2000s

#91 OF George Hendrick (1973-1976)

A remarkably consistent player during his tenure in Cleveland, and his whole career. Traded to the Indians in exchange for Ray Fosse (post-Pete Rose) and Jack Heidemann, Hendrick produced seasons of 21, 19, 24, and 25 home runs. He was shipped to San Diego for Johnny Grubb, Hector Torres (who was then traded to Toronto to reacquire John Lowenstein) and Fred Kendall.

Eventually, he was dealt to St. Louis, where he spent the best part of his career. He was a big part of the Cardinals’ 1982 World Series win over the Milwaukee Brewers.

#92 3B Brook Jacoby (1983-1991, 1992)

A solid player for almost a decade, Jacoby played during the worst era in Indians history. During Jacoby’s tenure, here’s the Indians’ records:

1984 75-87

1985 60-102

1986 84-78

1987 61-101

1988 78-84

1989 73-89

1990 77-85

1991 57-105

1992 76-86

Needless to say, Jacoby toiled his entire career for a moribound franchise, and somehow managed to put up decent numbers. He had his career year in 1987 (along with everyone else in baseball), hitting .300/.387/.541 with 32 HR, but amazingly enough, only 69 RBIs.

Jacoby was acquired in probably in most one-sided deal in the 1980s save the Von Hayes theft. Len Barker went to Atlanta, and the Braves sent over Jacoby and lead-off master Brett Butler, who was somehow left off this list by the Indians. Traded during 1991, Jacoby came back for one last season and started at third when his replacement, Jim Thome, broke his hand during Spring Training.

Transactions

Released RHP Danny Aquino from Akron

Site Updates

Most of the internal links to the left work, with the exception of the Contracts link; I’ll work on that closer to Opening Day, when some salaries are made public. I’ve added a couple more links from the old geocities site, including a recap of the 2003 Draft; on that page you can also access the 2000, 2001, and 2002 Drafts.

I have updated the minor-league rosters to include all the NRIs, including Lou Merloni, and I’ve updated the Off-season page to include all moves through the signing of David Riske. The Options page has been revamped to include players acquired during the 2003 season.

Please let me know if you come across any dead links or other problems.

Transactions

Signed RHRP David Riske to a one-year, $1.025M contract, avoiding arbitration

Signed IF Lou Merloni to a minor-league contract; Invited him to Spring Training

#93(tie) 2B Duane Kuiper (1974-1981)

A slick-fielding second baseman, and not much more. His lack of power was not only glaring, but comical. Kuiper used his one major-league home run (in almost 3400 PA) as a running punch line for years. Kuiper was traded in 1981 to the Giants, and spent the rest of his career with San Francisco. Three times, he got the Indians’ only hit (against Ron Guidry, Noland Ryan, and Andy Hassler) in an otherwise unblemished game.

#93(tie) C Sandy Alomar (1990-2000)

What might have been. Alomar came in the watershed Joe Carter trade in 1989, with Carlos Baerga coming to Cleveland with Sandy. In 1990, he delivered on his huge promise by winning the AL Rookie of the Year and a Gold Glove. Unfortunately, he couldn’t stay healthy throughout his career in Cleveland with rare exceptions.

In 1997, he had his best season, and we saw a glimpse of what he was capable of. He hit in 30 straight games, one short of a franchise record. He was the MVP when the All-Star game was played in Cleveland. He also hit a memorable home run off Yankee closer Mariano Rivera in the ALDS. But that season was mostly the exception, not the rule. His height (6’5″) may have been a factor as to why he broke down so much, but regardless, he was an excellent defensive catcher, a very good game-caller, and a midle-of-the-order offensive player. It’s just too bad that his potential could never be truly realized.

#95 3B Travis Fryman (1998-2002)

Fryman originally came up with Detroit as a shortstop, and took over for Tiger legend Alan Trammell. Eventually, he settled into third base, and became one of the best in baseball during the early 1990s. In 1997, he was traded to newly-formed Arizona Diamondbacks, and traded again a month later to the Indians for Matt Williams.

Fryman had his best year with the Indians in 2000, batting .321 with 22 home runs and 106 RBIs; he also won his only Gold Glove that year. Two injury-plagued years later, Travis retired at age 33.

#96 RHSP Mudcat Grant (1958-1964)

Unfortunately for the Indians, Jim “Mudcat” Grant had his best season a year after they traded him. Until 1964, Grant had exactly one year in which he posted an ERA under the league average (1961), and seemed destined for a mediocre career. The Indians traded him to the Minnesota Twins during the 1964 season. The following year, Grant won 21 games, and took Minnesota to the brink of a championship, only to be shut down in Game 7 of the World Series by some guy named Koufax. During the 1965 World Series, Mudcat went 2-1, and hit a home run in Game 6 to force a pivotal game.

A couple years later, with the Dodgers, Grant became a closer, and pretty much remained in that role through the end of his career. Grant was taken by the Montreal Expos in the Expansion Draft, and recorded that franchise’s 1st win.

