2008 Cleveland Indians Thread [Archive]

MTigers006

11-02-2007, 01:33 PM

What changes would you make to the team to guarantee success not only in the regular season,but also the post season. What changes wouldn't you make and why would you make these changes?

Myself I dont think I would change anything, but cut loose a little excess bagage to help resign CC Sabthia. I would also keep Byrd, Lofton, Fultz,and Nixon.

Your Turn

aspTIGER

11-02-2007, 02:41 PM

i would do all i can to lock up carmona as long as possible like we did in the past with thome and the boys. i would only keep lofton and nixon if they are relatively cheap. their leadership is ok, but now our young guys have some experience so it isn't as necessary as this year. i would also look for a solid 2B in order to move cabrerra to SS and get rid of perralta

MTigers006

11-02-2007, 03:04 PM

Get rid of Jhonny? Why?

aspTIGER

11-02-2007, 03:09 PM

his defense is suspect and he hits horrible on the road and adequate at home. azdrubal would be a better SS defensively and i'm willing to take a chance that there is a better 2B defensively and offensively than what perralta brings

TigerDL71

11-02-2007, 05:30 PM

Get rid of Jhonny? Why?

Thats an easy one to answer. Jhonny's arm is horrible. His range is really bad. His bat is suspect at times. He isn't all that fast. Right there you are missing 4 out of the 5 tools. As stated earlier the best thing that could happen to Jhonny is that he vastly improves his arm. Then you can move Cabera to short stop and put Barfield at second and have Jhonny play third. That way you can let Blake be your utility guy.

There are many free agents on the market for the Indians to choose from as well. Curt Schilling has mentioned on his own internet blog that he would play for the Indians if the Sox did not sign him. He would be a huge addition to the pitching staff. You could have him as your ace and your rotation would go righty,lefty,right to start off. He is very experienced and would know how to lead a clubhouse. The Indians have plenty of pitchers and outfielders that they could either trade or do away with to possbile sign some free agents. I think the Indians need a power bat in left field and I have heard that Jason Bay is a possibility for the Indians.

MTigers006

11-02-2007, 10:37 PM

TigerDL71

11-02-2007, 11:11 PM

yeah, DL71, But, I love Travis Hafner and I would like to keep him on board somehow. I would release those who they talked about letting go, keep Lofton.
Other than that I like your ideas. How much do you believe Jhonny would be worth on the market? Enough for CC and Schilling? What do you guys think will become of the Byrd Case?

Hafner is getting old and right now is not worth as much as the club is paying him, you have to remember, Hafner can only DH and thats it. He limits what you can do with the lineup. I wouldn't mind seeing them part ways with him and possbile getting a young power hitting first basemen ( say Carols Pena from the Devil Rays). He is a young power hitting left handed first basemen who could also DH. The Indians have plenty of extra outfielders and SP to do away with that they can go out and get a bigger name or sign a big free agent. IF you sign a Schilling there is no need to keep a Lofton or a Nixon around. I like Kenny and all but we already have a lot of outfielders on the roster . I think that Byrd would have been a deff to stick around next year until the story about the HGH came out. However, you have to remember George Mitchell has a huge interest in the Red Sox organiztion so who knows. I would like for the club to keep him around for one more season.

austinsm11

11-03-2007, 07:11 AM

There are many free agents on the market for the Indians to choose from as well. Curt Schilling has mentioned on his own internet blog that he would play for the Indians if the Sox did not sign him. He would be a huge addition to the pitching staff. You could have him as your ace and your rotation would go righty,lefty,right to start off. He is very experienced and would know how to lead a clubhouse.
While I wouldn't mind Schilling, he has lost a bit. Do you think he is still a #1, ace pitcher? I really don't think he is better than CC at this point.

Al.

11-03-2007, 06:15 PM

While I wouldn't mind Schilling, he has lost a bit. Do you think he is still a #1, ace pitcher? I really don't think he is better than CC at this point.

What about in the ALCS :scratchchin:

austinsm11

11-03-2007, 07:29 PM

What about in the ALCS :scratchchin:

CC has 2 bad games and Schilling has one bad game and one good game.

Over the course of an entire season, would Schilling be dependable? He is getting older and could have injury issues, and has lost some of his "stuff." Schilling's win total has been in the single digits 3 of the last 5 years. CC has more wins over the last 5 years, with less talent around him, than Schilling.

