Yardbarker: Kirk Saarloos

Minor Issues: Kipnis Signs, Smith Replaces Pestano on EL AS Team

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 08:14:00 -0500

WHAT'S THE NEWS

Since we last talked earlier this week, more retreads have been purged. Sort of.

Both Jack Cassel and Kirk Saarloos were placed on the disabled list earlier this week.

Vinnie Chulk is on the DL as well. Room needed to be made for Rafael Perez, Jeremy Sowers, and Hector Rondon and with Wyatt Toregas going through an injury issue, the Clippers needed to temporarily add a catcher, Dwight Childs, this year's 18th rounder currently at Mahoning Valley, just in case something happens to Damaso Espino.

I'm trying to update the boards, had them done on Wednesday until excel froze on me and ruined everything.

There is one more injury to note. Down in Akron, Vinnie Pestano was placed on the Disabled List. Now if you remember, The Gangster was on the EL All-Star team, so he'll need a repalcement. Lucky for the Aeros, the replacement is being taken from their team in Carlton Smith.

Congrats to Carlton.

Instead of recapping the past few days that I've missed, just read the new Minor League Happenings. Rondon and Popham were very good this past week going deep into their games with perfection.

Also... Check out this story on Jason Smit, who's ripping it up for the Valley.

Finally, one more left... With the signing of second round pick, Jason Kipnis, the Indians have just one more big draft pick to get inked in Alex White.

Kipnis officially signed with the Indians. Once White signs his deal, that would give the Indians control of their top 20 picks.

COLUMBUS

Well... The Indians have been pretty down on having Carmona return right out of the All-Star Break and last night's game won't help his cause.

Carmona was good for awhile, then he gave up a four run inning. He would end up giving one more in his seven innings of work off eight hits and two walks.

I'm guessing Carmona is going to have to give it one more go.

Jensen Lewis pitched a perfect frame by striking out the side in the eighth.

Two hits and a RBI each for Michael Brantley and Jordan Brown. Brantley scored twice and stole a base, while Brown doubled.

Andy Marte knocked in a run and swiped a base.

AKRON

Erie beat Akron, in large part to a rough first-inning for starter Bobby Livingston.

Livingston gave up four runs in that inning, six total in his six innings of work. Newly named All-Star Carlton Smith stated his case by going two scoreless.

Nick Weglarz and Carlos Santana knocked in a run a piece while Johnnie Drennen doubled twice.

KINSTON

Kinston beat Potomac yesterday behind a successful Kinston debut by Alexander Perez.

Perez went six scoreless, giving up six hits and two walks with six strikeouts.

Bo Pickens and Ron Rivas had two hits and a run batted in, Lucas Montero doubled in a run, and Roman Pena knocked in two runs. Lonnie Chisenhall scored a run and had two hits.

LAKE COUNTY

In a game in which the Captains committed three errors and gave up 12 hits...they lost. Duh.

Kaimi Mead took the loss after he gave up five runs in 3.2 innings of work after Brian Grening went 2.1 innings. Mead only gave up on earned though.

Bo Greenwell had two hits, including one of the Captains two runs knocked in.

MAHONING VALLEY

Clayton Cook didn't need much run-support after his six scoreless innings in which he gave up just three hits and a walk.

But that didn't stop the Scrappers from scoring 8 runs.

Ben Carlson and Lurvin Basabe knocked in two runs each, including Carlson's double. Basabe hit his first home run of the year and scored twice.

Greg Folgia knocked in a run with two hits and Rafael Vera also knocked in a run.

ARIZONA LEAGUE

The AZL Indians put up another big crooked number with 16 runs off 21 hits against the Mariners back on the ninth of July.

Jesus Brito - 4/6, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2B, 3B
Chris Kersten - 5/6, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2B
Darling Read - 2/3, 3 R, 1 RBI, 2B, HBP
Casey Frawley - 3/5, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2B, SB

Trent Baker, Roberto Perez, and Rolando Petit all had two hits. Kelvin Rucker was the lone AZL starter wtihout a hit, but he walked twice and scored.

Minor Issues: AZ Indians Open Up; Wins All Around

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 07:00:00 -0500

WHAT'S THE NEWS

The Arizona Fall League Started and here is the roster. Now, depth chart is updated.. Woohoo..

COLUMBUS

Kirk Saarloos was pounded for 10 hits in five innings, but four unearned runs. Very odd. Tony Graffanino committed an error early in the inning and it spiraled out of control from there.

Anyway the Clippers lost that game and the next one in the double-header. They did score three runs, but unfortunately three earned runs does not beat four un-earned ones.

Tony Graffanino did what he could to make up for the error by knocking in two runs. But he knocked them in the half-inning before, so really.. He giveth and he taketh away.

Game two was a little more rough, especially for Chuck Lofgren. Chuckster gave up five runs in five innings off, yes five hits with, no three walks. Oh he did strike out five hitters though.

Three walks AND three homers, not cool. Tony Sipp gave up two runs in his one inning of work.

Yeah not much the offense could do about that, not that they did anything to begin with.

Niuman Romero had two of the five hits and knocked in the only run.

AKRON

The Aeros.. Pretty Awesome.. They knocked out four runs off 14 hits, yes 14 hits, sweet.

Oppo, they gave up 2 hits.. Yes just two.

Scott Lewis made another rehab start, going four innings, giving up just one hit and two walks with four strikeouts.

Carlton Smith improved to 4-0 with two scoreless and hitless innings. Matt Meyer went 2.2 innings giving up three walks and a hit and Josh Judy cleaned up that last inning real quick.

So what about that 14 hit performance?

