Indians Confidential

Indians Plain Dealer beat reporter Paul Hoynes writes the following in today’s paper in regard to a possible trade of ace C.C. Sabathia:

Tribe’s Antonelli downplays trade talk, but scouts think otherwise

The Indians say they’re not ready to trade C.C. Sabathia.

“Our focus is working to do what we can to make sure we’re playing meaningful games in September,” said Indians assistant general manager Chris Antonetti before Tuesday night’s game against Colorado. “We’re working to get back in the race. That’s our focus.

“We sit here today 5 1/2 games back. It’s not insurmountable.”

Sabathia, however, is a free agent at the end of the year. The chances of re-signing him haven’t improved since Sabathia tabled negotiations at the start of spring training. Not only that, but the Indians disabled list is loaded with big players — Jake Westbrook, Fausto Carmona, Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez. Westbrook and Carmona represent two-fifths of the starting rotation. Hafner and Martinez are the heart of the lineup.

“I watched them on their last road trip,” said one scout. “I was disappointed with the way they hit. Not too many teams can lose two starters like Westbrook and Carmona and withstand it. It doesn’t look good for them in the second half.”

Click HERE to read the rest of the story

Indians GM Mark Shapiro, pitcher Fausto Carmona, Agents Jorge Brito, Bean Stringfellow and Assistant GM Chris Antonetti speak to the gathered media about the new 7-year deal the team has given to the young pitcher. Click below to hear the entire press conference that took place today at Progressive Field.

 

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For those that didn’t quite know what to make of yesterday’s release and then signing of relief pitcher Juan Lara, the move was one of class by the organization that knows that Lara will more than likely never get to throw a pitch at Progressive Field. If you don’t know, or don’t remember, Lara was involved in November in a very serious car accident in the Dominican Republic. The move yesterday was done so that he will still get a paycheck from the Indians, and also will have all his medical expenses paid. Lara has been with the club since 1999. “We remain hopeful that at some point he’ll be able to pitch again,” assistant GM Chris Antonetti said. “But it’s important as a first step that he returns to normal activities. He’s on his way toward that.” While pitching is on the back burner for Lara, the move done by the Indians shows a real touch of class as they could have just released him and let him go handle the situations for himself.