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' pitchers of all time. It's a three-part series, starting with a look at the #21-30 starters.
We've seen the Cleveland Indians make a handful of offseason moves this season. While the the team has brought on many talented players, the Indians have also brought on something else: more and more strikeouts. A number of the new Indians have shown a tendency to swing-and-miss throughout their careers. Just how does this affect this year's team? The IBI's Andy Nichols ponders after the jump...
Aloha from Hawaii! Tony is away on vacation but checks in this week with another Tribe Happenings and takes a look at how the Indians spending spree this offseason brings into question just how much room the Indians have - if any - to make roster moves next offseason. He also talks about the Michael Bourn and Diasuke Matsuzaka signings, the extreme makeover the Indians roster has undergone since the end of last season, and his optimism for a rebound from Drew Stubbs.
The Indians have always been known to bring a lot of minor league free agents into Spring Training, but there's a different vibe surrounding this year's crop. With names like Daisuke Matsuzaka and Matt Capps, the quality of this year's signings seems well above the ones seen in previous seasons. The IBI's Michael Goodman touches on how this year's signings may impact the Major League team...
This is the final installment of this article series, which will break down the bench and utility players of 2013 compared to 2012. The IBI's Jake Dungan reviews the options for the bench and looks at the projected bench to open the 2013 season and compares the four-man bench with the bench that played most of last season with the Indians.
While the weather may still be chilly in Northeast Ohio, there's a much different climate in Goodyear, Arizona, where all Indians players have now arrived for spring training. While there are some familiar faces and some new ones, the IBI's Steve Orbanek touches this week on some of the new names that aren't getting all the publicity: the minor league signings. How do they fit in with this year's club? Find out after the jump.
With Spring Training underway in Goodyear, Arizona, Jim Piascik and Steve Orbanek continue trying to keep things fresh and not bland here at IBI, previewing the 2013 Cleveland Indians in an unconventional way. They've been sending e-mails back and forth to figure out where they stand on the team heading into Spring Training, with today's focus on the starting rotation.
The IBI's Steve Orbanek returns with his latest edition of Then & Now, which looks at Matt LaPorta this week. LaPorta has had a storied career for the Indians, both at the minor and Major League level. What does the future hold for LaPorta? And could he possibly have a future with the Indians? Steve ponders after the jump.
The Indians made the most surprising signing that the IBI's Jeff Ellis can ever recall when they signed Michael Bourn on Monday. When the talk came about that Bourn might even be on the Indians' radar, like most fans Jeff thought it was just Scott Boras trying to drum up offers. But all that changed at 9 PM on Monday, and Jeff takes a look behind the numbers why he was a coup for the Indians.
Spring training is finally underway and for those that have been there before and are planning to go this year you know the excitement that comes with any annual trek to the desert. If you have never been to spring training and wonder what you might be missing, well, enter DJ Sebastian to give you the low down on everything it has to offer with his many stories from yesteryear. This is an insightful and sometimes funny overview of all the things to see and do in spring training!
The Indians made another big splash this offseason on Monday when they agreed to terms on a deal with free agent outfielder Michael Bourn. The IBI's Tony Lastoria breaks down the deal and takes a look at how Bourn will help the team, how the Indians will align themselves defensively, how their draft plans will be affected, what may be coming next, and lots more.
The Indians sent shockwaves through the baseball world last evening when it was announced that the team had come to terms with free agent outfielder Michael Bourn. On paper, it seems as if the Tribe is definitely a much improved team, and some fans are even labeling the Indians as a potential playoff team. But just how much have the Indians improved following the Bourn signing and the other moves this offseason? The IBI's Steve Orbanek ponders after the jump.
Michael Bourn is the talk of Cleveland this fine Tuesday afternoon, and in this special edition of Corner of Carnegie and Ontario, Jim Pete takes a look not only at Bourn, but how his signing fundamentally changes the Indians line-up, and perhaps far beyond the field as well. Join the resident IBI senior editor...after the jump...
The Indians shocked the local and national baseball world last night when news came down the pipe that they had reached agreement on a four-year $48 million deal with free agent Michael Bourn. For days and weeks the Indians gave no indication they were in on him and that their payroll was maxed out, and they made a key strike at the start of spring training which improves the club in a lot of ways. The IBI's Jake Dungan recaps the signing and provides some thoughts on what the deal means.
With Spring Training just beginning, the Cleveland Indians made one more splash by agreeing to terms with free agent outfielder Michael Bourn on a four-year deal. The team went above and beyond their self-proclaimed budget to make the deal and get the best position player left on the market.
Today marks the first day for pitchers and catchers to report to Goodyear, Arizona for spring training. In keeping with the season, the IBI's Jim Piascik and Steve Orbanek continue with their 2013 chain e-mail positional previews, and touch on the outfield in this edition. The outfield certainly has a much different look when compared to last year's squad, so join Jim and Steve as they offer their takes 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!