Cleveland Indians Trade Rumors

Indians sign 1B Casey Kotchman; avoid arbitration with Rafael Perez
February 3
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"As spring training gets closer, the Indians' roster seems to change daily. General Manager Chris Antonetti, in his second year on the job, continued to remake the Tribe on Thursday. He signed free-agent first baseman Casey Kotchman to a one-year, $3 million deal plus incentives. The signing isn't expected to become official until today. Earlier Thursday, the Indians reached agreement on a one-year deal with left-hander Rafael Perez to avoid arbitration. Perez will receive $2.005 million plus $25,000 in incentives if he appears in 55 games this season. Perez's signing leaves All-Star shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera as the only unsigned Indian eligible for arbitration. Cabrera has an arbitration"
Indians sign RHP Dan Wheeler to minor league deal with spring training invite
January 27
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Indians have signed veteran reliever Dan Wheeler to a minor league deal and invited him to spring training with the big league team. Wheeler pitched with Boston last year. He made 47 appearances and threw 49 1/3 innings. He had a 0.84 ERA, allowing one run in 10 2/3 innings against AL Central teams. Right-handers hit .227 (27-119) average against him for the season."
Cespedes gains residency in the DR
January 24
MLB.com
 
"The bidding is about to begin. Cuban outfield prospect Yoenis Cespedes has established residency in the Dominican Republic and is now waiting on approval from Major League Baseball to be declared a free agent, his representative Edgar Mercedes said. Cespedes, who just finished a stint with Aguilas Cibaenas in the Dominican Winter League, recently said the Marlins, Cubs, White Sox, Orioles, Tigers, and Indians have expressed the most interest in signing him. He is expected to command a contract greater than the one received by Cuban left-handed pitcher Aroldis Chapman, who signed a six-year, $30.25 million deal with the Reds in January 2010."
Julio Lugo agrees to minor league deal with Indians
January 22
Hardball Talk
 
"From Dionisio Soldevila of the Associated Press comes word that the Indians have signed veteran infielder Julio Lugo to a minor league contract. The deal includes an invitation to major league spring training, but Lugo seems like a longshot to crack the Indians' Opening Day roster."
Indians acquire Kevin Slowey to seemingly take rotation spot of Fausto Carmona
January 21
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"It sounds as if the Indians believe Fausto Carmona could be cooling his heels in the Dominican Republic for a long time. A couple of hours after Carmona was released from jail Friday in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, after his arrest Thursday for trying to obtain a visa under a false name, the Indians traded for right-hander Kevin Slowey to take Carmona's spot in the rotation. They didn't come out and say as much, but it's a conclusion that's easy to draw. The Indians acquired Slowey and a reported $1.25 million from the Rockies for right-hander Zach Putnam. Slowey was in the Twins' starting rotation for the past five years before being dealt to Colorado in December following a season"
Carlos Pena, Casey Kotchman possibilities at first
January 14
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"Will it be Carlos Pena? What about Casey Kotchman? How about neither. Matt LaPorta is still in the picture, and there's always Carlos Santana, at least part time. So who will open the season at first base for the Indians? Nobody knows, and that includes General Manager Chris Antonetti, the man in charge of stocking the roster. Antonetti talked about the dilemma Friday, after it was mentioned that rumors have connected the Tribe with free agent Pena. Antonetti doesn't name names when discussing player personnel moves, so that leaves only hints. "I stay away from specifics," he said. "But we continue to look for ways to improve the team." What a shock. But Antonetti did specifically cite his"
Six teams eye Yoenis Cespedes
January 14
ESPN.com
 
"Yoenis Cespedes' much-awaited debut in professional baseball didn't go as expected, but the Cuban prospect remains optimistic about his future as he revealed the six teams which have expressed interest in his services. Cespedes, who is awaiting word from Major League Baseball on his status as a free agent after defecting to the Dominican Republic, has worked out for most teams, but he said the most interest has come from the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers and Miami Marlins. It has been speculated that Cespedes could command a signing bonus similar to the $30 million fellow Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman received from the Cincinnati"
Could Swisher be option for Indians?
December 22
Foxsports.com
 