Matt McBride and Jared Goedert had three hits each and all four runs batted in. McBride scored twice and doubled and two of Goedert's hits were both doubles. That's three multi-hit games from Goedert in a row.

Cristo Arnal and Johnnie Drennen had two hits each and Carlos Santana was the lone Aero without a hit, but he walked twice.

KINSTON

Wait what's going on here?

Two in a row for Kinston?

Perhaps it's the luck of ?

The K-Tribe won 9-4 over Lynchburg and it was Ole Sheldon who was a big part of that.

Ole was 4-5 with two runs batted in and two runs scored. HE'S PURE EVIL!

Alex Castillo had two hits and two runs batted in as well. Cord Phelps was one of two K-Tribers without a hit, but he scored two runs off two walks and also knocked in a run.

A nice start for Russell Young as he went 6.1 with two runs off five hits and a walk.

CC Lee gave up two runs in two innings of work.

LAKE COUNTY

Well you certainly go your money's worth if you went to see the Captains play a game and finish one.

They ended up scoring twice in the top of the 12th in their resumed game against Lakewood.

Awesome, right?

Wrong, Lakewood fired back with three runs and a walkoff-walk to beat the Captains in 12. Ouch.

Not ouchy enough compared to the smackdown the Caps would then lay down on Lakewood in game two, winning 14-5.

Nate Recknagel is back in Lake County and no offense to the Caps, he is showing he doesn't want to really stay long.

Recking Ball (love it, don't ya?), went 2-4 with two runs scored and five, yes five, runs batted in. That included a two-run shot in the 4th inning.

Matt Willard had a game high three hits. He also knocked in a run. Donnie Webb, Karexon Sanchez, and Chris Nash all had two hits. Webb sscored three times.

Trey Haley and TJ McFarland piggy-backed and McFarland got the win despite giving up more runs. Haley went 3.1 giving up two runs, one earned, off two hits and SEVEN walks! Those darn minor leaguers and their control problems.

McFarland gave up seven hits but no walks that equaled the three runs. Santo Frias with a scoreless inning of relief.

MAHONING VALLEY

Go Scrappers Go!

Mahoning Valley is now 3-0 with their latest win, a 1-0 shutout win over Jamestown.

Kyle Bellows knocked in the winning run with a walk-off sacrafice fly.

Bo Greenwell, Ben Carlson, and John Allman all had two hits.

Brett Brach started and went four innings, giving up just two hits and one walk. Tyler Sturdevant went three innings giving up three hits and one walk. Cory Burns picked up the win by going two scoreless with just one hit and two strikeouts.

ARIZONA LEAGUE

The AZL team had their first game. I was not awake long enough to find out the outcome, obviously doing this the night before. Here is the recap.

Minor Issues: Gimenez Scratched, Captains salvage organization

Sun, 31 May 2009 07:31:29 -0500

WHAT'S THE NEWS

I promised more draft coverage and that's what you is gonna get!

Brad Grant talked about the upcoming major league draft and here is a nice little rundown of that.

I'm expecting us to go with a college pitcher with the first pick. I'd like a nice power arm really, starter, reliever, it don't matter.

The draft is pitching heavy, which is good for us because all signs are pointing to a pitcher being taken.

COLUMBUS

Chris Gimenez was supposed to play last night, then he wasn't.. Then he did...

Columbus did lose last night to Norfolk, just loss..

We'll talk about this more later, because it pertains to the big league club more than it does Columbus. But Gimenez was a late scratch, not because of an injury, but maybe a call-up? He did get into the game though as a defensive replacement to Wyatt Toregas, who was ejected.

Yeah and Hafner didn't play either, we'll talk about that too.

The Clips didn't do much offensively, just two runs scored. One was scored by Michael Aubrey, who doubled twice, the other was knocked in by Aubrey.

Kirk Saarloos was meh.. Three runs in six and two thirds innings.

Joe Smith on rehab assignment pitched a scoreless inning of relief.

The invincible Vinnie Chulk gave up a run for what seems like the first time in forever.

AKRON

The Aeros aren't accustomed to losing like this, but they are. They lost again, such a surprise. We get greedy though.

It was the Carlos Rivero show offensively though. Three hits, the lone Akron run knocked in. He had himself a good game.

Hector Rondon wasn't awesome. He went just five innings, giving up four runs, not horrible, but not Rondon-like. He didn't walk anyone, but he gave up eight hits, and he did strike out eight.

The mascot Zach Putnam with two scoreless innings of relief. Is it time to start thinking of giving him a call-up? He's pretty much blowing right through Double-A hitting. Test that new Mark Shapiro philosophy?

KINSTON

Winston-Salem blasted the K-Tribers last night. Point blank.

Russell Young got the brunt of that blast with seven earned off eight hits and two walks. Kyle Landis did give two shutout innings.

Lonnie Chisenhall took an 0-4 night but knocked in one of the Kinston runs. Richard Martinez did the same thing.

Lucas Montero had a few hits, including a triple and the other RBI. Tim Fedroff and Cord Phelps both doubled, and Fedroff had a few hits.

LAKE COUNTY

Haven't said this in a while, it seems like.

A one run game for the Lake County Captains, in extras as well!

It's the Lake County Specialty and they've now got it down to a science to where they can win them too.

The only run in the first nine innings for the Captains was a Abner Abreu solo shot.

Tip your hat to TJ House and Mike McGuire. House went 6.1 with one earned, five strikeouts. While McGuire went 3.2, with just one hit and one walk. Fantastic effort to get the win.

He got the win, Smith got the save as he came in to pitch a scoreless bottom of the 11th after Donnie Webb doubled home Karexon Sanchez.

