The MLB trade deadline, it seems, is not any easier for the athletes than it is for the bleary-eyed sports writers trying to cover it.
As Indianapolis first baseman Jeff Clement told IndyIndians.com's Alex McCarthy, "I'm not sure there's any profession in life besides maybe athletics where you don't have control over where you're going to be the next day and you get a phone call and they say, 'Hey, you're moving across the country and we're no longer your employer.'"
In his story, McCarthy notes that Clement had been traded from the Seattle Mariners to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2009, but the trade rumors including his name have died down over the past few years -- and after Tuesday's 3 p.m. trade deadline passed, Clement is still wearing his Indians-emblazoned No. 14 jersey.
A few of Clement's (now former) teammates did not make it through the carnage of the trade deadline, however. Here is a look at the Tribe's dearly departed.
Rudy Owens -- LHP
Stats with Indianapolis: 19 G, 8-5, 3.14 ERA (41 ER in 117.1 IP), 1 CG, 25 BB, 85 K
Traded to: Houston Astros, with Double-A outfielder Robbie Grossman and Class-A LHP Colton Cain.
Traded for: LHP Wandy Rodriguez [with Houston: 7-9, 3.79 ERA (55 ER in 130.2 IP), 21 G, 32 BB, 89 BB]
Notes: Owens made his first start for Triple-A Oklahoma City on July 26 against the Iowa Cubs, taking a no decision on 5.0 innings pitched with six hits (one home run), three earned runs, four walks and three strikeouts. Rodriguez made his first start for the Pirates on July 28 -- in Houston, against his former teammates -- also taking a no decision on 6.0 innings pitched, allowing six hits, three earned runs and five walks while striking out five Astros.
Brian Friday -- INF
Stats with Indianapolis: 66 G, .232 (45-for-194), 26 R, 10 2B, 2 3B, 25 RBI, 7 SB
Traded to: Atlanta Braves
Traded for: OF Christian Marrero [with Triple-A Gwinnett: 68 G, .247 (48-for-194), 14 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 29 RBI, 6 SB]
Notes: In three games for Triple-A Gwinnett, Friday has gone 2-for-10 (.200) with a home run, an RBI, three runs scored, one walk and five strikeouts. He had spent nearly four years with Indianapolis. Marrero grounded out in a pinch hit appearance on Sunday, his only action with the Indians thus far.
Gorkys Hernandez -- OF
Stats with Indianapolis: 67 G, .257 (61-for-237), 43 R, 11 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 25 RBI, 13 SB
Stats with Pittsburgh: 25 G, .083 (2-for-24), 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 SB
Traded to: Miami Marlins
Traded for: 1B Gaby Sanchez [with Miami: 56 G, .202 (37-for-183), 12 R, 10 2B, 3 HR, 17 RBI, 1 SB]
Notes: Hernandez had been written into the Indianapolis lineup on Tuesday prior to being traded, just four days after being optioned by Pittsburgh. After making his major league debut earlier this season for the Pirates, he is expected to go directly to Miami's big league roster. Sanchez will join the Pirates.
In addition to these players, the Pirates traded RHP Brad Lincoln -- who started the season with the Indians -- to the Toronto Blue Jays for OF Travis Snider. Snider is making his Pittsburgh debut tonight in Chicago, batting second and playing right field against the Cubs. Additionally, the Pirates were able to hold onto uber-prospect and former Indians OF Starling Marte, who had often been rumored as a trade piece but started in left field for Pittsburgh on Tuesday, batting leadoff.
Michael Raines writes for indyindians.com and can be reached at therainesdelay@gmail.com. You can follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Michael__Raines and you can follow Alex McCarthy on Twitter and www.twitter.com/akmccarthy.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Conversation with Mark Prior
Early Thursday evening, I sat down with former Chicago Cubs wunderkind pitcher Mark Prior, who is attempting a comeback in professional baseball with the Boston Red Sox organization.
The oft-injured Prior was in Indianapolis with the Pawtucket Red Sox, Boston's Triple-A affiliate. He is working on making the transition from starting to relieving and has made 13 appearances out of the Pawtucket bullpen, posting a 1-0 record and 3.12 ERA.