Although I think Schilling in his prime is better than CC in his best years, I'll take CC at this point over Curt.

TigerDL71

11-06-2007, 12:24 PM

The indians have exercised their club options on Paul Byrd, Joe Borowski and Aaron Foultz.

MTigers006

11-08-2007, 06:15 AM

Which means they arent going anywhere correct? Im not familar was to what exactly club options mean. Im so embarassed. Sorry.

longtimefirsttime

11-08-2007, 10:54 AM

They're staying.

MTown

11-08-2007, 11:06 AM

OTC TIGER

11-08-2007, 11:17 AM

I can't believe I'm going to have to defend Jhonny Peralta...but I guess I'll have to. His defense sure isn't great but he was MUCH better in the field than last year...and let's not forget that he was our BEST hitter in the postseason, by a long shot.

Lot's of people want to get rid of him, so let's hear the potential replacements (and if you want to move Cabrera over, who do you get for 2nd base)?

One scenario would be to move Peralta to third, Cabrera to short with Barfield
going back to second...I wouldn't give up on Barfield yet...I don't think he's
a fluke, he had a good rookie season and switched leagues which can be tough on a young player..good hitters will hit..You could then platoon Blake and Delucci in left...the middle defense with Cabrera, Barfield, and Sizemore would be as good as any team in the league...I think Peralta's natural pos. is third.

TigerDL71

11-08-2007, 12:26 PM

One scenario would be to move Peralta to third, Cabrera to short with Barfield
going back to second...I wouldn't give up on Barfield yet...I don't think he's
a fluke, he had a good rookie season and switched leagues which can be tough on a young player..good hitters will hit..You could then platoon Blake and Delucci in left...the middle defense with Cabrera, Barfield, and Sizemore would be as good as any team in the league...I think Peralta's natural pos. is third.

Barfield still needs a year or two in the minors to really fine tune his game and be ready for the big leagues IMO.

As for best post season hitter, that is a very long shot. Mtown what series did you watch? Victor Martinez was hands down the best post season hitter for the tribe. Heck, in the ALCS Peralta wasn't even second best on the team in average. Blake had a better batting average then Johnny, Garko put up better numbers the Peralta.

http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/interleague_and_events.jsp?c_id=mlb&seriesCode=Playoffs&season=L2007&Submit=Submit&club=mlb&search_mode=1&page_number=1&searchtypeid=-1&query_text1=Enter+keyword

Peralta's range is horrible, his arm is weak, and at times he seems in outer space as well and he is not that fast on the bath paths. If you were to move him to third base, he would have to strengthen his arm in the off season. IMO you give Peralta one more year, then you bring up Barfield to second move Cabera to short and go out and get a solid third basemen who can hit with some power.

MTown

11-08-2007, 02:26 PM

TigerDL71

11-08-2007, 03:22 PM

First of all.....the left fielder of the future should be Ben Francisco.

Jhonny is good for about a .280 avg, 20+ homers, and 80+ RBI. Very few shortstops will give you that kind of production....and Cabrera would not. It's already been reported that Shapiro is shopping Barfield...and in fact is trying to get Jason Bay from the Pirates. Would you not take him at third with Peralta at short and Cabrera? I would.

And regarding the postseason, I'm looking at it on the whole, and Jhonny was a better hitter than Sizemore, Cabrera, Hafner, Gutierrez, Lofton, and Blake (look at his situational hitting).

I know all of his shortcomings...and IMO the good outweighs the bad.

What will win you championships? Hitting or good fielding and pitching? I think fielding and good pitching will trimuph. Johnny's poor performance in the field is below par, I would rather see the Indians get another Omar who may not have the power, but makes many things happen in the lineup as well as makes the plays in the field. How can you compare Peralta's performance to Hafner's and Sizemore's when they both had horrid series. Even then Peralta is still huge steps behind Martinez and Garko's performance. Also, what did Peralta do that was so clutch hitting wise?

