveland Indians have announced their organizational staff alignment within the Player Development System for the upcoming season. Several coaches, managers, coordinators, and special assistants have changes roles for the 2013 season, and we recap them all after the jump.
The Cleveland Indians today announced that they designated left-handed reliever Rafael Perez for assignment. Health issues and his contract status were the primary reason behind the decision.
Today we continue on with our year end stock report on all of the players in the Indians minor league system, and this time look at each player that finished the season at Double-A Akron and the value in the industry each player has. Over the course of the season Tony has spoken to various people in the Indians organization as well as scouts and personnel outside the organization, and shares those insights and more.
Low-A Lake County had a very good season, particularly a second half showing that saw them go 40-30 and qualify for the Midwest League playoffs as a wildcard team. Tony recently had a chance to sit down with Lake County pitching coach Jeff Harris and discussed how some of the pitchers on his staff improved over the course of the season and what changes were made. Players discussed include Mason Radeke, Shawn Morimando, Elvis Araujo, Cody Anderson, Cody Penny, Nick Pasquale, Joe Colon, and more.
On Monday the Cleveland Indians announced that they signed free agent infielder/outfielder Nate Spears to a minor league contract with a non-roster invitation to 2013 Major League spring training camp. They also outrighted right-handed pitcher Fabio Martinez to the minors.
The Indians continue to get good showings from their players that are participating in the various winter ball leagues this offseason. Nick Hagadone had a dominating performance last night and Jose Ramirez continues to rack up the hits and get on base. Check out how both of them did as well as a few other players....after the jump.
According to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com, he says the Indians have been checking in on several free agents, and one of those is free agent outfielder/first baseman Nick Swisher. He is a switch-hitter and his versatility to play either first base or a corner outfield position would fill a need at either position.
It is Thanksgiving, which is time when so many of us get together with our families and enjoy lots of food and spirits, watch football, and prepare ourselves for the madness that is the start of the holiday season. It is also a time to reflect and be thankful, which is something that former Indians prospect Chris Jones is there days now that he is in the Atlanta Braves organization.
It is a Turkey Day edition of Around the Farm here at IPI. In today's rundown we note a change in Tim Fedroff's status this offseason, the debut of another Indian player in winter ball, the good start to Ezequiel Carrera's winter campaign, and lots more. Before you sit down and get together with the family and settle in for a Thanksgiving feast, take a look at how those Indians are doing this winter...after the jump.
Yesterday the Indians added Tim Fedroff, T.J. House, Trey Haley and Chen-Chang Lee to the 40-man roster and designated Matt LaPorta, Brent Lillibridge, and Fabio Martinez for assignment. Tony provides lots of insight and info with regard to the decisions and what roles the new roster additions may fill going forward, discusses the future of LaPorta and others, and takes a quick peak into any potential Rule 5 losses.
The 2013 Cleveland Indians Baseball Insider book featuring the Indians' Top 100 Prospects and more is now available. Also, previous editions from 2008-2012 are also available at a discounted rate. Just click on the book image for more information. Thanks again for all the support!