On Tuesday afternoon, Prior pitched two scoreless innings against the Indians, allowing one hit while picking up a pair of strikeouts.
I spoke with Prior on behalf of Sports Illustrated baseball writer and injury expert Will Carroll, who was unable to make it to Victory Field. The questions are my own:
The Raines Delay: "First of all, how has the season gone for you so far in terms of making the comeback and pitching again?"
Mark Prior: "It's going good. You know, learning my way as a reliever. Just trying to learn my way and get used to the grind of a season with my body and my arm. But overall, I think it's been going pretty good."
TRD: "What has that switch from starter to reliever been like for you?"
MP: "It's been good. You know, there's some different approaches that you take as far as the preparation that you take, trying to understand how much you need to throw between outings, before outings, stuff like that. It's different from starting, where you're pretty regimented; once you start throwing as a starter, you basically get it all done and then you have time to recover. But as a reliever, you've got to go out and get your long toss in, you have to figure out what's enough -- how much do I need? -- to maintain arm strength and stuff like that but have enough left in the tank to go out and pitch that night or the next night or whatever.
So, that's been one adjustment: preparation from a physical standpoint. And then I think it's just different, you know, starting you just work your way into the flow of the game versus relieving, you have to come in throwing strikes right away, and a lot of it depends on the situation that you're coming into."
TRD: "What about starting with the new organization, with the Red Sox, how has that been working out for you?"
MP: "It's been great. They've been great to me here. I really like the way they run their program from top to bottom. I saw what they did down in extended [spring training] and what they started teaching their young guys here and just kind of what they do at this level (Triple-A) with a mixture of young and old guys that have been around. I've been impressed with their whole program, they way they try to take care of their guys, to put them in positions to get on the field and to succeed."
TRD: "What are you plans for the future?"
MP: "I haven't got that far, you know? Honestly, I'm just worried about day-to-day, more or less. I want to finish the year out strong, wherever that is. And then, you know, just reevaluate at the end of the year like I've done every year, see where I'm at and see what I've done and where I can improve and what opportunities are out there."
Michael Raines writes for indyindians.com and can be reached at therainesdelay@gmail.com. You can follow him at www.twitter.com/Michael__Raines.
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| No joke, his steely gaze looks directly into your soul. (google images) |
On Tuesday afternoon, Prior pitched two scoreless innings against the Indians, allowing one hit while picking up a pair of strikeouts.
I spoke with Prior on behalf of Sports Illustrated baseball writer and injury expert Will Carroll, who was unable to make it to Victory Field. The questions are my own:
The Raines Delay: "First of all, how has the season gone for you so far in terms of making the comeback and pitching again?"
Mark Prior: "It's going good. You know, learning my way as a reliever. Just trying to learn my way and get used to the grind of a season with my body and my arm. But overall, I think it's been going pretty good."
TRD: "What has that switch from starter to reliever been like for you?"
MP: "It's been good. You know, there's some different approaches that you take as far as the preparation that you take, trying to understand how much you need to throw between outings, before outings, stuff like that. It's different from starting, where you're pretty regimented; once you start throwing as a starter, you basically get it all done and then you have time to recover. But as a reliever, you've got to go out and get your long toss in, you have to figure out what's enough -- how much do I need? -- to maintain arm strength and stuff like that but have enough left in the tank to go out and pitch that night or the next night or whatever.
So, that's been one adjustment: preparation from a physical standpoint. And then I think it's just different, you know, starting you just work your way into the flow of the game versus relieving, you have to come in throwing strikes right away, and a lot of it depends on the situation that you're coming into."
TRD: "What about starting with the new organization, with the Red Sox, how has that been working out for you?"
MP: "It's been great. They've been great to me here. I really like the way they run their program from top to bottom. I saw what they did down in extended [spring training] and what they started teaching their young guys here and just kind of what they do at this level (Triple-A) with a mixture of young and old guys that have been around. I've been impressed with their whole program, they way they try to take care of their guys, to put them in positions to get on the field and to succeed."