OTC TIGER

11-08-2007, 05:03 PM

TigerDL71...You make good points...I will say this..Peralta isn't the reason we lost in the post season

OTC TIGER

11-08-2007, 05:43 PM

[QUOTE=MTown;84086]It's already been reported that Shapiro is shopping Barfield...and in fact is trying to get Jason Bay from the Pirates. Would you not take him at third

Doesn't Jason Bay play left...I would take him over anybody we have now in left field

MTown

11-08-2007, 09:50 PM

Jason Bay is a 3rd baseman for the Pirates....and our left fielder has to be Ben Francisco.

DL71...look man, I'm not trying to say he's good defensively, but to say we need to get someone in here who could glove like Omar is nuts. Omar had the best fielding percentage in the history of baseball....it just ain't going to happen. Jhonny drives me nuts too, but if you look at the total production from his position, you gotta take it. The team has more pressing issues right now than at SS.

OTC TIGER

11-09-2007, 12:35 PM

[QUOTE=MTown;84153]Jason Bay is a 3rd baseman for the Pirates....

Ckeck your facts...As I suspected Jason Bay IS the left fielder for the the
Pirates..142 games to be exact..Jose Bautista is the regular 3rd baseman
for the Pirates...Bay had 21 homers for the Pirates I'll take him over Francisco
due to expierience

austinsm11

11-13-2007, 05:24 PM

CC wins the AL Cy Young. Lucky for him voting took place before the postseason.

The Voice

11-13-2007, 05:38 PM

I think that's G R E A T !.. Beckett is a cocky a-hole. :vconst:

tv

Mass6

11-13-2007, 05:39 PM

CC wins the AL Cy Young. Lucky for him voting took place before the postseason.

You got that right. Oh yea and good luck trying to sign him after this year. With this, he will ask for WAYYYYY too much and we'll end up losing him and not getting anything in return. Typical Cleveland luck.

longtimefirsttime

11-13-2007, 11:04 PM

Congrats to C.C. Hopefully Cleveland fans can soon see a championship to go along with the awards and accolades. We've suffered long enough.

OTC TIGER

11-14-2007, 11:00 AM

You got that right. Oh yea and good luck trying to sign him after this year. With this, he will ask for WAYYYYY too much and we'll end up losing him and not getting anything in return. Typical Cleveland luck.

I believe the Indians will anty up and make an offer to C.C. this off season
if it's reasonable he'd be foolish not to except..

TigerDL71

11-14-2007, 12:06 PM

DL71...look man, I'm not trying to say he's good defensively, but to say we need to get someone in here who could glove like Omar is nuts. Omar had the best fielding percentage in the history of baseball....it just ain't going to happen. Jhonny drives me nuts too, but if you look at the total production from his position, you gotta take it. The team has more pressing issues right now than at SS.

I agree with you about the pressing issues and the numbers Peralta puts up offensively ( his numbers are more along the lines of a third basemen , just needs a little better AVG.). Moving Peralta to third would solve a lot of his fielding problems IMO. He doesn't have to worry about his range there as much, as most balls are hit right at you, and you have more time to throw over to first then you do at short stop. I know there is no one out there who probably has as good a glove as Omar, but there are some players out there who are pretty darn close and put up great numbers offensively ( Orlando Cabera for the Angels is one example off the top of my head and Jose Reyes for the Mets).

austinsm11

11-14-2007, 05:24 PM

Wedge was named AL manager of the year. It will be interesting how the team does next year.

obie7661

11-30-2007, 09:23 PM

Indians hire Travis Fryman to manage at Mahoning Valley

http://blog.cleveland.com/sports/2007/11/cleveland_indians_hire_travis.html

OTC TIGER

12-05-2007, 02:55 PM

Talks with the Pirates are heating up about Jason Bay...

obie7661

12-05-2007, 03:08 PM

The Pirates and Indians are discussing a trade that would send Bay and Ronny Paulino to Cleveland in exchange for Franklin Gutierrez, Kelly Shoppach and either Cliff Lee or a minor-league pitching prospect, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Kamd50

12-05-2007, 03:35 PM

Why would the Indians want to get rid of either Franklin Gutierrez or Kelly Shoppach ?:mad:

austinsm11

12-05-2007, 04:35 PM

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071205&content_id=2318410&vkey=hotstove2007&fext=.jsp

It's the trade rumor that won't die, though the actual trade talk has been dead for days.
The Indians spent Wednesday morning at the Winter Meetings squashing an ongoing rumor that they are in talks with the Pirates about acquiring left fielder Jason Bay.

