Tony%2520Lastoria Archive

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.

According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the Boston Red Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks have both shown interest in Cleveland Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera. He also lists the Indians as a strong suitor for Kevin Youkilis (no surprise).

The Indians are expected to be very busy this offseason working the phones on both the free agent and trade front as they look to improve upon what was a very disappointing 2012 campaign and put together a team that can win in 2013. Free agency will never be an area the Indians are strong players in, but this offseason there are a few interesting players that are available that are sure to garner the Indians' interest. Tony talks about all of them and more in his Sunday morning staple here at the IPI.

The Arizona Fall League season officially comes to a close with the league championship game later today, but for all the Indians prospect playing in the AFL their season came to an end on Thursday. One of the best and brightest showings came from lefty T.J. House, and Tony recently sat down with him and talked about his 2012 season, all the changes he made, his experience in the AFL, and his roster status this offseason.

Several current and former Indians were in action last night in Wold Baseball Classic qualifier action. Newly acquired catcher Yan Gomes helped his Brazil team complete an upset over Panama - which had Indians righty Paolo Espino on the mound. Other former Indians Johnny Damon and Sung-Wei Tseng were also in action.

We continue with our 2013 prospect coverage here at the IPI with a look at the second basemen in the Indians system. With Jason Kipnis entrenched as the second baseman in Cleveland for (hopefully) at least the next half decade, second base is not a big position of need in the short term; however, developing depth and trade assets at the position is still important. Tony talks about Jose Ramirez, Robel Garcia, Cord Phelps, Claudio Bautista, Ordomar Valdez, and all the rest of the second baseman up and down the system and ranks them all, talks about their skills, and if they are an option for the Indians in the future.

Several Indians were in action once again last night in fall and winter ball being played from Arizona to Venezuela. Jose Ramirez and Alex Monsalve continue to put up consistent, good showings, Rob Bryson and Gio Soto had a tough night on the mound, underdog Matt Langwell keeps doing his thing, and even the great Manny Ramirez made an appearance last night. All that and more after the jump...

We are now less than a week away from the November 20th roster deadline. The Indians have several interesting prospects in their system that are up for roster protection this offseason with the likes of C.C. Lee, Trey Haley, T.J. House, T.J. McFarland, Jesus Aguilar, Tim Fedroff, Austin Adams, Chun Chen, and others. Tony provides details and insight on all of those players and others and their chances of being rostered next Tuesday.

Lots and lots of Indians were in action on Tuesday night in offseason leagues in Arizona, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic. T.J. House bid adieu to the Arizona Fall League with another good performance and overall had a very nice showing in the land of the sun. Also, Jose Ramirez continues to hit, Tim Fedroff and Carlos Moncrief continue to struggle, and lots more.

If you want a name to keep an eye on in the Indians farm system that maybe does not get talked about a lot but has the potential to impact the big league team in the near future, then right-hander Trey Haley is one you should definitely watch closely. The hard throwing righty has made big strides since moving to the bullpen, and Tony recently caught up with him and talked about his 2012 season and experience in the Arizona Fall League.

Once the White Sox declined the $13 million club option on infielder Kevin Youkilis several days ago, the Indians were expected to be a heavy suitor for him this offseason because of their interest in him in a trade last June and with the arrival of new manager Terry Francona. Jon Morosi of Fox Sports is reporting that the Indians are one of three teams already showing preliminary interest in Youkilis.