2012 Indians First Baseman

Now this was one of the few question marks going into this season since Matt LaPorta hasn't been very productive like expected when then Indians acquired him in the CC Sabathia trade. He has been a disappointment since he was supposed to be an all-start potential at first. He really didn't have a horrible season, but because of high expectations and only about average defense, he lost his starting spot. So far in spring training he has shown his power in practice but hasn't shown much in games yet. LaPorta still has another option year so I actually expect him to play at AAA this season and hopefully next year he can take 1st base back over and reach his potential.

Kotchman

Casey Kotchman was a big free agent signing for the Indians and will be the everyday first baseman. He is a solid defensive player and a solid hitter. Last year was one of the best seasons in his career with a .307 batting average. Do not get me wrong here, I actually like Kotchman but my biggest question is he is a left handed bat and if Sizemore is healthy all of the project hitters against right handed pitchers will bat from the left side. Indians have a lot of left handed bats and we have a lot of players that bat from the right side at first. It was defensively a very smart signing. With the fact we have a lot of ground ball pitchers this signing does make a lot of sense. Just would have been nice to play a right handed bat at first.

Now here is the rest of the players that can play first. You have been introduced to LaPorta and Kotchman who are the top two in the organization at first but there is a few more that can play first. The Indians actually have a few guys that play multiple positions that may get some time at first if there is injuries.

Jack Hannahan actually could be our starting third baseman but could get some time at first when Kotchman needs a day off or is injured. Hannahan was a surprise to everyone including myself with his performance last season. He has always been known for a solid glove but last season was the first time he has had a good season with the bat. Either he will be starting at third or the utility man off the bench so he will see some action at first.

Carlos Santana will play most of the time at catcher but will have some starts at first against left handed bats. He is only average defensively at first, but he is a solid bat so the Indians want to keep him in the lineup almost everyday. He will get probably at least 20 games at first throughout the season.

Duncan

Shelley Duncan is another guy that will more than likely be off the bench for the Indians. I see him playing LF  more than first base but he has a fair amount of experience at first so he may see the field at first once in awhile because he is a right handed bat with power. He is average defensively at first but he has an attitude that is well liked in the Indians clubhouse.

Canzler

Russ Canzler is actually a wild card at first base this season. Now he had a breakout year last year for the Rays AAA team and was acquired for cash this offseason. He is an average defensive player but has shown he has a great bat. Now he has very little major league experience but potentially he could become a solid player for the Indians and he has another option year so he can also easily compete for the job next season. Now he can also play some left and right field as well.


Jose Lopez is another guy that can play first as well. Now I don't expect him to play much at all first, but he has been playing well this spring and has a chance to win an utility spot off the bench.

There is a few more players you may see if there are injuries like Andy LaRoche, Beau Mills, and yes even Michael Brantley

2012 Indians Catchers

This will more than likely be the easiest blog I have ever written. This is truly the position going into this season that was already set going into this season. So let's get this one started. Sorry about not posting more sooner.

Santana

Carlos Santana will be the main backstop for the Indians next season. After starting very slowly last year coming off a horrible knee injury he started to heat up. Even though his overall batting average was .239, he hit 27 home runs and had a .350 on base percentage. There is high expectations for this kid to really be an all-star of the future for the Indians. Last year was actually his first full season so this year he has more experience underneath his belt and should have a much better season. Now he is struggle in spring but it is still early. He is only an average defensive catcher so he does need to produce with his bat.

Marson

Lou Marson is the backup for Santana. He has not hit well since coming over to Cleveland in the Cliff Lee trade but has actually played better than expected defensively. Marson has the potential to become a gold glover behind the plate. Teams also avoid running on him as well since he is honestly one of the harder catchers to run off in the league. He will start often against left handed pitchers and probably still have his 5th day start as well. I am not sure if Acta will always have his catchers catch certain pitchers or not.





Marson and Santana will catch the entire season as long as they are healthy. Indians only have those two as catchers on their 40 man roster. Indians are taking a gamble with this since normally teams will carry at least three catchers. Now there are two more that people should know the name of. One is the third catcher in the organization's depth chart and the other is a top catching prospect. Though do not be surprised if we acquire another catcher if Santana or Marson goes down long term.

Carlin

Luke Carlin is our third catcher in the Indians organization. He has limited major league experience but has been part of the AAA's team back to back championships in the minors. He has been a solid catcher but still lacks some skills with the bat. Many of the young pitchers have worked with Carlin so there is some familiar there with them.

Chen

Chun-Hsiu Chen is another name you may need to know. 17th ranked prospect on the Indians minor leagues and this is his first major league camp. His prospect rating more than likely will increase with another good season. He was only at AA so it is to be expected he will start at AA this year and spend some time at AAA. I don't expect him up before September of 2013 but injuries could bring him up early if the season is not going well for the Indians since they are high on this kid.