Seagulls... They is attackin'

Tue, 26 May 2009 13:29:38 -0500

This game blew.. Let's be honest.

So instead of talking about it, I'm going to talk about random things, and maybe some game thoughts will pop in once and awhile.

What was with the seagulls tonight? Is it because of Memorial Day or something? I mean, by God they were flying on and off screen and every time you saw the zoomed out shot you could see them.

Joe Maddon really doesn't trust a lead does he? Bringing in a new relief pitcher in a six run game with one out and two on? Not even a bonus grand-slam would tie the game up. A bonus grand slam is a grand slam (Dennys!) and an extra run be rewarded if the guy on deck just runs around the base paths. I made that up just now.

These red hats.. They work for the Indians, I'd even support red being something used once and awhile with the blues or the whites. But they don't work for the Rays. I can only imagine a team like the Athletics wearing their green jerseys. It's Christmas in May!

At one point in the game, I turned on Nickelodeon in hopes that Spongebob would be on. To my overjoyed heart, the Spongebob Movie was on! I got to see it finally! I turned the game back on when the movie was over in order to suffer some more heartbreak.

I don't even remember Fausto Carmona starting this game. I missed the first 20 minutes because I was helping with dinner. Then, like I said, by the time it was 10-0, I had Spongebob's Movie on.

Joe Maddon is making another pitching change, but clearly the defense caused that gaff, so what gives?

David Price isn't going to get credit for a win. Such a shame.

Jeremy Sowers should probably get the win for being the best pitcher in this game. Five scoreless innings with just three hits and a walk. Where is this garbage when you start Sower pitch?

That puts us in a stupid position on Wednesday and Thursday. David Huff is definitely getting another chance, but the Indians will have to make a roster move. See ya Rich Rundles, bring up Kirk Saarloos.

Ryan Garko hit a home run tonight and went 2-4.. Why is he playing once a week again?

Sowers will go back to sucking after this by the by. It's fate.

I need to go have my oil changed tomorrow. I think I'll pick up my paycheck as well. I go back to work on Wednesday.

I washed my car today. I guess I should have waited to wash it.. The oil changing guys won't get it dirty right? I couldnt't wait, I was bored today.. Inside and out, the first real cleaning since I got the thing. It will feel good to drive a car that is now actually mine because I've given it my standard work.

I just remembered. A bird left his mark on the hood when I went out to take the garbage out. So it's already dirty again. Son of a bitch.

Maybe it was one of those damned seagulls.

Longoria just caught a b-liner hit right at him, two outs. This team can't catch a friggin break. I wanted to use the F-Word there, but I have to remember to keep this mature.

Dale Thayer has a cool mustache.. He looks like a goof ball though. Not quite on Sal Fasano level.

Oh hey.. Garko just hit another home run and it's a two run game. Someone care to explain to me why he's still rotting on the bench?

You know we're still going to lose this game though right?

Vic is like 0-for-his last like.. like.. fifty... It feels like... It won't last forever, but you hope it ends soon, especially with the Griz heating up.

Here comes Asdrubal Cabrera and Jason Isringhausen is warming up. Holy... Jason Isringhausen?

The five fans in attendance are making a lot of noise.

BALL FOUR BY BALFOUR!! HAHA GET IT!

Tying run to the plate, are you serious? Did we switch bullpens or something? How did the Rays get this cursed crud?

Benny Fresh is due up. We'll still lose...

What if we didn't though?

Did anyone by chance see the youtube video, or it was on ESPN First Take today. The Cleveland news station that was going off the air at 11 and they all assumed the Cavs were dead in the water. Then LeBron hit the shot and they all jumped up and the sports guy said CAVS WIN!

I wanted to stab myself in the eye with a pencil when that happened, but now that the Magic are up 2-1, I can laugh at that video.

I've now stalled long enough for the commercial to end. I'm just trying to keep typing until the game official ends. So a tie game doesn't work for me. Fresh needs to get on and Carroll has to end it with a home run.

Haha... Right... Izzy can't find the zone either, 2-0 to Francisco. Make it 3-0.

Look at all the fans with those stupid aprons on. All five fans are drunks, I guarentee it.. Ball four by a guy not named Balfour, winning run to the plate..

Hit a gaper Jamey.

Holy crap there's two outs.... We're still going to lose. This is like death tortue, because we won't win.

Unless of course they walk the next nine guys, because that's where this is headed at this rate.

At least the guys Maddon took out were throwing strikes.. These last few dudes can't even hit the zone.

I loved Izzy too.. I wanted to sign him. This sucks to see him laboring.

Frick it.. Kick his ass!!!

A strike has been thrown, but that was lucky.

The seagulls need to come back, I'm running out of material as Izzy throws his third ball, and Jamey you shortstuff, you better get this walk. Wow... Another close one called a strike.. Darrnnnnn.

Now I'm getting my hopes up and if we don't win, I'll be pissed.

We won't win! We won't win! Full-count and a foul ball, I'm going crazy man!

Did I mention I needed to get my oil changed tomorrow?

Ball FOUR LOADED BASES FOR MY LITTLE INDIANS.

What the hell is going on, another trip to the mound. Haven't they run out of those? Isn't there a limit? Hell if I know, never seen that happen.

A hit would tie this game, a double would win it with Carroll at first going on contact, provided it hits a gap.

This is what happens when you start typing out a blog before the game is over and it actually doesn't end. You get wrapped up in what's going on and you end up having to say.. Okay, so much has happened in the ninth that you can't mask it.

Ball 3 to Sizemore.. It looks like Jason Isringhausen is auditioning for our bullpen.