"The Cleveland Indians are one of several clubs that have called the New York Yankees about right fielder Nick Swisher, according to major-league sources. But at this point, Swisher does not appear to be a realistic alternative if the Indians fail to sign free agent Carlos Beltran. For the Yankees to trade Swisher, they would need a player to replace him in right field. They lack a major-league ready outfield prospect such as the Phillies' Domonic Brown. And though they would shed Swisher's $10.25 million salary in a trade, they probably could not find as productive a player on the free-agent market."
Hot stove about to get red hot
December 17
Foxsports.com
 
"Marlon Byrd, CF: There hasn't been much trade buzz surrounding Byrd, which is hard to figure. Byrd is entering the last year of his contract, and prospect Brett Jackson should be ready to start in center field for the Cubs in 2013. The Nationals, looking far and wide for an everyday center fielder, could be a fit; Washington has good organizational pitching depth, which is precisely what the Cubs need. The Marlins are an intriguing possibility, if they trade Hanley Ramirez and move Emilio Bonifacio to third base. The Reds, Giants, Cardinals and Mariners could upgrade in center field this offseason. Matt Garza, RHP: Few available pitchers can match Garza's track record in the American"
Cleveland acquires outfielders Felix Pie, Aaron Cunningham, infielder Jose Lopez
December 17
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Indians have entered the incremental stage of the winter. General Manager Chris Antonetti is still looking to make a deal that will jolt the offense into one giant step forward, but in the meantime, he's trying to improve inch by inch. Antonetti on Friday signed infielder Jose Lopez and outfielder Felix Pie to minor-league deals with spring-training invitations. Then he traded Class AA closer Cory Burns to San Diego for outfielder Aaron Cunningham. The cupboard is bare in the Indians' outfield, which explains the additions of Cunningham and Pie. Cunningham, who is out of options, was added to the 40-man roster when right-hander Josh Judy was designated for assignment. If Cunningham"
After a quiet trip to Texas, Cleveland Indians still hopeful for deals
December 9
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Asked about his reaction to Albert Pujols signing with the Los Angeles Angels, Indians GM Chris Antonetti said, "I would have preferred that he stayed in the National League." The Angels signed Pujols to a reported 10-year, $254 million deal early Thursday morning. Then they signed left-hander C.J. Wilson to a reported five-year, $77.5 million package. Those signings followed a week in which the Miami Marlins signed Heath Bell, Jose Reyes and Mark Buehrle for a combined $191 million. The Indians countered with five days of talk. Their only player move was designating prospect Hector Rondon for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Grady Sizemore. Rondon, recovering from right"
Coy Antonetti hints at surprising deal in works
December 6
MLB.com
 