Indians Offseason 2012 Relief Pitchers

Well the Bullpen Mafia is back and ready to take out some guys once again. There is one spot right now as off this off season, but many good arms that can contend for the mix.

Chris Perez

 Lets start at the top with our returning closer Chris Perez who had a solid year. His velocity though was down and his ERA up a bit, but he is our closer for next season to get ready to see Rage back in Cleveland at the end of the ball games.

Next come our two set up guys. The lefty Tony Sipp is the veteran set up man in the pen. He had a good season though at times I think he was up and down, but when he was on, you really couldn't hit him. I expect another sub 4 ERA year out of him.

Vinnie Pesstano

Next was the rookie sensation Vinnie Pestano who actually did way better than expected from anyone. He was one of the last to actually make the ball club and became a great setup guy with a 2.32 ERA. Now it will be hard for him to repeat like that but I expect him to have another solid season for the Indians.


To probably the pitcher that had the best year out of the pen, Joe Smith , who has a common name but with a very uncommon submarine style of arm slot. He had a 2.01 ERA which was better than I think anyone every expected from him. Now he is a right handed specialist but he did a much better job when he did have to face a lefty last year. To repeat his performance will be very difficult but with the fact he has always stayed under a four ERA, he will be a rough pitcher for righties to face out of the tribes pen.

Smith's lefty counterpart was Rafael Perez, had a solid year with an ERA just above 3. He has been with the tribe the longest and has his shares of big ups and downs, but another good year is expected of him. I think he has settled down into working with Smith as a lefty right combo in the bullpen.

Those five will be the main contributors to the bullpen mafia in 2012. Now for the rest of the could be members of the pen. Chad Durbin has left, so his spot will be vacant until a contender rises to take it.

Frank Herrmann a current member of the Mafia who was primarily a longer relief pitcher last year. He struggled though unlike the five mentioned above. I expect him to be in the Mafia next season, but don't be surprised if a contender will replace him. He doesn't have a guaranteed spot so he needs to have a good spring to keep his job.

Nick Hagadone

Nick Hagadone  is the big southpaw that was required with Justin Masterson in the Victor Martinez trade. Last season was his first real taste of the major leagues. He went back and forth between starting and relieving in the minors, but he will only relieve on the team. Scouts really like his stuff and easily could take the last spot of the Mafia.

Corey Kluber is the next man on the roster who may make the Mafia. Now he really is a long shot since he didn't have the greatest year last year. I think he is a couple seasons away from making it, but it very possible since he also a starter to make the bullpen as a long reliever since the Tribe thinks he will be good out of the pen, but I think he's a long shot

Now with Carmona/Heredia on the restricted list, which removes him from the 40 man roster, but does not release him, there is an opening for a few players to get the last bullpen spot. Spring training invites like Austin Adams,  Chris Seddon, and Tyler Sturdevant are extreme long shots of even trying to make this team. They are organizational depth for the Indians and I expect maybe Clippers fans to see the names, but Cleveland fans will not.

Robinson Tejeda is a veteran who has been pitching for awhile so he was a good signing for the Indians, but still will be a long shot to make the team. He had a few good seasons for Kansas City until last year. He is trying to come back from only pitching 7.1 innings last year. With better candidates in spring training he has to be completely lights out to even think about making this team.

Hector Ambriz

Hector Ambriz was a player the Indians picked up in a Rule 5 draft a few seasons ago but had to undergo Tommy John surgery.  Indians organization thought he had some upside but I expect him still to be a long shot to make this team. I think Clippers fans will get to know him name well this year.

Jeremy Accardo is another decent signing by the Indians, but he has only been able to put together one good season in the big leagues. This guy is another long shot to make the team and if he doesn't have an opt out option then the Clippers will see him as well.

Chen Lee

Next three I think one of them will make this team. One is a young kid with a lot of upside and the other two have had solid big league careers so like Durban last year, are veterans with experience.


The youngster is who I shall start with. His name is Chen Lee who has had a very good and quick rise through the minors. He may spend one more year in AAA, but he will be a September call up and easily could be a similar story to Pestano last year. With more experienced players in front of him, he may not make it, but he is a very strong candidate too.

Chris Ray when he was younger had some brilliant seasons and also closed a couples season. Last few years he has not done as well, but this is a great chance to put his career back on track. I feel if he has a good spring he has a great chance of making this team.

Dan Wheeler

Dan Wheeler  has pitched over nine seasons in the big leagues and could have the best chance of making the last spot in the Mafia. Acta is not known to rush young players to the big leagues so a guy like Wheeler with a lot of experience could easily find some time to pitch for the Indians this season.  He had 6 straight season of like 70 appearances until last year when he had 47. I would say he isn't going to be a long relief pitcher, but could easily bring an experience pitcher into the Mafia.

