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• Indians not just looking to sell

  November 25, 2012 by KenRosenthal

   

  Most of the talk around the Indians this offseason revolves around which players they will trade, from right fielder Shin-Soo Choo to shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, right-hander Justin Masterson to closer Chris Perez. 

   

  Yet, according to major-league sources, the Indians aren’t limiting their search to improve, even while considering moves that seemingly will result in a step backward.

   

  In fact, club officials are checking in on most of the available players in trades and free agency, even ones who seemingly will be out of their financial reach.

   

  Case in point: Free-agent outfielder/first baseman Nick Swisher.

   

  The Indians likely stand no chance of signing Swisher, who is drawing interest from a number of clubs and could emerge as a viable alternative for teams that fail to land the market’s biggest prize, Josh Hamilton.

   

  Swisher, though, is from Parkersburg, WV, a city not far from the Ohio border. He attended Ohio State University. And, like most players, he holds new Indians manager Terry Francona in high regard.

   

  Does any of that mean that the Indians will sign Swisher? Of course not. But just as teams act as buyers and sellers at the trade deadline, the Indians could function as both this off-season — and maybe even pull off a surprise.

   

  — Ken Rosenthal

   

   

   

   

   

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• Indians have bevy of groundball pitchers

  November 02, 2011 by KenRosenthal

  The Indians’ trade for right-hander Derek Lowe means that the Tribe’s rotation will include three of the top eight pitchers in groundball percentage last season – and a fourth, righty Ubaldo Jimenez, who ranked 31^st.

   

  The infield defense behind such a rotation will be critical, and at first glance the Indians’ group does not appear particularly strong.

   

  Club officials, though, hold a different view, saying that they like their infielders better than advanced metrics might indicate.

   

  Third baseman Jack Hannahan is an elite top defender, and the team’s other option at the position, Lonnie Chisenhall, is improving. Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera rates poorly in advanced metrics, but not in the Indians’ judgment. Second baseman Jason Kipnis, a converted outfielder, will be at least average next season, the Indians say, and possibly above-average in the future.

   

  First base, in the words of one club official, is “to be determined,” with Matt LaPorta the incumbent. But quality defenders at first – Casey Kotchman, Carlos Pena, Lyle Overbay, Brad Hawpe - should be readily available on the open market.

   

  Lowe ranked third in the majors in groundball percentage last season, righty Fausto Carmona fifth, righty Justin Masterson eighth. Righty Josh Tomlin is the only flyball in the team’s projected 2012 rotaiton.

   

  The thing about Lowe that appealed to the Indians was his durability; he has pitched at least 180 innings in each of the last 10 seasons. While his stuff was down last season – “it sucks getting old,” Lowe, 38, told one Braves teammate – he remained a hard worker, good teammate and positive example for younger pitchers.

   

  In addition, Lowe’s price is right – the Braves are paying $10 million of his $15 million salary next season, with the Indians responsible for the remaining $5 million.

   

  The Tigers paid righty Brad Penny $3 million to be their fifth starter last season. The Rangers guaranteed injured righty Brandon Webb the same amount, even though Webb ultimately did not pitch for them.

   

  -Ken Rosenthal

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