Baseball Guru
01-23-2005, 09:24 AM
http://www.fanball.com/bb/article.cfm/ID.3373
By Ted Carlson, Senior Editor
January 19, 2005 5:00 PM ET
Spring Training Home: Chain of Lakes Park – Winter Haven, Florida
First Grapefruit League Game: March 3 vs. Astros
The Indians and their fans have every right to be excited. The franchise underwent a painful rebuilding process over the past few seasons, ridding themselves of older talent like Roberto Alomar, Jim Thome, Kenny Lofton, and Travis Fryman and working through the tricky and tedious development of younger players. Following an 80-82 season, manager Eric Wedge's club seems poised to contend for the AL Central title thanks to their promising starting rotation, veteran bullpen, and solid group of hitters that includes Victor Martinez, Travis Hafner, Casey Blake, and others. But that doesn't mean the Indians aren't without their issues. A number of players carry injury concerns and a key position battle at shortstop remains as the club heads into spring training.
Notable offseason transactions
The Indians top priority was to add a proven starter to the top of their rotation, and that mission was accomplished when they signed Kevin Millwood to a one-year, $7 million deal in early January. He carries some question marks about the strength of his elbow, but he also owns a reputation as a winner and an innings-eater.
Roughly one month earlier, the team created some space in their jammed outfield by dealing Matt Lawton to the Pirates in exchange for lefty reliever Arthur Rhodes. The Indians also added some infield depth by signing second baseman/shortstop Alex Cora and third baseman/second baseman/shortstop Jose Hernandez. Lastly, they inked outfielder and former two-time AL MVP Juan Gonzalez to a minor league contract.
Along with waving goodbye to Lawton, the Indians opted not to pick up their option on shortstop Omar Vizquel, ending an 11-year relationship. The 42-time Gold Glove winner signed with the Giants. Infielders Lou Merloni and John McDonald, catcher Tim Laker, and reliever Rick White are also gone.
What to watch
The Cleveland media is already asking a ton of questions about Millwood's elbow, and we won't get any solid answers until spring training. He basically missed the last two months of the 2004 campaign due to ligament and tendon damage in the joint, but he did not need surgery. He hasn't had any issues this offseason, but according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, he's also avoided throwing off of a mound and won't do so until pitchers and catchers report in mid-February.
Remember Aaron Boone? The Indians are counting on him holding down the third base job this season, and Blake is moving to right field. Boone tore the ACL in his left knee in January 2004, underwent surgery, rehabbed, and then underwent a second operation in August to remove loose cartilage. He is expected to be ready for spring training, but obviously we're eager to see him in action. We'll also be keeping a close eye on Blake as he transitions from the infield to the outfield.
Indian fans are cautiously excited about the Gonzalez signing. The slugger owns an incentive-laden contract that makes him a low-risk option for the Indians, but obviously management would love to see him show some of his old skills at the plate. A variety of injuries (most recently his back) have limited Juan to only 33, 82, and 70 games in the last three seasons, and he might want to think about pledging his strength to Jobu at this point.
Hafner is coming off of a huge season (.311, 28 homers, 109 RBI, 96 runs), but he also underwent surgery in October to have bone chips and loose bodies removed from his right elbow. He's reportedly good to go for spring training, but we'll be checking in just to make sure.
Starting pitcher C.C. Sabathia had a rough 2004 season, both on and off the field. He had to deal with the deaths of his father in December and his uncle and cousin over the summer, and he struggled after the All-Star break, posting a 5.12 ERA over his last 13 starts. However, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the big lefty is ready both physically and emotionally to have an awesome 2005 season. Sabathia is excited about the year and is in the best shape of his pro career. We're eager to see the (svelte?) 24-year-old take the mound this spring, as he's got the skills to be a very good fantasy pitcher.
Following Tommy John surgery that caused him to miss the entire 2003 season, Bob Wickman returned to action last July and reestablished himself as the closer. He'll hold that role again this season, but we have some concerns about his stuff. Wickman turns 36 in February, and he's much more Eddie Harris than Rick Vaughn at this point. Bob wasn't exactly dominant last season, posting a 4.25 ERA and 1.45 WHIP. A strong spring would make us feel a lot better about his fantasy value and his hold on the closer's job.
Position battles
With Vizquel gone, the Indians have an open spot at shortstop, and fans should have a fun time watching Jhonny Peralta and Brandon Phillips battle. The 22-year-old Peralta and the 23-year-old Phillips have both proven themselves at the Triple-A level but struggled in the majors. Peralta is scheduled to get the first shot at holding down the job, but it's really a wide-open competition. The Indians signed Hernandez and Cora in case of an emergency, but they'd rather keep those two veterans as backups.
If, in a stroke of luck, Gonzalez does succeed and earn a starting job, the Indians will have a big decision to make. As it currently stands, the lineup includes Blake in right, Hafner at DH, Grady Sizemore in center, Coco Crisp in left, and Ben Broussard at first. Gonzalez would likely play either left field or designated hitter. In the first scenario, Crisp would shift to center and kick Sizemore down to Triple-A. In the second, Hafner would move to first and push Broussard to the bench.
The outfield questions don't fully end there. Ryan Ludwick is slated to be a backup at both corner outfield spots, but a strong spring could cause manager Eric Wedge to reconsider his role. Luckily, we have at least half of the season before we have to worry about how Jody Gerut's return will mess up the outfield mix.