My elbow hurts from the non-stop typing. I think I need Tommy John surgery now.

Full-count now.. Damnit to hell Grady! Off to the races now, not on contact, on first pitch, so a gap would win it.

But we won't win.

UNTIL BALL FOUR!

One run game and a hit will win this buckaroo.

This may be the single best post in the history of this blog and it's come on a Memorial Day.

Look who is up.. Vic.. Remember what I said about an hour ago on this post? Like, I hope the slump ends soon.. Like.. Now would be a great time.

As Izzy gets a silly strike..

We'll still lose though.. It only makes sense to kill us this way.

WHOA Look at that curveball... As Manning just said. He hasn't been able to throw it since he's been behind, HAHA.. Oh man.. Another garbage strike. Vic is going to smack someone.

The ump probably just wants to come home.

Isn't that what they always say?

Hey a ball, havn't seen many of those in this at-bat. Fouled off! My chest is exploding! It may be from the ribs and macaroni salad, but you never know.

We're going to lose.. I can't stop saying it.

At least Isringhausen is wearing the same cap color as he used to.

CARROLL!! CARROLL! THERE IS NO CARROLL IN HR!

TRIBE WIN! TRIBE WIN!

SEASON SAVED!! GET THE DOGGIES AND THE CATS! WE'RE GOING TO DISNEY LAND!

GET YOUR APRONS!

GET YOUR LOLLIPOPS!

I'M GETTING MY OIL CHANGED AND GOING TO DISNEY WORLD.. OR LAND! OR F IT.. WE'LL DO IT LIVE!

[BOXSCORE]

Minor Issues: Brown IL Player of the Week; Aeros bounce back

Tue, 26 May 2009 13:29:35 -0500

WHAT'S THE NEWS

In celebration of Jordan Brown's awesomeness, he has been named International League Player of the Week for his awesomeness last week. He capped it off with that 2 HR, 4-4 game on Sunday.

What would he do on Memorial Day? You don't have to wait.

COLUMBUS

Guess he would go 0-4. No one else did much though as the Clippers got creamed by Charlotte, 11-1.

Remember yesterday when I said call up Kirk Saarloos?

Yeah don't do that.

He gave up eight runs off 13, yes 13, hits and 3 walks in four runs.

Steven Wright made his return to Columbus by giving up three runs. No one else in the pen would give up runs, which is cool, but Masa Kobayashi gave up a few hits in his scoreless inning. Attributing to the 20 hits.. Fantastic.

Michael Brantley did have a good night, doubling twice, and knocking in the lone Clipper run.

AKRON

The Aeros returned fire on Erie after turning in a clunker of a game. This team just doesn't go through bad stretches. They lose a game and come right back be awesome. That's what they did on Monday against Erie winning 8-1.

The Aeros banged out nine hits, with each player in the lineup getting a hit, except for Cristo Arnal who had none and Niuman Romero who had two.

Beau Mills and Matt McBride doubled, as did Nick Weglarz who in addition to doubling, knocked in two runs. Carlos Santana also knocked in a run, but his was via the longball, his seventh of the year and he also walked twice.

Carlos Rivero and Jose Constanza both knocked in two runs each as well.

Hector Rondon had a moderate return to greatness, going six innings and giving up just the one run. He did give up just three hits, but he walked four.

Carlton Smith went three scoreless innings with just two hits to pick up his first save.

This game was not without controversy though, as the Aeros had one of the biggest crowds in Canal Park history.

The big inning, which set a season high for runs in an inning, began with first baseman Beau Mills' hard shot toward the right-field wall that was ultimately ruled a ground-rule double after a fan in the bleachers reached over and grabbed the ball before it either: A) could go over, or B) Erie's Brennan Boesch could get to it on the bounce.

Aeros manager Mike Sarbaugh sprinted out of the dugout and into shallow right field to argue the merits of option A with the umpire who made the call, but to no avail.

''It was a borderline call that could have gone either way,'' Sarbaugh said. ''But a fan went over the fence so we'll never know. For a minute there, I thought Jeffrey Maier came back . . . It could have been a home run, but without the luxury of instant replay, it's hard to tell.''

KINSTON

Kinston's game with Potomac was suspended in the second inning. Hip-Hip, Horray?

LAKE COUNTY

The Captains got dunked on with a 10-5 loss to West Virginia yesterday.

Two hit nights for John Allman and Chris Nash, with Nash knocking in two runs.

Mark Thompson hit a solo-home run and Abner Abreu knocked in another run.

Danny Salazar didn't get any defensive help from Chris Nash, so he gave up seven runs, but only three of them were earned. He did last just 2.2 innings.

Morning Update: Holy Comeback, The Aftermath

Tue, 26 May 2009 13:29:32 -0500

Last night's little game, that was kinda cool, didn't really give me a good opportunity for analysis, did it?

It was the ultimate of lows and the ultimate of highs in one night. Ryan Garko even said it on Baseball Tonight as a guest, "I've never seen this team lower than we were earlier in that game." And then they turn it around into an ultimate high.

Amazing. Garko said it to reporters as well.
"It was a strange game," Ryan Garko said. "We were as low as you can get there [early on]. We felt as bad as you can feel as a team. And then we got to the highest of highs." One of Wedge's favorite words last night was extreme, because everything was extreme. Both with the comeback and the early collapse.
"There was extreme fight," manager Eric Wedge said, "and that's what puts you in a position to win a game like this."

