The Indians signed an agreement in September with Goodyear, a suburb of Phoenix. Now, the Dodgers and White Sox reportedly are interested in sharing a proposed new facility in nearby Glendale, Ariz. -- and it is unlikely that the state would support funding for both projects.
The Indians are hopeful the state provides approsimately $60 million in public funding to help build a proposed $77.5 million facility. Tribe president Paul Dolan has met with Goodyear officials in hopes of developing a proposal that will help. Sharing the facility with another club would help, but thus far, the Goodyear project has only the Indians and is looking for another organization to join.
If the Arizona deal falls through, the Indians will stay in Winter Haven, Fla., where they have trained since leaving Tucson in 1992, though their presence in the central Florida town has been a bit unwelcome the past few year. City officials there would like to tear down the Chain of Lakes baseball complex and build condominiums. But the Indians have a contract that runs through 2023, though there is a standing agreement that the club could leave at any time.
The Indians trained in Tucson, Ariz., from 1948 through 1992. The White Sox already train inmoved from Florida to Tucson a few years ago. The Dodgers are interested in leaving Florida, where they have trained since 1948 at "Dodgertown" in Vero Beach. Indians officials, however, say the team is not interested in leaving Winter Haven for either of those destinations.
TRIBE TIDBITS
The Indians are a potential front-runner for free agent OF Luis Gonzalez, who was surprised when the Arizona Diamondbacks said they didn't want him back for 2007, even at a reduced salary. More than a dozen teams have spoken with his representatives, Terry Bross and Gregg Clifton. The agents are confident Gonzalez, 39, will end up in a role that will net plenty of playing time. "We think there are some very good fits at the moment, and Lou is the kind of guy that a lot of clubs are looking for -- a guy of veteran stature that can come in and teach some of the younger players how to win," Bross said. "He's not going to rush into anything. We're really going to take our time, look at the market, look at where the market is going, and find the best fit for Lou and where (wife) Christina and the kids will be happy." Cleveland is expected to get competition from the Dodgers, Giants, Padres, Cardinals, Cubs, Astros and Orioles, among others.
Designated hitter Travis Hafner was married in Cleveland on Nov. 11 to Amy Beekman, who does not refer to hubby by the nickname he loves, "Pronk". Wonder what she thinks of being called "Mrs. Pronk"? ... Lino Diaz, brother of former Cleveland catcher Einar Diaz, has been named the Indians' director of Latin American operations. Diaz replaced Ross Atkins, who was recently promoted to director of player development. Atkins replaced John Farrell, who left the organization to become the major league pitching coach for the Red Sox. Lino Diaz has been a member of the Indians' organization since 2001, most recently as the assistant director of player development, Latin American operations. ... Catcher Mike Rose was signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league training camp as a non-roster player. Rose, 30, spent time at the big-league level last season with the World Series champion Cardinals. At Triple-A Memphis, he hit .262 with 15 homers and 36 RBI in 2006. ... RHP Matt Miller and C Kelly Shoppach recently became proud papas.
Tickets for 2007 Opening Day, Opening Weekend and Six Packs are set to go on sale to the public Nov. 24 at 10:00 a.m.. Tickets can be purchased online at indians.com, any Indians Team Shop, Jacobs Field Box Office, Ticketmaster Ticket Center locations and by phone at 1-866-48-TRIBE. The club is pushing season-ticket packages. Fans can put down a non-refundable $200 deposit per seat (used towards 2007 season tickets) by visiting indians.com or calling 216-420-HITS. ... While supplies last, fans can secure their place in Indians history with the opportunity to be a fixture at Heritage Park (behind the centerfield wall at Jacobs Field) through the Indians Brick Paver program. All proceeds from the program will be used to offset construction and enhancements to Heritage Park. Each brick paver purchase, ranging from $150 to $375, includes a complimentary replica brick for display in your home or office. For information, fans can visit visit indians.com. Bricks ordered prior to Dec. 31 will be installed by Opening Day 2007.