"It would probably take a lot to stun Indians fans these days. Only four months ago, Cleveland traded away its top two pitching prospects to land starter Ubaldo Jimenez, so shock is not a foreign reaction for the team's loyalists. Even so, during a session with reporters in his suite at the Hilton Anatole on Tuesday, Indians general manager Chris Antonetti claimed to have one trade proposal in the works that would be very surprising if it came to fruition. Antonetti smiled as he declined to delve into any specifics. He was content with lobbing the major tease and letting it linger in the air."
Indians interested in free agent Casey Blake
December 4
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Indians are one of nine teams interested in free agent Casey Blake. Blake was the Indians regular third baseman from 2003 until he was traded to the Dodgers for Carlos Santana in 2008. The Indians see Blake, 38, as a role player who could help out at third, first and in right and left field. Blake's right-handed bat could help to balance the Tribe's left-handed heavy lineup. The Dodgers did not exercise the Blake's $6 million option for 2012. He played just 63 games last year because of various injuries. He had neck surgery at the end of the season. Jim McDowell, Blake's agent, says his client will be at full strength for 2012."
Winter meetings moves won't shift Cleveland Indians' 2012 reliance on young talent
December 4
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The winter meetings start Monday in Dallas. It's another opportunity for the Indians to close the gap in the AL Central. They were second in the Central last season, improving from 69 victories to 80, but the gap is still wide. The Indians finished 15 games behind Detroit and just one game ahead of Chicago. The chasm separating the Tribe from the top of the division goes to the root of wins and losses. It's about money. The Indians play in the MLB's only division featuring three teams with payrolls in excess of $100 million. The White Sox opened last season at $128 million followed by the Twins at $113 million and the Tigers at $106. The Indians started the year at $49 million. The White"
Indians sign catcher Matt Pagnozzi; Mitch Talbot headed for Korea
December 3
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Indians signed catcher Matt Pagnozzi to a minor league deal with an invitation to big league spring training in Goodyear, Ariz., in February. Pagnozzi, 29, spent time in the big leagues this year with Colorado and Pittsburgh. He played most of the year at Colorado Springs, the Rockies top farm club, hitting .275 (49-for-178) with 13 doubles, two triples, three homers and 29 RBI. In 12 games with the Rockies and Pirates, the right-handed hitting Pagnozzi hit .276 (8-for-29) with three RBI. He played parts of the 2009 and 2010 seasons with St. Louis. The Pirates claimed him off waivers on Sept. 14. In 2010, Pagnozzi hit .359 (14-for-39) in September for the Cardinals. He is the nephew of"
Indians trade Luis Valbuena to Toronto for cash
November 27
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Luis Valbuena, one of the many players who have tried to fill the hole at second base since the Indians traded Brandon Phillips, was traded to Toronto for cash Saturday. Valbuena was designated for assignment by the Indians on Nov. 18 as they set the 40-man roster in preparation for the Rule 5 draft. He'll turn 26 Sunday. The Indians acquired Valbuena and Joe Smith in a three-team trade with Seattle and the Mets at the winter meetings in 2008. Valbuena, acquired from Seattle, caught the eye of former Tribe manager Eric Wedge in 2009 as he hit .250 (92-for-368) with 25 doubles, three triples, 10 homers and 31 RBI in 103 games. It was downhill from there. After Wedge was fired at the end of"
Cleveland Indians sign Grady Sizemore to 1-year, $5 million deal
November 24
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Grady Sizemore wasn't ready to say goodbye. Now the Indians will see how much weight his return carries. The Indians and Sizemore came to terms Wednesday on a one-year, $5 million deal after making him a free agent on Oct. 31 when they declined his $9 million club option for 2012. The new deal includes $4 million in incentives based on plate appearances and a $500,000 bonus if he's named comeback player of the year. The currency of Sizemore's return will be measured in games played. He's appeared in just 210 over the last three years because of five operations, the most serious involving microfracture surgery on his left knee in 2010 and arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Oct. 3."
Sound off: Sizemore with the Phillies?
November 20
CSN Philly
 
"Apparently the Phillies had some interest in former Indians outfielder Grady Sizemore. Sizemore, 29, is a three time all-star (2006-08) with two Gold Gloves (2007-08) and a Silver Slugger award (2008). The centerfielders' $9 million option was declined by Cleveland, making him a free agent for the first time in his career. Sizemore has been injury riddled over the past couple seasons, suffering from persistent keen problems."
Indians close to one-year deal with Sizemore
November 20
MLB.com
 
"Even after allowing Grady Sizemore to enter the free-agent pool, the Indians insisted that they maintained interest in keeping the center fielder in the fold. Now a deal between the two sides appears close to fruition. On Friday night, multiple reports indicated that the Indians and Sizemore are in serious negotiations on a one-year contract. General manager Chris Antonetti declined to comment on any ongoing talks. "I will refrain from specifically commenting on any speculation," Antonetti wrote in an e-mail to MLB.com. "But we remain interested in keeping Grady in an Indians' uniform and have expressed that sentiment to Grady and his representatives.""
Indians close to deal to bring back Sizemore
November 19
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"The Indians appeared to be close to re-signing Grady Sizemore on Friday night after declining to exercise his $9 million option for 2012 and instead opting to pay a $500,000 buyout. According to at least two media outlets, including ESPN and Fox Sports, the Tribe and the 29-year-old outfielder were about to agree on a one-year deal for a relatively small guarantee plus incentives that if met would come close to equaling the value of the option. Though it has not been spelled out anywhere, the incentives would be based on Sizemore's ability to stay off the disabled list and include bonuses for games played or at-bats. Sizemore missed much of last season with a bone bruise in his right knee"
Grady Sizemore reportedly talking with Cleveland Indians about return in 2012
November 19
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"In the past when a high-profile Indian became a free agent, he usually left. Grady Sizemore could be the exception. Joe Urbon, Sizemore's agent, told FoxSports.com on Friday that he's negotiating a contract with the Indians that could bring the former Gold Glove center fielder back to Cleveland. On Oct. 31, the Indians declined a $9 million club option on Sizemore for 2012. "Grady has maintained that he would welcome a return to the Indians," Urbon told FoxSports. "Our efforts right now are to see if we can make that happen." Sizemore has spent the past three years hobbled by injuries. He's currently completing an eight-week rehab following right knee surgery on Oct. 3 to correct a bone"
Multiple MLB teams showing interest in Grady Sizemore
November 16
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The interest is there, even though Grady Sizemore is still under wraps. Agent Joe Urbon says several teams have contacted him about the former Indians center fielder, who is completing his recovery from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. Sizemore had the surgery Oct. 3 and will be re-examined by Dr. Richard Steadman in Vail, Colo., in two weeks. "He's on schedule with his rehab," said Urbon. In an off-season in which the free-agent outfield class is average, and the trade prospects for landing a productive outfielder slim, Sizemore has became an attractive gamble for teams who remember the player he used to be before injuries hobbled him."
Rockies one of many teams chasing Sizemore
November 15
MLB.com
 
