Cleveland%2520Indians

Terry Francona came into town on Friday to interview for the Cleveland Indians job. What initially seemed like a ploy for another player (or in this case, a manager) to use the Indians to get a better job and more money has turned into a legitimate opportunity for a big-time Indians hire. Is the Francona hire a formality, or will the job ultimately go to Sandy Alomar? Find out if it even matters, after the jump...

To celebrate the conclusion of another baseball season, we here at Indians Prospect Insider have decided to give out our picks for the major awards. We kick off things today with the American League Rookie of the Year. In the coming days, IPI will be rolling out our picks for AL/NL MVP, AL/NL Cy Young Award, AL/NL Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Indian, and Least Valuable Indian.

Today we continue the IPI postseason awards with the announcement of the Biggest Breakthrough. This award goes to the player who may not have been as highly touted coming into the season on prospect lists, but by the end of the season is definitely on the prospect map going into next season. In the coming days the Reliever of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year, Pitcher of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year and All-Tony Team will be announced.

Jared Goedert just recently completed a brilliant 2012 season for the Indians' minor league affiliates. However, despite his performance, Goedert never received a call-up to the Show even though many of his peers did. Just what does the future hold for Goedert? IPI's Steve Orbanek offers his take as he looks back at Goedert's career in this week's edition of Then & Now.

Well, it's over. The Indians finished up one of the most disappointing seasons they have had in a very long time, and Wednesday night's game was a microcosm of the entire season: inconsistent starting pitching, poor hitting, and shaky defense. Adam McGavin gives his thoughts on the game one last time this season...

It's the last day of the regular season, and it's definitely time to start looking forward...instead of backwards. With that said, Terry Francona and Sandy Alomar Jr. are officially going toe-to-toe for the right to become to the brand new Indians' manager. Is Francona using the Indians to get more money from another team? Will Alomar really take a job if Toronto or Boston calls? Join Jim Pete to find out his thoughts...after the jump...

Fresh off an 11-0 defeat to the Chicago White Sox, the Indians came out and looked considerably better on Tuesday night. Just Masterson was masterful, and the Tribe battled back to tie the game and then win it 4-3 in extras off the bat of Jason Donald. IPI's Steve Orbanek offers all his Second Thoughts after the jump.

What started as a pitcher’s duel gave way to an eleven-run thumping from the White Sox last night as the Indians were shut out 11-0. There were no runs scored through five, but Corey Kluber unraveled and the Tribe ‘pen didn’t have any answers....and the recently hot Indians offense could do little against starter Hector Santiago and the Sox relief corps. Adam McGavin shares his thoughts on the game.

The Indians seem to own Sundays over the past few weeks, and yesterday wasn't any different as the Indians hammered the Kansas City Royals and Luke Hochevar by a score of 15-3. As the season enters its last week, Cleveland is showing some spark under the stewardship of Sandy Alomar, and Jeff Ellis provides some of his thoughts from the game.

Francisco Lindor and Dorssys Paulino continued their friendly competition, with two hits each, as both players are hitting .500 or better during instructs. Jake Lowery continued his resurgence with two hits of his own. On the pitching side of things, Kieran Lovegrove got knocked around, but Dylan Baker continues to break out with another dominating performance. Check up on all the numbers for the Tribe's top prospects, after the jump...

In Tony's weekly Sunday notebook he touches on the firing of Manny Acta with his thoughts on why he was fired, if the reasons were legit, and where the Indians go from here in their search for a new manager. He also discusses the decision to retain Chris Antonetti as GM of the team and what he needs to do differently to get the Indians back on track, wonders where the Dolan's have been the past two months, and lots more.

The Cleveland Indians showed some grit on Saturday night, storming back from a 6-1 deficit to the Kansas City Royals to tie the game at six in the bottom of the ninth inning. The Indians would once again show fortitude when they loaded the bases in the bottom of the 14th inning without an out, and down 7-6. Then reality set in, as the Tribe stranded all three in loss #92 on the year. Join Jim Berdysz, with his Second Thoughts, after the jump...

It may be September and meaningful games are few and far between for the Indians, but Friday's game was exactly that. New manager Sandy Alomar Jr. made his debut as the Tribe skipper, and the Indians made sure to do their part as well as the team defeated Kansas City 8-5. Jim Berdysz offers his Second Thoughts after the jump.

With six games left in the season, Manny Acta's firing Thursday came as a surprise to many. The Indians now find themselves back at square one as there is no definitive long term answer for the team's managerial vacancy. Knowing that, are the Indians better off with or without Acta? IPI's Steve Orbanek ponders after the jump.

The Cleveland Indians fired Manny Acta on Thursday so they could presumably get a jump start on their offseason pursuit of a new manager. With Sandy Alomar Jr.'s name being bantered about with several potential openings come this offseason, this could give the Indians an advantage. Of course, with the front office intact, will a new manager really make a difference? Jim Pete discusses 'new manager folly," after the jump.

The Cleveland Indians today announced that manager Manny Acta will not return as manager. The decision is immediate and he will not manage the team the last six games of the season. Bench coach Sandy Alomar will serve as interim manager for the remainder of the season.