Time for another Sunday edition of “Hey Hoynsie” from Paul Hoynes, Indians beat writer of the Plain Dealer. In this edition Paul answers questions about David Delucci and Jason Michaels, MLB opening up in Japan, and his articles on the greatest players he ever saw. Click HERE to read Paul’s latest edition of “Hey Hoynsie.”
Pretty good AP story today in the papers on outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, and his comeback from reconstructive elbow surgery in September. The story goes that Choo is getting closer to making it back on the field, and that so far he’s been rather impressive in his short stints with the Indians, hitting .295 with three homers two years ago, and .294 in six games with the team last season.
Choo is a guy that once he can get back on the field, can be in the mix as far as the outfield rotation is concerned. While that spot in the outfield of Jason Michaels and David Dellucci has me still uneasy, adding a healthy Choo to the mix can be a great addition, and one that can mean a lot to this Indians team should he counted on a lot in 2008. Below is a link to the story about Choo and his comeback.
Plain Dealer Tribe beat writer Paul Hoynes reports in today’s edition of talk of moving second basemen Asdrubal Cabrera down to the bottom of the lineup. He had been entrenched in the No. 2 spot in the lineup since his call up last year. Eric Wedge thinks that maybe the pressure will be hot and heavy on Cabrera this year, and that by moving him down in the lineup it may allow him time to focus and not feel pressured.
Right now the plan could be if Cabrera moves down in the lineup to try one of three players there - Jason Michaels, Franklin Gutierrez or David Dellucci. Only three spots in the lineup are totally set as of today - Grady Sizemore leading off, Travis Hafner hitting third and catcher Victor Martinez in the four hole.
I heard an interview earlier today with Indians OF David Dellucci, and he seems to think that this season he will be back 100 percent, ready to go and ready to play as much as the Indians need him. He explained the injury that basically ruined most of last season took place when he was trying to beat out a ball to first, and the tendon in the back of his knee where the hamstring and knee connect popped. The doctors said it was so bad, that they rather remove it than rather try to repair it. Ouch!
Needless to say that the Tribe is hoping to see a healthy and better Dellucci in 2008. He’s being counted on to be a steady force in the outfield, but one concern is that last season he was not off to the greatest of starts, as he hit just .230 with 4 homers and 20 RBI in 56 games before getting hurt. He only had a slugging percentage of .382.
I am sure that the Indians would be more than happy to see his 2006 numbers with the Phillies - .292 with 13 homers and 39 RBI, or even better, his 2005 numbers - .251 with 29 homers with 65 RBI with the Rangers. Right now the plan is for Dellucci to get playing time with Jason Michaels, and basically I guess to let Eric Wedge decide day in and day out which one is going to play. We’ll see if he can turn the negative and season he had last season into a positive in 2008.
Matt has covered Major League Baseball and the "other two" Pro teams in Cleveland since 1994. He has been on the beat of the Indians in full-time mode since 1996, working for various raido and print networks around the country.
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