2012-2013 Indians Red Hot Offseason Thread (Bourn signed post 1940)

[Gunther]

I forgot that the Japanese media followed Daisuke everywhere he goes and hangs on his every word. Anyway, here's an update on his and other notable non-roster invites' contract situation:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Indians need to make decision on Dice-K by 3/26. If not on OD roster, either will be released or gets $100K bonus before going to Minors.</p>&mdash; Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBastian/status/301799479294689281">February 13, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>The Indians face the same situation with non-roster invitees DH/PH Jason Giambi and RHP Matt Capps.</p>&mdash; Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBastian/status/301799626724474880">February 13, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>If Dice-K, Giambi and/or Capps take $100K bonus and go to Minors, a June 1st out clause kicks in. NRI Raburn also has out clause for 6/1.</p>&mdash; Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBastian/status/301800119634907136">February 13, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

And then this nice article by Sheldon Ocker of the ABJ:

Healthy Daisuke Matsuzaka knows many watching his comeback with Indians

By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sports writer

Published: February 13, 2013 - 05:41 PM

GOODYEAR, ARIZ.: Reporters covering the Indians were outnumbered 5-1 by a contingent of 20 Japanese media members, who crowded into the spring training complex to cover the big story of the day.

What was so important to bring together so many print and electronic reporters from Asia? The Indians announced early Wednesday morning that they had formally signed Daisuke Matsuzaka to a minor-league contract that included an invitation to major-league training camp.

Hardly earth-shaking news to 90 percent of the baseball world but enough to make headlines in Japan. It was no secret that the team had done a deal. But officially, it didn’t count until Matsuzaka passed a physical.

As if to validate the physical, Matsuzaka threw his first bullpen session of the spring in the cool, sunny Arizona air.

“They told me to keep it light and focus on my mechanics,” Matsuzaka said through his translator, Jeff Cutler.

At this early juncture, nobody in authority for the Tribe is keeping score of Matsuzaka’s performance level.

“I thought for a first bullpen, it was crisp,” said manager Terry Francona, who urged the club to sign Matsuzaka. “He showed some real good maturity, and I thought he looked in real good shape.”

Francona knows Matsuzaka better than anyone in camp after managing him for five years with the Boston Red Sox.

“He looked [today] like he looks when he’s healthy,” Francona said. “But it’s his first bullpen, so you don’t want to evaluate him. I remember his first spring. I felt sorry for him. Every time he gave up a hit, he had to account for it [to the media].”

“We have to be cautious in making any evaluations,” General Manager Chris Antonetti said. “The most important thing is that he’s healthy and that he goes through his spring training progressions. When he’s been healthy, Daisuke has been a good pitcher here and in Japan.”

Good health to Matsuzaka refers to his surgically repaired right elbow. He began to feel pain in the elbow in 2009 and underwent operation to reconstruct the joint in 2011. He returned to the Red Sox last year and went 1-7 with an 8.28 ERA, a far cry from his combined numbers of 2007-2008, when he was 33-15 with a 3.72 ERA.

Matsuzaka’s departure from Japan and his arrival in Boston (for $52 million) was national news in 2007. But that was a long time ago. His mission now is to resurrect his career and try to earn a spot in the Tribe’s rotation. It won’t be easy.

Four pitchers have been anointed starters already: Justin Masterson, Ubaldo Jimenez, Brett Myers and Zach McAllister. Carlos Carrasco, like Matsuzaka, coming off Tommy John elbow surgery, is considered the favorite to win the fifth and final berth.

Beyond these five are Scott Kazmir, Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer, the prodigy obtained from the Arizona Diamondbacks during the winter. David Huff might even be in the mix, though it appears that the Tribe is inclined to turn him into reliever.

“I am going into camp with no guarantees,” Matsuzaka said. “This will be my first such experience as a professional, and it’s definitely a new feeling. But they are giving me an opportunity.”

Matsuzaka said he talked to three teams when it became clear the Red Sox did not want him back.

“It came down to me wanting to pitch for an American League team, and I wanted to pitch against Boston,” he said. “I also wanted to pitch for Tito [Francona]. I met with him yesterday. Tito smiled. He brings a calm to me.”

Matsuzaka wanted to pitch against the Red Sox? Is his motivation revenge?

“Last season, when I went back to the Red Sox, [he and other players] used to talk about me coming back and pitching against them,” Matsuzaka said. “We were just having a good laugh, but now that it can be a reality, it will be a good time.”

Matsuzaka doesn’t plan to change the way he pitches, but one thing definitely will be different.

“I’ve been throwing in pain for quite awhile,” he said. “Now, it’s important for me to get used to throwing without pain. That might take some time. But without pain, I should be the pitcher I was in the past.”

