A Quest Called Tribe

As I resurfaced from my doldrums, I found the least likely ambassador of victory pitching for the Indians.   I guess that the Tribe could have re-acquired Andy Marte and send him to the hill rather than Carlos Carrasco.  Andy could have throw 8.1 3 hit innings and stopped the losing streak that I remain purposefully ignorant as to the length of.  That would have been a slightly less predictable, but not much.

Oh, good lord, winning feels so wonderful.  I had forgotten.

Sure, the good guys managed only four hits of their own in a 1-0 victory. Sure, over the past six games (dammit, I just had to research and discover that the losing skid had stretched to 5) the offense has produced 1.8 runs per and batted at a woeful .184 clip.  Sure, Manny's boys have dropped 10 of 13 and have been left clinging to a one and a half game lead in the central.  But, help, my friends, help and hope are on the way.  While a corresponding roster move has yet to be announced (bye-bye, Adam Everett), Cord Phelps has packed his bags and received his well-wished.  Cord Phelps, ladies and gentlemen, is on the way to Cleveland.  I am not here to anoint him as the savior, though it might seem like that from the build-up accompanying the prolonged procrastination of the Indians front office.  Phelps is here to do three things: (1) hold his own two or three games a week in rotating platoon at second and third, (2) lead the charge of the youth movement (can't do it from the DL, Alex) and (3) most importantly, hit the goddamn baseball.

When last we spoke, before I was once again swallowed by the abyss, I called for three roster moves.  One, now, is done.  Nick Hagadone earned his second AAA yesterday with two scoreless innings and should still be on board by August.  Chad Durbin remains gainfully employed despite not pitching in a meaningful situation in a month.  He has slid into the garbage role formerly held by Justin Germano and, two scoreless innings over the weekend notwithstanding, has continued to pitch like complete refuse.  Carrasco's performance tonight, combined with Zach McAllister's first poor outing of the season on Sunday (5 IP, 12 H, 7 ER) and the seeming regression of Josh Tomlin makes move #3 seem foolish and impulsive.  Even so, I stand by the assertions that Carrasco is a long way from consistent success and McAllister will make a positive cointribution in 2011.

Expect a brief rundown on the Tribe's mid-round picks and round-up of minor league actions tomorrow.

Cheers.

Pretty Girl 06.08.11 - Anna Chlumsky

Um... this is the little chick from My Girl.  Uh... wow.

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This is what happens every time two dudes are left in a room with a loaded gun.  Literally, every time.  Cool.

Pretty Girl 06.07.11 - Ashley Judd

Honestly, there are more pictures of this one with her top off than on.  Add in her Wildcat fanaticism and I'm hooked.

A Quest Called Tribe: Indians Select SS Francisco Lindor @ #8

5'11", 175 lb, Bats: Switch, Throws: Right

Born: November 14, 1993; Caguas, Puerto Rico (Age 17)

Statistics @ Monteverde Academy, Sports Preparatory, Montverde, FL

10-11: .528(28-53), 6 HR, 13 RBI, 9 2B/3B, 31 R, 20/21 SB

09-10: .354 (17-48), HR, 3 RBI, 6 2B, 3B, 14 R, BB, 2 K, .943 OPS, 9/10 SB, .898 FPct, 6 E

08-09: .422 (27-64), 5 HR, 20 RBI, 7 2B, 29 R, 6 BB, 3 K, 1.266 OPS, 7/8 SB, .936 FPct, 5 E

07-08: .364 (4-11), 2 RBI, 2B, 6 R, 3 BB, 2 K, .988 OPS, .944 FPct, E

Career: .432 (76-176), 12 HR, 38 RBI, 36/39 SB

Team USA Statistics --

2010 (Under-18): .333 (26-78), 2 HR, 15 RBI, 9 2B, 23 R, 11 BB, 8 K, .968 OPS, 4/4 SB, .940 FPct, 5 E

2009 (Under-16): .500, 3 3B, 6 SB

Scouting Reports --

Baseball Beginnings

Pro Draft Central

Diamond Scape Scouting

Perfect Game

Cheers.

Pretty Girl 06.06.11 - Jamie Lynn Sigler

Way too hot for Turtle.  Ridiculous.

