Opinion: Six moves that reshaped Cleveland baseball in 2013 (1.29.13)

The Cleveland Indians finished with the second-worst record in the American League last year, leading to the firing of manager Manny Acta and a general sense of indifference from fans heading into the offseason. The team was bad, and more importantly, it was hard to see things getting better any time soon.

Yet, almost four months later, there is optimism in Cleveland for the 2013 season. This offseason, general manager Chris Antonetti made six key moves that reshaped the team and fired up the fanbase. Read More…

From Daily Kent Stater, January 29, 2013

 

IBI Digest: 1/20/13-1/26/13 (1.26.13)

The Top 60 prospect countdown continued over the past week, with Tony has been releasing one report per day. The detail in the reports is tremendous and well-worth the read. If you want to know about all about Cleveland minor leaguers, this is where to go.

Here are all of the pieces that went up on IBI over the past week: Read More…

From Indians Baseball Insider, January 26, 2013

 

Around The Farm: January 24, 2013 (1.25.13)

Around the Farm (ATF) takes a quick look at some of yesterday’s performances by Cleveland prospects throughout the system. This is a special fall and winter ball version of ATF that recaps all the offseason action by Indians players in the Arizona Fall League (AFL) and the Caribbean Leagues. The positions listed below are where the player was playing in yesterday’s game.

Note that the Puerto Rican Winter League and Dominican Winter League were off last night. Here is the rundown of what Cleveland players in fall and winter ball did yesterday:

Venezuelan Winter League

• Ezequiel Carrera (LF): 1-for-3. Carrera’s team dropped their playoff game last night, as Navegantes del Magallanes could not get a run across all game. A 1-for-3 night from Carrera is not bad, but it is symptomatic of the lack of power in his game (.084 ISO). Speed is Carrera’s calling card, but being that deficient of pop in the Venezuelan League is still worrisome. Read More…

From Indians Baseball Insider, January 25, 2013

 

IBI Digest: 1/13/12-1/19/13 (1.19.13)

Most of the winter leagues are starting to wrap up, and IBI was there all week tracking Cleveland prospects around the globe. IBI was also following the late-winter movements of the big league club and kicked off the much-anticipated top 60 prospect countdown.

Here are all of the pieces that went up on IBI over the past week: Read More…

From Indians Baseball Insider, January 19, 2013

 

Around The Farm: January 17, 2013 (1.18.13)

Around the Farm (ATF) takes a quick look at some of yesterday’s performances by Cleveland prospects throughout the system. This is a special fall and winter ball version of ATF that recaps all the offseason action by Indians players in the Arizona Fall League (AFL) and the Caribbean Leagues. The positions listed below are where the player was playing in yesterday’s game.

Note the Dominican Winter League and Puerto Rican Winter League did not play last night. Here is the rundown of what Cleveland players in fall and winter ball did yesterday:

Venezuelan Winter League

• Ezequiel Carrera (LF): 1-for-4, 1 SB. It was a largely uneventful night for Carrera, as he reached base once on a single and stole a base. The lack of power continues to be far from ideal (.092 ISO in winter ball), but that is simply who Carrera is; it would be foolish to get too worked up over it. He should still be a serviceable fourth outfielder in 2013. Read More…

From Indians Baseball Insider, January 18, 2013

 

IBI Digest: 1/5/12-1/12/13 (1.12.13)

Not much goes on in the baseball world in mid-January, as things have slowed to a crawl. However, we here at IBI are still tracking all the Cleveland action in the winter leagues, as well as beginning to prep you for the 2013 season.

Here are all of the pieces that went up on IBI over the past week: Read More…

From Indians Baseball Insider, January 12, 2013

 

Around The Farm: January 10, 2013 (1.11.13)

Around the Farm (ATF) takes a quick look at some of yesterday’s performances by Cleveland prospects throughout the system. This is a special fall and winter ball version of ATF that recaps all the offseason action by Indians players in the Arizona Fall League (AFL) and the Caribbean Leagues. The positions listed below are where the player was playing in yesterday’s game. 

Note that the Puerto Rican Winter League was off last night. Here is the rundown of what Cleveland players in fall and winter ball did yesterday:

Dominican Winter League

• Edward Paredes (RP): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO. Paredes came into the game in the 5th inning with two-on and two-out in the 5th inning and proceeded to strike Jordany Valdespin out swinging. Not a bad night for Paredes. Read More…

From Indians Baseball Insider, January 11, 2013

 

Why inducting no one was the Worst Option Available (1.10.13)

The Hall of Fame balloting this year was a joke. And I really do not think I am being extreme by saying that.

As I am sure you know by now, the BBWAA did not elect anyone to the Hall of Fame this year. With the steroid issue still hanging over baseball, the writers were unable to find enough common ground to let anyone into Cooperstown this summer.

I am perfectly fine if someone thinks that known steroid users should not be allowed into Cooperstown. That is your opinion and you are entitled to it. I think that what happened in baseball happened and you cannot revise history to cut out certain unseemly facts, but both are valid viewpoints.

I am less fine if someone wants to keep players out of the Hall of Fame because “I saw his bacne in the locker room” or “his teammate used and he had big muscles.” The burden of proof is on the accuser to prove such a claim, not the accused to fend off wild accusations being thrown his way. Read More…

From Indians Baseball Insider, January 10, 2013

 

IBI Digest: 12/29/12-1/5/13 (1.5.13)

First, a big Happy New Year to all IBI readers! I hope you sent out the old year in style and are sticking strong to your New Year’s resolutions.

Things were not quiet here at IBI over the holiday, as Brett Myers agreed to come to Cleveland and the winter ball season kept rolling along. As always, IBI had you covered on every move out of Cleveland, keeping you up-to-date on everything you need to know.

Here are all of the pieces that went up on IBI over the past week: Read More…

From Indians Baseball Insider, January 5, 2013

 

Around The Farm: January 3, 2013 (1.4.13)

Around the Farm (ATF) takes a quick look at some of yesterday’s performances by Indians prospects throughout the system. This is a special fall and winter ball version of ATF that recaps all the offseason action by Indians players in the Arizona Fall League (AFL) and the Caribbean Leagues. The positions listed below are where the player was playing in yesterday’s game.

Here is the rundown of what Cleveland players in fall and winter ball did yesterday:

Dominican Winter League

• Jose Ramirez (SS): 1-for-4, 1 BB. Ramirez went to the plate five times Thursday night and, in classic Ramirez form, reached base twice. He remains one of the hottest hitters in the organization and will be a thrill to watch in 2013. Read More…

From Indians Baseball Insider, January 4, 2013