Cleveland Indians Trade Rumors

Indians sign all remaining players on 40-man roster
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March 10
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Indians, with one day left before MLB's deadline to renew contracts, announced the signing of 31 players to one-year contracts. Every player on the 40-man roster is signed. The 31 players have less than three years service time, meaning they were not eligible for arbitration. Signing contracts were Hector Ambriz, Brian Bixler, Michael Brantley, Asdrubal Cabrera, Carlos Carrasco, Shin-Soo Choo, Trevor Crowe, Kelvin De La Cruz, Jason Donald, Jeanmar Gomez, Wes Hodges, David Huff, Matt LaPorta, Aaron Laffey, Jensen Lewis, Lou Marson, Andy Marte, Justin Masterson, Chris Perez, Carlos Rivero, Hector Rondon, Carlos Santana, Tony Sipp, Joe Smith, Jeremy Sowers, Mitch Talbot, Jess Todd, Wyatt ..."
Jordan Brown to miss 4-8 weeks; Jason Grilli could miss season
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March 7
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Jordan Brown will undergo surgery this week, and Jason Grilli is expected to be next. The players' seasons changed dramatically when both were injured during workouts Friday morning. Brown will undergo surgery this week at Cleveland Clinic to repair a torn medial collateral meniscus in his right knee. Lonnie Soloff, Indians head athletic trainer, said Brown will miss four to eight weeks. Grilli tore his quadriceps muscle above the right knee. Soloff said Grilli appears headed for potential season-ending surgery. "Jason is getting a second opinion," said Soloff. "We're still gathering information.""
Grady trade speculation? Not so fast
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March 2
MLB.com
 
"Had outfielder Grady Sizemore not signed a long-term contract four years ago at this time, he would be entering his final season with the Indians before venturing out into the tempting waters of free agency next winter. To read the number of reports speculating about Sizemore's trade potential, one would think he hadn't signed that extension and was, in fact, nearing free agency. It's just not so. Sizemore is under the Tribe's contractual control through the 2012 season, and for a variety of reasons, the Indians find it difficult to imagine a scenario in which they'd be compelled to deal him to another club in either of the next two years. "We feel very fortunate that Grady continues to be ..."
History says Cleveland Indians may consider new deals for rising stars Asdrubal Cabrera, Shin-Soo Choo
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February 23
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The offers haven't been made, and perhaps they won't be, but Shin-Soo Choo and Asdrubal Cabrera would listen. In the past, the Indians have offered young players contract extensions if they showed what they were capable of doing with cold hard stats the season before. That's how it worked for CC Sabathia, Grady Sizemore, Jhonny Peralta, Victor Martinez, Travis Hafner and Fausto Carmona. The Indians would purchase arbitration and free agent years in exchange for millions in dollars and security. Choo and Cabrera fit the blueprint perfectly. Choo, 27, has two years and 119 days in the big leagues. Cabrera, 24, has two years and 27 days. Last year the Indians lost 97 games, but Choo and ..."
Source: Russell Branyan to join Indians
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February 19
ESPN.com
 
"First baseman Russell Branyan, who hit 31 homers for the Mariners last season, has decided to sign a one-year, $2 million deal with the Indians, a baseball source said Friday. Branyan's deal also includes a possible $1 million in incentives for this year, and contains a $5 million mutual option for 2011. Branyan, 33, drove in 76 runs in 116 games for Seattle last season, and drew 58 walks. The Indians were expected to try Matt LaPorta at first base, but there is concern that he may need more time to be groomed at the position."
Chris Antonetti expected to replace Mark Shapiro as Cleveland Indians GM
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February 18
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"There will be changes at the top of the Indians organization. Team President Paul Dolan has a press conference scheduled for 1:30 p.m. GM Mark Shapiro is expected to take another job in the organization, reportedly as team president. He will be replaced by Chris Antonetti, his current assistant. The rumored change would not take place until after the 2010 season."
Bidding for Russell Branyan down to Cleveland Indians and Tampa Bay
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February 18
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"It appears the bidding for Russell Branyan is down to the Indians and Rays. Foxsports.com reports that Boston is no longer interested and that has been confirmed. The team that secures Branyan's services will most likely be the one that can guarantee him the most at-bats. Right now, it's believed that the money being offered by the Indians and Rays is about equal. The Indians like Branyan because he gives them power and protection at first, third, DH and the corner outfield spots. First baseman Matt LaPorta is coming off surgery on his left big toe and hip. DH Travis Hafner has been slowed by a sore right shoulder for the last two years. Branyan hit .251 (108-for-431) with 31 homers and 76 ..."
Indians bidding against two other teams for slugger Russell Branyan
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February 17
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Indians have offered Russell Branyan a big-league contract, but now they have to sign him. Boston and Tampa Bay are also reportedly interested in Branyan, who hit 31 homers last year for Seattle. It's believed Boston and Tampa Bay have offered Branyan bigger base salaries than the Indians. The Tribe is apparently trying to counter that with a bigger bonus package. The Indians, going young and cutting payroll this year, have signed only one free agent to a big-league contract this winter. The other free agents they've signed have been to minor-league, non-guaranteed deals. Branyan, 34, was a seventh-round draft pick of the Indians in 1994. He had a career year last season with 31 homers ..."
Sources: Branyan talking closely with Indians
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February 16
Foxsports.com
 
