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 MLB arbitration hearings begin next Monday February 4th and continue through until the 20th. Most of the arbitration eligible players around the league have already signed a one year deal a few days ago, but the Indians still have one player that is unsigned: Mike Aviles.
The Indians have been busy this offseason making some significant changes to the lineup and pitching staff. But exactly how much have they improved? IBI newcomer Jake Dungan takes a look at the 2013 lineup and compares it to its 2012 counterpart in the first of a four part series that will break down and compare the 2012 and 2013 versions of the lineup, bench, starting rotation and bullpen.
Today the Cleveland Indians have announced that they have a new five-year agreement with Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Cleveland for WTAM 1100 AM to remain the “Flagship Home of the Cleveland Indians” through 2017. The deal also includes WMMS 100.7 FM as they will become the “FM home of the Indians” with at least 144 simulcast broadcasts.
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' shortstop of all time...
We are now two weeks away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Goodyear for the start of spring training. The offseason is wrapping up, and Tony takes a look into two issues facing the Indians as they prepare to open spring training: what they should do at DH and who should leadoff. He notes how the use of the DH has changed over the last few seasons, and how the Indians may be wise to consider another option at leadoff other than Brantley. Tony also discusses Carlos Santana's value, what spring invites reveal, and much more.
With about three weeks left until spring training one of the more interesting battles to watch will be the backup catcher position. For the last three years that’s a role that has been held by Lou Marson, but after the November trade that brought Yan Gomes into the fold it’s clear that the Indians intend to create competition for the job this spring. Michael Goodman breaks down the pluses and minuses of both after the jump...
It is one of the biggest questions leading into spring training for the Indians: who should lead off? With the departure of Shin-Soo Choo in a trade, the Indians lost their best lead off option, and the IBI's Jeff Ellis breaks down all the schools of thought with regard to what kind of player should hit lead off before finally settling on an obvious solution to this question.
With the Dominican Winter League Championship Series wrapped up, the championship action continues in the championship series of the Puerto Rican and Venezuelan winter leagues. A couple of Indians are still in action and hoping that they can help lead their team to the championship. The IBI's Steve Orbanek touches on those Indians and their performances in this week's edition of the Winter Ball 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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