Author's Blog

Winter Meetings

by scott longert on 11/30/16

I am eager for the Baseball Winter Meetings to begin. Its always a fun time to see the trades made and what free agent signings take place. With the Mets recent deal with Cespedes for 110 million over four years, the salary bar has been set high. I have to believe Encarnacion is going get a deal in that price range. That means the middle and lower tier free agents are bound to get some extraordinary contracts as well.

I have no idea what the Indians plan to do, however I'd like to see a hitter or two signed for 2017. I would not mind to see a starting pitcher offered in trade, either Bauer or Salazar for an everyday outfielder with some power. I believe with Clevenger and Merritt waiting in the wings the Indians can afford to trade one of these pitchers. Possibly the team can get some help from the farm with Yandy Diaz or Greg Allen. Either way I'd like to see another good hitting outfielder in the starting lineup come opening day.

Just a reminder the holidays are coming and any of my three books will make a good gift. You can go to the home page and click on the book images to purchase. Many thanks to the folks who have already bought copies and to the positive feedback I have been receiving.

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Wisconsin Trip

by scott longert on 11/23/16

I had a great time visiting Wisconsin last week. My wife and I flew in to Milwaukee then drove to Beaver Dam. I then gave a presentation at the Beaver Dam Library on the life of Addie Joss. The next morning was a short trip to Juneau to see the town where Addie grew up. We stopped by City Park, the sight where Joss made his first appearance as a pitcher. The ballpark is now named Addie Joss Field.

On Friday we had a guided tour of Wayland Academy, a college prep school that Addie attended in 1898. The main hall is still there along with the gymnasium built when Addie attended. There is a fabulous photo of the Wayland Academy nine with Joss in the second row.

Saturday was a stop in Watertown for a book signing at Tribeca Books. I had a fun time talking baseball with the folks who came in for a visit. Then on to Washington Park where Addie pitched briefly for the Watertown town team.

We finished the mini-tour in Waukesha for another book signing and ended just in time to see the Christmas parade. I can't believe how much candy was given out to all the kids standing on the curbs. I think they made out better than Halloween! All in all a great trip and thanks to everybody for their kindness.

I see the Indians designated Michael Martinez for assignment. I hope that is the beginning of moves to strengthen the club for 2017. The papers have been talking about Trevor Plouffe, now a free agent. I like it and he should be available at a decent price.

Happy Thankgiving and a special thanks for following my blog!

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Wrap Up and Looking Ahead

by scott longert on 11/15/16

Now that the World Series disappointment is behind us or should be it is time to do a quick wrap up and talk about 2017.

I am pleased that Francisco Lindor has won the gold glove award. I hope he gets many more and joins the ranks of Omar Vizquel, Lou Boudreau, Joe Sewell and Ray Chapman as one of the all-time Cleveland greats.

I am hoping for Corey Kluber to win another Cy Young award. The competition is tough with Rick Porcello and his twenty-two wins and Justin Verlander's comeback season. All things considered I believe Kluber deserves it and should win.

Thinking about surprises in 2016. at the top is Jose Ramirez who shed the utility player label to become the Indians starting third baseman and hit over .300. He was Mr. Clutch many times. Tyler Naquin, originally a question mark to make the team wound up batting .297 and hitting the incredible inside-the-park home run that served as a walk-off hit. I have to mention Mike Napoli as well. I think we expected him to hit home runs but to have career numbers was more than welcome.

The Indians have a great core of players for 2017 but I would like to see them active in free agency and trades. They could use a full-time outfielder even if Michael Brantley comes back. I see that White Sox pitcher Chris Sale is available and it would be great to have another outstanding starter with Kluber. I know the price tag is high, but well worth it.

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Not Quite There

by scott longert on 11/08/16

I think the 2016 World Series has already been analyzed from just about every angle. Most of the "If's" and "Buts" have been gone over. I am hard pressed to come up with any startling new revelations on why the Indians lost.

In the end the Cubs were a better team and deserved to win it all. The Tribe fought till the very end, but came up a bit short. I am disappointed but really not bitter about the outcome. This was one of the better World Series I have seen in a long time. Both teams battled until the last out that occurred in extra innings. We saw the potential Cy Young winners, MVP and Managers of the Year. We watched baseball played as it should be with stolen bases, sacrifice bunts and clutch hitting from both sides.

The Cubs are in great position to win another World Series or two. They have a great core and youth on their side. The Indians are in a strong position as well. They have to figure out if they can bring back Rajai Davis and Mike Napoli. We won't know until spring training whether Michael Brantley can return to form or if another full-time outfielder is needed. The pitching staff should be good, but I would give guys like Mike Clevenger and Ryan Merritt every chance to compete for a job. You can never have too many pitchers!

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Wrap It Up On Tuesday?

by scott longert on 10/31/16

I could not decide to post either today or tomorrow. But since there is no game today. I thought why not now. So much has been said about the World Series, the two teams who have waited so long etc. etc. That is true, however the Cubs have made more trips to the finals than the Indians and they have won twice as well. Sure it has been many years, the first Chicago appearance in 1906 then 1907, 1908 and 1910. The Indians played in the American League nineteen years before they finally won the pennant in 1920. The point is it is hard for me to have any sympathy for Chicago.

Judging from the many articles on the Internet, it seems the country wants the Cubs to win much more than Cleveland. Many in the media have tried to compare Kyle Schwarber with Babe Ruth which is a long, long stretch. Very few ballplayers if any compare to the Babe. Although Jason Kipnis had the honor of hitting the first three-run homer in World Series play at Wrigley Field since Babe did it in 1932. Where do they get these stats? And what does it matter?

The Series to date has had good pitching and timely hitting. Those things will get you wins though they might not be as exciting as 10-9 or 6-5 games. I really like that both managers are are breaking rules in having their closers pitch more than three outs. I suspect that next year managers may start using their closers in the seventh or eighth inning when a crucial win is needed. Congrats to Maddon and Francona for taking chances that most other managers shy away from.

I still think the Indians will win the Series, probably Tuesday night. I believe Josh Tomlin will hold the line for five innings then Miller. Shaw and Allen will close it out. At least we won't have to play Carlos Santana in left field!

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