"Free agent Russell Branyan, who's talking with three clubs, is furthest along with the Indians, according to major-league sources. The Rays maintain mild interest in Branyan, while the Red Sox also are in the mix, sources say. But the Indians could offer Branyan more playing time than the Red Sox and probably the Rays. Branyan, 33, could play first base, third and both corner outfield positions for the Indians, though he has appeared only 13 times in the outfield since 2006. The Indians' designated hitter, Travis Hafner, also bats left-handed."
Indians and Blue Jays taking a look at Branyan
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February 10
Foxsports.com
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"The big truck tires are propped up against a wall in the Vanderbilt University weight room. Russell Branyan pounds them with sledgehammers, the way a lumberjack chops wood. "It's a difficult exercise," Vanderbilt baseball coach Tim Corbin says. "He couldn't do it if he had the back injury that people say he has." That is the rap against Branyan in free agency — that he is still hampered by a back problem that sidelined him with the Mariners for a month late last season. Corbin, who has been present while Branyan has worked out with fellow major leaguers Dan Uggla and Khalil Greene at Vanderbilt, doesn't buy it. "I see him every day in the weight room, doing all this core work," Corbin ..."
Indians sign durable reliever Jamey Wright to minor league deal
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February 9
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Another day, another arm for manager Manny Acta. The Indians signed veteran right-hander Jamey Wright to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training with the big league club. Indians pitchers and catchers report to Goodyear, Ariz. on Feb. 21. Wright, 35, made 65 relief appearances with the Royals last season. It was the most by a Kansas City reliever. He would have led Tribe relievers as well. He went 3-5 with a 4.33 ERA (38 earned runs in 79 innings). Wright struck out 60, walked 44 and allowed 73 hits. His WHIP (walks plus hits divided by innings pitched) was 1.48. Wright's 79 innings ranked seventh in the AL for relievers. The opposition hit .247 against him with eight ..."
Twins weren't high bidder for Hudson
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February 5
Foxsports.com
 
"The Twins were not the high bidder for free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson -- at least not in total dollars. The Indians offered Hudson a two-year, $10 million deal, major-league sources say, though the present-day value would have been lower. The deal was backloaded, and a significant portion of the guarantee was in the buyout of a third-year option, according to one source. Hudson, by accepting a one-year, $5 million contract from the Twins, went with a team more likely to contend in 2010 than his two other finalists, the Indians and Nationals. His deal includes a stipulation that the Twins cannot offer him salary arbitration if he is a Type A free agent, ensuring that a team can ..."
Twins going after Hudson?
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February 4
Foxsports.com
 