"The Rockies are among the teams gathering medical information on outfielder Grady Sizemore, a three-time All-Star with the Indians before he was slowed by injuries. Sizemore, 29, underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Oct. 3 to promote healing from a bone bruise that he attempted to play through during the season. Sizemore also underwent microfracture surgery on his left knee after the 2009 season. Sizemore's agent, Joe Urbon, said Tuesday that the prognosis is good. "Grady is on schedule to be ready at the start of Spring Training," Urbon said. "He has been working out every day since his Oct. 3 arthroscopy and will be ready to be in the Opening Day lineup next season.""
Indians reviewing options as winter meetings approach
November 13
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"MLB's general managers and owners meetings begin Monday in Milwaukee. There will be much talk about negotiations on a new basic agreement which is expected to be done before the Dec. 11 deadline. The sale of the Houston Astros is still waiting for approval by the owners, while a new owner must be found for the Dodgers now that the tumultuous Frank McCourt era has seemingly ended. There are two free agent first basemen who will be the subject of much attention. Within the next two or three months Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder will go from being extremely rich to mega rich. Then come the Indians, who already started the postseason by trading for veteran right-hander Derek Lowe from"
Jim Thome agrees to one-year deal with Phillies
November 5
CSN Philly
 
"Last July as the Phillies were putting the finishing touches on the deal to bring Hunter Pence to on board, there was a little rumbling about whether general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. could wrangle together a trade for Jim Thome. Obviously, it didn’t work out in July, nor was the GM able to get the stars aligned just right in order to make the waiver trade in August. Instead, Thome ended up back in Cleveland where he started his career as a lean and mean 20-year-old kid in 1991. Oh, word is if everything were equal, he’d just as well rather be in Philadelphia… again. For Thome, Amaro and the Phillies, let’s just say it’s better late than never. Thome, according to a CSNPhilly.com source, has"
Indians grant Boston permission to interview Sandy Alomar Jr. for manager's job; are Cubs also interested?
November 4
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Boston has received permission to interview Indians bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr. to be their manager. But the Red Sox may have company when it comes to Alomar. Boston has undergone changes in the dugout and front office following its September collapse which cost it a trip to the postseason. Manager Terry Francona, who led the Red Sox to two World Series, was fired and GM Theo Epstein left to take over the Chicago Cubs as president of baseball operations. Before Epstein left, he worked closely with Ben Cherington, Boston's new GM, to form a list of managerial candidates. On Wednesday the Cubs were in the market for a manager after Mike Quade was fired. So the two teams are working from a"
Cleveland Indians acquire veteran starter Derek Lowe from Atlanta
October 31
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Indians have acquired veteran right-hander Derek Lowe from Atlanta for what is believed to be a minor league pitcher. The team has yet to make the trade official. Lowe, 38, went 9-17 with a 5.05 ERA in 34 starts this past season for the Braves. Atlanta will absorb all but $5 million of the $15 million he'll earn next season. Lowe signed a four-year $60 million deal with Atlanta headed into the 2009 season. One of the Indians goals in preparation for next season was to add a veteran starter to the rotation. Lowe will be joining a rotation of Justin Masterson, Ubaldo Jimenez, Josh Tomlin and Fausto Carmona."
Indians decline option on Grady Sizemore, keep Fausto Carmona
October 31
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"The Indians announced this morning that they declined the option on center fielder Grady Sizemore but picked up the option on right-hander Fausto Carmona. Carmona has made at least 32 starts and logged more than 188 innings each of the past two seasons. He was 7-15 with a 5.25 ERA in 32 starts this season. He is signed through the 2012 season with club options for 2013 and 2014."
Indians will wait until Monday for decision on Grady Sizemore, Fausto Carmona
October 30
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Indians are expected to make a decision Monday on whether they'll exercise the 2012 club options on center fielder Grady Sizemore and right-hander Fausto Carmona. GM Chris Antonetti said he'd most likely wait until the deadline to make the call and it looks like that's what he'll do. A decision on all big-league club options must be made three days after the final game of the World Series, which was Friday. The Indians hold a $9 million option on Sizemore and a $7 million option on Carmona. Sizemore, 29, can become a free agent if the option is declined. Carmona would still be under team control if the option is declined because he doesn't have six years in service time."
Indians likely to decline Sizemore's option
October 30
MLB.com
 
