2021 Spring Training Thread

[MadThinker88]

I think having a place to post info about players being brought in on NRI to CLE Spring training would be helpful. I will continue to update this post as more names are officially announced.

Once camp starts we can add injury info/ moves/ etc..

So far the Tribe has announced these names:

Kyle Dowdy	RHP	internal	Heath Hembree	RHP	external add
Nick Sandlin	RHP	internal	DJ Johnson	RHP	external add
Bo Taylor	C	internal	Brian Shaw	RHP	external add
Gavin Collins	C	internal	Ben Gamel	OF	external add
Tyler Freeman	INF	internal	Billy Hamilton	OF	external add
Owen Miller	INF	internal	Blake Parker	RHP	external add
Anthony Gose	LHP	bring back	Ryan Lavarnway	C	external add
Mike Freeman	INF	bring back
Oliver Perez	LHP	bring back

Additional camp players (all are internal from CLE Farm System) - Announced 2/13/21

Pitchers LHP Joey Cantillo RHP Robert Broom LHP Kirk McCarty RHP Nick Mikolajchak RHP Cody Morris LHP Adam Scott	Infielders Jose Fermin Tyler Krieger Richie Palacios Brayan Rocchio
Catchers Bryan Lavastida Andres Melendez Yainer Diaz	Outfielders Will Benson Alex Call Steven Kwan Conner Marabell George Valera

 

[AZ_]

 

[Kevalier]

Francona's infatuation with players that remind him of himself when he played never ceases. FWIW:

Terry Francona career stats:
.651 OPS
.290 wOBA
79 wRC+

Mike Freeman career stats:
.645 OPS
.284 wOBA
73 wRC+

 

[daddywags]

Mike Freeman??

Yeah, that's what we need, more Mike Freeman. [Not that he's a terrible player, but what happened to giving our young guys a shot?]

 

[Gson]

I think having a place to post info about players being brought in on NRI to CLE Spring training would be helpful. I will continue to update this post as more names are officially announced.

Once camp starts we can add injury info/ moves/ etc..

So far the Tribe has 4 names announced:

Anthony Gose	LHP	bring back	Heath Hembree	RHP	external add
Mike Freeman	INF	bring back	DJ Johnson	RHP	external add
			Brian Shaw	RHP	external add

adding the Indians Baseball Insider list to your and it looks like as many as three guys might actually have at least a minimal chance to stick.. not a big number.. but, guys don't just play ST for the team they're with.. we'll see..

 

[Obscured By Clouds]

Mike Freeman??

Yeah, that's what we need, more Mike Freeman. [Not that he's a terrible player, but what happened to giving our young guys a shot?]

He at best would be the UTIL. It's not like he will be the starting SS or something.

 

[AZ_]

what happened to giving our young guys a shot?

Literally nothing.

 

[Benway]

Tito does like a devoted, friendly face on the bench.

 

[kriegs]

There's 0 downside to having vets like Shaw and Freeman in Spring Training. At a minimum, they can mentor the young guys there even if they know their own chances of making the team are slim.

 

[Criznit]

Appears we like Freeman and he likes us.. Sounds like a" veteran" presence we could use in AAA

 

[MadThinker88]

There's 0 downside to having vets like Shaw and Freeman in Spring Training. At a minimum, they can mentor the young guys there even if they know their own chances of making the team are slim.

Not looking to debate. Normally this would be a important point. I am not sure how much that would work in the 2 part Spring Training. Vast majority of the young players will not be there for the 1st camp..

 

[kriegs]

Not looking to debate. Normally this would be a important point. I am not sure how much that would work in the 2 part Spring Training. Vast majority of the young players will not be there for the 1st camp..

Ok, point taken. This still cuts many ways though. Freeman and Shaw are professionals who know they probably won't make it.

Wasted space? Maybe, but at least you're not damaging the confidence of a young player you 100% know is starting in the minors this year. Shaw and Freeman can handle batting 2/45 in the spring and completely bombing this opportunity, they are seasoned professionals.

They are basically auditioning for minor league coaching jobs (reckless speculation).

For as much as Freeman fails to impress me and most fans, he's just another shining example of the value position flexibility offers MLB clubs. Remember that next time one of us is skeptical about our players trying new positions.

 

[CATS44]

There is another angle to the util question.

In late November we have to add a ton of kids to the 40 man, most of them MIFs. All of them will be playing every day. All will be developing. All will be evaluated so that the org can make informed decisions when that time arrives...

Except for the one sitting on the bench in Cleveland.

Being the util this season is the kiss of death for next.

 

[CATS44]

With a week to go, its time for the annual 'my favorite spring training quotes'...all of which we are sure to hear. Only the names have been changed, to protect the innocent.

Humbert came to camp in the best shape of his life.

Vladimir lost twenty pounds since the end of last year.

Garth gained ten pounds, all muscle.

Ricardo will be ready by opening day.

Josiah can start baseball activities next week.

We are looking at five guys for two spots in the pen.

Percy is in a good place.

Barnaby has added two notches to his fastball.

Penrod has looked good with his new stance.

The organization is looking into these allegations.

Georgio has taken his game to a new level.

We are putting no limits on Wilberto's innings.

Jaime will go to Columbus to work on his defense.

Larson has a big future in this game.

***************

Believe half of what you see and none of what you hear.

Spring training is a time for mirages, .400 averages, 500 ft home runs, 99 MPH heaters...some from guys who are within weeks of being DFAd.

But the competition for jobs doesn't start in a week. It has been going on for years. Any baseball person who makes decisions, based mainly on what he sees in the March desert is a moron.

 

[CDAV45]

Mike Freeman??

Yeah, that's what we need, more Mike Freeman. [Not that he's a terrible player, but what happened to giving our young guys a shot?]

If they can't win the job over Mike Freeman then they aren't ready to contribute much anyway.