The IBI's Steve Orbanek returns with this week's edition of Then & Now, which looks at left-handed pitcher Scott Barnes. Barnes made his debut with the Indians last season and left a favorable impression, but what does the future hold? Last season, Barnes was a reliever, but could he possibly again be positioned to be a starter? Steve ponders after the jump.
The Indians turn the corner from Tribe Fest and head through the final three weeks of the offseason with a few questions yet to answer. With a time-share likely at DH with the current roster, can their numbers improve? Are there just too many questions with regards to Ubaldo Jimenez and the starting rotation for the Tribe to succeed? Jim Pete tackles these, as well as Kipnis, Chisenhall and much, much more...
Last week the IBI first mentioned that the Indians have been in talks with free agent slugger Jim Thome, and according to a report today from Jon Heyman of CBS Sports he says the Indians are considering a reunion with Thome and Travis Hafner.
Large crowds descended upon Progressive Field this past week for the inaugural Tribe Fest, and it turned out to be a rousing success. The Indians appear to be getting everything right this offseason with their trades, free agent signings, manager and coach hires, and now a great fan friendly event. What momentum the organization has built going into the 2013 season, and Jake Dungan recaps the event in his debut piece for the IBI.
Welcome to this week's edition of the IBI Power Poll. The Poll will take a look at a relevant topic of the time, an all-time list, or just something that we're talking about here at the IBI home offices. There's nothing like a list to spur a debate, so join us in our lively banter with our weekly polls! Today's poll focuses on the best Indians' third baseman of all time. Join Jim Pete after the jump...to find out the who made the cut...
The Indians continue to shore up their roster with more depth signings, and today they announced that they have officially signed infielder/outfielder Ryan Raburn and outfielder Ben Francisco to minor league contracts with an invite as non-roster payers to Major League spring training.
What a great Indians weekend as the widely popular Tribe Fest was jam packed on Saturday and is expected to have big crowds again today. On the news front, it was a slow week for the Indians other than a few players being named to World Baseball Classic rosters and several arbitration eligible players having their 2013 contracts finalized. Tony discusses the arbitration deals and the WBC, but also touches on how two former Indians heroes might make for good low risk pickups this late in the offseason.
Several sources are reporting that the Indians will sign IF/OF Ryan Raburn to a minor league contract with an invite to join the big league club in spring training. Raburn certainly isn't a big fish, but he's a guy that could provide the Indians with another versatile bat, as he's played nearly every infield and outfield position over the past several seasons. Find out more about Raburn...after the jump...
Today the Indians have avoided arbitration and agreed to one year contracts with Matt Albers, Lou Marson, Justin Masterson, Chris Perez, and Joe Smith, and on Thursday night they agreed to a one year contract with Drew Stubbs. Only infielder Mike Aviles remains unsigned, and since no deal was made before today's 1pm signing deadline, the process gets a little more complex.
The Championship Series matchups have been decided in the DWL and PWL, which means that the winter seasons have come to an end for a number of Indians, including the beloved Jose Ramirez. The IBI's Steve Orbanek touches on Ramirez and his fine winter season as well as many other Indians players still competing in winter ball in his latest edition of the Winter Ball Notebook.
Late Thursday night the Indians and outfielder Drew Stubbs agreed to a $2.825 million contract for the 2013 season, and it includes up to $50,000 in performance performances. Also, a source has told the IBI that the Indians have interest in free agent Jim Thome and that a contract has been offered.
The World Baseball Classic released the provisional rosters for all 16 teams in the tournament that will be played this March. Six Indians have been named to the rosters: Mike Aviles, Asdrubal Cabrera, Chris Perez, Vinne Pestano, Carlos Santana, and Giovanni Soto. Yan Gomes was expected to be on team Brazil, but was not listed.
A lot of the focus in the Ibig three way deal between the Indians, Reds and Diamondbacks consummated in mid-December was on Shin-Soo Choo and Trevor Bauer, but Michael Goodman says that the pickup of outfielder Drew Stubbs from the Reds should not be overlooked. A lot of people have harped on his high strikeout totals, but Michael explains why there is little risk with his pickup and why he has some considerable upside.
According to a report in a Japanese newspaper, free agent right-handed pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka is considering a minor league offer from the Indians as well as the Miami Marlins and New York Mets. He has been limited the last two seasons because of elbow reconstruction surgery in 2011, but may be worth a flier.
The Indians new approach is obvious at the major league level, but how will it effect the minor league level going forward? Will prospects begin to move more quickly through the system, or will patience be at a premium? Will Terry Francona's new book that will be released next week give any indications towards why he really chose the Indians? The first excerpts released give some early clues. Join Jim Pete for another stroll around the Corner of Carnegie and Ontario.
Welcome to this week's IBI Power Poll. Each week the poll takes a look at a relevant topic of the time, an all-time list, or just something that we're talking about here at the IBI home offices. There's nothing like a list to spur a debate, so join us in our lively banter with our weekly polls! Today's poll focuses on last week's Baseball Hall of Fame vote, and gives the readers here at IBI a chance to vote in their own Hall candidates. Have your vote counted, after the jump...
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!
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