The Indians have little time to evaluate Marlon Byrd and make final roster decisions, as Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal writes. Manager Terry Francona acknowledged the dilemma of making a call after a brief look at the late-to-sign veteran. “It’s not like we need to see him hit a home run,” said Francona. “This is going to be a hard one. I think we’re balancing not trying to do too much, too quick. … Because it’s going to be hard unless something jumps out one way or another.” As Lewis notes, the organization does have some flexibility since it can retain some of the competitors for outfield jobs — including Joey Butler, Collin Cowgill, and Tyler Naquin — via options. Will Venable is also in the hunt for a role, per the report, while Robbie Grossman and Shane Robinson appear to be “outside contenders” at this point.
Here’s more from the central divisions:
- Twins righty Alex Meyer will return to the rotation to open the 2016 season, MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger reports. The former top-50 leaguewide prospect shifted to the pen last year after a disastrous beginning to the season, with up-and-down results. Meyer has a long way to go to restore his prospect sheen, but it seems he’ll at least have a chance to harness his big arm as a starter.
- Trevor Rosenthal of the Cardinals, meanwhile, has established himself as one of the game’s best relievers, but still hopes to have a chance to return at some point to the rotation, Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes. Rosenthal mostly pitched as a starter in the brief time he spent in the minors, but has operated exclusively in relief at the major league level. Though he didn’t take issue with his 9th-inning role, Rosenthal said he “would definitely like to have [a starting] opportunity,” preferably “sooner rather than later.” Of course, his role is highly unlikely to change this spring or over the season to come, and it remains to be seen whether the organization will be willing to tinker next spring. Rosenthal’s work as a closer has already earned him a $5.6MM payday in his first of three years of arbitration.
- Infielder Yadiel Rivera has impressed the Brewers this spring, but finds himself in a tough spot in the organization’s hierarchy, as Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports. The 23-year-old is behind Jonathan Villar in the pecking order at the major league level, with the heralded Orlando Arcia rising quickly as well. But there’s little question that a rebuilding Milwaukee organization will find some way to give Rivera a chance if his added strength and confidence show up in the results; indeed, none of the club’s likely starting infielders appear to have a stranglehold on their jobs heading into the season.
Since Shapiro and Antonetti took over baseball operations for the Indians in 2002, their plan has been to hope some guys pan out. A handful do. The rest of the plan is – “throw a bunch of stuff up against the wall and see what sticks”. Meanwhile they keep telling the fans that everything will all when a few guys to come up from the minors. For 14 years now.
What is happening this year with 1B, 3B, CF, RF and the bullpen (minus the closer) is normal. As is them telling the media that they will be a contender each year. They used to tell that to the local fans, but it got old years ago so what used to be Indian fans just turn them out (this year their concentration is on Lebron and the Cavs in the playoffs). Consequently the Indians schmooze the national media. As a friend of mine says, those analysts that played or managed/coached in the major leagues pretty much ignore the team the same way the fans do.
The Indians should have a very solid starting rotation. They will be in the top 5 in team ERA if everyone stays healthy. That being said, their division is solid and I am still trying to figure out if their offense can be productive or not. With their best hitter likely starting the season on the DL, their projected CF getting an 80 game suspension and most of their outfield candidates not proving much (outside of Naquin) this may end up a team that cannot score many runs.
Not only can’t they score many runs, but they have no idea how to manufacture runs. Very few of their players are athletic. They play low-risk moneyball, so runners don’t steal or bunt, they don’t make enough contact to try to hit and run, and seldom try to take the extra base. They might be the easiest team in MLB for an opposing manager to manage against (allowing the opposing defense to settle back and just concern themselves with making average plays as they put no pressure on the opposing defense). Brantley came up from the minors with speed and a bunch of stolen bases, they stopped him from running. Lindor came up and bunted, Rosenthal’s article says Francona was “not happy” but he let him – they always give high draft choices special treatment. This is a team that for 14 years has had guys playing to build up favored statistics at the direction of the micro-managing front office. Unfortunately, they have no idea what it takes to win……but they always project well in the February PERCODA rankings.
And one other thing – they are one of the most boring teams to watch in MLB with their forever working counts, changing pitchers, and endless meetings on the field. Even when they win, half the time the fans leave feeling like something is missing, which is one of a dozen reasons why their attendance is in the bottom 3 almost every year.
P.S. Their projected CF is a 4th OF. So is the young guy they’re playing there, although he is not good enough to play there, he is a LF……as all their other OF’s are.
They are the quintessential statistical team run amok. I’ll get off of this.
I think you should root for the Tigers.
With the Cardinals absolutely loaded in talented starting pitchers in both their current starting rotation and among their top prospects, I don’t see Rosenthal getting that chance anytime soon. If he’s serious about that, he may have to wait until he’s eligible for free agency three years from now.
The famous Indians quote is “wait til next year”. Very true, I’ve watched the team this spring & yes Napoli, Santana, Jose Ramirez, Naquin have hit. However, Naquin is a rookie & the track records on the 3 major leaguers suggest the statistics will not carry into the season. The players on the bubble mentioned in this article are all bums. Yes “wait til next year” when Frazier & Zimmer will arive as “rookies” to save the offense. Until the Dolans sell it will not change, it’s not the front offices fault. The only offseason the Dolans said it was ok to “spend” the free agent class sucked. Since the failed signings with Bourn & Swisher the Indians won’t take “risks” until the Dolans sell the team. Then when new ownership expands payroll to 125-140 mil. is when the Indians can sign free agent hitters to be a World Series contender.
Isn’t that saying made famous by the Cubs and not the Indians?
nope Brooklyn Dodgers were the ones credited with that first
I think Rosenthal’s better suited as a reliever, he still doesn’t have great control of his pitches. He could get the K’s, but I’d be worried about his walk rate. Either way, he’s been a dominant reliever, so why fix what”s not broke?
Would love to see Rosenthal get a shot at starting. I don’t see how with the starting depth on the cardinals staff right now. Maybe if Oh steps up and does well here this year, he could close next year instead of set up. Then Rosie could slide into the rotation.
With the plethora of young arms at or near ready in the minors, it is hard to see how he will be afforded the opportunity.
The Indians should definitely retain Marlon Byrd. Admittedly, I don’t watch many Indians games, but I did see 2 ST games this year and he mashed in both of them. Of course you don’t want to overreact to ST accomplishments, but he mashed last year in Cincy (after a very bad April) as well. Keep him and if it doesn’t work out, you can always bring up a younger guy in June. If it does work out, the young guy will get experience in AAA and be better to take over next year.