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

[bigfoot5415]

Dice K & Kazmir would have been awesome 5 years ago


Anyone have a list of all the spring training invites?

[Ruken]

Hey if they don't show something in spring training they don't make the team....the large percent of these has-beens will be has-beens but if 1 or 2 find there stuff and stick it will be worth it. Low risk, medium to high reward. I like it, A LOT...count me as pumped for this season..

Not like we can afford do anything more. We have always tried these kind of moves, low risk high reward.

[Tecumseh]

Dice K Kazmir would have been awesome 5 years ago


Anyone have a list of all the spring training invites?

http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/tea...i.jsp?c_id=cle

No Dice-K yet. But the rest are there.

[kriegz]

I'm sure we all remember when Bob Howry got a similar deal and went on to pitch 2 seasons with us for a combined ERA under 3.00

[BrownsBoy315]

I like Dice-K, Rayburn, Kazmir, etc. Low risk and the potential for a reward. This isn't like the Damon signing - Damon was brought in with expectations to produce right away with the ball club. These guys are coming in to be evaluated and see if they work. No harm.

SIDE NOTE: Check out Indians.com. They have a background featuring Francona and Swisher in Indians gear. Nice photoshop job haha.

[Gunther]

Really hoping this one pans out. The Tribe needs a little luck in the starting pitching department. No, take that back, they need a LOT of luck.

Lefty Scott Kazmir, who had offers from other teams, says he signed with #Indians because manager Terry Francona reached out to him.

— paul hoynes (@hoynsie) February 10, 2013

[warddj86]

Really hoping this one pans out. The Tribe needs a little luck in the starting pitching department. No, take that back, they need a LOT of luck.

Lefty Scott Kazmir, who had offers from other teams, says he signed with #Indians because manager Terry Francona reached out to him.

— paul hoynes (@hoynsie) February 10, 2013

The Terry Francona effect seems to be helping the Indians already. Swisher and Kazmir both could be on different teams, but if Francona sees the potential in them, we should too.

[sjhughes]

I dont see how anyone could complain about the signing of these players. Francona has said he wants as much pitching depth as possible and any form of competition or guidance from veteran players can prove to be beneficial for our team of very young players who lacked leadership last year which many people on here frequently pointed out. I see no issue in minor league contracts for players who have had success because if they can turn it around then we are in a very good situation and if not then we aren't wasting money and they can easily be let go.

[sgm405]

I'll never understand one complaining about a minor league deal.

1) It costs the team basically nothing, and the money they do get isn't coming out of your wallet
2) If it does pan out, the Indians get a productive player and/or minor league depth for the cost of nothing. If it doesn't pan out, the team cuts ties with the player and moves on.
3) Every single team does this. The Yankees, Giants, Rangers, Red Sox...every...single...team.

This is a great sign though. When the Dolan/Indians haters have nothing to complain about except for giving minor league deals to guys who likely won't impact the major league team, it means they had a great offseason. Sign a big free agent? Check. Acquire a potential ace? Check. Hire a manager who is a proven winner? Check. Upgrades at 1B, RF, LF, SP, and Bullpen? Check.

It's going to be a fun summer at Progressive Field...

[b00bie]

Anyone comparing this to signing a Johnny Damon doesn't really grasp the concept of a minor league deal.

Matsu and Kazmir, if proven healthy, can pay a significant dividend.

[Randolphkeys]

The team should make frosted hair mandatory, officially pretending that its the 2006 season. At the very least, I want to see some blonde-dyed flavor savor goatees...

[b00bie]

Someone asked for a list of NRI for Spring Training:

P:

Matt Capps
Jerry Gil
Preston Guilmet
Rich Hill (L)
Scott Kazmir (L)
Matt Langwell
Joe Martinez
Fernando Nieve
Edward Paredes (L)
Giovanni Soto (L)

C:

Brian Jeroloman
Roberto Perez
Omir Santos

INF/OF:

Jesus Aguilar
Jason Giambi
Luis Hernandez
Matt LaPorta
Ryan Raburn
Nate Spears
Matt Carson
Ben Francisco
Jeremy Hermida
Cedric Hunter


Matsuzaka hasn't passed his physical yet, so once that's done he'll be on the official list as well.

[JMcCurry08]

good news towards Cabrera

paul hoynes ‏@hoynsie
Antonetti on Cabrera: "All reports have been very favorable. If he's not in the best shape he's ever reported in, he's close." #Indians

[JMcCurry08]

Hey Chris @indiansgm give me a call me and Manny are open to a discussion.Thanks buddy

— Jose Canseco (@JoseCanseco) February 10, 2013

[Pyro]

I'd take Jose. He did fantastic work on Celebrity Apprentice.