"Grady Sizemore pulled a pitch into right field at Progressive Field, where the ball bounced through the grass for a run-scoring hit. That seventh-inning single on Sept. 22 could go down as the center fielder's final act as a member of the Indians. Barring a restructuring of Sizemore's contract, Cleveland appears on the verge of cutting ties with a player once considered the face of the franchise. It is expected that the Indians will decline the center fielder's club option for next season prior to Monday's deadline for a decision. The Indians have not made anything official, but it is expected that the organization will also exercise Fausto Carmona's $7 million club option for 2012."
Indians should take time to think before re-signing Grady Sizemore
October 28
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Pretend that Grady Sizemore never spent his career with the Indians, that his career had been spent with the Kansas City Royals. Sizemore is now 29, and a free agent. You are the frugal Tribe with $9 million of an estimated $70 million budget to spend on Sizemore. You already have $13 million committed to Travis Hafner, a player with his own history of injuries. You are expected to gamble $7 million more on Fausto Carmona because you need starting pitchers. Carmona is inconsistent on the mound, but durable in terms of making nearly all of his starts. That's $20 million on two players whose performance for 2012 is hard to project. Do you invest another $9 million in Sizemore, who has missed"
It's decision time for the Cleveland Indians on Grady Sizemore and Fausto Carmona
October 26
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Indians are holding strategy meetings this week to decide if they'll exercise the 2012 contract options on Grady Sizemore and Fausto Carmona. Sizemore is the more pressing of the two decisions. Not only in terms of the size of the $9 million option, but because he'll be eligible for free agency if the option isn't picked up. Carmona's option is worth $7 million. If the Indians don't exercise it, he's still under their control because he has only five full seasons in the big leagues. A player needs six years to be eligible for free agency. The deadline for exercising the options is three days after the final game of the World Series. The series could end Wednesday if Texas beats St."
Tribe close to naming Scott Radinsky and Tom Wiedenbauer to coaching staff
October 13
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Indians are believed to be close to naming Scott Radinsky and Tom Wiedenbauer to manager Manny Acta's coaching staff. Radinsky is expected to be promoted from bullpen coach to pitching coach to replace the departed Tim Belcher. Wiedenbauer would move from minor-league field coordinator to first-base coach to replace Sandy Alomar Jr., who was promoted to bench coach following the resignation of Tim Tolman. Acta would still need a bullpen coach to replace Radinsky. Ruben Niebla, pitching coach at Class AAA Columbus, and Dave Miller, minor-league pitching coordinator, are believed to be candidates. The Indians are expected to announce the hirings in the next few days. Radinsky, 43, has"
Indians pitcher Justin Masterson has surgery on left shoulder
October 13
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"Almost every year, one or more Indians players undergo surgery that wasn't indicated by anything that happened during the season. Neither Justin Masterson nor any Tribe official previously offered information about an injury to the right-hander, but on Wednesday he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder in Wilmington, Del. Dr. Craig Morgan performed the procedure to repair a posterior labral tear in his nonthrowing shoulder. According to the Tribe, Masterson is "expected to be without restrictions" when the season opens April 5. The club did not address whether he would be up to speed when spring training begins."
Cleveland Indians won't rush a decision on Grady Sizemore's 2012 contract option
October 11
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Indians are going to take as long as possible to make a decision on Grady Sizemore's 2012 club option. GM Chris Antonetti said he won't make the call until at or near the required deadline. Teams have until three days after the final game of the World Series to exercise club options for 2012. Sizemore, the former All-Star/Gold Glove center fielder, underwent his fifth surgery in the last three years on Oct. 3 when his right knee was operated on because of a lingering bone bruise. Other teams are not taking as long to make similar decisions. Last week, the Dodgers declined options on Casey Blake and Jon Garland, who were injured for much of this year."
Despite sweep, Indians finish in second place
September 29
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"The Indians lost the last game of the season and their manager Wednesday night, as the Detroit Tigers beat the Tribe for the 10th time in a row, 5-4 at Comerica Park. The club didn't have to send out a search party for Manny Acta; it wasn't that kind ofloss. But in the first inning, the skipper left the dugout to argue a strike call on Asdrubal Cabrera by umpire Dan Bellino and quickly was ejected. A strange scenario to say the least. The game meant virtually nothing to the Tribe, which clinched second place two hours earlier, when the Chicago White Sox lost to the Toronto Blue Jays. So it's not as if Acta was poised for a stressful evening and primed to explode at the slightest"
Tolman leaves coaching due to health concerns
September 29
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"Tribe bench coach Tim Tolman is being forced to vacate his position because of health concerns. "It's not totally related to my health, but I was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease two years ago," Tolman said Wednesday. "It has caused some slowness of movement that makes it harder for me to do some of the things I need to do." Tolman is being treated at the Cleveland Clinic and takes medication daily to control the illness. "It's time for me to step away and get a handle on this and make sure I continue to get the right treatment," he said. "The clinic has been doing a wonderful job.""
Grady Sizemore's troublesome right knee scheduled for examination next week
September 28
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Grady Sizemore will have his right knee examined Monday by Dr. Richard Steadman in Vail, Colo. Steadman performed microfracture surgery on Sizemore's left knee last year, limiting him to 33 games. Sizemore played his last game this season Thursday. He's had pain in his right knee since coming off the disabled list Sept. 5 for the third time this year. "We want to see further guidance from Dr. Steadman for the best course of action for Grady moving into the off-season," said Indians head trainer Lonnie Soloff. When asked if Sizemore was facing microfracture surgery on his right knee, Soloff said he was hopeful that wasn't the case."