"The Twins have intensified their pursuit of free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson, one major league source told FOXSports.com on Thursday morning. Minnesota general manager Bill Smith declined to comment Thursday when asked if he is optimistic about his chances of adding a free agent this week. Hudson is asking for at least $6 million on a one-year deal, a separate source said. He is likely to agree to terms on a new contract this week. The Washington Nationals have been linked to Hudson for weeks, but they aren't a clear frontrunner in the market for his services. The Twins have a much better chance of reaching the playoffs this year, which could nudge Hudson in their direction. Hudson ..."
Indians sign left-hander Rafael Perez; avoid arbitration
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January 19
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Indians have come to terms with left-hander Rafael Perez. The team and Perez were scheduled to exchange arbitration figures today. Perez signed for $795,000 with a $25,000 All-Star bonus. He was the only Indian eligible for arbitration. The Indians have not gone to arbitration with a player since 1991. Perez is coming off the worst season in his career. He was considered one of the top set-up men in the American League before that. After opening last season with the Indians, he was optioned twice to Class AAA Columbus. In 54 appearances for the Indians, Perez went 4-3 with a 7.31 ERA. He struck out 32, walked 25 and allowed 66 hits in 48 innings. The opposition hit .335 against him. ..."
Indians acquire infielder Brian Bixler from Pittsburgh
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January 19
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Indians have acquired infielder Brian Bixler from Pittsburgh for minor league infielder Jesus Brito. Bixler was added to the 40-man roster and will compete for a spot on the big-league club as a middle infielder in spring training. Bixler, 27, hit .227 (10-for-44) with five runs and three RBI for the Pirates last year. The right-handed hitter spent most of the season at Class AAA Indianapolis where he batted .275 (111-for-403) with 71 runs, 23 doubles, eight triples, nine homers and 43 RBI. The Pirates drafted Bixler, from Sandusky, with the second pick in the 2004 draft. He made his big-league debut in 2008."
Tribe ink Redmond to one-year deal
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January 15
MLB.com
 
"The Indians traded Kelly Shoppach last month because of Shoppach's expected pay raise in arbitration and because they felt particularly good about two young catchers, Lou Marson and Carlos Santana, in the pipeline. But Shoppach's departure left the Tribe without a veteran backstop to work with the club's decidedly young pitching staff, and that's where Mike Redmond comes into play. The Indians signed the 38-year-old Redmond to a one-year contract Friday. It is their first Major League free agent signing this offseason, and it brings their 40-man roster total to 39. The financial terms of the agreement were not immediately available. Redmond is a veteran of 12 Major League seasons with the ..."
Alex White, Lonnie Chisenhall, Beau Mills among Cleveland Indians spring invitees
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January 14
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Indians list of spring training invitees increased to 16 today with the addition of seven of their own minor leaguers. Right-hander Alex White, third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall and first baseman Beau Mills, the organization's No.1 draft picks in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, head the group. The other four invitees are right-handers Frank Herrmann and Yohan Pino, catcher Damaso Espino and infielder Niuman Romero. The Indians signed White to a $2.25 million contract last season out of the University of North Carolina after drafting him with the 15th pick in the first round. He didn't sign until minutes before the August deadline and wasn't able to pitch in the organization until the ..."
Tribe grabs Grudzielanek with Minor League deal
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January 12
MLB.com
 
"The Indians have signed that "big-name" free agent everybody's been waiting for. G-R-U-D-Z-I-E-L-A-N-E-K. That's 12 letters. Even longer than Castrovince. Huge. Mark Grudzielanek has signed a Minor League deal with a Spring Training invite. This could be the Indians' answer to their opening in the utility infield spot, as the right-handed-hitting Grudzielanek has vast experience in the bigs at second base (1,108 games) and short (626), and a few games at third (31), just for good measure."
Indians not in talks to trade Peralta
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January 11
Foxsports.com
 
"The Cardinals and Twins are among the teams still in the market for a third baseman. But it doesn't look like either of them will trade for Cleveland's Jhonny Peralta. The Indians aren't involved in any active trade talks for Peralta, one major league source told FOXSports.com on Monday morning."
Seeking right-handed bats, Cleveland Indians sign free agents Austin Kearns, Shelley Duncan
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January 6
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Indians, in their ongoing scavenger hunt among the lower rungs of free agency, Tuesday signed right-handed hitters Austin Kearns and Shelley Duncan to minor-league contracts. Each deal included an invitation to big-league spring training. New manager Manny Acta wants to add at least one right-handed bat to balance a left-handed heavy lineup and to protect himself if first baseman/outfielder Matt LaPorta isn't ready for the regular season following surgery on his left hip and left big toe. Kearns, 29, is the more accomplished of the two and has a chance to start in left field depending how the spring-training competition unfolds with Michael Brantley, Trevor Crowe and Jordan Brown. He ..."
Tribe brings Duncan, Kearns into fold
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January 5
MLB.com
 
