Tribe Matters, major or minor: Indians, Aeros and MLB » Marlins

Morning roundup, March 24

Jonas Fortune — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:37:41 +0000

Cleveland Indians general manager Mark Shapiro took some time yesterday to discuss the state of this year’s team. Sheldon Ocker and the PD’s Paul Hoynes were listening.

This is kind of a telling quote from Ocker’s story:

”Yes, I’m interested in making a deal,” Shapiro said Monday. ”I still spend a lot of time talking to other general managers, getting the lay of the land. There are areas I would like to see get incrementally better. You always want to improve your pitching depth. But I’m pretty happy with the position players in camp.”

Shapiro’s biggest concern is the starting pitching is his biggest concern this season, which leads me to this passage from Ocker’s story:

A rumor surfaced 10 days ago that Shapiro was courting free agent Pedro Martinez. Asked about it Monday, the GM rubbed his thumb and index finger together, indicating that money is a sticking point.

Martinez, believed to be asking for between $5 million and $8 million during the winter on a one-year contract, apparently hasn’t come off those numbers, at least not much.

”We like the guy,” Shapiro said. ”We expressed interest in him during the off season.”

A lot of interesting tidbits though. Shapiro thinks that Hafner is just lacking his timing and will hit with authority when that returns.

He is impressed with the young talent in camp and calls it a bright spot.

Per Hoynes:

On catcher Carlos Santana’s throwing ability.

“He’s as gifted throwing as any guy I’ve ever seen outside of Pudge [Ivan Rodriguez] early in his career,” said Shapiro.

MLB.com beat writer Anthony Castrovince answered his mail bag today with a lot of questions about Travis Hafner and one odd question about Bob Wickman playing without the tip of his finger and the chances Adam Miller could do the same thing.

OTHER NEWS

Pitcher Curt Schilling officially announced his retirement through his blog monday.

This party has officially ended. After being blessed to experience 23 years of playing professional baseball in front of the world’s best fans in so many different places, it is with zero regrets that I am making my retirement official.

Same Fish, new pond

The Florida Marlins are finally getting a new stadium after years of trying.

The Marlins will be renamed the Miami Marlins when they move into their new retractable-roof stadium that will seat 37,000 on the Orange Bowl grounds. It should open by 2012.

Japan, again

The Japanese team won its second world title last night by beating South Korea 5-3 in 10 innings at Dodger Stadium.

Ichiro hit a two-out, two-run single in the 10th inning to win it.

Indian’s right fielder Shin-Soo Choo, playing for South Korea, hit his second home run of the WBC in the fifth inning.

Pedro to Indians? Possible

Ron Ledgard — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 12:55:42 +0000

A published report in Pittsburgh on Saturday listed the Indians among several teams who have an interest in free-agent pitcher Pedro Martinez.

Martinez, 37, has professed a foremost interest in returning to the New York Mets but has had exploratory talks with the Indians, Pirates and Florida Marlins.

It is reported that he is seeking $7 million this season.

Two Tribe members look to hit the comeback trail

Stephanie Storm — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 20:08:11 +0000

I like this story by the Canton Rep’s Josh Weir on possible Comeback-Player-of-the-Year candidates – including two Indians in newcomer and right-handed pitcher Carl Pavano and All-Star catcher Victor Martinez. Of course, designated hitter Travis Hafner could have easily made the list as well.

Around baseball: Several players hope to recapture old magic in new locations

Everyone loves a redemption story, whatever the walk of life. A person falls, gets back up and overcomes the obstacle to recapture past glory.

Cliff Lee exemplified the ability in a baseball sense last season, going from Indians postseason castoff in 2007 to the American League Cy Young in 2008.

Of course, predicting this kind of turnaround can be next to impossible. That doesn’t mean we can’t try.

HERE ARE THE FIVE PLAYERS WHO COULD REMAKE SOME OLD MAGIC

Brad Penny

The big Oklahoman made only 17 starts in 2008 thanks to shoulder problems, going 6-9 with a 6.28 ERA for the Dodgers. Now he’s in Boston.

Pitching in the American League East won’t be easy, but with the Red Sox offense and a quality bullpen to back him up, Penny could thrive. Don’t forget, he won 32 combined games in 2006-07 — both All-Star seasons — sporting a 3.03 ERA in ’07. Plus, he’s only 30 years old.

Carl Pavano

A great candidate resides in the same clubhouse as Lee. Pavano comes to the Tribe after four disappointing, injury-filled years with the Yankees.

The last time the 33-year-old right-hander was relevant as a player was his 2004 All-Star season with the Marlins, when he went 18-8 with a 3.00 ERA. Can he rediscover his mojo in low-pressure Cleveland?

“I’m excited,” he said. “I still think I’m at an age where I’m not on the decline of my career. I feel like I’m at the strongest point of my career now, mentally and physically.”

The Indians were able to cash in on Kevin Millwood in 2005, when he led the AL in ERA (2.96).

Jason Giambi

Maybe a guy who hits 32 home runs and drives in 96 runs can’t really be considered a comeback kid the next year, especially when he’s 38, but it will be interesting to see what this free spirit does back in Oakland after seven years with the Yankees.

As he told Oakland reporters, “I didn’t come here just to come back and be the prom queen again and ride through the floats.”

Giambi, who joins new acquisition Matt Holliday in the middle of Oakland’s order, was the 2000 AL MVP with the A’s.

Khalil Greene

A former Golden Spikes Award winner, it seems like everyone keeps waiting for this shortstop’s star to shine.

He went the other way for San Diego in 2008, batting only .213 with 10 home runs and 35 RBIs before a broken hand — suffered when he punched a storage box — ended his season in July.

Traded to the Cardinals in the offseason, maybe a change in scenery will do him some good.

Jeremy Bonderman

Bonderman’s 2008 season was cut short because of surgery in June to correct a condition that caused a blood clot in his pitching arm.

With the problem behind him and still only 26, the Tigers right-hander would appear to be entering his prime. He’s already nearing 1,000 career innings.

OTHER NAMES TO CONSIDER

Joe Crede
Back problems limited him to 97 games in 2008.

Freddy Garcia
Shoulder problems basically destroyed his past two seasons.

Orlando Hudson
The O-Dog’s 2008 season was cut short because of a wrist injury.

Andruw Jones
He really can’t be that bad, can he?

Paul Konerko
Put up his worst numbers since 2003 last season.

Victor Martinez
The Tribe missed his bat and presence last season.

Mark Mulder
Made four starts during the past two seasons.

Jason Schmidt
Just can’t get healthy.

John Smoltz
No one should ever doubt this guy.

Dontrelle Willis
Will this guy ever find it again?

Barry Zito
The Giants are hoping for a little return on their $126 million investment.