"It was extreme with Fausto today," Wedge said. "He's been pitching for a while now. He has to be better than that." After Balfour looked like he was unraveling with the Garko home run, Cabrera actually took the approach of not swinging at all and so did the rest of the lineup once Jason Isringhausen got in.
"I wanted to make [Balfour] throw a strike," Cabrera said. "When he threw the first two pitches for balls, I said, 'I'm not going to do anything.'" Balfour said that the Rays should have won that game, hands down, and they should have. Could imagine how they feel this morning? How this will impact them negatively for the rest of the season if they take this loss to heart and feel like they should have won Monday. That will kill them and help boost this team.

This was a win that the Indians needed. It was ridiculously crazy and impossible, but this season has been ridiculously crazy, so maybe they needed something of equal ridiculousness to get on the right track and balance out the universe.

Or whatever..

Victor simply said that this was a big win, and it is and was. But they need to channel that emotion into the rest of the series at first, win a few games, and move on from there. This is their last chance. This is the point where you say, okay, if this huge win doesn't turn this team around, then nothing else will. This is the final test for this team to rise up and say, yes the first two months of this season was a wreck, but we're better than that and we're competing.

If not.. This team is dead in the water.. If so, we've got ourselves a season to watch.

And after making the first out of the inning, Victor wasn't about to do it twice and he wasn't about to get walked either, unless Isringhausen didn't throw his pitch.
"I definitely wasn't going to be an easy out for him, especially when he's having trouble throwing strikes," he said. "I went up with a plan and I executed it. He gave me a pitch I was looking for."I was watching the celebration last night and something sort of jumped out at me.

Was Ryan Garko punching Choo in the ribs? That's what their celebration looked like.. It was as if Garko had Choo in a headlock and was punching him in the ribs.

Oh well.

I had to dig to find this quote, and Garko was right on BBTN when he said, what's gone unlooked about this game was what Jermey Sowers did.

We'll snark on it, but Jeremy really saved the bullpen. Sure, it put us in a position to make a move to get another starter for Wednesday or Thursday, but thankfully.
"Jeremy gave us a chance to get back in the game," Wedge said. "He pitched very well." Yeah... That's all Jeremy, congrats, that's all you get, one line. But he did, he gave us a chane to get back into the game and he did that and even got the win.

As for who's starting on Wednesday and Thursday, still an unknown.
"The way our bullpen's been taxed, we need to keep our options open," he said.Still keeping money on David Huff being one of those starts, who else would you use? Kirk Saarloos pitched last night, so he's out of the equation, they'll definitely have to make a roster move. Options include Zach Jackson, which would be easy since he's on the 40 man roster and probably Jack Cassel. Tomo Ohka just pitched on Sunday, so he's out for Wednesday, and Thursday woulkd be three days rest and that isn't happening either.

So it has to be Huff and a toss up between Zach Jackson and Jack Cassel. I'm going with Jackson and Huff to start the games. I just don't see any other options at this point.

Briefly we've gone over the injuries yesterday, but let's revisit them a little more in-depth with some words.

Starting with Travis Hafner, who's eager to get back with the Indians and show his swing is feeling good.

"Everything's been feeling good," Hafner said. "I think they want to see me play a certain number of games in a row to make sure I'm ready to play five or six games a week."

"I wasn't expecting any problems at all," he said. "I definitely wasn't expecting it when it happened."

"I feel I can go out now and be comfortable playing," Hafner said. "My swing's feeling really good. I'll be excited to get up here and play."

If anything... I'm glad this setback had nothing to do with the shoulder and that this back thing is something that has occurred with him before. It sets my mind a little more at ease, especially when you hear the words setback.

Also let's clear this up on Anthony Reyes. The recovery time for his surgery that he would have is 4-6 months. He'd be back next year for sure, but would miss the rest of the year in all likelihood. This surgery is not Tommy John, it is a different procedure on the elbow.

Moving on... I called the Kelly Shoppach regression a mile away. His swing isn't suited for erratic playing time to begin with, but pitchers have also figured out he will swing wildly at the off speed stuff.
"When you're not playing every day, you have to grind out many, many more at-bats," Shoppach said. "The bad games stick with you until the next one, and you might not get to play in a while. When you are playing every day, you get a chance to learn every day and get feedback every day."And this is why Ryan Garko needs the majority of the playing time. He's more suited to handle himself in at-bats, while Kelly Shoppach is not.
"My mind-set has to be different," he said. "I have to be more patient, because the timing and the feeling are not there. I'm trying to throttle [the big-swing mentality] back a little bit and have better at-bats."That isn't the type of hitter Kelly Shoppach is though. He is at his best when he is just sitting back and trying to hack something into the upper-decks. That may not be the best thing for the team, but that's the only way Kelly Shoppach can be successful because that's the way Kelly Shoppach hits.

Finally... My mission is to see Orlando and Denver ruin the Ryan Garko and Jensen Lewis basketball rivalry. Jensen, take it from here.. Brian Anderson also chimed in.

"I'm actually happy the Cavs are in this situation, so they can learn to take a punch and get up off the mat. If you want to beat a team like the Lakers, you need to be tested first."

"I'm going to go against my gut and say the Cavs in seven -- but only because it's not all the time we get to believe in anything relating to Cleveland sports," Anderson said. Brian should know being down in Tampa just how awesome Orlando is.. His gut tells him the Magic rock and that his Cavs are in trouble. Jensen is just talking as if the series is already set. I guess he didn't watch the first three games, come on J-Rod.

Ryan probably knows Kobe is just going to like rise up and smack someone soon.

Bullpen Moves A-Comin'... Again

Wed, 06 May 2009 11:40:47 -0500

Yep...

The Indians are expected to make a move today to shake up the bullpen yet again.

