last updated 4/4/12 CLEVELAND INDIANS 2012
For 2011 Opening Day roster, click HERE. For End-of-Season roster, click HERE.
*Players on the 40-man roster: BOLD.
*Players who are injured: +
*Players who are Out of Options: ##
*Baseball America '12 pre-season prospect rankings: BLUE #
*Baseball Prospectus '12 pre-season prospect rankings: GREEN #
'MLBDepthCharts Magazine' includes this roster projection feature but includes additional info, such as player age, 2011 level and stats, 2012 salary and contract info in an easy-to-read, printer-friendly pdf file and excel spreadsheet.
*40-man roster total (40) *Projected 2012 Payroll: est. $69,152,000, according to MLBDC Magazine
Projected Disabled List Position Players CF Grady Sizemore* +UPDATE 4/4 - placed on 60-Day DL (back surgery) Pitchers RHP Carlos Carrasco+UPDATE 3/15 - placed on 60-Day DL (recovery from September 2011 Tommy John surgery) LHP David Huff +UPDATE 4/4 - placed on 15-Day DL (strained hamstring) Restricted List RHP Roberto Hernandez Heredia (aka Fausto Carmona)UPDATE 1/20 - status unclear after he was arrested for identity fraud in the D.R. UPDATE 1/24 - will miss all of Spring Training
Minor League Free Agents Position Players
C Paul Phillips (1/11: signed w/MIL) 1B Nick Johnson* (2/9: signed w/BAL) OF Travis Buck* (11/9: signed w/HOU)
OF John Drennen* OF Jerad Head(11/27: signed w/DET)
Pitchers RHP Joe Martinez(12/5: signed w/ARI)
RHP Adam Miller (12/16: signed w/NYY)
RHP Anthony Reyes RHP Jason Rice(11/22: signed w/ATL) RHP Mitch Talbot(12/2: signed w/Samsung)
LHP Jeremy Sowers
Lost off Waivers/Traded •IF/OF Luis Valbuena* UPDATE 11/26- traded to Blue Jays •RHP Cory Burns UPDATE 12/16- traded to Padres •RHP Josh JudyUPDATE 12/16 - DFA'd UPDATE 12/23 - lost off waivers to Reds •RHP Zach PutnamBA#10 BP#20 UPDATE 1/20- traded to Rockies •LHP Kelvin De La CruzUPDATE 2/14- DFA'd UPDATE 2/21 - traded to Rangers UPDATE 3/23 - lost off waivers to Tigers (re-acquired recently from Rangers)
CLEVELAND INDIANS
OFFSEASON PREVIEWposted 9/23/2011
Based on his past few injury-riddled seasons, there is just no way the Indians can pick up Grady Sizemore's $9 million club option for next season, right? At just 29 years old, maybe the three-time All-Star could be worth keeping around for another season just in case he can turn things around. Returning from 2010 microfracture knee surgery, Sizemore started the season on the disabled list and went back on two separate occasions for knee contusions and missed several additional weeks because of a sports hernia. Another offseason of rest might be just what he needs to come back strong again. But it may be too risky at that price tag.
If Sizemore doesn't return, Michael Brantley would be the center fielder and the Indians could either fill left field with some combination of Ezequiel Carrera and Shelley Duncan or look for an upgrade via trade or free agency. My current lineup projection is very left-handed heavy (six lefties, two switch-hitters) so a right-handed hitting corner outfielder could be at the top of their shopping list.
Along with Brantley, the Indians are set at several positions with Asdrubal Cabrera, Lonnie Chisenhall, Shin-Soo Choo, Jason Kipnis, and Carlos Santana. Designated Hitter Travis Hafner has managed three consecutive seasons with an .800+ OPS but he's also averaging just over 100 games as he's sustained multiple injuries. If Choo can bounce back from a rough 2011, the lineup should have plenty of firepower with or without a healthy Sizemore. Lastly, the Indians will keep an open mind in regards to Santana's position for next season. If they can acquire a catcher, he could become the full-time first baseman. If they acquire a first baseman, he would likely play catcher regularly and DH a few days each week. Acquiring neither would probably mean a similar role to this season, with the 25 year-old bouncing back and forth between catcher and first base.
Can Ubaldo be the difference-maker for Cleveland?
Picture courtesy of Icon Sports Media, Inc.
Similar to the lineup, the rotation has a solid group of young pitchers and a former All-Star that they're hoping can return to form in 2012. Since being acquired at the trade deadline from Colorado, Ubaldo Jimenezhas a 4.62 ERA and six quality starts in 10 games. That's not quite what they had in mind when they traded their top two pitching prospects for him. He put up similar numbers earlier in the season with Colorado so it shouldn't be that surprising that he's not as dominant as he was in 2010 (19-8, 2.88 ERA, 214 K). He has been quite good in his last six starts (3.20 ERA), however, so they're in pretty good shape going into the offseason. Justin Masterson and Josh Tomlin have both had excellent seasons and Fausto Carmona has been much better in the 2nd half after posting a 5.78 ERA in 18 1st half starts. Jeanmar Gomez, David Huff, Zach McAllister, and a few others would battle for the last spot unless the Indians can acquire another starter this winter. Carlos Carrasco is expected to miss the season recovering from Tommy John surgery.