"Still quiet on the Major League free-agent front, the Indians continue to add potential options to their Spring Training mix through Minor League deals. On Tuesday, those deals went to a pair of position players, infielder/outfielder Shelley Duncan and outfielder Austin Kearns. Both were given invites to big league camp. Duncan, 30, is coming off International League MVP honors in 2009, while a member of the Yankees organization. He batted .277 with 85 runs, 30 doubles, a league-best 30 homers and 99 RBIs in 123 games for Triple-A Scranton. He ranked second in the league in slugging percentage (.546), tied for 10th in doubles and was third in OPS (.916). He also appeared in 11 games for ..."
Cleveland Indians complete Kelly Shoppach trade; sign reliever Saul Rivera
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December 21
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Indians got right-hander Mitch Talbot today from Tampa Bay to complete the Kelly Shoppach trade. Talbot, 26, has a career minor league record of 62-54 with a 3.79 ERA in 165 starts. Last season, he went 4-4 in 10 starts at Class AAA Durham but was slowed by a sore right elbow. Talbot ended the season healthy. Talbot was Houston's second-round pick in 2002. He's been invited to big league camp with the Indians in February. Along with Shoppach, the Indians sent Tampa Bay an undisclosed amount of cash."
Rafael Perez gets contract; Anthony Reyes, Adam Miller, Jose Veras not offered deals
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December 13
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Indians made right-handers Anthony Reyes, Adam Miller and Jose Veras free agents by not offering them contracts by Saturday's midnight deadline. Reyes won't be ready to pitch until midseason following Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, and Miller's career could be over following a fourth operation on his right middle finger in November. All players had to receive contracts by Saturday's deadline or become free agents. It's possible the Indians will bring back Miller and Reyes on minokr league deals. Saturday's moves dropped the Tribe's 40-man roster to 37. Rafael Perez, Veras and Reyes were the only Indians eligible for salary arbitration, which factored into the team's decisions ..."
Indians, Jays looking at Thames
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December 12
Foxsports.com
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"Free agent Marcus Thames, a popular part-time player for the Tigers in recent seasons, is drawing interest from the Indians and Blue Jays, a major league source told FOXSports.com. Both teams need right-handed power and have yet to establish clear everyday left fielders for 2010. Thames has averaged 20 home runs per year since 2006, despite the fact that he's never had more than 400 plate appearances in a major league season."
Indians take right-hander Hector Ambriz in Rule 5 draft
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December 10
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Indians took right-hander Hector Ambriz from the Arizona Diambondbacks with the fifth pick in the Rule 5 draft. The Indians must keep him on the 25-man roster once the season starts or return him to Arizona for half of the $50,000 purchase price."
In Cleveland, Acta's stock still climbing
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December 10
Washington Times
 
"The man the Washington Nationals once hired as the hottest young manager in baseball sat at his Florida home this summer. A television was his only connection to the game that sustained him, gave him a reason to learn English and brought him from the dirt fields of the Dominican Republic to the cathedrals of the major leagues. And in those months, everything Manny Acta had built was tested. During his 2 1/2 seasons with the Nationals, Acta received ringing endorsements from Jim Leyland and Bobby Cox, made hundreds of friends and won a reputation as a sharp baseball mind who had a touch for relating to players. But those attributes couldn't stand up to the mammoth rebuilding effort Acta ..."
Several teams interested in veteran Carroll
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December 8
Foxsports.com
 
