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 Cleveland Indians today announced that they have purchased the contracts of outfielder Tim Fedroff, right-handed reliever Chen-Chang Lee, right-handed pitcher Trey Haley, and left-handed pitcher T.J. House and added them to the 40-man roster. To make room they removed Matt LaPorta, Brent Lillibridge, and Fabio Martinez from the roster.
We continue with our 2013 prospect coverage here at the IPI with a look at the shortstops in the Indians system. Over the past two years the Indians have built incredible depth and a deep talent pool at shortstop through a combination of trades, the draft, and on the international front, and that depth could be put to the test this offseason with a trade of Asdrubal Cabrera. Tony talks about Ivan Castillo, Juan Diaz, Jairo Kelly, Francisco Lindor, Dorssys Paulino, Ronny Rodriguez, Tony Wolters, and all the rest of the shortstops up and down the system and ranks them all, talks about their potential, and what kind of big league future they have.
Congrats to Yan Gomes and his Brazil teammates who beat Panama 1-0 on Monday night to earn a berth in the 16-team World Baseball Classic tournament that gets underway this spring. We recap Gomes' big influence on the outcome of the game plus all the other action in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic where players like Hector Rondon, Jesus Aguilar, and others were in action.
Short-season Single-A Mahoning Valley had 13 players from the 2012 Draft make their organizational and pro debut for the Indians. Tony recently had a chance to sit down with Mahoning Valley pitching coach Greg Hibbard and discussed how some of those debuts went, what strides were made, and what improvements are still being work on. Players discussed include Josh Martin, Jacob Lee, Luis Morel, Scott Peoples, Jake Sisco, Jimmy Stokes, Ryan Merritt, Jack Wagoner and more.
The Cleveland Indians announced that they have signed free agent outfielder Matt Carson and Cedric Hunter to minor league contracts with non-roster invitations to 2013 Major League spring training camp.
The Arizona Fall League wrapped up last week, and over the course of the AFL season the IPI provided profiles on six of the eight players with spotlight pieces on Shawn Armstrong, Trey Haley, T.J. House, Carlos Moncrief, Matt Packer, and Ronny Rodriguez. Not to be forgotten, we wrap up the spotlight pieces with the final two Indians prospects Tyler Holt and Alex Monsalve.
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!