TRD: "What are you plans for the future?"
MP: "I haven't got that far, you know? Honestly, I'm just worried about day-to-day, more or less. I want to finish the year out strong, wherever that is. And then, you know, just reevaluate at the end of the year like I've done every year, see where I'm at and see what I've done and where I can improve and what opportunities are out there."
Michael Raines writes for indyindians.com and can be reached at therainesdelay@gmail.com. You can follow him at www.twitter.com/Michael__Raines.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Major league Marte: A Star(ling) is born
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced on Wednesday evening that the team plans to promote wunderkind outfield prospect Starling Marte to the major leagues on Thursday, prior to the start of a four-game series against the Astros in Houston.
Marte will become the second key player to leave the Indianapolis Indians, who at 65-41 have the best record in the International League. Left-handed starter Rudy Owens was dealt to the Astros on Tuesday night in a trade for major league southpaw starter Wandy Rodriguez.
Owens had gone 8-5 in 19 starts for Indianapolis, posting a 3.14 ERA.
As MLB.com Pirates beat writer Tom Singer noted on Wednesday afternoon -- prior to the announcement of Marte's impending call-up -- Rodriguez becomes a Dominican presence in the Pittsburgh clubhouse, possibly making the transition easier for the outfielder, a fellow Dominican Republic native.
Marte went 1-for-4 with an RBI double in his last game with the Indians, a 4-2 loss to the Pawtucket Red Sox. The hit extended Marte's current hitting streak to five games, during which he batted .409 (9-for-22) with three doubles, one home run, five RBI and three runs scored.
The outfielder's longest hitting streak with the Indians spanned 15 games between June 25 and the first game of a double header on July 12. During that stretch, Marte went 26-for-65 (.400) and collected three doubles, four triples, three home runs, 16 RBI and scored 13 runs.
A promotion had been much-anticipated for Marte, who started the season as the Tribe's everyday center fielder but had began to move around the outfield of late. He has also moved into the No. 3 hole in the Indianapolis batting order, where he batted .291 in 57 games.
Marte came into the season ranked as Pittsburgh's No. 4 prospect by Baseball America. The same publication also rated him as the system's Best Hitter for Average and Best Athlete, and as having the organization's Best Outfield Arm, which Marte confirmed with eight outfield assists for the Indians.
At the time his coming promotion was announced, Marte was batting .286 in 99 games for Indianapolis and had amassed 21 doubles, 13 triples, 12 home runs, 62 RBI, 64 runs scored and 21 stolen bases. He ranked in the top five in the IL in games played, at bats (388), hits (111), extra-base hits (46), total bases (194), RBI, runs scored and stolen bases. Additionally, Marte's 13 triples led all of Minor League Baseball.
Marte will obviously leave a gaping hole in the Indianapolis lineup, but he could prove to be a boon for the Pirates as Pittsburgh looks to secure its first playoff appearance in nearly two decades.
Fans and members of the media have been clamoring for Marte's promotion nearly the entire season, since the uber-prospect batted .520 (13-for-25) with three home runs in 12 Grapefruit League games during spring training.
Michael Raines writes for indyindians.com and can be reached at therainesdelay@gmail.com. You can follow him (www.twitter.com/Michael__Raines) and/or Tom Singer (www.twitter.com/Tom_Singer) on Twitter.
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| With Josh Bell injured, Starling Marte is Pittsburgh's top-ranked positional prospect. (Bill Gentry) |
Owens had gone 8-5 in 19 starts for Indianapolis, posting a 3.14 ERA.
As MLB.com Pirates beat writer Tom Singer noted on Wednesday afternoon -- prior to the announcement of Marte's impending call-up -- Rodriguez becomes a Dominican presence in the Pittsburgh clubhouse, possibly making the transition easier for the outfielder, a fellow Dominican Republic native.
Marte went 1-for-4 with an RBI double in his last game with the Indians, a 4-2 loss to the Pawtucket Red Sox. The hit extended Marte's current hitting streak to five games, during which he batted .409 (9-for-22) with three doubles, one home run, five RBI and three runs scored.
