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.
Jesus Aguilar just completed his fifth season as a member of one of the Cleveland Indians affiliates. The powerful first baseman remains one of the most popular prospects in the Tribe's system, but it's still no foregone conclusion that he will one day be a member of the Indians Major League roster. The IPI's Steve Orbanek looks back at the hulking slugger's career in this week's edition of Then & Now.
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.
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 Scottsdale Scorpions ended their AFL season Thursday, which means a number of Indians players have completed their tour of winter ball duty. In this week's Winter Ball Notebook, the IPI's Steve Orbanek looks back at some of the top performers from the Scottsdale squad, including Alex Monsalve and Tyler Holt, while also touching on some of the other Indians playing in other various winter leagues.
Cord Phelps ended the 2012 season as a member of the Cleveland Indians roster. While he played well down the stretch, there are no guarantees that he'll be a member of the team come April. It's been an up-and-down road for Phelps and his baseball career as he's dominated the minors but struggled in the Majors. The IPI's Steve Orbanek takes a look back at his path in this week's edition of Then & Now.
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.
Kevin Youkilis and Jason Bay are both on the Indians' radar, and both represent players on the opposite sides of the contract-types. Will the Indians sign on another Sizemore-sized risk in Jason Bay? Will the Indians fork over the $9-$10 million it will cost them to sign Youk? And what about the Blue Jays, who found their "contenders-in-a-day" reward at the bottom of their Cracker Jacks. Join Jim Pete for another edition of Corner of Carnegie and Ontario...
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.
According to a report from Jon Morosi of Fox Sports, Cleveland Indians outfielder Shin-Soo Choo is not expected to play for his South Korea team in the World Baseball Classic this spring. Choo's agent Scott Boras says that Choo will use the opportunity to focus and prepare for his 2013 season.
Welcome to the newest feature at Indians Prospect Insider, the IPI 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 IPI 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' catcher of all time. Join Jim Pete after the jump...to find out his vote...
When you think of the Indians "window" that was supposed to begin in 2012, what's lacking is a solid core of players acquired via the MLB First-Player draft. Our resident draft expert Jeff Ellis explores the Tribe's drafts over the years, and focuses in on just how bad the Indians did during the early 2000's to set this team up to win. Check out Jeff's thoughts and more on what happened, after the jump...
The GM Meetings may have wrapped up out out in Indian Hills, California, but things are just starting to heat up on the hot stove this offseason. Rumors continue to swirl that the Indians may trade any or all of Asdrubal Cabrera, Shin-Shoo Choo, Justin Masterson, and Chris Perez, but they are also rumored to be in on some interesting free agents. So should the Indians be rebuilding or retooling this offseason? That's a question Tony tries to answer, plus he talks about the Indians 2013 payroll, how they should use their DH, and more.
Indians prospects continued to compete in winter leagues this past week, and a number of players have really started to heat up. Fresh off a brilliant 2012 campaign, Jose Ramirez seems to have picked up right where he left off, and catcher Alex Monsalve is now in the midst of a five-game hitting streak. Plus, promising left-hander Giovanni Soto makes his winter ball debut. The IPI's Steve Orbanek provides all the details in his latest Winter Ball Notebook.
There are only two months left in the year, which means that the holiday season is upon us. It also means it is time for the Transaction Rundown's Year In Review. Every Friday between today and December 21st, we will look back at the roster movement over the past season for one club in the Cleveland Indians organization. Today, we start with the big league club.
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!