'Tribe Notes'
Indians avoid arbitration again, sign Asdrubal Cabrera to one-year deal
CLEVELAND — Asdrubal Cabrera was not the streak stopper. On the verge of going to arbitration with a player for the first time since 1991, the Indians agreed to terms with their all-star shortstop Friday on a one-year contract worth $4.55 million. The deal is $75,000 above the midpoint of what Cabrera was asking for [...]
Indians: Tribe arbitration streak still intact
The Indians avoided an arbitration hearing for another season, agreeing to terms Friday on a one-year contract with their only remaining arbitration eligible player, All-Star shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera. Cabrera will earn $4.55 million in 2012. The contract was $75,000 above the midpoint of what Cabrera was asking at arbitration ($5.2 million) and the $3.75 million [...]
Indians glad to have Kotchman and vice versa
CLEVELAND — The Indians have been after Casey Kotchman for awhile. They officially got him Friday. “We feel like we brought in a guy that complements our group very well,” Cleveland general manager Chris Antonetti said of Kotchman, a free-agent first baseman who signed a one-year contract worth $3 million plus incentives ($1.75 million). “We’ve [...]
Indians: Kotchman signing is official
CLEVELAND — The Indians have been after Casey Kotchman for awhile. They officially got him Friday. Cleveland confirmed that it had signed Kotchman to a one-year contract worth $3 million plus incentives ($1.75 million), announcing as much less than 24 hours after reports surfaced that the club had signed the free-agent first baseman. “We feel [...]
Indians hope they’ve solved problem at first base by picking up Casey Kotchman
CLEVELAND — It appears the Indians have finally found their first baseman. Cleveland agreed to terms Thursday with free agent Casey Kotchman on a one-year contract worth $3 million plus incentives. The deal is not official but pending a physical will likely be announced today. The move comes just two days after the Indians traded [...]
Indians: Tribe finds first baseman Kotchman
CLEVELAND — Though the Indians wouldn’t confirm as much, it appears they have finally found their first baseman. According to multiple reports Thursday night, Cleveland has agreed to terms with free agent Casey Kotchman on a one-year contract worth $3 million plus incentives. The deal is likely pending a physical and will be announced today. [...]
Indians: Rafael Perez signs; Cabrera still arbitration eligible
CLEVELAND — It’s down to Asdrubal Cabrera. Relief pitcher Rafael Perez agreed to a one year-contract Thursday, leaving Cabrera, the Indians’ all-star shortstop, as the the club’s only remaining arbitration-eligible player. Cabrera, who stands in the way of a lengthy arbitration-less streak for the Indians, is asking for $5.2 million in 2012. Cleveland, which hasn’t [...]
Tribe trades for Rays’ prospect
CLEVELAND — It wasn’t the big fish they hoped to hook on the free-agent market, but the Indians may have found their replacement for first baseman Matt LaPorta. Cleveland acquired one of Tampa Bay’s top prospects Tuesday, sending cash to the Rays for first baseman Russ Canzler. Canzler, 25, was the International League’s Most Valuable [...]
Indians: Tribe nabs possible LaPorta replacement
CLEVELAND – It wasn’t the big fish they hoped to hook on the free-agent market, but the Indians may have found their replacement for first baseman Matt LaPorta. Cleveland acquired one of Tampa Bay’s top prospects Tuesday, sending cash to the Rays for first baseman Russ Canzler. Canzler, 25, was the International League’s most valuable [...]
Commentary: On second thought, Tribe can’t take down Tigers
Until the last couple of weeks, I was picking the Indians to win the Central Division. That might have been going out on a bit of a limb. To pick them after what has transpired as of late would be stepping out on a twig. With a starting rotation of Ubaldo Jimenez, Justin Masterson, Fausto [...]
Tough week doesn’t rob Indians’ Manny Acta manager of confidence
STRONGSVILLE — Manny Acta was warmly greeted in the hallway by Slider, the Indians’ pink mascot, who wrapped his furry arms around Cleveland’s affable manager. After the week he’s had, Acta needed a hug. First, Acta learned that pitcher Fausto Carmona, his countryman from the Dominican Republic and one of his starters, was arrested on [...]
Indians: Tribe adds reliever to mix
The Indians signed relief pitcher Dan Wheeler to a minor league contract Thursday that includes an invitation to big league spring training camp. The 34-year-old right-hander is a 12-year veteran that spent last season with Boston. He owns a lifetime record of 25-43 with a 3.88 ERA in 577 games.
Indians: Carmona placed on restricted list
The Indians placed pitcher Fausto Carmona on Major League Baseball’s restricted list, which means they are not responsible for the right-hander’s salary as he sorts out his legal problems in the Domincian Republic. While on the restricted list, Carmona does not count against the club’s payroll or its 25- and 40-man rosters. Carmona was arrested [...]
