Monday Pitchers and catchers report to Goodyear, AZ for the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds as Spring Training begins for each club. Yet as this happens the Indians front office isn’t sleeping and still making moves to strengthen the ball club.
Over the weekend the Tribe announced the signing of two veteran players, DH-first baseman Jason Giambi and pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka. Both signings exhibit gambles, but since these contracts are minor league deals, don’t put the major league roster in jeopardy yet.
Giambi spent last three years with Colorado and was a finalist for the managerial position, but lost out to Walt Weiss. Giambi, 42, signed on Saturday, giving him six days before his first full squad workout with the Indians. Giambi hopes to be designated hitter for Cleveland in 2013. The deal will be worth $750,000 plus incentives I the makes the MLB roster.
The long-time Athletic, Yankee, and Rockie hit .225 in 60 game appearances last season with only one home run, 4 2B and 20 walks. Giambi’s season was cut short following a hernia to his right groin. To say the least Giambi’s power isn’t what it once was given his age.
Meanwhile the Giambi signing was quickly followed up by bring Matsuzaka on board. Manager Terry Francona has a history with Matsuzaka in Boston and will give him a shot at winning a spot I the rotation in Cleveland.
As things currently stand, the Indians have an assortment of arms in the mix for one vacancy at the back end of the rotation. Dice-K is a long-shot candidate for the job, which will be up for grabs among Carlos Carrasco, Trevor Bauer, Corey Kluber, David Huff and Scott Kazmir as well.
Matsuzaka underwent Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow in June 2011, then made his return in June of last season, when he went 1-7 with an 8.28 ERA over 11 outings. He struck out 41 and walked 20 in 45 2/3 innings. However in the final five starts of the year went 0-4 with a 14.36 ERA, giving up 25 earned runs with 15 strikeouts and 10 walks in 15 2/3 innings.
Before the injury, Dice-K was an ace for the Sox, finishing fourth in the American League Rookie of the Year balloting in 2007 while helping Boston to a World Series triumph. The next year he finished fourth in Cy Young voting after turning in his best season in the big leagues, going 18-3 with a 2.90 ERA and 154 strikeouts over 167 2/3 innings for the Red Sox.
Across the 2007-08 campaigns, Matsuzaka went a combined 33-15 with a 3.72 ERA in 61 outings.
With these signings, the Indians are hoping to catch lightning in a bottle, for one year at least. Francona is leaning on those he is most familiar to answer question mark at pitching.
Hopefully, for Tribe fans, both signings will be productive.
Dave Mitchell co-hosts with Mark Donahue the UST talk show “Ohio Baseball Weekly,” highlighting the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds. The Show returns on March 4th, at 9pm with a two-hour special.