The two sides did discuss a deal involving Bay before arriving to the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, but those conversations never reached the serious stage. A report in Wednesday's Pittsburgh Post Gazette, however, said the two clubs had resumed talks late Tuesday night.... Bay is coming off a down year in which he batted .247 with 21 homers and 84 RBIs while battling knee problems.

TigerDL71

12-05-2007, 05:15 PM

Why would the Indians want to get rid of either Franklin Gutierrez or Kelly Shoppach ?:mad:

I agree with you 100%. Kelly Shoppach is a solid catcher and would start for many other teams. He is great asset to have and gives you a solid backup for Victor. You also don't loose too much behind the plate when Victor moves to first. Franklin is a teetering close to a 5 tool player. He is still very young and is your everyday right fielder.

The way this offseason is going.......I am very scared that the Indians are going to be just like the Cavs. Everyone around the Cavs this offseason acquired people and made somee deals and got better while the Cavs stayed the same. So far I have seen that with the Indians. I hope that the Indians do make a trade and either get a solid everyday left fielder or solid everyday third basemen. Only time will tell.

TigerDL71

12-08-2007, 09:30 AM

The Indians have traded for utility man Jamey Carroll from the Colorado Rockies. For a player to be named later.

http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071207&content_id=2320880&vkey=news_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle

Tiger2001

12-16-2007, 08:51 PM

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AreherKw31nIVYm_O4DEpkARvLYF?slug=jp-haren121407&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Tiger2001

07-01-2008, 10:59 PM

Joe Blow just did what he does best. Blows a save.

They just said the Indians as a team have brown 14 of 27 saves.

Indians just lose again. 3-2 in the 10th. Way to go Joe.

reofan82

07-01-2008, 11:44 PM

As much as I hate to admit it, the season is over for the Indians. I was hoping they could make up some ground in the next week and a half, but they are lost as a team. The wheels are off the wagon!

Kamd50

07-02-2008, 01:05 AM

As much as I hate to admit it, the season is over for the Indians. I was hoping they could make up some ground in the next week and a half, but they are lost as a team. The wheels are off the wagon!

I hate to admit it, but short of a miracle, I have to agree with you.
What an unbelievably disappointing season this has turned out to be so far. Who would have ever thought it could be this bad this far into the season?
I wish someone could come up with some kind of bonified explanation as to what has gone so terribly wrong.:down:

DAWGH8R

07-02-2008, 01:31 AM

Time for a FIRE sale !!!! Get rid of all the guys that are dead weight or unsignable, like CC.

TigerDL71

07-02-2008, 06:29 AM

Time for a FIRE sale !!!! Get rid of all the guys that are dead weight or unsignable, like CC.

It is time for Peralta to go. His OBP and stick are horrible and his defense is even worse.

TigerCoach

07-02-2008, 07:02 AM

I hate to admit it, but short of a miracle, I have to agree with you.
What an unbelievably disappointing season this has turned out to be so far. Who would have ever thought it could be this bad this far into the season?
I wish someone could come up with some kind of bonified explanation as to what has gone so terribly wrong.:down:

Injuries......................Hafner, Martinez, Westbrook, Carmona. No further explanations needed.

dataintsmiff

07-05-2008, 01:32 PM

Disappointing to say the least!

obie7661

09-02-2008, 01:38 AM

Lee is the best we've seen in years

http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/blog/index.ssf/2008/09/lee_is_the_best_weve_seen_in_y.html

http://blog.cleveland.com/plutoblog_impact/2008/09/large_Lee

Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer -- Indians pitcher Cliff Lee heads into the dugout Monday at Progressive Field after winning his 20th game of the season.