Tribe won't feature reserves until officially eliminated
September 14
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Indians entered Tuesday night's game with their magic number to elimination at six (any combination of six Detroit victories or six Indians losses). Manager Manny Acta said that until MLB puts an X by the Indians' spot in the standings, he's going to play his best lineup -- especially against a contender like Texas. After the Indians are eliminated, Acta says he could start using some of his younger players such as Cord Phelps, Nick Hagadone and Josh Judy. "If you don't see our regulars out there every day, it's because a lot of them are completing their rehab in the big leagues," said Acta."
Team record for strikeouts could fall
September 13
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"The Indians are hopelessly out of the race to catch the Detroit Tigers, who lead the Central Division. But a more dubious achievement is within the Tribe's reach: eclipsing the franchise record for strikeouts. That is one specialty in which the Indians have no peer. They lead the American League with 1,139 strikeouts, seven more than the Seattle Mariners. But the Mariners have played two more games (146) than the Tribe, so the Waving Wahoos have a bigger lead than it appears (7.9 strikeouts per game to 7.6 for the Mariners). That Indians batsmen are threatening the club strikeout record should come as no surprise. It has happened almost every season in the past five years."
Trevor Crowe returns from injury
September 8
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"At the outset of spring training, Trevor Crowe was one of the favorites to win a bench job as an Indians outfielder. Then his shoulder began to ache and he underwent surgery March 30 that kept him off the field until recently, when he played a few rehab games at the Tribe's spring training headquarters in Arizona and in Columbus, where he combined to bat .263 in 11 games (38 at-bats). Crowe was activated Wednesday and started his first big-league game of the season, batting ninth and playing left field against the Detroit Tigers. To make room for him on the 40-man roster, Jerad Head was designated for assignment."
Tribe's young No. 1 pick is totally focused on baseball: Indians Chatter
September 7
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Clubhouse confidential: Shortstop Francisco Lindor, the Indians' No.1 pick in the June draft, visited Progressive Field with his family on Tuesday after he hit .316 (6-for-19) with two RBI in five games at Class A Mahoning Valley. He'll join the Indians' Instructional League team in Goodyear, Ariz., on Sept. 15. The Indians signed the 17-year-old Lindor to a $2.9 million signing bonus. Lindor, who moved with his family from Puerto Rico to Florida when he was 13, has never played another sport."
Acta says decision has not yet been made on surgery for RHP Carlos Carrasco
September 3
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco has been seeking medical opinions about his ailing right arm, but Indians manager Manny Acta said a decision to undergo surgery hasn't been made yet. This, despite a report surfacing Friday from Venezuelan newspaper Líder en Deportes, that quoted Indians minor leaguer Hector Rondon. In the article, Rondon said fellow right-hander Carrasco was likely headed for the same "Tommy John" elbow ligament replacement surgery that he had last year and is currently recovering from."
Report says Carlos Carrasco might need Tommy John surgery
September 3
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Carlos Carrasco, the hot and cold right-hander who won a spot in the Indians' rotation out of spring training but had a hard time keeping it because of two trips to the disabled list with a sore right elbow, could be headed for Tommy John surgery on the same elbow. If he doesn't have the operation, he is almost certainly done for the season. A report in a Venezuelan newspaper, Linder Deportes, quoted Indians prospect Hector Rondon as saying, "Carlos called me yesterday and told me that it seems they are going to perform Tommy John surgery on him." Rondon, by the way, missed all this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery last year. He just started a rehab assignment at Class A"
Corey Kluber, Nick Hagadone jump to majors; Shin-Soo Choo back to DL
September 2
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"The Indians' 16-inning win Wednesday night wiped out enough of the bullpen to force the call-ups of left-hander Nick Hagadone and right-hander Corey Kluber from Triple-A Columbus. Players are required to remain in the minors for 10 days after being optioned, but Hagadone bypassed that regulation because he was replacing an injured player, Shin-Soo Choo, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Aug. 28. The Tribe was not planning to put Choo on the DL, but that was the only way Hagadone could be called up now, after being was sent down Aug. 28. Choo (left oblique strain) is eligible to come off the DL on Sept. 12. "The fastest he was going to be back was a couple of days"
Cleveland Indians place RF Choo on DL
September 1
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Indians right fielder Shin-Soo Choo was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday morning because of a left oblique strain. The Indians recalled right-hander Corey Kluber and lefty Nick Hagadone from Class AAA Columbus. Choo's DL stint is retroactive to Aug. 28. Choo was placed on the DL in order to allow Hagadone back on the roster. Hagadone was with the Indians from Aug. 26-28 but did not appear and was optioned to Columbus. Without an injury to another player, the Indians would have been required to wait 10 days to recall Hagadone. The Indians need pitching help after a 16-inning victory over Oakland on Wednesday night. The game ended just past midnight. Frank"
After positive examination, Travis Hafner could return in September
September 1
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Travis Hafner was not at his locker before Wednesday night's game against Oakland at Progressive Field. In his place, was a large gray and white plastic walking boot. If you're into signs, this doesn't seem like a good one regarding the chances of Pronk returning to the lineup sometime in the season's final month. Hafner was placed on the disabled list after injuring his right foot trying to leg out a double against Detroit on Aug. 21. There was talk the foot, which has hampered Hafner since late April, would need surgery. So much for signs and talk. Hafner and head trainer Lonnie Soloff returned Wednesday from visiting an out-of-state doctor who treats NFL players. The news was good."
Sizemore to start rehab stint in Akron
August 31
Akron Beacon Journal
 