"Free-agent infielder Jamey Carroll remains in demand. A number of teams are interested in Carroll, including the Indians, A's, Dodgers and Angels, according to a major-league source. Carroll, who turns 36 on Feb. 18, is looking for a two-year deal — and could get one, considering the competition to sign him. Free-agent infielder John McDonald reached a two-year, $3 million deal with the Blue Jays, Alex Cora a one-year, $2 million deal with the Mets."
Indians may use winter meetings to explore trade options for Kerry Wood
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December 8
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"At the winter meetings last year, the Indians signed Kerry Wood to a two-year, $20.5 million contract. This year at the winter meetings, they'd like nothing better than to trade the hard-throwing Wood or draw the blueprints for such a deal at a later date. Pat Rooney, the agent who negotiated Wood's deal with the Tribe in Las Vegas last year, will meet with the Indians this week to see what they have in mind. "Kerry has no problem with Cleveland," said Rooney, when asked if he'd requested a trade. "They've always been honest and up front with him. Last year he was the last piece of the puzzle and they couldn't get to him." The Indians, coming off a strong second-half finish in 2008, felt ..."
Indians expected to get prospect in return for Kelly Shoppach
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December 7
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"News, notes and quotes from the winter meetings at Indianapolis Downtown Marriott. -What kind of player will the Indians receive from Tampa Bay for Kelly Shoppach? Look for a return similar to what they received from the Giants for Ryan Garko last season. The Giants sent them Class A left-hander Scott Barnes, who was a combined 14-5 with a 3.41 ERA last season. He struck out 138, walked 49 and allowed 131 hits in 142 1/3 innings. Barnes, a fourth round pick in 2005, was 12-3 with a 2.85 ERA for the Giants Class A San Jose at the time of the deal. He made three starts with no record and a 2.13 ERA at Class A Kinston. At Class AA Akron, he was 2-2 in six starts with a 5.66 ERA. The ..."
Red Sox interested in Jamey Carroll
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December 3
Boston Herald
 
"According to a source with knowledge of the discussions, the Red Sox have expressed interest in free agent utility infielder Jamey Carroll, who has played for the Expos, Nationals, Rockies and Indians in his career and last year hit .276 with a pair of homers in Cleveland. The 35-year-old is not on the frontburner with the Sox, who need to fill obvious holes at left field and short before they address a backup infield spot. They've let Carroll know that he's someone they'll be getting in touch with later in the offseason, if he's still available, and that their interest is genuine."
Indians to give Grilli a Minors deal
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December 2
MLB.com
 
"The Indians have signed reliever Jason Grilli to a Minor League deal, The Denver Post reported Wednesday. The 33-year-old right-hander will make $17,500 per month in the Minors and $800,000 if he's promoted to the big leagues. Grilli spent last season with the Rockies and Rangers, going a combined 2-3 with a 5.32 ERA in 52 games. Shipped from Colorado to Texas for cash considerations in June, Grilli missed some time in August with elbow problems and finished off the season with a 4.78 ERA in 30 relief appearances for the Rangers."
Rays acquire catcher Kelly Shoppach
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December 1
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired catcher Kelly Shoppach from Cleveland for a player to be named. Shoppach, 29, hit .214 last year with 12 homers, 14 doubles, 40 RBI. Shoppach is a righthanded hitter who has a career .295 average against lefty pitchers, with a .386 OBP and .614 slugging percentage."
Indians want a veteran pitcher; if Jake Westbrook isn't ready, is Carl Pavano an answer?
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November 11
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Indians, at the moment, are expecting Jake Westbrook to be in the starting rotation when the season opens April 5 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago. It's why Westbrook will start for Ponce and manager Eduardo Perez on Nov. 28 in Puerto Rico. Perez, the Indians' former first baseman, is managing Ponce for the second year. He said Tuesday at the General Managers meetings that Westbrook will test his surgically repaired right elbow from Nov. 28 through Dec. 17. "Our expectation is, at this point, that Jake will be in our rotation at the start of the year," said assistant GM Chris Antonetti. If Westbrook, who did not make a big-league start last year and has just five in the last two ..."
Indians do some scouting housecleaning in Japan
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November 9
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Latin America isn't the only part of the world where the Indians are redoing their scouting structure and methods. John Mirabelli, Indians director of scouting, said Pacific Rim scouts Jason Lee and Nate Minchey have been fired. Minchey was scouting Japan and Lee the Pacific Rim. Mirabelli said Dave DeFreitas will scout and live in Japan, while two part-time scouts will be hired to cover Taiwan and South Korea. The Indians last week announced the hiring of Ramon Pena as their new director of Latin American Operations. Pena will lived in the Dominican Republic, much like DeFreitas will live in Japan. "We want to have someone in Japan fulltime so we can to keep up with the amateur and ..."
Indians select Manny Acta
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October 26
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Manny Acta was asked the question last week in Cleveland at the end of a seven-hour interview with GM Mark Shapiro and the rest of the Indians' front office. What would he do if the Indians and Astros offered him a chance to be their manager at the same time? "This is my job, and it's a business, too," replied Acta to a reporter's question. "All of us in life have to separate our heart and our head when that time comes. I don't know if I'd be so blessed that both teams would offer me this job." Not only was Acta so blessed, he had to separate heart from head and make a decision. Acta chose the Indians, who named the 40-year-old former minor-league infielder as their 40th manager Sunday. ..."
Lovullo's familiarity might hurt
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October 24
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Torey Lovullo has a lot of qualities that would make him a good choice to be the Indians' next manager. Unfortunately, he has a big one working against him -- he's one of their own. The Indians have been an isolationist organization when it comes to hiring big-league managers. They haven't crossed their own bounda ries since former GM Hank Peters brought in John McNamara in 1990. For a long time, it worked. Mike Hargrove, McNa mara's successor, went to two World Series and won five division titles. Charlie Manuel, who took over for Hargrove, won a division title in 2001. Since then, it has grown rather stuffy inside the manager's office at Progressive Field.