CarlE

09-02-2008, 06:04 AM

He sure stymied us down here. He IS impressive believe me.

obie7661

09-12-2008, 06:27 AM

By any measure, Lee's sensational season is a marvel to be cherished as season winds down.

http://www.cleveland.com/sports/index.ssf/2008/09/by_any_measure_lees_sensationa.html

CarlE

09-12-2008, 06:47 AM

By any measure, Lee's sensational season is a marvel to be cherished as season winds down.

http://www.cleveland.com/sports/index.ssf/2008/09/by_any_measure_lees_sensationa.html

He's all the Indians had to cheer about this year that's for sure.

obie7661

09-17-2008, 12:58 AM

Victor-y: Martinez's 3-run homer in 11th rocks fading Twins, 12-9

http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2008/09/victory_martinezs_3run_homer_i.html

http://blog.cleveland.com/tribe_impact/2008/09/large_martinezarrivalcc.jpg

Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer -- An enthusiastic welcoming committee waits for Victor Martinez (far left) to arrive at home plate after Martinez ended Tuesday night's 11-inning slugfest with Minnesota with a game-winning 3-run homer.

Kamd50

09-17-2008, 09:51 AM

That is a GREAT pic, isn't it?!:love: Love that new young pitcher too, Lewis. He makes Grady look like an old man:wink: Did I hear them say on tv that he is from Kent?

obie7661

09-18-2008, 11:50 PM

Lee gave Tribe fans 22 reasons for adulation

http://blog.cleveland.com/sports/2008/09/lee_gave_tribe_fans_22_reasons.html

http://blog.cleveland.com/plutoblog_impact/2008/09/medium_dugoutleecc.jpg

Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer -- For the first time in his last 12 starts, Cliff Lee did not get a decision Wednesday night against the Twins. But the Indians won anyway, as they have done 24 times when Lee has pitched in 2008.

obie7661

09-19-2008, 02:17 PM

Cleveland Indians announce new ticket pricing plan for 2009 season

http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2008/09/cleveland_indians_announce_new.html

obie7661

09-19-2008, 02:20 PM

Indians sign four-year deal with Columbus to be their Class AAA team

http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2008/09/indians_sign_fouryear_deal_wit.html

obie7661

09-20-2008, 08:07 PM

Detroit's Sheffield still angry at Indians after brawl

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/wires/09/20/2010.ap.bba.tigers.sheffield.0597/

Tiger2001

09-20-2008, 11:18 PM

Sheffield is a ***

I wish I would have seen this.

Tiger2001

09-20-2008, 11:29 PM

Detroit's Sheffield still angry at Indians after brawl

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/wires/09/20/2010.ap.bba.tigers.sheffield.0597/

Found it! http://ballhype.com/video/sheffield_carmona_brawl_in_tigers_indians_game/

Haha!!!

obie7661

09-21-2008, 09:27 PM

In the autumn of a lost season, plenty of cheers and questions remain for the 2009 Indians

http://www.cleveland.com/budshaw/index.ssf/2008/09/in_the_autumn_of_a_lost_season.html

http://blog.cleveland.com/shaw_impact/2008/09/large_garkofanscc.jpg

Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer -- Ryan Garko signs autographs and thanks fans who stayed after Sunday's Indians home finale against Detroit. Garko's five RBI fueled a 10-5 romp over the Tigers.

obie7661

09-23-2008, 11:36 AM

Suspensions handed to 3 Indians, 1 Tiger

http://www.ohio.com/sports/29523954.html

MUCSteelers5xSuperChamp

09-23-2008, 02:56 PM

Cleveland's troubles this year began after losing game 7 of the ALCS to a Boston team that a bigger heart and a tougher team.

I heard about that Indians-Tigers fight. Gary Antonian Sheffield is not going to take anyone's crap and he doesn't feel the need to.

obie7661

09-23-2008, 03:03 PM

Tiger77

09-23-2008, 03:19 PM

:iagree: Crap!

MUCSteelers5xSuperChamp

09-23-2008, 03:22 PM

TigerDL71

09-23-2008, 04:15 PM

obie7661 and Tiger77,

Why don't you both just peeve him off one time, I dare you both. And see if he doesn't take a stand on it. He doesn't have to deal with Cleveland's shot, hopeless, incinerated, trash.

Did you actually watch the fight? Sheffield got beaned in the arm with an arm guard on and he cried the whole way down to first. Then he proceeded to start the fight, Fausto wasn't going to do anything until Sheffield came after him.

obie7661

10-20-2008, 02:58 PM

Indians Cliff Lee collects two more postseason awards

http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2008/10/indians_cliff_lee_collects_two.html

http://blog.cleveland.com/tribe_impact/2008/10/medium_lee_crow.jpg

Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer
Cliff Lee won 22 games for the Indians and was named Comeback Player of the Year.