"Sizemore will begin rehab stint in Akron CLEVELAND: Grady Sizemore will be back on the field tonight, when he steps into the Double-A Akron lineup at designated hitter. "If he gets his final clearance, he will DH tomorrow night, then play center field for six innings the next day,'' Indians manager Manny Acta said. Acta did not know how long Sizemore's rehab assignment would last, but the Aeros' regular season ends Monday. It's unlikely that Akron will qualify for the Eastern League playoffs, but Triple-A Columbus will make the postseason in the International League, and Sizemore can continue playing games with the Clippers, if necessary. Sizemore has been on the disabled list since July"
Matt LaPorta's hot and (mostly) cold bat sends him to Columbus
August 31
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Manny Acta knew he needed a roster spot for right-hander Jeanmar Gomez, who started against Oakland on Tuesday night. He looked at the pitching staff. He had no idea how deep Gomez would go into Tuesday's game and didn't want to risk sending down a reliever. In the outfield, starters Michael Brantley, Grady Sizemore and Shin-Soo Choo were all injured. He couldn't afford to make a move there. He looked at the infield. No excess baggage at third base or the middle infield, especially with Jason Kipnis on the disabled list and Jason Donald bobbing and weaving through an injury-filled season. Acta settled on first base, and that cost Matt LaPorta his spot in the big leagues. The Indians, in"