Cleveland Indians
2010 Record: 69-93
646 RS, 752 RA, Pythagorean Record: 69-93
Manager: Manny Acta
GM: Chris Antonetti
Free Agents:
Orlando Cabrera, SS (1, $1MM); Chad Durbin, RP (1, $800k); Austin Kearns, OF (1, $1.3MM).
Minor League FA:
Cristo Arnal, 2B; Travis Buck, OF; Luke Carlin, C; Adam Everett, SS; Justin Germano, P; Jack Hannahan, 3B; Nick Johnson, 1B; Tony Mansolino, 3B; Doug Mathis, P; Adam Miller, P; Toru Murata, P; Paul Phillips, C; Yohan Pino, P; Anthony Reyes, P.
Rule V Pick:
None.
Trades:
Received Matt Lawson (OF) from the Mariners for Aaron Laffey (P); Received Joe Martinez (RP) from the Pirates for a player to be named later.
Waiver Claims:
None
Players Lost:
Armando Camacaro, C; Alex Castillo, C; Jose Constanza, OF; Damaso Espino, C; Jose Flores, P; Santo Frias, P; Miguel Fuentes, C; Chris Gimenez, C; Jason Grilli, P; Shane Lindsay, P; Andy Marte, 3B; Richard Martinez, C; Lucas Montero, OF: Nate Recknagel, 1B; Argenis Reyes, 2B; Saul Rivera, P; Josh Rodriguez, SS; Gregorio Rosario, P; Kyle Smith, P; Drew Sutton, 2B; Wyatt Toregas, C.
Top 15 Prospects
1. Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B
2. Alex White, RHP
3. Jason Kipnis, 2B
4. Drew Pomeranz, LHP
5. Jason Knapp, RHP
6. Levon Washington, OF
7. Nick Weglarz, OF
8. Joe Gardner, RHP
9. Tony Wolters, SS
10. Kyle Blair, RHP
11. Hector Rondon, RHP
12. T.J. House, LHP
13. Nick Hagadone, LHP
14. Tyler Holt, OF
15. Alex Lavisky, C
Lonnie Chisenhall has turned into a legit prospect; there are no more character issues here. Alex White, Drew Pomeranz, and Jason Knapp have the opportunity to make the Indians rotation into something special; adding a good season from Joe Gardner or a return to health from Hector Rondon could help Cleveland build one of the best AL rotations. Jason Kipnis is considered the best, ready second base prospect in baseball. Overall, this is a very strong system.
2010 Review:
There really hasn’t been much that’s gone right for the Tribe in the last few years. Travis Hafner is probably the worst DH in the game. Grady Sizemore can’t stay healthy. The prospects the team received for Cliff Lee and C.C. Sabathia haven’t lived up to the hype; Carlos Carrasco is the best of them right now.
The team had the 7th worst run differential in baseball, which equaled another last place finish.
2011 Preview:
The team is really trying to save money and build from within. New GM Chris Antonetti only handed out 3 Major League contracts this winter, and only Austin Kearns’ was for over a million dollars.
The team is hoping for the farm system to step up. Matt LaPorta hasn’t lived up to Top Prospect billing since being acquired from the Brewers; he’s expected to have a rebound season. Second baseman Kipnis and third baseman Chisenhall are expected to contribute this year and are part of the long term rebuilding.
Pitching-wise, expect the Tribe to be in trade rumors all season; Fausto Carmona is expected to be moved (especially with teams like the Yankees and Cardinals in bad situations). The rest of the rotation will be inexperienced. At least Chris Perez is a stable force in the bullpen.
From the Bloggers:
Prediction:
5th Place