And Jeremy Sowers is involved, in some way...

Sowers was scratched from the game last night and according to Tony at IPI, that means he's either traded or getting called up.

It only makes sense.

What doesn't make sense is why he would be put into the bullpen. I guess when you don't have any options that can go into the bullpen from the Triple-A bullpen, you take the options you do have from the rotation.

Or could they move someone like an Anthony Reyes into the pen? I highly doubt it, because that just causes more issues than it solves.

Six pitchers you need to look at here.

Jeremy Sowers

Jensen Lewis

Rafael Perez

John Meloan

Matt Herges

Vinnie Chulk

Lewis and Perez could get sent down, they've got options.

Herges and Meloan could go up.. But Herges would require a 40 man roster spot, so the Indians would have to make a corresponding move.

Then you'd have to look at Vinnie Chulk.

Sowers could get traded. Remember Eric Wedge hinted that the Indians would have to find someone, EVEN if they aren't in the organization.

Could that have triggered a trade?

Maybe.. If so, I'm not sure who's available out there that could help.

My guess?

I really have no clue at this point.

Sowers is called up and will go into the bullpen as is Matt Herges. Vinnie Chulk is DFAed and Rafael Perez or Jensen Lewis go down to the minor leagues. First candidate Rafael Perez because he's having a mechanical flaw that needs work. Lewis doesn't need it, he just needs to get his ass straight and he can't do that in the minors.

Don't overlook the idea that Jeremy Sowers is traded though.

Don't forget the possibility that Rafael Perez goes on the DL with a "injury". That's always an option. Give him a rest, work him out and send him on a "Rehab Assignment."

But it could be easier to call him down.

In that case, Rich Rundles would be eligible to get called up as well.

Guys not in the picture if you ask me.

Masa Kobayashi, Rafael Betancourt, Kerry Wood of course, Tony Sipp, Juan Salas (he's MIA).

I guess I'm just running through all the options that this team has.. Kirk Saarloos maybe? I don't know what that solves.

This is a mess though and obviously the Indians are going to keep trying to fix it. We're starting to look like the Tigers though and that's painful.

I'm on my way to Youngstown now and I'm going to the Penguins game later in Pittsburgh, so I won't be able to watch the game. I'll try and pop on before I leave for the game if an announcement is made.

Minor Issues: Captains Play Another 1-Run Game, WIN!? YES!

Mon, 04 May 2009 07:12:57 -0500

WHAT'S THE NEWS

Slow news day.

Here is a piece on Matt McBride over at IPI by jellis.

COLUMBUS

So here is how it broke down offensively in Columbus' 4-2 loss to Durham.

Michael Brantley and George Lombard both got hits and scored runs.. Brantley scored a run.

They were knocked in by Wes Hodges, and one Andy Marte. He's on bit of a rip don't you think? What if this continues? What do we do with him?

Kirk Saarloos showed his durability by going the distance in this one.. Unfortunately it's one of those losing causes. He went all 8 innings, gave up four runs, three of them earned, off seven hits and two walks.

Overall. Can't complain about that.

AKRON

Akron and Bowie got rained out. What a shame.

I believe there's been a lot of rain on some places in the East and wherever the hell Bowie is (Maryland).

KINSTON

Pardon me if my intros are rather bland. Kinston won, 6-3, blah blah blah. I'm writing this on Sunday night and I'm still stinging.

Cord Phelps and Lonnie Chisenhall both doubled, with Phelps knocking in a RBI.

Matt McBride didn't knock in anymore runs, but he did score a couple and he had two more hits, and I think is average is actually dipping despite the hits, but I have no clue, he's hitting above .400.

Lucas Montero and Roman Pena both knocked in runs and Pena had two hits, but it was Richard Martinez, catching yesterday, who had the big sting with a three run home run.

But the mascot was on the mound! That's right!

Zach Putnam pitched six solid innings, reassuring us that his injury is nothing to be concerned about. He gave up just one-earned run off three hits and a walk with four punch outs.

However he didn't pick up the win, Heath Taylor did and Dallas Cawiezell picked up his second save.

LAKE COUNTY

Hey another one run game for the Captains, but the 50-50 question remains. Are they on the good end of it?

Yes they are. Powered with an early lead, the Captains bullpen put one away for Alexander Perez, who pitched five innings, gave up seven hits and struck out four with two runs given up.

Matt Langwell gave up the other run, but combined with Anillis Martinez, Santo Frias, and Steve Smith (save number four) to get through it with a victory.

Karexon Sanchez wasn't in the middle of any of the scoring, no runs or runs batted in, but he had three hits.

Donnie Webb also had three hits, but he was in the middle of it all with a run scored and two batted in. And before I even looked down in the baserunning column, I had a feeling he had stolen a base. Oh and he did!

Adam Abraham had the other RBI, and Matt Willard had a successful debut with two hits, including a double.

Minor Issues: K-Tribe Sweep Awards Again, House Wins First

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:06:01 -0500

WHAT'S THE NEWS

A few awards to hand out to the minor leaguers.

Matt LaPorta's hot hitting earned him the International League Player of the Week award. He went 13-25 with two jacks and six RBI.

The second sweep for the K-Tribe in Carolina League Awards just happened.

Lonnie Chisenhall took home the player of the week, after his two-grand slam performance. While Eric Berger took home the Carolina League pitcher of the week award. Congrats to all the three of them.

Tony's latest piece at IPI is about David Huff and the help he gets from his coaching brother.

