What is Jason Giambi doing here? Why would the Indians sign the aging first baseman/designated hitter to a minor league deal this offseason? Those are two of many questions that that a lot of fans have asked about the Indians signing of Giambi this offseason. The IBI's Jake Dungan gives some answers to those questions and gives his take on why the move makes some sense for the team.
It's only Spring Training, but new acquisition Nick Swisher is already making his presence felt as a member of the Cleveland Indians. The switch-hitting Swisher had a great week for the Indians, who are currently 10-5 in the Cactus League. Ubaldo Jimenez also looks to be on the rebound and Jason Gimabi, yes 42-year-old Jason Giambi, hit his first home run of the spring this past week. Join the IBI's Steve Orbanek as he recaps the week that was in the latest edition of the Spring Training Notebook.
Ubaldo Jimenez pitched four strong innings, giving up a run without walking a batter, leading the Indians to a 6-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants. Jason Giambi hit his first home run of the spring, while Nick Swisher and Ryan Raburn kept their averages over .500 by driving in five total runs between them. Join Jim Pete on a spring tour of the Indians latest Spring victory.
Ryan Raburn has proven to pretty much be definition of "league average" over his seven year career. Over his career he has proven to be a versatile player that can handle many positions and provide some pop to the lineup, but he has been inconsistent at the plate the last two years and is now attempting a Major League comeback as a utility bat option off the bench for the Indians. The IBI's Charlie Adams chimes in with some analysis on where Raburn has gone wrong, and why just a few more fly balls off his bat could be all the difference to make him a solid option off the bench.
The good Justin Masterson was on display Wednesday as the right-hander pitched four shutout innings to lead the Indians to a 4-0 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Yan Gomes and Mark Reynolds each recorded two hits for the Indians in the contest, and 42-year-old designated hitter Jason Giambi recorded his first hit of the spring. Join the IBI's Steve Orbanek as he recaps all the action and offers some takeaways.
It's a new day here at the Corner of Carnegie and Ontario. While the North Shore spends it's days trying to figure out why that idiotic muskrat in Punxsutawney said winter would be over in two weeks, I'm busy saving my pennies to pick up my very first Ubaldo Jimenez jersey. That's right, it's time to embrace the enigmatic wonder of Ubaldo, and you'll never, EVER be the same again...
Apparently hitting home runs was as viral as the Harlem Shake in Scottsdale, Arizona on Tuesday as the Indians slugged their way to a 4-3 victory over the defending World Series champion San Francisco Giants. Both teams collected their share of runs via the long ball as Cleveland hitters clubbed three solo blasts while the Giants belted two of their own. Tribe bullpen hopeful Bryan Shaw walked away with the win while starting rotation candidate Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched three shutout innings.
Nick Hagadone has gotten off to a torrid start this spring, and it looks as if he could be positioning himself as a front-runner for one of the Indians' open bullpen spots. Join the IBI's Steve Orbanek as he looks back at Hagadone's career and touches on what the future may hold for the left-hander in this week's edition of Then & Now.
The Indians had a dominant performance on Monday and snapped a two-game losing streak with a 13-5 win over the Chicago Cubs. Nick Swisher and Lonnie Chisenhall each had three hits, and rotation hopefuls Carlos Carrasco and Trevor Bauer were in action. Join the IBI's Steve Orbanek as he recaps the action and also offers some takeaways from the contest.
You can say what you want about the Indians' minor league organization, but their depth of talent in the middle infield is second-to-none. How good is it? Arguably their best position player of the past four years is at shortstop, and arguably their best prospect of the past two years is at second. Two of their top three prospects are shortstops, and you could make a case that four of the top five are middle infielders? So, who will be the best?
The Cleveland Indians continued their spring decent down the other side of the mountain on Sunday afternoon, as the Los Angeles Dodgers used a big inning and a big home run to blow open a pitcher's duel in the seventh inning, carrying them to a 5-1 victory over the Indians.The Tribe bullpen showcased perhaps their three biggest arms in Vinnie Pestano, Cody Allen and Nick Hagadone, and they didn't disappoint...for the most part...
Tony returns from his vacation with another edition of the Happenings to check in on how things are going for the Indians in spring training. He talks about the Carlos Carrasco suspension and how the Indians may work around it, the injuries that are starting to pile up, takes a closer look at Corey Kluber and what value he truly brings to the team, updates us on how Rule 5 picks TJ McFarland and Hector Rondon are doing, provides the full 11-game TV schedule for the Indians this spring, and more!
The power of Ryan Raburn enflamed Goodyear Ballpark once again on Saturday as the utility player continued to state his case for the Indians bench this season as he clubbed his fourth home run of the young Cactus League campaign as part of the Indians’ six-run first inning. But the fun did not last long as Ubaldo Jimenez and the pitching staff came unraveled in the third inning to allow seven runs.
Though the pitching wasn’t pretty, the Indians salvaged a 9-7 victory in the late innings on Friday against the White Sox. Justin Masterson struggled, but a cast of non-regulars were the difference as Cord Phelps, Matt Carson, and Mike McDade had good games to lead the Indians to victory.
Indians closer Chris Perez has been shelved with a subscapularis strain in his right shoulder and will not throw for the next seven to ten days. He will begin a return to throwing program as soon as he is asymptomatic, and is expected to be out of game action for at least three to four weeks. Also, Frank Herrmann has been shut down with a right elbow strain.
It's been an incredible week at the plate for Ryan Raburn, who could now be positioned as a frontrunner for one of the Indians' bench jobs. Also, roster hopefuls Trevor Bauer and Yan Gomes continue to impress, but does either player have a legitimate shot at making the Major League roster? The IBI's Steve Orbanek touches on these players and more in this week's edition of the Spring Training Notebook.
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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