Nix, 27, was recently designated for assignment by the White Sox on June 17th. In 24 games with the White Sox this year he batted .163 (8-49) with 3 runs scored, a double, a home run and 5RBI. He appeared in 16 games at third base, 3 games at second base, 2 games at short stop and 1 game in right field with the White Sox. Last year, Nix hit .224 (57-255) with 36 runs scored, 11 doubles, 12HR and 32RBI in 94 games with the Sox. He also stole 10 bases in 12 attempts and ranked 3rd among all American League rookies in home runs, 5th in RBI and 6th in slugging percentage (.408).
The Dallas, TX native owns a career Major League batting average of .200 (72-360) with 41 runs scored, 14 doubles, 13HR and 39 RBI in 140 games over three seasons with the White Sox. Nix was originally selected by the Colorado Rockies as a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds (44th overall) of the 2001 June Draft before being signed by the White Sox in October of 2008. He will wear #12.
Lewis has gone 2-2 with a 3.86 ERA (21.0IP, 21H, 9R/ER, 13BB, 14K) in 20 appearances over two stints this year with Cleveland. Valbuena has hit .166 (25-151) with 13 runs scored, 6 doubles, 2HR and 14RBI in 49 games thus far this season. Lindsay was claimed off waivers by the Indians on June 1 and was 0-0 with a 2.08 ERA (4.1IP, 1H, 3R/1ER, 7BB, 7K) in 4 appearances at AA Akron.
The Indians 25-man roster is currently at 24 as they will recall left-handed pitcher Aaron Laffey prior to tomorrow's game against the Cincinnati Reds at 7:05PM in Great American Ballpark. The Indians 40-man roster stands at 40.
Quick commentary: The move to send Valbuena to Columbus was long overdue. That said, I am miffed at why we are bothering with Jayson Nix here and not just promoting one of our own in infielder Josh Rodriguez who is in the midst of a heck of a season and currently playing at Columbus. Rodriguez arguably can do everything Nix can. I'm curious to see what the Indians say with this move.
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34 comments:
not to mention, where is Valbuena going to play in Columbus? Or, where is Rodriguez going to play, now that Valbuena's there? Phelps is at 2nd. Rodriguez has been playing short, and they also have Bixler. Shouldn't they want to clear Rodriguez out of Columbus anyway, just to make room for Valbuena? Nix is obviously a worthless player, why clog the 40 man roster with him?
You are preaching to the choir Seth. I will say this though, this was not a unanimous org decision. This was a pickup made exclusively by Shapiro/Antonetti.
Is Nix going to be the everyday 2nd baseman?
Nix and Hernandez will share 2B duties....JOY!!!
I had never heard much about Rodriguez and Goedert before this year. Are they real options if Peralta gets traded or if the need for a 2nd baseman continues?
Yes, real options (short term). Rodriguez is a former 2nd round pick and was a Top 10 prospect in the system going into the 2008 season. Goedert was a Top 15 prospect going into the 2008 season.
I am sorry but optioning Lewis just makes the bullpen worse. I say we send Ambriz back to Arizona. He doesn't exactly have great stuff. I am just totally discouraged by the bullpen now. I just don't trust the bullpen to pitch for the win anymore.
I am glad we sent Valbuena down, I am assuming some kind of Bixler, Goedert, Rodriguez, Valbuena 3b, SS, DH rotation with Bixler getting the least amount of at bats.
But seriously why is Ambriz still with this team?
Lewis is a better...er....less bad pitcher right now, but Ambriz definitely has better stuff than he does. Lewis cannot throw 95 and spin a wicked slider. I am all for Ambriz going down, but he is a talented young pitcher, which you cannot give up on.
Tony ~
Can't thank you enough for your great coverage. Your draft info was/is as good as any site for any team.
Let's hope that the "organization" (using the term loosely) springs for the $ to sign a significant number of these draft choices, which would bring quite a few high ceiling prospects here. Can be a great and memorable draft, or a mirage that we would sooner forget.
Today's move just confirms that Shapiro and Antonetti need either - A: an extended period away from baseball in a Himalayan temple; B: spending the summer at a 4H club, helping organize crafts period activities; or, C: receiving retraining in a Job Corps facility for the next 6 months. Any, or all, would be an improvement. Geez, Jayson Nix.... what next? Shane Lindsay, a few weeks here... what a waste of time. Just something for Shapiro to put on his activities resume, I guess.
