Building the 2013 Cleveland Indians

[GeronimoSon]

I would be shocked if the Tribe opens with an 8 man pen....

Need a lefty on the bench. Stubbs can't play everyday. Chip may sit some too early on. One of Carrera (out of options), McGuiness (Rule 5), Giambi, Heredia, etc will make this team out of camp. May go to an 8 man pen at some point but not right away.

You're right.. Drew Stubbs cannot play everyday.. but, I really like the way the pair, Stubbs and Brantley mesh together to form an elite platoon... combined vs RHP and LHP's, resepctively, they average an wRC+ in the 113 range. You just don't see that kind of elite production.. With Swisher on the roster.. and even Reynolds, the Tito can work a platoon that puts these guys in the best position to succeed....

[Hermie13]

I would be shocked if the Tribe opens with an 8 man pen....

Need a lefty on the bench. Stubbs can't play everyday. Chip may sit some too early on. One of Carrera (out of options), McGuiness (Rule 5), Giambi, Heredia, etc will make this team out of camp. May go to an 8 man pen at some point but not right away.

You're right.. Drew Stubbs cannot play everyday.. but, I really like the way the pair, Stubbs and Brantley mesh together to form an elite platoon... combined vs RHP and LHP's, resepctively, they average an wRC+ in the 113 range. You just don't see that kind of elite production.. With Swisher on the roster.. and even Reynolds, the Tito can work a platoon that puts these guys in the best position to succeed....

I have been very critical of Brantley at times but see no way he is platooning with Stubbs. Brantley was argualbly better at the plate last year than Bourne. Brantley should be playing everyday. 155+ games barring injury.

[criznit2009]

everyday OF as of now is Stubbs, Brantley and Bourn a little platooning with Stubbs as needed. Besides, if Stubbs struggles too much at the plate, you slide Swisher into RF and Reynolds from DH to 1B. Though a little weaker on D, its not enough to break the team.

There is no reason Brantley and Bourn won't be playing in almost every single game.

[GeronimoSon]

Musings on a chilly Valentines Day morning about Managing expectations...

The Seattle Mariners have a blog site, USS Mariner, that has some pretty decent content. They have some highly knowledgeable fans and don't put up with a lot of crapola/infighting. One of the stories on the site that caught my attention was of the variety of "what could have been" entitled: A Hypothetical Alternative Off-Season.. (here's the link to the story: http://www.ussmariner.com/2013/02/12/a- ... ff-season/ ) In the story, there is some whining about what the Mariners should have done, direct comparisons between the Indians and the dreaded Z-guys/Wedge, along with a litany of comments (which, personally, I find much more interesting than the dry/dull style of writing by Dave Cameron). At the end of the story, it says "lets hope it works"..

What could have been.. might still be with the Indians, but, at this point of the 2013 season, it's hard to pick a decision that should be changed. The Indians acquired two ML SP's (Bauer and Myers), have one ML SP returning from injury (Carrasco) and have four hold overs from the 2012 season. One more SP? would have been nice, but, lets call a spade a spade, now we're getting greedy. The rest of the moves, getting power hitting run producing major league talent was complete. The statement: I hope it works out" rings true.. It is working out on paper.. now the Indians need to take it to the field..

[GeronimoSon]

Back to the musings..

When you look at the Indians starting first basemen over the last three years.. you have to wonder: WTF are Mark Shapiro and Chris Antonetti thinking?.

2012 Casey Kotchman .229/.280/.333, 12 HR, 55 RBI's
2011 Matt Laporta .247/.299/.412, 11 HR, 53 RBI's
2010 Matt Laporta .221/.306/.362, 12 HR, 41 RBI's

Words that come to mind include.. anemic, pathetic, subpar, and the phrase "..are you kidding me?.." This off season has seen significant turnover with the Indians roster. There is no bigger change anywhere on the field than what the Indians may see with First Base. Mark Reynolds is a talented baseball player that has a reputation for having a "go for the downs" / ZERO plate discipline approach. He's a K-machine. The big difference may come from his power stroke. It is real There were stretches last season when Reynolds put the entire Baltimore Orioles team on his back and carried them (early September comes to mind). This is going to be a huge challenge for Tito and Ty: reigning in the free swinging Mark Reynolds while not giving away the power stroke that he has.. Should be an interesting /developing story...

On defense, Mark Reynolds is what a team looks for. The Orioles were considered one of the better defensive teams in 2012 and a lot of that has to go to the first baseman. Reynolds displayed a very good glove at 1B. JJ Hardy, the Orioles Gold Glove winning SS stated not in so many words that Mark Reynolds should have been the one who won the GG, it was him that made my winning possible.. Mark Reynolds isn't known for his glove, but, when a guy like JJ Hardy says he's impressed.. listening should follow..

Platoon or no platoon.. having a guy who can hit it out of the yard in any at bat is going to be exciting..