Last year I remember talking about a nice story on host families for minor league players. Well this woman isn't a host family for players, but everyone knows her because she does a lot. She's "Grandma Z" and she bakes for the players.
''She is out there every game I throw, good luck charm or not,'' Lofgren said. ''She is a very spiritual person and I like having her around.''

''They are kids away from home and they need somebody to sort of look after them,'' Zabarsky said. ''It's been a lot of fun.''Great to see stories like this. That's the beauty of minor league ball.

COLUMBUS

Columbus had a late charge fall just short to Toledo, 9-6.

Michael Aubrey kept his average back afloat with a 2-4 day, also hitting a two-run home run and scoring twice.

Stephen Head hit a solo home run as well.

Josh Barfield now has nine RBI after a double and two RBIs. Barfield's double was one of five for the Clippers, with Wes Hodges, Luis Valbuena, Aubrey, and David Dellucci getting the others.

Dellucci also went 3-4 with a run scored. He's hitting .458 for the Clippers and I'll say his bat is definitely ready. Not sure about everything else though. He still hasn't played in the field.

Kirk Saarloos is just.. Yeah just awful. Five innings, eight runs, only six of them were earned, but just.. 10 hits and 2 walks. Bad. He also had two wild pitches.

John Meloan pitched three solid, giving up one run.

AKRON

The Aeros got a much needed off-day. Their pitching staff could use it after all the innings they've pitched.

KINSTON

The K-Tribe were also on an off-day.

LAKE COUNTY

T.J. House lead the Captains to a win, but he also got some run support.

House went six strong, giving up one run off just four hits and four strikeouts. He picked up his first win of his career, hopefully first of many.

Steve Smith picked up save number three.

The offense though, finally got some things going.

Donnie Webb was on base three times, scored one run, stole number six of the year, and knocked in a run as well.

Karexon Sanchez hit number four of the year in the ninth inning.

Nate Recknagel knocked in three with a double in the sixth inning.

Everyone on the Captains team scored a run except for Recknagel and everyone got a hit minus Abner Abreu. Mark Thompson knocked in a run and had two hits and Chris Nash had two hits.

Finally a solid offensive outing all around for the Captains.

In bad news, Abreu struck out four times.

Minor Issues: Akron sweeps double header, Chisenhall does it again

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:22:24 -0500

WHAT'S THE NEWS

Chris Gimenez had his first blog entry over at Indians Prospect Insider. He talks about the opening at Huntington Park and the first few weeks of the year.

Neil Wagner had some extra time out with the rain outs, so he had a blog post a few days ago himself. I'm taking this opportunity to call him "The Poet" and making sure that nickname sticks.

COLUMBUS

Whoa Nellie. Columbus went off offensively on Louisville. The offense has that potential.

The master of the two-home run game, Wyatt Toregas, did it for the first time this year. Toregas went deep twice and knocked in four total runs.

Wes Hodges had three RBI, and two runs scored with a double. David Dellucci scored three times and had two hits, Josh Barfield also had two hits.

Stephen Head only had one hit, a double, but he knocked in four runs. Andy Marte scored twice and knocked in a run, and Andy Cannizaro had a RBI hit in his one at-bat.

Kirk Saarloos took advantage of the run support and got his first win. He went six innings, gave up four runs, but it was off 12 hits and 3 walks.

Scott Roehl was fantastic for the bullpen, going three scoreless innings and striking out three to finish the game off. He'll probably be back at Akron soon once Zach Jackson reports, but not a bad way to make an impression.

AKRON

They haven't played the past two days, but they were still the first team in the Eastern League to reach double digit wins after their sweep of Harrisburg yesterday. The Akron Aeros picked up two wins to end the series after the first two games were rained out.

Hector Rondon started for the Aeros in game one and the Aeros completed the shutout. Rondon went five innings, gave up four hits and a walk and struck out two. Not his most dominant performance, but good enough.

Erik Stiller pitched a scoreless sixth and Vinnie Pestano picked up the save in the seventh.

Jerad Head had two hits and run batted in, and Beau Mills knocked in the other run.

Game 2 was a little closer and it took Akron the seventh inning to score the go-ahead run.

Frank Herrmann went four innings and gave up two runs off five hits and a walk. His two runs were both solo home runs. Carlton Smith was awesome, pitching three scoreless to pick up the win.

The top two hitters, Josh Rodriguez and Carlos Rivero went 1-3 with a run batted in. Rivero hit a double and Rodriguez scored a run. Damaso Espino also went 1-3 with a run batted in.

KINSTON

Everyone get out of the way, Lonnie Chisenhall is coming through. Kinston couldn't get it done against Myrtle Beach, but they sure did give it a good effort.

Lonnie Chisenhall, doubled and hit his second grand slam in as many games and knocked in five RBIs AGAIN for the K-Tribe. Going into yesterday's game, Chisenhall had just four RBI. He's topped that number twice in the past two games. Amazing.

The mascot put the K-Tribers in a early hole though. Zach Putnam was batted around in the first inning, but credit to him as he came back to finish five innings and give the Kinston some length.

His final line, 5 Innings, 10 hits, 7 runs, 4 Strikeouts. All 7 runs came in the first.

Kinston retook the lead thanks to the offense though. At the top of the lineup, Tim Fedroff scored twice and went 0-2 with three walks, yes three walks, and a run batted in. Cord Phelps had two hits and a walk.

Richard Martinez knocked in a run and hit a double and Lucas Montero had three hits, including two doubles and a run batted in.

Jonathan Holt ended up blowing the lead that Kinston got back.

What did Chisenhall have to say about his back-to-back smacks?
"Both times I hit the ball out of the yard, I really wasn't trying to," admitted Chisenhall, who hit .290 with five homers and 45 RBIs in 68 games during his pro debut at short-season Mahoning Valley last year. "It really isn't part of my approach at all."