Indians trade for P Kevin Slowey after Carmona mess
CLEVELAND — The Indians moved quickly to take precautions against the uncertain future of Fausto Carmona. With Carmona still detained in the Dominican Republic, Cleveland acquired starting pitcher Kevin Slowey and cash considerations Friday in a trade with Colorado for minor league reliever Zach Putnam. Carmona, the Indians’ opening-day starter last year, was arrested Thursday [...]
Indians: Carmona released from jail
According to The Associated Press, Indians pitcher Fausto Carmona was released from jail in Dominican Republic on Friday after posting a $13,000 bond. Carmona, who was arrested Thursday on false identity charges, apologized to fans and the U.S. government. The charges against Carmona allege that the pitcher’s real name is Roberto Hernandez Heredia and that [...]
Indians: Carmona arrested for false identity
Chris Assenheimer The Chronicle-Telegram CLEVELAND – Apparently Fausto Carmona isn’t Fausto Carmona after all. And he’s a little older, too. In a bizarre story coming out of the Dominican Republic on Thursday, the Indians right-hander was arrested in his native country and charged with falsifying his identity to obtain a U.S. Visa. According to the [...]
Indians: 5 players avoid arbitration; Asdrubal Cabrera, Raffy Perez still unsigned
CLEVELAND — The Indians avoided arbitration with five players Tuesday, but All-Star shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and relief pitcher Rafael Perez remained unsigned. Cabrera and Perez exchanged salary figures with the club prior to the 1 p.m. deadline for that step in the arbitration process, with arbitration hearings set to take place Feb. 1-21 in St. [...]
Indians GM Chris Antonetti confident he has a contender on his hands
CLEVELAND — Though fans may not share his belief, general manager Chris Antonetti is optimistic that the Indians can contend for a Central Division title in 2012. That is with or without Carlos Pena. “Organizationally, we feel our major league team is in a very good spot right now, and in position to contend for [...]
Indians: Antonetti says Tribe a contender in 2012
Chris Assenheimer The Chronicle-Telegram CLEVELAND — Though fans may not share his belief, general manager Chris Antonetti is optimistic that the Indians can contend for a Central Division title in 2012. That is with or without Carlos Pena. “Organizationally, we feel our major league team is in a very good spot right now, and in [...]
Indians: Tribe adds three players to the fold
CLEVELAND — At the recent winter meetings, Indians general manager Chris Antonetti hinted that he had something surprising up his sleeve. Tribe fans are hoping this isn’t it. Cleveland was busy Friday, acquiring three players, but it was more quantity than quality, with only one of them, outfielder Aaron Cunningham, a safe bet to grace [...]
Indians offer contracts to all unsigned players
CLEVELAND — The Indians have offered contracts to all the unsigned players on their roster, including seven who are eligible for arbitration this winter. The club had until midnight Monday to tender contracts for the 2012 season to any unsigned players listed on the 40-man roster. Any players who are non-tendered become free agents. All-Star [...]
Sizemore happy in Cleveland, opts to sign 1-year deal
CLEVELAND — Grady Sizemore is taking his talents back to Cleveland. While a number of professional athletes have made news by skipping town, Sizemore, the Indians’ longtime center fielder actually chose to stick around, agreeing to a one-year contract worth $5 million. Sizemore, a three-time all-star and two-time Gold Glove award winner, became a free [...]
Grady Sizemore out after Indians decline option on injury-plagued star
CLEVELAND — Once the Indians’ leadoff hitter, their constantly hustling All-Star outfielder and the undisputed face of their franchise, Grady Sizemore meant everything to Cleveland. It couldn’t last forever. The Indians declined Sizemore’s $9 million contract option for 2012 on Monday, cutting ties with the popular injury-plagued center fielder and making him eligible for free [...]
Tribe picks up veteran starter Derek Lowe
Derek Lowe’s durability — and price tag — were too much for the Cleveland Indians to resist. The club acquired the 15-year veteran pitcher from the Atlanta Braves on Monday for a minor leaguer, a low-risk move designed to bolster Cleveland’s starting rotation. The Indians got the 38-year-old Lowe, who has 166 career wins, in [...]
Indians exercise 2012 option for Fausto Carmona, decline Grady Sizemore
The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has exercised the 2012 club option on pitcher Fausto Carmona. Also today the Indians declined the 2012 club option of outfielder Grady Sizemore, who is now eligible for free agency. Carmona went 3-5 with a 4.49 ERA in his final 15 starts from July 1 through the end [...]