Email a copy of 'Central Notes: Indians, Meyer, Rosenthal, Rivera' to a friend
Loading ...
By Jeff Todd | at
Email a copy of 'Central Notes: Indians, Meyer, Rosenthal, Rivera' to a friend
MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com
hide arrows scroll to top
Samuel
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.
sportscoach
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.
Samuel
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.
norcalguardiansfan
I think you should root for the Tigers.
Lanidrac
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.
triberulz
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.
Ray Ray
Isn’t that saying made famous by the Cubs and not the Indians?
joekelly is my hero
nope Brooklyn Dodgers were the ones credited with that first
cardfan2011
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?
playhard9
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.
spudchukar
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.
Ray Ray
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.