AROUND THE AMERICAN LEAGUE
In Chicago, 3B Joe Crede will not have surgery on two herniated discs in his lower back. "He's going to do a real intense six- to eight-week conditioning program and we'll see from there," trainer Herm Schneider said. "I don't see a problem with it as long as it's done and he gets better from it. No one wants him to have surgery." The 28-year-old hit .283 with 30 homers and 94 RBI while playing solid defense in 2006. He is arbitration-eligible and expected to receive a significant raise from the $2.85 million he earned in last season. ... White Sox DH Jim Thome has started a back program this offseason and the team said all indications are the veteran will be fine for spring training. He has been on the same program for a few years. ... 1B Paul Konerko notified the White Sox that he will begin an offseason training program in Scottsdale, Ariz., to not only strengthen a lower back that flared up at the end of the season, but also to help his entire body. ... RHP Bobby Jenks has met with a nutritionist and has a program in place. Manager Ozzie Guillen publicly threw Jenks under the bus last spring for showing up to camp heavy. ... LHP Mark Buehrle has been asked by the White Sox to drop some weight this offseason. He has been given a program to follow, but the club is leaving it up to him to do so. "Buehrle has a shoulder program, elbow program and a body program," Schneider said. "He's just got to do it. I think he sees he has to pay the price a little bit." ... The White Sox have little interest in re-signing former Indians RHP David Riske, but might bring back ex-Tribe catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. Alomar has already stated he would like to return at a hometown discount.
In Detroit, the Tigers dealt three minor-league pitching prospects to the Yankees for OF Gary Sheffield, 38, who had drawn interest from the Indians. The Tigers added two years to his contract. Sheffield has a .297 career batting average, 455 homers and 1,501 RBI. "This is one of the ultimate bats in baseball. I can't say how happy I am. This is a great acquisition for us. I'm tickled to death to have him," said Jim Leyland, who won the AL Manager of the Year award. Minnesota's Ron Gardenhire was second in the voting. In 2005, Guillen won and the Indians' Eric Wedge was second. That means AL Central skippers have dominated the voting the past two years. ... Former 3B Tom Brookens, who finished his 12-year MLB career by playing one season (1990) in Cleveland, is the new manager at Class A West Michigan in the Tigers' system. He spent the past two seasons as manager at the Tigers' Oneonta team in the short season New York-Penn League. ... Former Tribe 1B Sean Casey will be back with the Tigers. He signed a one-year contract worth $4 million.
In Los Angeles, former Tribe RHP Bartolo Colon, who missed most of the 2006 season with a torn rotator cuff, is expected to be ready for 2007. He has been working out in Arizona and will continue to work out in the Dominican Republic during the offseason. ...In Seattle, former Tribe 1B Eduardo Perez has a club option for 2007 at $1.75 million. The Mariners want him back, but might buy out his option at $125,000, then try to re-sign him for less. ... In Texas, ex-Tribe RHP Kevin Millwood likes what he has heard from new manager Ron Washington. "It was exciting to feel his energy," Millwood said. "If we were lacking one thing last year, it was energy. Hopefully, he can charge us up.". ... In Tampa Bay, the Devil Rays paid about $4.5 million to earn negotiating rights to 3B Akinori Iwamura. The Indians also put in a bid on the left-handed hitter who won six Gold Gloves in the Japanese major leagues. Iwamura, 27, hit .389 as part of Japan's winning team in the World Baseball Classic last spring. The Devil Rays have 30 days to negotiate a contract with the infielder. ... In Toronto, former Tribe RHP Justin Speier is one of the Blue Jays' five free agents and is drawing interest from several teams, including Cleveland. Ex-Tribe SS John McDonald is arbitration eligible with the Jays.
In Oakland, former Tribe RHP Steve Karsay, who announced his retirement last summer, was put back on the active list for 2007 spring training. ... Former Indians OF David Justice is a candidate to be the A's new hitting coach. ... Former Tribe RHP Orel Hershiser lost out to Bob Geren in interviews to be Oakland's new manager, but probably not because of this quote: "My overall reaction is the Oakland A's are in great hands. What a great group of guys, intelligent, passionate, down to earth. You can see why they put together a great run. It was very impressive. And I'm not complimenting them because I want a job. I was just impressed, period." ... In New York, the Yankees weren't going to keep ex-Tribe RHP Jaret Wright, but figured out a way to get something in return for him. On Nov. 12, the day the Yankees were going to pay Wright a $4 million buyout rather than pick up his $7 million option for 2007, they were able to deal him to the Orioles for RHP Chris Britton. The $4 million was sent to Baltimore, leaving the Orioles responsible for less than half of Wright's salary for next season. The Yankees got back a 23-year-old reliever who had a solid first season in the majors in 2006. Britton pitched in 52 games for the Orioles, going 0-2 with one save and a 3.35 ERA. Wright went 11-7 with a 4.49 ERA and his stamina was a constant question. He made 27 starts, but never pitched more than 6 1/3 innings.