"I could used to it," Chisenhall said. "This is pretty exciting. I wasn't looking to hit a grand slam, but the ball just got out of the yard. Both of them were with two strikes."
LAKE COUNTY

How many times have we faced Lakewood? It seems like forever. Well the series ended on a down note with yet another one-run loss to Lakewood.

The Captains did score two runs in the ninth in an attempted rally, but it fell short.

TJ House struggled, only going 3 innings and giving up three hits and four walks to equal four runs. Annillis Martinez had two solid innings, but Mike McGuire gave up two runs.

Maybe a sign of good things for Abner Abreu getting himself going with a 2-4 day and his third RBI of the season.

Adam Abraham and Walter Diaz knocked in runs despite not having hits and Chris Nash had an RBI hit.

Scott Lewis to the DL, Vinnie Chulk Added

Sat, 11 Apr 2009 11:21:53 -0500

Scott Lewis is hurt...

Maybe it explains why he suddenly started to lose it after pitching well.

Or maybe it doesn't.

Lewis has a strain in his throwing arm, specifically the elbow. He's going to the 15 Day DL and he'll be having an MRI soon to find out the extent of the injury. Lewis said he was feeling a little bit of that strain in his final starts of spring.

To replace him on the roster, the Indians have called up Vinnie Chulk from Columbus, who pitched on Thursday, so he's a little fresh in case the Indians need an arm after the past two days in which everyone in the bullpen has been used.

Chulk will also take the final spot on the 40 man roster that was open.

That leaves the Indians without a starter for Wednesday's game at Kansas City. Since Chulk was added to the 40-man roster, you would figure Aaron Laffey or Jeremy Sowers would get the first shot, but there's no telling where the Indians could go.

We might get a good indication tonight. Last night, Aaron Laffey was supposed to start for Columbus, but the game was rained out. If he pitches tonight, that means he might be out. If he's held out or pitches a little, that could mean he's the guy. I'm just speculating though.

Kirk Saarloos and Jeremy Sowers follow Laffey in the rotation, just an FYI.

Another note for this game, Travis Hafner is getting a day-off. Nothing is wrong, but I assume this is Wedge's idea of keeping Hafner fresh, and getting Shoppach, Garko, and Martinez all in the lineup.

He's hitting the ball real well these past few games. Luckily, Shoppach went deep in his last game, Garko's been great in the two game's he's played, and Vic is slugging the ball just as well, so it's not like Wedge is sitting him in favor of people who aren't hitting.

Hafner is 4-14 against Halladay in his career, with 1 RBI, 3 BB, 4 SO, and 2 Doubles.

Garko is 4-9 against Halladay, with a double and 3 SO.

Shoppach is 0-6 with 3 SO.

Indians Send Some Big Names to Columbus

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:44:19 -0500

Indians Sign Saarloos and Aquino to Minor League Contracts

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:46:51 -0500

Mark Shapiro continued his barrage of off season moves on Wednesday when he signed pitchers Kirk Saarloos and Greg Aquino to minor league contracts. The Indians have been busier this off season than most in their recent history as they have already made a few trades and signed various players to many different contracts.

Both Saarloos and Aquino received invitations to spring training to compete for jobs with the Indians.

Saarloos was originally drafted by the Houston Astros in the third round of the 2001 draft out of Cal State Fullerton. The right hander has pitched in 165 games during his major league career for three different teams. In addition to Houston, Saarloos has had stops in both Oakland and Cincinnati. He has acquired a 5.02 ERA during his seven seasons in the majors and has a win-loss record of 29-30 with 251 career strikeouts. Saarloos has been used as both a reliever and a starter throughout his career, as 73 of his appearances came as a starter.

Aquino was originally signed by the Arizona Diamondbacks as an undrafted free agent in 1995. He has seen action in the major leagues in the last five seasons of his career and has appeared in a total of 135 games. He has an overall ERA of 5.40 and has a win-loss record of 2-4 while posting 132 strikeouts.

It is possible that both players could see some time in the majors during the season as the Indians were very prone to injuries last season.

Bill Jordan is a contributor to BaseballReflections.com. He can be reached by e-mail at BillJordaniv@yahoo.com.

Mark Hendrickson to the Florida Marlins: The Fantasy Impact

Sat, 26 Jan 2008 09:36:13 -0500

In an attempt to add some depth and leadership to their rotation (and possibly bullpen), the Marlins signed starter/reliever Mark Hendrickson to a one year contract. It looks as though the Marlins will use Hendrickson in their rotation, since their bullpen was a strong point last season, and their rotation was far from it. The Marlins currently have Sergio Mitre, Scott Olsen, Andrew Miller, Anibal Sanchez, and Rick VandenHurk in their rotation, but Hendrickson figures to have a secure spot co...

Interview With The Agent: Jim Kuzmich

Tue, 25 Dec 2007 17:17:32 -0500

Jim Kuzmich is a 41-year-old sports and entertainment attorney and former vice president and general counsel for GAAMES. Jim's experience in sports law includes contracts, negotiations, intellectual property, licensing, endorsements and dispute resolution. He was the primary the liaison for GAAMES with equipment manufacturers, sports card manufacturers, the media, the MLBPA and athletes. Jim was a key and instrumental factor in the preparation and negotiation of salary arbitration cases for Kirk Saarloos and Mike Koplove. Currently, Jim is in private law practice and continues to represent several major league baseball players as well as top prospects. He is also a certified agent with the Major League Baseball Players Association and calls Tempe, Arizona his home.