There's only two days left until pitchers and catchers report to spring training, so in the spirit of the season, the IBI's Steve Orbanek debuts the first edition of the Spring Training Notebook. This week, Steve looks at five burning questions for the Indians as the team heads into spring training. Who will be the team's fifth starter and who will fill in as backup catcher? Steve offers his take on these questions and more after the jump.
The Cleveland Indians have announced the broadcast times for all of their spring training and regular season games, and the broadcast schedule for all of their games on radio and TV as well. Six spring training games will air in March and a total of 161 games will air on SportsTime Ohio and nationally on Fox this season.
On Thursday the Cleveland Indians announced that they have signed infielder Mike Aviles to a two-year $6 million contract that includes a club option for the 2015 season. His signing brings all arbitration eligible players under contract for the 2013 season, and keeps the Indians streak intact of not going to arbitration since 1991 (Swindell, Browne). They also announced the signing of lefty Rich Hill to a minor league contract.
While all eyes will be on Justin Masterson, Brett Myers and Ubaldo Jimenez to carry the load for the Cleveland Indians questionable rotation, the key to the Indians season may rest on the shoulders of Carlos Carrasco and Zach McAllister. Might the #4 and potential #5 starters prove to be more important than the rest? Join Jim Pete as he wraps up the hot stove Corner of Carnegie and Ontario with some rotation talk, and a look at Bourn and Lohse...
That time of the year is nearly here! Pitchers and catchers will be reporting to Goodyear, Arizona in the very near future and the offseason is almost behind us. In the interest of keeping things fresh and not bland here at IBI, Jim Piascik and Steve Orbanek decided to preview the 2013 Cleveland Indians in an unconventional way, sending e-mails back and forth to figure out where they stand on the team heading into Spring Training. Today, Steve and Jim take a crack at the infield.
In the weeks leading up to Opening Day the IBI will be doing all sorts of previews and breakdowns of the Indians from the big leagues down to the minors. One the features will be an in-depth look at several Indians whose performance is critical to the team’s success in 2013. Michael Goodman kicks things off with the man who may be the most important of all, Justin Masterson.
Welcome to the continuation of this week's edition of the IBI Power Poll. Today's poll focuses on the best Indians' outfielders of all time and Jim Pete lists his Top 15 and give you a chance to vote....after the jump. The IBI Power 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 the Cleveland Indians announced that they have signed free agent catcher Omir Santos to a minor league contract with a non-roster invitation to Major League spring training camp. He will add to the Indians catching depth this spring and be an option for assignment to Triple-A Columbus.
Today the Indians have agreed to terms on a minor league contract with free agent outfielder Jeremy Hermida. The deal is still not official because he has yet to take his physical. Provided he passes his physical, the deal should be officially announced in the next few days and will probably include an invite to Major League spring training.
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' outfielders of all time. Join Jim Pete after the jump...to find out the who made the cut...
It has been over a month since the last inbox, and since I am down sick this weekend and working feverishly to finish my new 2013 book, the regular Sunday morning format of “Tribe Happenings” will take a one week hiatus. But fear not, you will get your usual dose of Indians commentary on a variety of topics, but just in a different format this week.....via questions from the fans! The starting rotation among others things are the hot topics discussed...
The IBI's Steve Orbanek is back with another edition of the Winter Ball Notebook. With all the winter leagues wrapping up, this happens to be the last week for the notebook, and Steve goes out with a bang as he ranks the top 10 Indians performers from this winter. What players ended up making the list? And who earned the coveted No. 1 spot? Find out after the jump...
Today we continue on with part two of this four part series which compares the projected opening day lineup, starting rotation, bullpen, and bench for this coming season with its 2012 counterpart. In today's piece the focus is on the starting rotation where there are some new faces in the mix not just as trade (Bauer) and free agent pickups (Myers, Kazmir) this offseason, but new options that were not as seriously considered this time last year (McAllister, Kluber) or were not available (Carrasco). Jake Dungan breaks it all down after the jump.
On Thursday afternoon the Cleveland Indians announced that they have signed free agent right-handed reliever Matt Capps to a minor league contract with a non-roster invitation to Major League spring training camp. He missed most of the second half of last season with a right shoulder injury and will look to rebuild his value this spring with the Indians.
Three former Indians players Omar Vizquel, Travis Hafner, and Ryan Garko all found new homes with a team for 2013, but none of them are returning to Cleveland. Vizquel will coach with the Angles, Hafner looks to be close to signing with the Yankees, and Garko has signed with the Rockies.
The Cleveland Indians have re-built their entire offense into a versatile group of players that can hit from both sides of the plate. Over the years, these players have either put up a tremendous amount of offensive firepower, or have to ability to do just that. Do the Indians have an offense that could explode in 2013, or is the upside potential of this team a lot lower than the optimism that has surrounded them since the hiring of Terry Francona?
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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