My passion for the Tribe is close to bankrupt.
I want to invite all of you to a wake and seance to be held to bury the present, and find the spirit of the great Indians teams of the past. It will be held at sunset, Monday, October 11, 1948 @ Braves Field, Boston, Massachusetts. Hope to see you all there.
I agree with Dave, I hold onto Ambriz. He has upside still and better stuff, and Lewis after this season is no longer a part of the future (out of options) whereas starting next year we will have three options on Ambriz and can move him up and down at our leisure. More roster felxibility there, and a pitcher who has yet to realize his potential (while Lewis has).
And "C", thanks....and thanks for the laugh.
If they were willing to tolerate Rafael Perez for the past 2 years, they should be willing to tolerate Ambriz for the rest of this year. Makes sense to me to hang onto him, he'd barely pitched above AA so it's not surprising he's struggling, which of course means they'll probably release him next week in favor or some journeyman reliever they claim off of waivers.
Regarding Nix; I'd say leave no stone unturned. If he's a Bixler clone, we can DFA the guy, return, whatever.
Mitch Talbot turned out okay, sorta related move there.
Jensen needs to find a way to make himself a keeper on the MLB level. He always seems to be the same guy we sent down the last time. He needs a new wrinkle.
Not sure I share in the consternation. At worst, Nix is a better version of Bixler, who probably isn't long for the Columbus roster since Valbuena can replace him. At least Nix has put up decent UIF type numbers in the AL in the recent past.
Nix/Hernandez are clearly short term insurance policies for the 25-man. Peralta's on his way out but he's still here. Cabrera won't be back for a month- maybe, assuming none of the usual setbacks. Goedert and Rodriguez are impressive, but in less than half an AA/AAA season after struggling and/or being hurt for two years. And neither are on the 40-man, IIRC.
In the best of all possible worlds, this cloudy situation clears as the kids continue to rake and replace Nix/Hernandez on the 25-man, Peralta's traded in the next few weeks, and Cabrera heals quickly and takes his roster spot.
As for Ambriz, if you can't keep a guy with his stuff around during a season like this one, why bother with the Rule 5 at all?
The problem is, this is supposed to be a season geared towards rebuilding, right? So why not use this opportunity to see what they might have in Rodriguez. There will be no better time. Once Cabrera comes back, then barring other injuries competition is effectively closed at the major league level, unless they want Donald and Rodriguez splitting time at second, which would be a terrible idea. It's a perfect opportunity to have Donald and Rodriguez play side by side and see if either of them is a legitimate option at 2b. It certainly doesn't appear Nix is a legitimate option, the White Sox may be the one team with a worse-hitting infield than the Indians, and they DFA'd him. And Goedert and Rodriguez not being on the 40-man is exactly the point: why not use Nix's spot for Rodriguez?
Nix has put up some decent numbers in the minors in the past, but has been given an opportunity in the majors already and failed, he's almost 28 years old, and his numbers over the last 2 years are frighteningly similar to the guy he's replacing: Valbuena.
Why in a "rebuilding" year the Indians continue using players like Anderson Hernandez, Nix, Branyan and Kerry Wood is beyond me, when they have actual prospects waiting in AAA at the positions those guys play.
No disrespect intended, folks, but isn't this a bit over the top? Hernandez and Nix are mature players who would be inexpensive, plus-defender utility options if they work out. But the only way to suss out their qualifications is to pit them against Major League pitching, and because the Indians will need one of those roster spots in the second half, the only time to do that is right now.
Rodriguez: I'm glad he's battling his way back, but you don't erase two bad seasons with three good months. He's got plenty left to prove. If he's really ready, he can go ahead and OBP 450 through the All-Star Break. That would clear things up in a hurry.
Yeah, gotta agree w/Tyler. Plus, there's no reason to add a guy to the 40 man unless you have to (Rule 5 protection or he's such a stud that he forces the issue-neither applies here).
That said, this seems a bit like rearranging the deck chairs...