The outfielder's longest hitting streak with the Indians spanned 15 games between June 25 and the first game of a double header on July 12. During that stretch, Marte went 26-for-65 (.400) and collected three doubles, four triples, three home runs, 16 RBI and scored 13 runs.
A promotion had been much-anticipated for Marte, who started the season as the Tribe's everyday center fielder but had began to move around the outfield of late. He has also moved into the No. 3 hole in the Indianapolis batting order, where he batted .291 in 57 games.
Marte came into the season ranked as Pittsburgh's No. 4 prospect by Baseball America. The same publication also rated him as the system's Best Hitter for Average and Best Athlete, and as having the organization's Best Outfield Arm, which Marte confirmed with eight outfield assists for the Indians.
At the time his coming promotion was announced, Marte was batting .286 in 99 games for Indianapolis and had amassed 21 doubles, 13 triples, 12 home runs, 62 RBI, 64 runs scored and 21 stolen bases. He ranked in the top five in the IL in games played, at bats (388), hits (111), extra-base hits (46), total bases (194), RBI, runs scored and stolen bases. Additionally, Marte's 13 triples led all of Minor League Baseball.
Marte will obviously leave a gaping hole in the Indianapolis lineup, but he could prove to be a boon for the Pirates as Pittsburgh looks to secure its first playoff appearance in nearly two decades.
Fans and members of the media have been clamoring for Marte's promotion nearly the entire season, since the uber-prospect batted .520 (13-for-25) with three home runs in 12 Grapefruit League games during spring training.
Michael Raines writes for indyindians.com and can be reached at therainesdelay@gmail.com. You can follow him (www.twitter.com/Michael__Raines) and/or Tom Singer (www.twitter.com/Tom_Singer) on Twitter.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Pat McAfee visits Victory Field
There was a white out at Victory Field early Friday evening, and Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee was the only one participating.
McAfee -- bedecked in white Converse Chuck Taylors, white Jordan brand shorts and a white T-shirt emblazoned with the image of the American flag -- had come out to the ballpark to take a round of batting practice with the Indianapolis Indians and throw out a ceremonial first pitch before the game.
"I figured, you know, it's baseball," McAfee said about his shoes.
His get-up included a trucker-style hat advertising the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, turned backward with the bill bent up at the end. McAfee only took his hat off for his round in the cage, when he wore an Indians batting helmet.
When McAfee stepped down out of the seating bowl and onto the Victory Field playing surface, the Indians had already began taking batting practice. "Oh man, he's throwing real fast," McAfee said about Wyatt Toregas, who was pitching. "He's throwing real fast."
Trying to get a feel for the bat before getting into the change, McAfee realized he wasn't sure whether he was a right-handed or left-handed hitter. Eventually, McAfee stepped up to the plate with a right-handed stance. It took him a few swings to make consistent contact that resulted in fair balls.
"Shit," McAfee lamented after fouling off a few pitches in a row before immediately turning around to apologize to the grade-school-aged son of his Colts escort.
After smacking a few soft line drives into left field, McAfee flipped around to the left-handed batters box. The result was decidedly worse as McAfee only managed to lift shallow pop flys into right field. He quickly turned back around to the right side.
McAfee managed to make more solid contact with quite a few pitches near the end of his round. His first really hard-hit ball shot down the left-field line and nearly sniped Indianapolis infielder Yamaico Navarro, who was making his way back onto the field.
Finally, McAfee launched a long fly ball that ended up in foul territory but smashed into the top of the Captain Morgan Cove area in the left-field corner of the stadium. Deciding that was the best he was going to get, McAfee ended on that one and left the cage with a smile on his face.
After his round of batting practice, McAfee played catch in foul territory with Indians pitcher Kris Johnson, warming up for his first pitch -- and looking for advice. The punter was hoping to end up with a better result than Colts quarterback Drew Stanton, who had one-hopped a ceremonial first pitch at Victory Field earlier in the season.
Indians outfielder Brandon Boggs let McAfee borrow his glove to use while playing catch.