To quickly review, Indians closer is Chris Perez, with lefty Tony Sipp and righty Vinnie Pestano setting him up. Middle relievers spot belongs to lefty Rafael Perez and righty Joe Smith. Last two spots will be taken by two of the following pitchers : Frank Herrmann, Nick Hagadone, Chen Lee, Chris Ray or Dan Wheeler. Right now Herrmann and Wheeler probably have the best shot, but Hagadone could easily beat out one of them. Lee is a name to watch out for especially if there are injuries in the bullpen since he may be one of the first to be called up.  I hope everyone had a good read :)

Indians Offseason 2012 Starting Pitchers

Carmona/Heredia

It's the off season for baseball and since I am an Indians fan I will evaluate the Indians pitching. Now I do not have any insider sources but what I can find online, so much of this will be my own opinion and conclusions done through research

Now the biggest topic to hit Cleveland this off season is the fact that Fausto Carmona is really Roberto Heredia. Link He was slated to be the Indians number 3 starter for next season. With his work visa not being renewed just yet because of his falsifying his name. The Indians who just accepted his contract for next season have a chance to void it altogether. So he may or may not pitch next season for the Indians. *Edit: Carmona/Heredia has been moved to the restricted list which means the Indians took him off the 40 man roster but is not official released. He will not receive any pay until he comes off of the list.

This actually changes the plans for the starting rotation for the Indians. Justin Masterson who is coming off an amazing season is considered the ace of the staff. He is a big powerful right hander with an odd angle of delivery. His potential has always been there but last season was when he got everything together.
Then next is Ubaldo Jimenez  who the Indians acquired in a very controversial trade with the Rockies last season by trading their two top pitching prospects. Jimenez did not a have a good outing with the Indians nor really was he having a good season in general. When he is healthy though he has the potential to be an ace of a staff so the Indians organization took a chance on him.
Josh Tomlin  is the next pitcher in the rotation for the Indians. He was a surprise last year when he made the squad and had a very good season until they shut him down early with arm issues. He isn't an impressive throwing pitcher but he has good poise and knowledge out there on the mound. To me is will always be a fourth to fifth starter but will always pitch a lot of innings when he is healthy.

Derek Lowe

Derek Lowe is the old man they picked up for the Braves for minor leaguer this off season. He did not have a great year with the Braves last year but has been pitching a long time and could bring a leadership to this young Indians pitching staff.

Kevin Slowey

With Carmona's season maybe being over without a work Visa the Indians quickly went and got Kevin Slowey from the Rockies, who is a former Twin's pitcher, who was just recently traded to the Rockies, to add an insurance policy to the Indians rotation. Right now he is projected as the 5th starter since he is more experienced than the rest of the players in contention.
Jeanmar Gomez is the youngest of the candidates who has shown some makings of a very good pitcher. He is only turning 24 so he will be apart of this ball club for a few more seasons, so expect his name to be around awhile.
David Huff who is the oldest of the minor leaguers trying for the 5th spot has really been up and down. Consistency has been his problem the last few years, but still has a chance to beat out others for that 5th spot.
Zach McAllister  who was pretty much stolen from the Yankees a couple seasons ago is another pitcher that could be a contender for this 5th spot. I think he is another year away, but he is a big right hander that's coming into his prime so he has some upside. I see him up in September for this ball club though.

Scott Barnes

Scott Barnes is another player that actually ended up get stolen by us in a trade with the Giants. He is a long shot to make the team but had a great year at AAA and he is also a lefty.
Corey Kluber is the last on the list to make the ball club. They actually may decide to put him in the bullpen since that is where he got his innings at  last season in his first major league action. He was also acquired in a trade a few seasons ago but wasn't stolen like McAllister and Barnes, lol. Tomlin, Gomez and Huff are the only home grown pitchers of the roster.

This actually is a pretty good and deep pitching staff. I don't expect us to sign anymore starting pitchers in all honesty since we seem to be pretty set this year. So five of these names will be our starters though if we get Carmona/Heredia back in uniform this team right now is 11 deep in starting pitchers even though we traded two very good potential ones away. Slowey and Lowe really aren't part of the future probably  even though Slowey is under contract for two more seasons. Ask me if you want to know more information on players cause I would be more than welcomed to share more I just wanted a quick synopsis to everyone on the starting staff.

First Blog

Alright so first things first I am gonna make an introduction blog. Name I go by is Ty Archy. It is a shortened version of my first and last name so that is what I shall go by online. I am a sports fanatic but I will talk about anything in all honesty. No I do not have the best grammar in the world, but I will talk  about everything candidly. Some people may not always like my comments but I am very down to earth and will always tell the truth about things. I normally do a very good job of researching everything that I talk about. Though at times I can get lazy since I don't have any true inside sources, just have a great knowledge of sports and most things in general. So I hope I get some readers soon which would be really cool. :)