Yes, there was ..."

Royals hire Cleveland assistant as new head trainer
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October 23
Kansas City Star
 
"The Royals reached outside the organization Thursday in hiring Nick Kenney to replace Nick Swartz as their new head athletic trainer. Kenney joins the organization after spending the previous five seasons as an assistant trainer for the Cleveland Indians. He previously worked two years as an assistant trainer for the Cincinnati Reds. "We have hired one of the most highly respected trainers in the game," Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. "Nick brings a high level of energy, enthusiasm and expertise to the Royals' organization. "I'm extremely confident that he will lead and direct our medical programs in a very progressive and dynamic manner.""
Bobby Valentine says he wants to manage the Cleveland Indians
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October 22
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Former big league manager Bobby Valentine, following today's interview to be the next manager of the Indians, said "I had a great day. I met with baseball people. It couldn't be any better than that." Valentine left his gig with ESPN late Wednesday night. He arrived in Cleveland early after about two hours of sleep and met the media at 3:30 p.m. "When I managed in the states, Cleveland was a pretty progressive thinking organization," said Valentine, who managed Texas and the New York Mets. "They signed young guys to longer contracts. Built a new ballpark and filled it for 455 straight games. "That was the envy of everybody in baseball. That's the idea of the culture I had from afar. ..."
Tug of war over Acta?
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October 22
Foxsports.com
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"Acta not only is a finalist for the Indians, but also a leading candidate for the Astros. The Indians are not likely to alter their process because of the Astros' interest. But Astros owner Drayton McLane might react to the Indians' pursuit. The competition for Acta is reminiscent of the battle between the Rangers and Orioles for Phil Regan after the 1994 season. The Orioles' interest in Regan only intensified after club officials learned that Regan also was a target of the Rangers and their new general manager, former O's exec Doug Melvin. Orioles owner Peter Angelos, fearing he might lose Regan, would not let him leave Baltimore without a contract. McLane is the same type of owner that ..."
Acta states his case to become Tribe manager
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October 21
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"When Manny Acta was 22, a coach from the Houston Astros looked him straight in the eyes and said, "You're not good enough to play in the big leagues." Acta, from San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, the birthplace of so many great big leaguers, took that hard. Then he decided to do the next best thing -- make the big leagues as a coach and manager. He's done that, but he wants to do more. He could get that chance if he's hired as the Indians 40th manager. Acta went through his second interview Tuesday with the Indians. He met with team president Paul Dolan and several members of the front office. "Now that I've made it as a manager, my goal is to become a mainstay manager in the ..."
Mattingly interviews with Tribe on phone
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October 20
MLB.com
 
