Lowe Point

On the same day that the Indians declined their $9mil option on former face of the franchise Grady Sizemore, the organization also made two moves to "bolster" the starting five.  Frankly, neither move makes any sense whatsoever to me.

In a hotly debated decision, the Tribe picked up Fausto Carmona's $7mil option for 2012.  I could have done without that.  In an even more bizzare transaction, the Indians have acquired veteran RHP Derek Lowe from Atlanta for incosnsequential LHP Chris Jones.  The Braves will pick up $10mil of the $15mil owed to the 38-year old in the final year of his contract.

You might recall Lowe for his career 2.45 ERA against the Tribe, their struggles against him the '98 and '99 postseasons or, more recently, the rotten egg he laid for the Braves in September.  Derek posted 0-5 with an 8.75 as the Bravos mailed in the season's final month and ceded the Wild Card to the eventual World Champion Cardinals.

I can just hear my father now, ranting on about how the Indians feel like they can rehabilitate any formerly successful big league pitcher.  I can imagine him conjuring the names of Jim Johnson or Brendan Donnelly, of Carl Pavano.  I'll respond with Kevin Millwood and Paul Byrd.  And Manzo will just say "Another shit-ass move by a shit-ass team."  Still, $5mil for your 4th starter is not bad.

We'll see...

Cardinals 6, Rangers 2

Unreal.  Analysis to come on one of baseball's most unlikely champions ever.

Tribe Prospect Countdown: #34 RHP Matt Langwell

6'2" 225 lbs, 25 in 2012

2011 Stats (Akron - AA/ Columbus - AAA): 5-1, 3.01 ERA, 3 SV, 1.31 WHIP, .237 OBA, 3.7 BB/9, 9.3 K/9

So, I bet that you're asking "Why is Langwell ahead of Cory Burns?"  Thanks to his gaudy saves numbers, you might have heard of Burns, while Langwell is a virtual unknown.  Then, taking a look at the statisitcs, Burns beats Langwell across the board, yet I consider Matt a better prospect.  Let me explain why. 

(1) True MLB stuff - Burns has been incredibly successful as a finesse/deception pitcher.  This does not often translate to the bigs.  Langwell, on the other hand, has a solid low 90's fastball, which he can consistently command in a variety of situations.  Even more importantly, Matt possesses a true plus pitch: his heavy slider.  In the minors this repertoire yielded a bunch of strikeouts and a 1.10 GB/FB rate.  While 1.10 does not seem a large number, when you pair it with his K's, Langwell allowed just 35% flyballs in 2011.  As he progresses towards the majors, more and more hitters wil make contact with his best pitch, but the swinging strikes will likely translate to grounders, keeping that flyball rate down and encouraging success out of the pen. 

(2) Body/Delivery - Although Burns' 6'1" 180 lb frame is not a hinderance, Langwell's physique projects much better to the next level.  Combine this with the more conventional delivery that Matt utilizes and concern for injury is much lower. 

(3) Head/Mentality - I have already stated that it is unlikely that Burns will close for the Indians.  Over this past year, it had become painfully evident that there is a stark contrast between the mindset of closing and that of setting-up.  Langwell has a head start in this respect, having two full season of 7th and 8th inning work under his belt.  Thereby, he is better mentally prepared for the role he would likely serve in the big leagues. 

All of this being said, there is a rather low ceiling for Matt Langwell.  While he could spend several years at the Major League level, sliding into a middle reliever spot, he just as easily might come up shy altogether.  And he will turn 26 in May, so time is a-wastin.  I do not expect him to challenge for a opening day roster spot.

Up Next: #33 - RHP Steven Wright

Cardinals 10, Rangers 9 (11 innings)

The Cards became the first team in World Series history to score in the 8th, 9th and 10th innings.  Oh, and the 11th.  Win to Jake Westbrook, forever an Indian in my heart.

Cheers.

Sit Down Joe Dimaggio

Honestly, I have not paid a great deal of attention to the MLB post-season.  The spectral gloom the World Championship trophy spending its "every year of my life"-th year off of the North Coast has been mostly insurmountable.  Still, I do have to give a quick shout to Cardinals third bagger David Freese, who has put together a 12 game October hitting streak.  While this does not sound tremendously impressive, recognize that the single post-season all-time record is 14 in a row.  In fact, only 3 players have ever gone further than 12 consecutive: Mark Lemke (13 in 1996), Marquis Grissom (14 in 1995) and Manny Ramirez (14 in 2004).

As I typed this, Texas mounted their improbable 9th inning rally to take Game 2, which guarantees a 5th game and guarantees Freese the opportunity to break the record.  I love history.

Cheers.

Tribe Prospect Countdown: #35 RHP Cory Burns

6'1" 180 lbs, 24 in 2012

2011 Stats (AA - Akron): 2-5, 2.11, 35/37 SV, 1.04 WHIP, .220 OBA, 2.3 BB/9, 10.6 K/9

It is always difficult to project the MLB success of AA closers.  While Burns' numbers for the Aeros were spectacular (he was 2nd in all of MiLB in saves and broke the Akron franchise record) and he pitched well enough for Columbus in the post-season (2 G, 1.1 IP, BB, K), there is simply no consensus on how his stuff will translate to the major league level.  Indians' Director of Player Development Ross Atkins notes that Burns "he is exceptionally competitive or he would not be so successful in that closer’s role," but "the challenge or limitation for him [at the big league level] will be fastball usage and command of that fastball and being aggressive with it."  I am not aware of many closers out there with fastball command issues.  This likely slots Burns (and his 88 saves over the past 2.5 seasons) into a set-up role and right-handed set-up men with below average fastballs are a dime a dozen.  This, by no means, suggests that Cory could not make it to the bigs and perform well.   In fact, some believe that he is the closer in waiting (Baseball America rated him the best reliever in the Eastern League).  Until Burns proves that he can dominate AAA hitters, we should be cautiously optimistic at best.

Up Next: #34 - RHP Matt Langwell

Who Says Castro Didn't Play Ball?

If I were supreme dictator, I would credit myself with 23 perfect games ervry day.