"This is a sick glove, by the way," McAfee told Boggs as the latter headed into the dugout for a backup. "I played in a celebrity softball game, bought one at Walmart; It looked nothing like this."
After a few throws, some of which were out of Johnson's reach, McAfee began to wonder about his pitching prowess.
"What do you think that was, 70 [m.p.h.]?" McAfee asked, to which Johnson replied simply with laughter.
A few throws later, Johnson gave McAfee a boost of confidence: "That might be 60 right there."
When McAfee finally made his way to the mound for the first pitch -- nearly two hours later -- his training had apparently worn off. His throw sailed well wide of catcher Tony Sanchez and skipped to the backstop.
But it registered 70 m.p.h. on the stadium radar gun.
Michael Raines writes for indyindians.com and can be reached at therainesdelay@gmail.com. You can follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Michael__Raines and, if you are so inclined, you can follow Pat McAfee at www.twitter.com/PatMcAfeeShow.
McAfee -- bedecked in white Converse Chuck Taylors, white Jordan brand shorts and a white T-shirt emblazoned with the image of the American flag -- had come out to the ballpark to take a round of batting practice with the Indianapolis Indians and throw out a ceremonial first pitch before the game.
 |
| Photo courtesy the Indianapolis Indians. |
His get-up included a trucker-style hat advertising the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, turned backward with the bill bent up at the end. McAfee only took his hat off for his round in the cage, when he wore an Indians batting helmet.
When McAfee stepped down out of the seating bowl and onto the Victory Field playing surface, the Indians had already began taking batting practice. "Oh man, he's throwing real fast," McAfee said about Wyatt Toregas, who was pitching. "He's throwing real fast."
Trying to get a feel for the bat before getting into the change, McAfee realized he wasn't sure whether he was a right-handed or left-handed hitter. Eventually, McAfee stepped up to the plate with a right-handed stance. It took him a few swings to make consistent contact that resulted in fair balls.
"Shit," McAfee lamented after fouling off a few pitches in a row before immediately turning around to apologize to the grade-school-aged son of his Colts escort.
After smacking a few soft line drives into left field, McAfee flipped around to the left-handed batters box. The result was decidedly worse as McAfee only managed to lift shallow pop flys into right field. He quickly turned back around to the right side.
McAfee managed to make more solid contact with quite a few pitches near the end of his round. His first really hard-hit ball shot down the left-field line and nearly sniped Indianapolis infielder Yamaico Navarro, who was making his way back onto the field.
Finally, McAfee launched a long fly ball that ended up in foul territory but smashed into the top of the Captain Morgan Cove area in the left-field corner of the stadium. Deciding that was the best he was going to get, McAfee ended on that one and left the cage with a smile on his face.
After his round of batting practice, McAfee played catch in foul territory with Indians pitcher Kris Johnson, warming up for his first pitch -- and looking for advice. The punter was hoping to end up with a better result than Colts quarterback Drew Stanton, who had one-hopped a ceremonial first pitch at Victory Field earlier in the season.
Indians outfielder Brandon Boggs let McAfee borrow his glove to use while playing catch.
"This is a sick glove, by the way," McAfee told Boggs as the latter headed into the dugout for a backup. "I played in a celebrity softball game, bought one at Walmart; It looked nothing like this."
After a few throws, some of which were out of Johnson's reach, McAfee began to wonder about his pitching prowess.
"What do you think that was, 70 [m.p.h.]?" McAfee asked, to which Johnson replied simply with laughter.
A few throws later, Johnson gave McAfee a boost of confidence: "That might be 60 right there."
When McAfee finally made his way to the mound for the first pitch -- nearly two hours later -- his training had apparently worn off. His throw sailed well wide of catcher Tony Sanchez and skipped to the backstop.
But it registered 70 m.p.h. on the stadium radar gun.
Michael Raines writes for indyindians.com and can be reached at therainesdelay@gmail.com. You can follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Michael__Raines and, if you are so inclined, you can follow Pat McAfee at www.twitter.com/PatMcAfeeShow.
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