Nix is just a needless move. It is a minor move, yes....but this is the kind of move that sends the wrong message to your young players. JRod earned a call. You don't call him up now, then might as well just cut him loose. No better time to take a look at a guy like him than now, because once Cabrera comes back there will be no chance really the rest of the year to see him play in extended time.
By the way, JRod has had one bad season (2008). When he played last year, he played well. The thing is, we know what Nix/Hernandez are. No great secret is going to be revealed, otherwise why did the White Sox and Mets release them? How about taking a shot on a guy with some real upside and whom the book has yet to be written on?
Going out and picking up guys like Nix is exactly the problem with the organization right now. They continue to go out and find retread after retread to fill roster spots, and the result is us spinning our wheels. Time to make a full committment to the kids and get this ship righted. They have made the committment in the minors to push the kids through the system, let's follow through now and apply that same logic to Cleveland.
Like most here I completely respect your opinions, Tony, so I'm trying to understand why you're so adamant that NOW is the time and not a moment later to call up Rodriguez. He's had 171 PA. Last year he slugged .333. I mean, I'd love to see a draft pick turn into a solid ML player- and quickly- but you're awfully sure about this kid and his timetable. Have you heard something from scouts? Has he made some sort of adjustment this season? Or, and I hope this isn't so, is the Org souring on him for some reason?
As for when (if) Cabrera comes back, by then Peralta will be gone. So for 2B/3B/SS, there'll be Donald and Asdrubal and...? I say room for a kid. Are you saying Hernandix will slide over to 3rd?
Not trying to argue here. Just trying to suss out if there's some info average fans aren't privy to.
There are some things behind the scenes I know that I am not at liberty to say. But, the thing is, when Peralta is traded they are likely going to go with one of Marte or Goedert there. Had one person tell me Goedert may be the player of the year in the system right now.
I am saying now with JRod because if not now....when? When is a better time? How are we going to get a long look at him for roster consideration this offseason? Because if not rostered, I have good sources that say he is likely gone (based on play now, things could change if injury or he flatlines obviously). Scouts like his versatility and bat. So, if we don't play him now, when do we do it? Because once Cabrera comes back it will be him and Donald playing SS/2B for a high percentage of the team, and Valbuena may even be back then. That's the thing a lot of people are forgetting is Valbuena is not being sent back to Columbus for eternity....he actually could be right back in Cleveland soon, maybe when Cabrera comes back.
So the window of opportunity for a guy like JRod is small. It's a minor move, but he is an asset to the team no matter how minor and one we need to find out on. Part of the reason we are doing what we are doing this year, to find out about guys....but to date have not because of this viscious circle of bringing in retread, after retread, after retread. Spinning out wheels, and it's frustrating.
As far as the message that Josh Rodriguez should be taking from this signing, I think it's, "If I can out-perform Jayson freakin' Nix, then I get the call." Really, I think that's a fair statement to make to all the Columbus position players: Here's your benchmark. Jayson Nix. Swallow hard.
If his OPS is still north of 1000 in a month or so and his phone's not ringing, Rodriguez will have a legit gripe. At the moment, I think this is a lot of fervor to expend over 100 good AAA plate appearances.
Fair enough. I think things will work themselves out in the fairly short term, but I understand your viewpoint also. If Rodriguez isn't up after all the trades we know are coming, though, I'm with you.
How about a midseason piece on 40-man issues upcoming this off season? A candidates for inclusion/removal based on YTD performance type thing. Might help us get a better idea of for whom the clock is ticking and how loudly.
Marte: if Nix is an inexcusable waste of a roster spot because he failed once, why does Andy get a pass? I'm not 100% on either guy either way, but shouldn't they both get the same treatment?
Valbuena: I'd love to see him get straightened out in AAA and force his way into the picture. I'm not holding my breath, though.
Tyler, the problem with that is the message keeps changing. At first it was "if I can out-perform Mark freakin' Grudzielanek, then I get the call." Then is was "if I can out-perform Anderson freakin' Hernandez, then I get the call." Now it is "if I can out-perform Jayson freakin' Nix, then I get the call." The way it is going, it will be another guy picked up off waivers in a month. So it is not a situation where they know they have to "beat out Nix"....it's a situation where they have to beat an ingrained process the org uses of picking up retread, after retread, after retread.