#97 – LHSP Rick Waits (1975-1983)

Rick Waits was a very consistent (but mediocre) pitcher during the late 1970s and early 1980s. His best year statistically was in 1978, when he posted a 3.20 ERA over 230 IP. Waits was almost solely responsible for the 1978 playoff between the Yankees and Red Sox; he shut down the Yankees on October 1st, allowing only five hits, while the Red Sox beat the Blue Jays, forcing a one-game playoff. Most of you remember what happened in that game.

But mostly, Waits was a workhorse for the Indians for 5 or so years. His career ERA+ is 92, and he posted one over 100 just once in his time with the Indians.

Waits was involved in two of the more interesting trades of the era. He came to the Indians, along with Jim Bibby, Jackie Brown, and a lot of money, for Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry, who will appear later on this list. In 1983, he was traded to Milwaukee along with Rick Manning for Ernie Camacho, Jamie Easterly, and Gorman Thomas.

Transactions

Signed RHRP Jose Jiminez to a one-year, $1M contract

The Indians added to their bullpen by adding former Rockies closer Jose Jiminez today. With the addition of Bob Wickman, Scott Stewart, and now Jiminez, the bullpen has really been improved, and at a very low cost. A big weakness at the begining of last year now has probably become the strength of this team.

The reason the Indians could sign Jiminez this cheaply? Two things: the Coors effect scaring away some teams, and a generally bad season at any altitude. The Indians are taking a flyer on Jiminez, hoping that a change of leagues and teams will rejuvenate his career.

Jiminez’s stats:

2001 55.0 IP, 37 SO, 22 BB, 4.09 ERA, .264 BAA, 1.42 WHIP

2002 73.1 IP, 47 SO, 11 BB, 3.56 ERA, .265 BAA, 1.19 WHIP

2003 101.2 IP, 45 SO, 32 BB, 5.22 ERA, .322 BAA, 1.66 WHIP

vs. Left 213.2 IP, 124 SO, 100 BB, .304 BAA, 1.71 WHIP

vs. Right 271.1 IP, 174 SO, 72 BB, .254 BAA, 1.23 WHIP

Last year, even with the high ERA, right-handers hit .266 vs. Jiminez. He probably will be used almost exclusively against right-handed hitters next year.

Transactions

Traded OF Ryan Church and SS Maicer Izturis to the Montreal Expos for LHRP Scott Stewart

Re-signed LHRP Carl Sadler to a minor-league contract; Invited him to Spring Training

Signed RHSP Jeff D’Amico, RHRP Luther Hackman RHRP Matt Miller, and 3B Kevin Orie to minor-league contracts; Invited them to Spring Training

A very busy day for the Indians, and they addressed a couple of their needs.

Scott Stewart instantly solves the LOOGY problem. Actually, Stewart is a bit better than your standard LOOGY, and is capable of closing games if need be. For example, if three left-handers are due up in the 9th inning, why not bring in a left-hander to at least turn them around? Along with Riske and Wickman, Stewart makes the back end of the bullpen much better than last year, when the Indians had Carl Sadler, Danys Baez, and an unproven David Riske in those roles.

The Indians gave up Ryan Church and Maicer Izturis in the trade. Church, who was on the 40-man roster, had an injury-filled 2003 season, and the jury’s still out on him. A couple of years ago, he was the best outfielder in the system, but in the past year or two, with the addition of outfielder Ryan Ludwick, Grady Sizemore, Coco Crisp, Alex Escobar, among others, Church slipped down the ranks. He has a much better shot in Montreal, and if he can stay healthy, he’s capable of sticking around as at least a reserve outfielder.

Maicer Iztuis’ ceiling is a little lower. He’s the brother of Cesar Izturis, who plays shortstop for the Dodgers, and also is known for his glove. However, his offense probably isn’t good enough to warrent starting every day in the majors. His future is likely going to be a utility infielder.

Stewart’s stats:

2001 47.2 IP, 39 SO, 13 BB, .243 BAA, 3 SV

2002 64.0 IP, 67 SO, 22 BB, .207 BAA, 17 SV

2003 51.0 IP, 29 SO, 13 BB, .306 BAA, 0 SV

vs. Left 59.0 IP, 65 SO, 11 BB, .234 BAA, 1.05 WHIP

vs. Right 95.2 IP, 70 SO, 37 BB, .254 BAA, 1.36 WHIP

The other move of importance is the signing of Jeff D’Amico, who pitched with the Pirates last year. Between him and Jason Bere, you should have your 4th or 5th starter. D’Amico certainly won’t win any Cy Youngs, but he should give the Indians around 150 generic innings, exactly what you need from the bottom of your rotation. The fact that both Bere and D’Amico are signed to mino-league deals makes it much better, as the Indians can afford to be objective in Spring Training.

Most of the other signings will likely spend their summer in Buffalo. Matt Miller and Luther Hackman are marginal bullpen arms, and Kevin Orie is likely to a part-time infielder in Buffalo.