In Kansas City, former Tribe RHP Scott Elarton likely will not be back until June 1. He had shoulder surgery in July. ... In Minnesota, GM Terry Ryan said he's not sure he'll wade too deeply into the free agent market in search of starting pitching help to offset the losses of LHP Francisco Liriano (Tommy John surgery) and RHP Brad Radke (retirement). "You've got to keep an open approach to that," he said. "Sometimes a trade would be the right avenue, and sometimes promoting from within would be the right avenue." ... In Boston, the Red Sox are interested in ex-Tribe RHP Justin Speier, 33, who held lefties under a .200 average in each of the past two seasons for Toronto. ... Both the Red Sox and RHP Keith Foulke declined contract options for 2007. The team decided against giving him $7.5 million, while Foulke turned down his $3.75 option. He'll get a $1.5 million buyout. ... Former Indians INF Alex Cora agreed in principle to a two-year contract to stay with the Red Sox. ... Former Tribe OFs Coco Crisp and Manny Ramirez are on the mend. Crisp, who had a broken left index finger, should be at full strength by spring training. So should Ramirez, who needed rest to sooth the patellar tendinitis in his right knee that sidelined him down the stretch.
AROUND THE NATIONAL LEAGUE
The Padres gave former Indians left-hander Bud Black a two-year contract for his first managerial job at any level. Black, 49, declined to interview for the Red Sox's managerial job five years ago and last year rejected an interview offer from the Dodgers.
"It's going to be baptism under fire, getting to know the league," said Black, who spent the past seven seasons as the Angels' pitching coach. "I'll just be myself. I never thought San Diego would come on the radar screen. When it did, it happened real quick. The timing was perfect for me."
Harry Ralston "Bud" Black had a 121-116 record in the majors with five teams, including the Indians and the Royals' 1985 World Series champions. He served as a special assistant to Cleveland GM John Hart in 1999 before becoming the Angels' pitching coach.
Padres chief executive officer Sandy Alderson said he doesn't believe Black's transition to manager will be as tough as many expect. "Buddy was the right-hand man of a very successful manager (Mike Scioscia)," Alderson said.
Said Scioscia: "Bud has an incredible understanding of pitching and what makes pitchers win. And he combines that with a great grasp of fundamental baseball."
Angels GM Bill Stoneman said former Indians pitchers Charles Nagy or Hershiser could replace Black. Nagy is currently the Angels' pitching coach at Triple-A Salt Lake. Hershiser, the former star right-hander and Rangers pitching coach, was a baseball broadcaster last season.
The Padres view Kevin Kouzmanoff as the long-term answer at third base. "It really boiled down to we really like the third baseman we acquired after spending the last year trying to find a fit at that position," GM Kevin Towers said. Kouzmanoff was playing first base for the Indians in the Arizona Fall League when he and RHP Andrew Brown were dealt for 2B Josh Barfield, and his defense at third is considered a concern. Coming off back problems, he was passed on by all major league teams last year in the Rule 5 draft.
The Padres believe it will be easier this winter to find a free agent second baseman than a third baseman. Atlanta's Marcus Giles (a native of East San Diego County and younger brother of Padres outfielder Brian Giles), former Padres All-Star Mark Loretta and ex-Indian Ronnie Belliard are on their radar. ... RHP Steve Watkins, who pitched at Triple-A Buffalo in 2005, signed with San Diego as a minor-league free agent. ... The Padres could give switch-hitting catcher Josh Bard a long-term contract, but likely will not re-sign OF Dave Roberts. Bard blossomed in San Diego, hitting .338 with nine homers and 40 RBI in 93 games after being acquired May 1 from Boston. He had gone to the Red Sox in the multi-player trade last January that sent 3B Andy Marte, C Kelly Shoppah and RHP Guillermo Mota to the Indians. Roberts was a good leadoff hitter (.360 on-base percentage), tied the Padres' single-season record with 13 triples, and his 49 steals were the most by a Padre since 1987. But he had only two homers (21 in eight MLB seasons) and the Padres want more power.
Dick Pole's credentials as a pitching coach can be condensed into two words: Greg Maddux. Pole, 56, is the Reds' new pitching coach, and though GM Wayne Krivsky never had met Pole until his interview, he admitted, "When Greg Maddux says Dick Pole is the best pitching coach he ever had, that's pretty special."
Pole was Dusty Baker's bench coach with the Cubs the last four years. Before that, he was pitching coach for the Cubs (1988-91), Giants (1993-97), Angels (1999), Indians (2000-01) and Montreal (2002).
"I was Maddux's pitching coach in the minors and in his first year in the majors (with the Cubs), and he was a special kid then and a special man now. What he said means a lot to me, but I'm no longer coaching Greg Maddux, I'm coaching the Cincinnati Reds," Pole said.
