Author's Blog

The Beat Goes On

by scott longert on 08/12/16

For a while it appeared the Tigers might overtake the Indians. The lead shrunk to two games and it was time to get nervous. The Tigers have awesome hitting and the pitching was starting to come around. However a bad series in Seattle still leaves the Tribe ahead by 31/2 games. Recent outings by Kluber and Bauer have re-energized the pitching staff.

Mike Napoli continues to have a career season. He is closing in on thirty home runs and stands a chance to drive in 100. Last night hew went 4-4 with another home run. I am sure when the Indians signed Juan Uribe, Marlon Byrd and Napoli the front office was cautiously optimistic. Uribe is gone Byrd probably finished with an eighty game suspension. Napoli has exceeded expectations and more than made up for the other two's departure.

Jose Ramirez is another guy that has gone well above projections. He continues to hit over .300 and is hitting nearly .400 with guys in scoring position. The two of them might just be the Indians most valuable players.

On the down side Josh Tomlin has been rocked in his last two starts. The home runs have been flying out of the park. I remember a few years ago Tomlin surprised everyone by having nine or ten wins at the All-Star break. The rest of the year was only two or three. He does not have the fast ball of Salazar or Carrasco, his pitches have to be spotted very well. When they are not there are many souvenirs for the fans.

A reminder my Addie Joss book is available on line (link on the home page) and the new one should be out next month. I plan to do as many book signings as I can so keep watching the home page for updates.

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Tribe Trades

by scott longert on 08/05/16

The Indians get an "A" for acquiring Yankees star relief pitcher Andrew Miller. This was a great move, although they had to give up a top prospect in Clint Frazier. Miller as we know is an outstanding pitcher who will help Cleveland tremendously. And he is not a two month rental either. With Detroit closing the gap on first place, Miller is going to be needed down the stretch. Picking up Brandon Guyer from Tampa Bay will help solidify the outfield.

I hated to see Clint Frazier go to Mew York. I would not be surprised to see him called up in September and or getting a legitimate shot next spring. We will have to see which prospect turns out better, Bradley Zimmer or Frazier.

The Indians had a terrible series with the Twins, losing three out of four. As a result their lead has dropped to three games over the hot-hitting Tigers. I am not worried that a collapse is about to happen. The hitting for the most part was good enough to win, but the pitching was awful. Danny Salazar is now on the D.L with elbow problems, but there ares till enough arms to see this season through. I really like the bullpen with Shaw, Allen and Miller to finish out games. If the starters can pitch well through six innings, all should turn out well.

I have really become a fan of rookie Tyler Naquin. Nobody expected him to be the Indians starting center fielder but he has held the job quite well. In just a little over two months he has consistently batted over .300 and has socked thirteen home runs. He has an O.P.S on par with a rookie from 1939 named Ted Williams. I am not making a comparison but that is pretty good company for the moment.

I am really enjoying the race in the A.L. East. Baltimore and Toronto are fighting it out while Boston is right behind. These teams are great fun to watch with home runs every other minute. If I had to pick a favorite I'd go with Toronto.

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Trade or not to Trade

by scott longert on 07/29/16

The trading deadline ends Sunday and the Indians have yet to make a move. There are many pros and cons for standing pat or making a big trade. I really believe the time is now to make a big deal. For a couple weeks now Jonathan Lucroy has been mentioned as a possible target along with a left-handed relief pitcher. I truly hope the Indians follow through and acquire at least Lucroy. The Tribe's catching now is way below average and not that of a pennant winning team. The lower third of the lineup (when Naquin is out) is hitting less than .200 and going down.

The Indians are not playing well since the All-Star break, though the starting pitching remains a strong point. I am wondering if some of the hitters are leveling off and are not going to contribute much the remainder of the season. That is another reason why a Lucroy means so much. He is a good hitter, way better than anything the Indians have behind the plate. The offense needs some kind of jolt and he could bring it. Other players like Steve Pearce and Danny Valencia would help the offense the rest of the way. I know it is tough to trade away prospects like Zimmer, Frazier and Sheffield, but now is the time to compete for the World Series. I hope the Indians take a chance and acquire the players they need. The window of opportunity never stays open for long.

All the races except for the Cubs have really tightened up. I thought San Francisco would easily win the N.L. West but they have really hit the skids. Somehow the Dodgers without Kershaw have been closing the gap. Miami has moved into second place behind Washington and just acquired pitching help from San Diego. They have a real shot. In the A.L. East, Baltimore continues to lead but Boston and Toronto are hanging close. We may have some interesting playoff races after all.

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Relief Help

by scott longert on 07/22/16

I saw today that the Indians signed relief pitcher Joe Thatcher to a minor league deal. Thatcher has not pitched in the Majors since 2015. I do hope that is not the only move the Tribe makes. It's no secret they need relief help especially lefties. The Yankees have Chapman and Miller both of whom would help the Indians now and in the post-season. I guess we will know come July 30.

Speaking of the Yankees, the Indians hitters are belting home runs like Ruth and Gehrig of the 1920's Yankees. There are two guys, Mike Napoli and Carlos Santana each with more than twenty homers apiece. Jason Kipnis has sixteen while rookie Tyler Naquin has twelve. What is amazing is that Naquin did not start playing regularly until June. It is likely the team will have at least one guy with thirty home runs and three with over twenty. That is out of character for a team that is built on starting pitching.

The Red Sox are fighting the Orioles for first place while Toronto has started to make a move. Toronto is another "Bronx Bombers" and they are doing it without Jose Bautista. With some improved pitching the Blue Jays might now be the team to beat in the American League East. That division will probably have three teams in the post season.

See you next week!

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Get Down to Business

by scott longert on 07/15/16

Before I talk about the second half of the season, I just wanted to mention what fun it was it watch the Home Run Derby last Monday. Stanton was unbelievable. I thought he might hit one out of the San Diego stadium. Shots that went 495 feet were no big deal. Although Mark Trumbo did not win the contest he hit some of the most awesome homers I have seen. They were all so high in the air it seemed like they were staying up ten seconds or so. As a kid I saw Frank Howard hit shots like that at Cleveland Municipal Stadium.

Now that the second half of the season gets underway I am watching for the contenders to make the big trades. Boston has already stepped up by trading for two pitchers including former Indians prospect Drew Pomeranz. If David Price pitches to form look out for the Red Sox.

The Indians need a lefty reliever and for Michael Brantley to return to the outfield. If he is able, the Tribe stands a good chance of winning the Central Division. They open a ten day road trip with three games in Minnesota. The Twins have shown signs of life recently and the Indians had better not be sleeping.

Do the Mets have any healthy starters on their staff? I could not believe all the injuries over the past month. It is ridiculous the timing of the injuries. I wonder about their chances to get to the post-season. Does anybody think the Mets are looking for help?

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