Flick to Click: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (US)

Coming 12.21.11.

P.s.  Rooney Mara pierced her nipples for this role.  You know what that means...

Clip Joint Makes Perfect

Nick Hagadone

Well, first of all, Nick Hagadone may need a bit more seasoning.  The big lefty got rocked for four runs in two thirds of an inning last night to raise his AAA season ERA to 8.22.  It went a little something like double, walk, single, sac fly, 3 run homer.  Ouch.  Hagadone not only allowed his own four to score, but the double brought home an inherited runner as well.  Nick struggled with his control, missing on 10 of his 21 pitches.  Despite maintaining a .233 OBA, he has surrendered six earned runs in his last inning and a third (40.50 ERA).  Time to take a breath and get back on the horse.

Regardless of the 10-4 shellacking that the game ended up as, it was heartening to see Jared Goedert swing the bat a bit better.  Goedert (.174) singled, doubled, walked and scored a pair of runs.  With the impotence apparent in the big club's offense, it would be a pleasant surprise to see him return to 2010 form and make an impact on the lake this season.

David Huff started and pitched like a pedestrian.  Over five innings David allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks.  He struck out 5 and was pulled after just 84 pitches.  No word on a nagging injury, but Huff is certainly not throwing like a man who could help the Tribe chase the pennant.

Other Minor Points of Interest --

CC Lee notched two more K's in a scoreless inning as the Aeros lost 6-2 last night.  Lee (2.90) is averaging 16.88 K/9 over his last 4, 14.94 over his last 10, and 13.06 on the season.  Good stuff.

LeVon Washington has quietly broken out of an 0-for-20 slump with a seven game hitting streak.  Although the first six were only single hit games, LeVon posted three hits and three runs scored yesterday.  Washington is batting .346 with 8 runs scored and a pair of steals during the run and has raised his season average from .167 to .225.  Keep it goin', L.

Cheers.

A Quest Called Tribe

Ježiša a Máriu.

As the Indians furiously attempted to mount a ninth inning comeback, their hottest hitter came to the plate to lead off.  Asdrubal Cabrera dug in picked out a fastball to his liking.  The home crowd cheered as the ball landed beyond the rightfield fence and AzCab trotted around the bases.  With the heart of their order still to follow the Tribe had trimmed the Texas lead to 11-2.

Yeah, kids, that is as good as it got.  Thanks to the re-emergence of the Tony Sipp's "Gas Man" persona Justin Masterson was saddled four earned in his 6.1, but we should not let the big man off of the hook.  11 baserunners is not a good thing.  Still, Justin fared a bit better than the utterly worthless Chad Durbin.  My newest plan is to trade Chad back to the Phillies for former Indians farm hand Wilson Valdez.  The skill Valdez showed in beating the Reds in last week's 19 inning marathon can surely be of better use than Durbin's toss and lob fest.  In fact, Valdez became the first player to start a game in the field and eventually earn the win since some dude named Babe Ruth back in '21.  Me rikey.


Seriously though, it is past time for Adam Everett to go.  A .606 OPS and a .900 fielding percentage can no longer be tolerated.  Release him.  Call Cord Phelps up.  Put him in the lineup once or twice a week at second for Orlando Cabrera (.602 OPS) and the same at third for Jack Hannahan (.673 OPS).  There is absolutely no downside.  Even if there is concern about his fielding, he is not going to look as out of sorts as Everett.  Worst case scenario, he hits .140 and looks completely over-matched.  Then we bring up Luis Valbuena instead, still better than Everett.  A number of different metrics describe Adam as one of the best fielding shortstops of all-time.  That would be quite useful if we ever played the man at his natural position (0 starts, 7 innings all year).


Let us review --


Kick 'em out:  Carlos Carrasco, Adam Everett, Chad Durbin


Call 'em up:  Zach McAllister, Cord Phelps, Nick Hagadone

Oops.  We have not yet spoken on the last.  Tomorrow, kids.


Cheers.

Pretty Gilr 06.04.11 - Emma Caulfield

Hey Soos Christeas, this one is much hotter than they ever let her be on TV!