Reds manager Jerry Narron said he nearly hired Pole as a pitching coach when he managed the Rangers. "I like the way he goes about his business," Narron said. "He is a grinder, and there are a lot of pitchers out there who love the guy. He has been in the our division the last four years, so he knows it and he knows the National League."
And there is the inevitable question about Great American Ball Park and the home runs that fly out like pigeons fleeing a BB gun.
"What I tell guys, especially when they are pitching in Cincinnati or Colorado or Philadelphia is that you don't pitch to the park, you pitch to situations and you pitch to hitters," Pole said. "If you keep the ball down, if you make your pitches, you'll get hitters out. What I've seen of Great American is that, yes, there were a few cheap home runs, but most of them would be home runs anywhere. What impressed me about the Reds' staff last year was the few number of walks they gave up (464, fewest in the league), and you don't get hurt as much by one-run homers."
In San Francisco, the Giants have only two everyday players under contract, ex-Indians shortstop Omar Vizquel, 39, and outfielder Randy Winn. Vizquel's contract runs through 2007, but he could be offered an extension. "The way he's playing, you have to be open-minded," GM Brian Sabean said. Vizquel recently won his 11th Gold Glove award. He hit .295 with 88 runs, four homers, 58 RBI and 24 steals in 31 attempts over 153 games in 2006, making only four errors. ... In Washington, the Nationals signed 21 minor-league free agents on Nov. 6, including former Tribe LHP Mike Bacsik. ... Ex-Tribe RHPs Ryan Drese, RHP Zach Day are free agents and unlikely return to Washington. ... Ex-Tribe OF Alex Escobar, who hit .356 with four homers and 18 RBI in 33 games for Washington before suffering a dislocated right shoulder in August, is expected to be 100 percent for spring training. ... In Arizona, ex-Indians SS Jay Bell resigned as Diamondbacks bench coach to spend more time with his family. He was replaced by former Tigers star Kirk Gibson. Former Indians 3B Matt Williams, a minority owner of the team and special assistant in the front office, was interested in the job.
In Cincinnati, ex-Tribe 2B Brandon Phillips may switch to shortstop next season and plans to work on his stamina. He admitted being extremely tired in September when his batting average slipped from .309 to .276. He played in a career-high 149 games. ... In Pittsburgh, ex-Tribe OF Jeromy Burnitz won't be back. The Pirates paid him a $700,000 buyout on the $6 million mutual option in his contract for 2007. Former Tribe OF Jody Gerut (left knee surgery) is expected to be ready for the start of the Pirates' spring training camp. ... In Los Angeles, among the Dodgers' free agents are former Tribe OF Kenny Lofton and 1B Nomar Garciaparra, who spurned Cleveland's offers last winter. Garciaparra rebounded from two injury-marred seasons to bat .303 with 20 homers and 93 RBI while making only two errors in his first season at first base in 2006. The Indians are reportedly interested in him again.
In Colorado, former Tribe farmhand Alan Cockrell is back as the Rockies hitting coach. He spent the past four years as hitting coach at Triple-A Colorado Springs. Ex-Tribe OF Glenallen Hill, who spent the past three years in the Rockies system as a hitting coach and manager at Class A Modesto, is Colorado's new first base coach. Cockrell, 44, an outfielder who went 2-for-8 in his MLB career after a long time with several teams in the minors, received his first big-league opportunity when Clint Hurdle was promoted from hitting coach to replace manager Buddy Bell on April 20, 2002. Cockrell was the organization's roving hitting instructor at the time. He then was reassigned to be the hitting coach at Colorado Springs. "I think that experience opened his eyes to what the job consisted of and the sacrifices that needed to be made," Hurdle said. "It is like when you send out a player (to the minors). You talk about what he needs to do to get back, and when he gets back, you are happy and proud of him."
In Atlanta, former Tribe RHP Chad Paronto is among candidates for a setup role to ex-Cleveland closer Bob Wickman. RHP Danys Baez, who didn't pitch after having an emergency appendectomy in August, is a free agent who has attracted interest from several teams, including the Indians. ... In Philadelphia, former Tribe manager Charlie Manuel is looking to improve the bullpen, though he'd also like GM Pat Gillick to sign free agent OF Alfonso Soriano. Finding the money to sign Soriano may be easier if the Phillies can unload maligned left fielder Pat Burrell, who had 29 homers and 95 RBI but batted just .222 with runners in scoring position last season, is owed $27 million over the next two seasons and has a no-trade clause. "To me, speaking as a manager, we need to get a strong eighth-inning guy who has closer experience or has closed," Manuel said. "We do not want to overwork (closer Tom Gordon)."
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