When Matsuzaka returned to the mound last year, he wasn’t quite sure how his arm would react and was keenly aware of every sensation he felt, real or imagined.

“Right now, I have no concerns,” he said. “But coming back from Tommy John last year was a constant battle. People told me that I was fine, but I was trying to find out what my body could do and what condition I was in.”

Matsuzaka thinks that the uncertainty has ended and that this clarity will put him back in the big leagues to stay.

LINK

And on a side note: it's incredible how many ongoing national media stories this team has going in to ST. There's Daisuke and Bauer, who's every move and words are scrutinized to a ridiculous level. There's Tito, who's a champion and media darling of sorts. There's Swisher, who's an interview highlight every time you put a microphone in his face. There's Ubaldo, who could either be a train wreck or a hero. One has to wonder how much this will let our "core" from last year (Santana, Kipnis, Droobs, Masterson, Brantley, etc.) just fade into the media background and concentrate more on their games. The excitement is building . . .

 

[Real Deal]

Dice K can be a story of the year. I love that the Tribe are taking chances, bettering the team, being active, I'm just a happy fan and excited for this season. If our pitching can return to form and get to the 7th, we are a dangerous ball club. Not to mention that if the pitching performs, their going to get a major contributer in Bauer later in the year when Tribe feels he's ready.

 

[tedginnjr]

Haven't read this whole thread but...

A lot of people are concerned about our starting pitching, which is valid. But a defensive outfield of Bourn, Brantley, and Stubbs will improve our pitching quite a bit by themselves. The key isn't just pitching, it's run prevention...

 

[shoes22]

This is really exciting...our roster resembles a modern-day version of the movie Major League. Such a unique cast of characters.

 

[Homestar]

I really hope we accept Showtime's offer to be the featured team on The Franchise. That show is awesome.

 

[Amherstcavsfan]

Haven't read this whole thread but...

A lot of people are concerned about our starting pitching, which is valid. But a defensive outfield of Bourn, Brantley, and Stubbs will improve our pitching quite a bit by themselves. The key isn't just pitching, it's run prevention...

I believe I saw somewhere that a Brantley, Bourn, Stubbs outfield is almost a run differential better from last year's outfield.

Which is astounding.

 

[shoes22]

I really hope we accept Showtime's offer to be the featured team on The Franchise. That show is awesome.

Does Showtime pay the team to be featured? If so, the Indians should definitely accept it.

Maybe we should write to Bob DiBiasio and tell him the fans want to see the Indians on the show.

 

[Pyro]

I really hope we accept Showtime's offer to be the featured team on The Franchise. That show is awesome.

There is an offer on the table? Link?

 

[Damage]

Insanely awesome.

nm

 

[Damage]

Indians confirm the Albert Belle bobblehead will be a replica of him pointing to his bicep. Seriously.#giveawayoftheyear

<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<iframe id="rufous-sandbox" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" style="display: none; "></iframe>

 

[Randolphkeys]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Indians confirm the Albert Belle bobblehead will be a replica of him pointing to his bicep. Seriously. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23giveawayoftheyear">#giveawayoftheyear</a></p>— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZackMeisel/status/301757976832794624">February 13, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Proud to say I attended that game - easily top ten in the history of the franchise if you think about it.

first playoff game for the franchise for an entire generation.

rain delay, extra inning victory on an unlikely Tony Pena walk off.

Belle was wrongly accused of doctoring the bat. Bitch made, Terry Franc.... oh yeah, never mind...

 

[shoes22]

There is an offer on the table? Link?

http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2013/02/tribe_pursuing_michael_bourn_k.html

 

[Frank Stallone]

Both MLB.com and ESPN saying that Cleveland is either the best or second best fit for Lohse. Even with talk they aren't interested - curious if they become so the longer it holds out.

 

[shoes22]

I just don't think the Tribe has any money left to spend for a guy like Lohse.

I wouldn't put much stock into what MLB.com or ESPN thinks. It might be the best fit as we clearly have a need for more starting pitching, but there hasn't been any indication that we've had any serious discussions about him.

EDIT: As of right now, the Nationals are appearing as the favorites to sign Lobse.

 

[Mo Fiya]

I just don't think the Tribe has any money left to spend for a guy like Lohse.

I wouldn't put much stock into what MLB.com or ESPN thinks. It might be the best fit as we clearly have a need for more starting pitching, but there hasn't been any indication that we've had any serious discussions about him.

EDIT: As of right now, the Nationals are appearing as the favorites to sign Lobse.

I'd hate to be an NL east team right now. If the nats can add lohse to a strausburg, Gonzales, haren rotation... Look out. They could really run away with that division.