Indians acquire Canzler from Rays

Russ Canzler On Tuesday morning the Indians announced that they acquired infielder/outfielder Russ Canzler from the Tampa Bay Rays for cash considerations. The Rays had designated him for assignment on January 27th after they signed infielder Jeff Keppinger, and he is now on the Indians 40-man roster. He assumed the spot vacated by Fausto Carmona who was put on the restricted list last week. Canzler, 25, was the MVP this past season of the International League at Triple-A...

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2012 Remaining Options Chart

Lonnie Chisenhall Here is a listing of the players on the 40-man roster  - and a few others that are not on the 40-man roster - and how many option years they have remaining going into the 2012 season. This listing is up to date and includes the latest transaction with the removal of right-handed pitcher Zach Putnam from the roster and the addition of right-handed pitcher Kevin Slowey. As an FYI, any player on the 40-man roster but not on the active 25-man Major...

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Explaining Stats: OPS and OPS+

For this entry in this "Explaing Stats" series, I will explain two important stats: OPS and OPS+. In most places only OPS is referenced and it is a useful tool for evaluation, but OPS+ is a way to improve on OPS and make it carry more meaning and make up for the problems that people find in OPS. OPS stands for on-base plus slugging. It is literally just the addition of the two stats on-base percentage and slugging percentage. Last year Jose Bautista led the league with...

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That's why they play the games

Prince Fielder (Photo: AP) Superstar first baseman Prince Fielder is a Detroit Tiger. No matter how many times people hear that it still sends a chill down the spine of Cleveland Indians fans. When the news broke last Tuesday fans of every team in the AL Central teams closed their eyes and hoped it was some sort of sick joke. But it is real as Fielder has since already been introduced to the Detroit public. He is a Detroit Tiger now and for the foreseeable future. Many...

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Tribe Happenings: Prince signing makes things more difficult

Fielder looks like a super addition to theTigers, but will he be the right fit? (Photo: AP) Some news, notes, and thoughts from my Indians notebook… Prince of Tides It has been an offseason of shocking signings. First the Miami Marlins went crazy in early December spending a lot of money on three players, and then the Los Angeles Angels came out of nowhere to land the top free agent prize first baseman Albert Pujols. On Tuesday things got even crazier as it was announced...

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2011-2012 Winter Ball Stats: Final Stats

Asdrubal Cabrera Here are the final winter ball statistics for all Cleveland Indians players participating in fall/winter ball out in the Arizona Fall League, Colombia Winter League, Dominican Winter League, Panama Winter League, Venezuelan Winter League, Puerto Rico Winter League, and Australian Baseball League. I have included all playoff stats for those players below that pitched in their respective league's playoff tournament (something MLB and MiLB do not include...

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Indians Sign Reliever Dan Wheeler

Dan Wheeler (Photo: MLB) The Cleveland Indians announced yesterday afternoon that they signed reliever Dan Wheeler to a minor league deal. The 34-year old Wheeler is a 12-year veteran right-hander who has spent most of his career with the Tampa Bay Rays. He spent last season with the Boston Red Sox, going 2-2, with a 4.38 ERA, while striking out 39 batters and walking only eight in 49 1/3 innings pitched. The move adds potential solid depth to an already stout bullpen,...

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Top 10 Reasons the Tribe still contends in 2012

Prince Fielder (Photo: AP) Well, with the signing of Prince Fielder the Detroit Tigers certainly sent a shot across the bow to the Cleveland Indians for the 2012 season and beyond. But in reality that is all it was, a warning shot. Yes, the Tigers are a major favorite to win the division now, but just ask the Boston Red Sox if throwing a bunch of money around in the offseason is any sort of guarantee for the postseason. So while it does feel like a major punch to the...

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Offseason Spotlight: Mike Rayl and Matt Packer

Mike Rayl (Photo: IPI) I have to confess: I’m a sucker for left-handed pitchers. It has nothing to do with any great disdain for right-handed pitchers or any real reason whatsoever other than the fact I have always loved watching a baseball game when a lefty is thrown on the hill. With the game so right-handed dominated, it is like watching the game through a mirror as everything is backwards. I’m also a lefty and former pitcher myself, so that explains most of love...

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