The 'Bullpen Mafia' should be just as strong next season with Chris Perez(3.43 ERA, 35 Sv), Vinnie Pestano (2.29 ERA, 23 Hld), Joe Smith (1.82 ERA, 16 Hld), Tony Sipp (2.83 ERA, 23 Hld), and Rafael Perez (2.95 ERA, 12 Hld) leading the way. Unless the team trades one of the aforementioned pitchers away to help in another area, I wouldn't expect much roster activity. Not only is the major league bullpen good, there are plenty of relievers in the upper minors who could help out next season, including Cory Burns, Chen Lee, and Nick Hagadone.
•UPDATE 10/31 - Sizemore had his club option declined.
•UPDATE 10/31 - The team acquired Derek Lowefrom the Braves for a minor leaguer.
•UPDATE 11/23 - Sizemore has been re-signed to a one-year deal worth $5 million and another $4 million in incentives.
Offseason Needs: Outfielder, Catcher or First Baseman
Derek Lowe was an unnecessary acquisition, David Huff would have been more than capable of holding down the fifth starter spot, still the rotation and bullpen are just fine. Carlos Santana is too short for first base and should stay at catcher. They shouldn't give up on Matt LaPorta just yet, and should look into Cody Ross. He can play right field and bat in the two hole. The lineup could look something like Kipnis, Ross, Cabrera, Hafner, Santana, Sizemore, Chisenhall, Laporta, Neal. Sizemore would be their secret weapon in the lower part of the order, and Thomas Neal should get a shot in left field. Overall the tribe looks better on paper than they did last year, though they are going to have to watch out for the up and comers within their division.
Jason why don't you have a back-up catcher listed at all? I understand Carlos Santana played catcher in the past, but that's not a back-up if he's projected to start at 1b.
It's pretty much what they did most of last season. When he isn't catching, he's at 1B and Marson starts. It was more often than not towards the end of the season. If they can sign a 1B (i.e. D. Lee, C. Pena) or if LaPorta wins the spot, Santana would be the full-time catcher and Marson would back up.
Jeanmar Gomez, David Huff, Zach McAllister, Scott Barnes are all pretty good options. Austin Adams is also close and has more upside than any of those guys.
What makes you think Cunningham over Spilborghs? What happens if/when they acquire a 1B like Kotchman... who won't make the team? Likely only room for 1 bench OF, and not sure Duncan can really play RF so might come down to Duncan being cut and Spilborghs/Cunningham making the team
By the way, Huff and McAllister not good options... Gomez is most MLB ready, but low ceiling.. Barnes and Adams decent prospects but nothing special yet.. Adams needs more time in minors still - needs better control but can hit 100 MPH on radar gun
I think Cunningham and Spilborghs are capable of similar production but Cunningham is younger with more upside, and he's on the 40-man roster.
I expect them to get Kotchman, which is why I'm already thinking about how that affects the bench. If Hannahan beats out Chisenhall, that solves the problem. I'm not gonna project that, though, so I'd probably take Duncan off if they get their 1B.
Since he's coming off shoulder surgery, I will wait until he passes his physical before updating the projections. If healthy, I'd place him in the projected rotation ahead of Slowey, who has minor league options remaining.
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11 comments:
Derek Lowe was an unnecessary acquisition, David Huff would have been more than capable of holding down the fifth starter spot, still the rotation and bullpen are just fine. Carlos Santana is too short for first base and should stay at catcher. They shouldn't give up on Matt LaPorta just yet, and should look into Cody Ross. He can play right field and bat in the two hole. The lineup could look something like Kipnis, Ross, Cabrera, Hafner, Santana, Sizemore, Chisenhall, Laporta, Neal. Sizemore would be their secret weapon in the lower part of the order, and Thomas Neal should get a shot in left field. Overall the tribe looks better on paper than they did last year, though they are going to have to watch out for the up and comers within their division.
Get Nick Swisher and have him play first base and left field.
Jason why don't you have a back-up catcher listed at all? I understand Carlos Santana played catcher in the past, but that's not a back-up if he's projected to start at 1b.
It's pretty much what they did most of last season. When he isn't catching, he's at 1B and Marson starts. It was more often than not towards the end of the season. If they can sign a 1B (i.e. D. Lee, C. Pena) or if LaPorta wins the spot, Santana would be the full-time catcher and Marson would back up.
where do they go if Carmona is unable to pitch all season?
Jeanmar Gomez, David Huff, Zach McAllister, Scott Barnes are all pretty good options. Austin Adams is also close and has more upside than any of those guys.
What makes you think Cunningham over Spilborghs? What happens if/when they acquire a 1B like Kotchman... who won't make the team? Likely only room for 1 bench OF, and not sure Duncan can really play RF so might come down to Duncan being cut and Spilborghs/Cunningham making the team
By the way, Huff and McAllister not good options... Gomez is most MLB ready, but low ceiling.. Barnes and Adams decent prospects but nothing special yet.. Adams needs more time in minors still - needs better control but can hit 100 MPH on radar gun
I think Cunningham and Spilborghs are capable of similar production but Cunningham is younger with more upside, and he's on the 40-man roster.
I expect them to get Kotchman, which is why I'm already thinking about how that affects the bench. If Hannahan beats out Chisenhall, that solves the problem. I'm not gonna project that, though, so I'd probably take Duncan off if they get their 1B.
Garland needs to be placed on the bubble.
Since he's coming off shoulder surgery, I will wait until he passes his physical before updating the projections. If healthy, I'd place him in the projected rotation ahead of Slowey, who has minor league options remaining.
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