Here’s the latest from both Buckeye State teams…
- Reds right-hander Michael Lorenzen suffered a Grade 1 strain of the teres muscle near his throwing shoulder, and will be kept from throwing “for several days,” manager Bryan Price told media (including the Cincinnati Enquirer’s John Fay). Lorenzen’s injury isn’t as severe as the similar issue that kept Brandon Finnegan out of action for half of the 2017 season, though it does seem unlikely that Lorenzen would be ready to go by Opening Day. The 26-year-old was attempting to win a spot in Cincy’s rotation but struggled to an 8.38 ERA over 9 2/3 Spring Training innings. Between those poor results and now this injury, Lorenzen is sure to resume his old role as a late-inning weapon out of the Reds bullpen.
- The Indians don’t have much payroll on the books beyond the 2019 season, but president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti tells MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand not to expect the team to make any splashy signings next winter. “That’s not the reality of our team-building,” Antonetti said. “We are one of the smallest markets in professional baseball….We’ve had incredible support from our ownership in which we’ve spent well beyond our revenues as we’ve gone through this competitive period. But we can’t build teams through free agency. Our success model is we need to draft and acquire players that are younger and help provide the right environment for them to grow and develop because that’s going to be the nucleus of our team. We’ll use free agency to complement that group, but not to build that group.” The Tribe is poised to exceed the $100MM payroll mark for the third straight season (all record highs for the organization) in pursuit of a World Series, with the Edwin Encarnacion signing standing out as an uncharacteristic move for the smaller-market team. Any future spending isn’t likely to reach nearly the heights of 2016-18, however, and it could be more internally-focused, such as trying to sign in-house players (i.e. Francisco Lindor) to extensions.
- After releasing Melvin Upton Jr. yesterday, the Indians could potentially re-sign the outfielder to another minor league deal if he can’t find a contract elsewhere, MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez writes. Manager Terry Francona said that the team chose to let Upton know prior to his opt-out date that the veteran wouldn’t be making the team, so Upton could have extra time to explore his options. Cleveland already has several outfielders ahead of Upton on both the MLB and minor league depth charts, though there are enough question marks at the position that Upton could provide some extra experience at Triple-A.
- In another piece from John Fay, Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco said that he is finally feeling healthy after three injury-ravaged seasons. “I feel great. I don’t have to worry about health. I work on my swing, work on my catching, play ball,” Mesoraco said. After breaking out with a huge 2014 that earned him a four-year, $28MM extension after that season, Mesoraco has since played in just 95 total games due to hip, shoulder, and foot injuries. The lack of durability cost Mesoraco the starting job as the Reds catcher, but he is prepared to contribute anyway he can as Tucker Barnhart’s backup.
People forget they went for the throat with Miller and Cashman still hasn’t reaped the rewards haha… Still tho the tribe
HAS BALLS LOL
Huh? You need help when it comes to expressing your views via the written word. But, from what I think you’re getting at, I doubt Cashman is kept up at nights regretting that trade. Frazier and Sheffield are both fine prospects in a system that is loaded. If he had to do it again he might not, but not because of the return, rather because Miller could have made a contribution last year. Plus, the Yanks ended Cleveland’s and Millers season last year, so who cares who won the trade when we all know who won the games?
This guys English is as worse as his trolling stupidity.
*is as bad* my bad on English
A for effort
Saying the Indians payroll won’t reach the same amount as it has been doesn’t make sense. The core of the team will change the next couple of years with the young guys hitting larger paydays and a solid group of guys in the upper minors that will take their place as the low cost pieces that surround the stars. The indians window of contention should stay open through 2020 when Carrasco, Bauer and Salazar all become free agents and potentially 2022-23 depending on players they could lock up leaving like Lindor and Ramirez. If there is a good chance at winning and with salaries league wide going up due to inflation the payroll should only increase.
BJ upton is never a “good experienced option” even if stored in the minors. The guy sucks
Is that why they call him BJ?
Boom
Upton has always been rather overrated. He was always an all-tools, lack luster line kind of guy. Yea, he may go 20-20 but he’ll do so while posting a .730 OPS
Just realized Broxton is his twin lol
At least Broxton is a good fielder
Has everyone forgotten about Tyler Naquin? I don’t understand why every time talk about the Tribe’s outfield, his name is never mentioned. They even considered plugging Kipnis in the outfield in 2018 when they have an above avg bat and glove in Naquin.
I think you answered your own question. Naquin profiles as a 4th OF
I’m still a big Naquin fan, but am glad we have Zimmer in CF now. I can see Tyler moving to RF after they finally cut loose the always injured, underperforming, lacking-power Chisenhall.
Underperforming Chisenhall? He performed great last year, while healthy.
Naquin isn’t that great. The year he performed really well was a babip fueled year
When Melvin Upton signs a minor-league deal, riding on buses for less-than-minimum wage pay, I truly hope all those folks who claimed he was “lazy” will reconsider that unfounded opinion. Upton could easily just walk away from the game. He hasn’t. A genuinely lazy person would walk away.
Naquin should probably be given a chance to show 2016 wasn’t a fluke, however statistically speaking, he had a .411 BABip. Under a normalized projection, I have him at .223/.289/.440 (.729 OPS) with 7 home runs, 6 stolen bases and a 9% walk rate over a 202 PA sample size. That certainly looks a bit more like a 4th outfielder.
I hope this ends the ‘Lorenzen as a starter’ debate. He belongs in the bullpen where his innings can be monitored. If his innings are kept down he’ll be a fine setup man. I hope this injury is as minor as it sounds.
Pete is that you?
Granted there’s a lot of assumptions and speculation built into this theory, but if middle tier free agents continue to get squeezed out during free agency during this current CBA then I’d assume the Indians would be one team absolutely primed to jump on reduced rates for quality but not star players to supplement their core. Ownership clearly values trying to put a winning product on the field and they still have an established core for a few more years.
Imagine that.. a reliever hurting his arm while attempting to get stretched out and become a starting pitcher. I love Lorenzen in the BP and always have his bat to PH if needed. Good to hear Mez is feeling healthy. I hope he has a great year along with Tucker.