"Dodgers hitting coach Don Mattingly, presumably being groomed to take over when manager Joe Torre retires, interviewed for the vacant Cleveland Indians manager's job, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported. Mattingly was reportedly one of eight to 10 candidates interviewed over the phone by Tribe general manager Mark Shapiro and assistant general manager Chris Antonetti last week, during the Indians' organizational meetings in Goodyear, Ariz. It is not known if Mattingly is one of the three to five finalists for the job who will have a more formal interview with the Tribe's higher-ups. Thus far, former Nationals skipper Manny Acta is the only confirmed finalist, as he was in Cleveland on ..."
Tribe starts second round of interviews for manager
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October 20
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Manny Acta knows about rebuilding. His won-lost record has the scars to prove it. Bobby Valentine knows about starting over. After managing in the big leagues for 15 years, he spent the past six seasons not only managing in Japan, but learning to speak, write and read the language. Acta will go through his second interview today for the Indians' vacant manager's job. Valentine will do the same later this week. They are two of what could be as many as five finalists to become the 40th manager in Indians history. GM Mark Shapiro would like to have a manager in place by the end of the World Series. Game 7 is scheduled for Nov. 5. The identities of the other finalists are still not known, ..."
Veteran manager Bobby Valentine a finalist for Cleveland Indians' vacancy
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October 19
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Bobby Valentine, whose New York Mets reached the World Series in 2000, is one of the finalists for the vacant Indians manager's job. Valentine, 59, it has been learned, will come to Cleveland this week for a second interview. He is expected to be one of "three to five" finalists to interview with GM Mark Shapiro and assistant GM Chris Antonetti. Shapiro and Antonetti last week conducted phone interviews with eight to 10 candidates during the Indians' organizational meetings in Goodyear, Ariz., their spring training headquarters. Valentine has managed 15 years in the big leagues. His last year was 2002 with the Mets. He spent the last six years managing the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan. ..."
Cleveland Indians among MLB teams intrigued by Japanese teen hurler Kikuchi
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October 19
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"On their last venture into Japan, the Indians signed right-hander Masa Kobayashi to a two-year, $6.2 million deal. The deal worked out well for Kobayashi, released during the just-completed season, not so well for the Indians. On Tuesday, Indians scout Dave DeFreitas will sit down and chat with Japanese 18-year-old left-hander Yusei Kikuchi and his adviser in Japan. Kikuchi, whose fastball has been clocked at 96 mph, is trying to decide if he'll skip the Japanese draft and sign with a big-league club. The Red Sox last year signed amateur Junichi Tazawa. Japan's teams did not draft him after he let it be known that he wanted to play in the big leagues. The move did not go over well in ..."
Ex-Nationals manager Manny Acta among the Indians' candidates to replace Wedge
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October 15
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Former Washington Nationals manager Manny Acta is one of the candidates to replace Eric Wedge as manager of the Indians. Acta told The Plain Dealer Wednesday evening that he already went through a phone interview with General Manager Mark Shapiro earlier this week. Acta also will interview with Houston on Friday for their managerial opening. "I'm excited and honored to be part of this process," Acta said. "This team was only one game away from the World Series two years ago. They have lost some pieces, but I think things are going to be very exciting in Cleveland very soon. We are still very early in the process and I have to respect that process." Acta managed the Nationals for three ..."
John Farrell says he's not interested in being Cleveland Indians manager
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October 14
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The next manager of the Indians will not be Boston pitching coach John Farrell. Farrell, former Indians pitcher and farm director, has withdrawn his name from consideration. He told GM Mark Shapiro this morning. "It's an honor to be considered for the job," Farrell to The Plain Dealer. "Especially for a team that I played for, my father played for and where there are so many people I know and respect. All those things considered, my desire is to fulfill the commitment between Boston and myself. "There's no denying there is an intent to manager at sometime. But I have a mutual commitment with Boston that I feel I should fulfill." Farrell pitched for the Indians from 1987 through 1990 and ..."
Farrell expected to stay in fold
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October 13
Boston Globe
 
"Pitching coach John Farrell, a candidate for the Cleveland Indians managerial opening, apparently will be staying with the Red Sox for 2010. Even before the Indians contacted the Sox to request permission to speak with Farrell, Farrell told the Sox he wanted to stay. Once the Sox received a request, general manager Theo Epstein scheduled a meeting with Farrell to discuss his future. "Based on everything we've talked about, my strong expectation is he's going to stay here,'' Epstein said. "We're excited about that. He's an important guy to the organization.''"