By Ted Carlson, Senior Editor
January 19, 2005 5:00 PM ET
Spring Training Home: Chain of Lakes Park – Winter Haven, Florida
First Grapefruit League Game: March 3 vs. Astros
The Indians and their fans have every right to be excited. The franchise underwent a painful rebuilding process over the past few seasons, ridding themselves of older talent like Roberto Alomar, Jim Thome, Kenny Lofton, and Travis Fryman and working through the tricky and tedious development of younger players. Following an 80-82 season, manager Eric Wedge's club seems poised to contend for the AL Central title thanks to their promising starting rotation, veteran bullpen, and solid group of hitters that includes Victor Martinez, Travis Hafner, Casey Blake, and others. But that doesn't mean the Indians aren't without their issues. A number of players carry injury concerns and a key position battle at shortstop remains as the club heads into spring training.
Notable offseason transactions
The Indians top priority was to add a proven starter to the top of their rotation, and that mission was accomplished when they signed Kevin Millwood to a one-year, $7 million deal in early January. He carries some question marks about the strength of his elbow, but he also owns a reputation as a winner and an innings-eater.
Roughly one month earlier, the team created some space in their jammed outfield by dealing Matt Lawton to the Pirates in exchange for lefty reliever Arthur Rhodes. The Indians also added some infield depth by signing second baseman/shortstop Alex Cora and third baseman/second baseman/shortstop Jose Hernandez. Lastly, they inked outfielder and former two-time AL MVP Juan Gonzalez to a minor league contract.
Along with waving goodbye to Lawton, the Indians opted not to pick up their option on shortstop Omar Vizquel, ending an 11-year relationship. The 42-time Gold Glove winner signed with the Giants. Infielders Lou Merloni and John McDonald, catcher Tim Laker, and reliever Rick White are also gone.
What to watch
The Cleveland media is already asking a ton of questions about Millwood's elbow, and we won't get any solid answers until spring training. He basically missed the last two months of the 2004 campaign due to ligament and tendon damage in the joint, but he did not need surgery. He hasn't had any issues this offseason, but according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, he's also avoided throwing off of a mound and won't do so until pitchers and catchers report in mid-February.
Remember Aaron Boone? The Indians are counting on him holding down the third base job this season, and Blake is moving to right field. Boone tore the ACL in his left knee in January 2004, underwent surgery, rehabbed, and then underwent a second operation in August to remove loose cartilage. He is expected to be ready for spring training, but obviously we're eager to see him in action. We'll also be keeping a close eye on Blake as he transitions from the infield to the outfield.
Indian fans are cautiously excited about the Gonzalez signing. The slugger owns an incentive-laden contract that makes him a low-risk option for the Indians, but obviously management would love to see him show some of his old skills at the plate. A variety of injuries (most recently his back) have limited Juan to only 33, 82, and 70 games in the last three seasons, and he might want to think about pledging his strength to Jobu at this point.
Hafner is coming off of a huge season (.311, 28 homers, 109 RBI, 96 runs), but he also underwent surgery in October to have bone chips and loose bodies removed from his right elbow. He's reportedly good to go for spring training, but we'll be checking in just to make sure.
Starting pitcher C.C. Sabathia had a rough 2004 season, both on and off the field. He had to deal with the deaths of his father in December and his uncle and cousin over the summer, and he struggled after the All-Star break, posting a 5.12 ERA over his last 13 starts. However, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the big lefty is ready both physically and emotionally to have an awesome 2005 season. Sabathia is excited about the year and is in the best shape of his pro career. We're eager to see the (svelte?) 24-year-old take the mound this spring, as he's got the skills to be a very good fantasy pitcher.
Following Tommy John surgery that caused him to miss the entire 2003 season, Bob Wickman returned to action last July and reestablished himself as the closer. He'll hold that role again this season, but we have some concerns about his stuff. Wickman turns 36 in February, and he's much more Eddie Harris than Rick Vaughn at this point. Bob wasn't exactly dominant last season, posting a 4.25 ERA and 1.45 WHIP. A strong spring would make us feel a lot better about his fantasy value and his hold on the closer's job.
Position battles
With Vizquel gone, the Indians have an open spot at shortstop, and fans should have a fun time watching Jhonny Peralta and Brandon Phillips battle. The 22-year-old Peralta and the 23-year-old Phillips have both proven themselves at the Triple-A level but struggled in the majors. Peralta is scheduled to get the first shot at holding down the job, but it's really a wide-open competition. The Indians signed Hernandez and Cora in case of an emergency, but they'd rather keep those two veterans as backups.
If, in a stroke of luck, Gonzalez does succeed and earn a starting job, the Indians will have a big decision to make. As it currently stands, the lineup includes Blake in right, Hafner at DH, Grady Sizemore in center, Coco Crisp in left, and Ben Broussard at first. Gonzalez would likely play either left field or designated hitter. In the first scenario, Crisp would shift to center and kick Sizemore down to Triple-A. In the second, Hafner would move to first and push Broussard to the bench.
The outfield questions don't fully end there. Ryan Ludwick is slated to be a backup at both corner outfield spots, but a strong spring could cause manager Eric Wedge to reconsider his role. Luckily, we have at least half of the season before we have to worry about how Jody Gerut's return will mess up the outfield mix.