And as for Marte, I agree. Let him go. You'd get no outcry from me if he were released. In fact, when Peralta is dumped, I will not be pleased if Marte is still here and becomes the everyday guy and not Goedert (assuming he is healthy and is continuing to play well).
I have a lot of projects on the backburner, and if I get a chance I will definitely maybe do a midseason 40-man update.
Am I seriously the only one who doesn't think that Ambriz's stuff isn't that good? I guess I just don't see what y'all see.
It's not like he is all that young either he is 26. I just don't see him turning it around. I remember watching him pitch in his major league debut at the park and just thinking how the hell is he getting people out here? A 95 mph heater is nice but it isn't exactly blazing for major league hitters. I guess we all have our favorites in the pen. Ambriz wasn't mine. While I did kind of liked lewis. I guess we all see things a little bit differently.
On the whole Nix over Rodriguez thing. Tony you enjoy talking about how the Indians are being a bit more aggressive in promotions. I am sure there are still some conservative tendency with that and promoting Rodriguez to the majors after being in AA a little over a month or so is a little bit to aggressive for the Indians.
Two word for you Cheng in regard to JRod: Phelps & Kipnis.
One thing being missed is while people are saying we can be patient with JRod and bring him up late (we certainly could), his window of opportunity begins to close. This is about as wide open it will ever be.
I mean, Phelps has 11 games and 41 ABs and JRod has 25 games and 83 ABs. If we wait much longer for JRod to be "ready" by then Phelps will be as well, and he is a higher priority guy so guess who gets the call? And with Kipnis, there is a growing sentiment he could become the everyday second baseman in Cleveland by this time next year if things continue to go well.
I get that Tony. In fact I'd be all for promoting people as soon as possible. I am just saying that the recent changes are promising but it takes time for things in organizations to change.
Me I am all excited about Kipnis.
I totally understand where you are coming from. Jrod being blocked by Hernandez is a travesty.
This is one of those situations where I wish I could say more....but can't. In any case, the good thing is I go to Columbus tomorrow and should be able to get a lot of on the record stuff of how exactly they are going to use guys.
I mean, man, I am curious how they handle Valbuena and Phelps since both are primarily 2B. Valbuena could be used more as a utility guy, but then that affects JRod. You'd think they will have to cut someone (Bixler).
I don't dispute that some needless institutional prospect suppression has occurred, I just don't see that Rodriguez is necessarily an example of it. Again, 100 AAA plate appearances. I applaud his efforts to date. Keep it up. I wasn't being facetious; if he's still wearing out the gaps a month from now, by all means, get him up.
You'd have to give me some idea of him defensively, though. If the Indians are shopping for a glove-first super-ute, is Rodriguez really going to be that guy? My memory of him is that he's not real rangey.
Like I said above, Bixler's gone one way or another.
I must admit, it kinda feels good to be arguing about Rodriguez and Goedert and Phelps and Kipnis and throw Chisenhall in there. Lotsa upside there. All from the draft, all at AA or above and all legitmate talents. It'd be nice to see them translate successfully to MLB without the injuries and regressions I've become accustomed to.
Ty, I still contend that a month from now the opp may have been lost when Cabrera comes back. Anyway, as a defender he has an excellent arm with good lateral range to his left and right. He ranks as an average shortstop defensively, but many think he is an above average defender at second.
Anyway, will be interesting if they indeed send Bixler packing. If they don't then the infield will be VERY crowded in Columbus. And Maple, I agree that it is nice to see all these guys knocking on the door in AAA for once. Can't say things are good in Single-A, but at least we have a lot of good options in AAA/AA.
Ugh. Good friend Jim Massie with the Columbus Dispatch just noted manager Mike Sarbaugh expects Valbuena to be his everyday 2B. Could mean Phelps back to Akron...and then who knows with Kipnis. This is ridiculous if this plays like this...all because we pickup Nix and don't move Valbuena into more of a utility role.
Just heard JRod sent to Akron. Still don't think this is a screw job?
WTF!?!
Are you serious?
I have to think there's something going on behind the scenes that makes all this make more sense, because right now it sure as hell doesn't make any sense to me
What next? Goedert is released?
Nothing going on behind the scenes with JRod. He's been a model player.
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