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 Indians have reportedly agreed to terms on a minor league deal with free agent right-handed pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka. The deal has not yet been made official as he still has to take and pass his physical, but if he makes the team and is added to the roster he will make $1.5 million and has incentives in his deal which could push it up to $4 million.
Spring training is finally here. While most have already reported, pitchers and catchers will officially report to Goodyear today and tomorrow and thus begins the journey that is the Indians' 2013 season. Over the course of the seven weeks of camp the Indians will need to make several roster decisions, and Tony goes through them all in great detail in today's edition of Tribe Happenings.
Well now we get to the fun stuff. That’s right, today we will discuss the “The Bullpen Mafia” as Clevelanders have so affectionately branded the Indians relief corps. Outside of maybe Brian Wilson and Sergio Romo in San Francisco, the Tribe probably has the most unique, fun-loving bunch of characters to ever occupy a major league bullpen. The IBI's Jake Dungan continues his four-part series with a comparison between the 2012 opening day bullpen and this season's projected opening day bullpen.
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.
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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