Tampa @ Cleveland Game Thread

[Rebbiv]

Well, their team is pretty much the same as last year, with only one real bump in production at any position(CF), and the pitching is all the same except for Kazmir.. The only major difference is manager and coaching staff. I'm not sure a league average CF and 5th starter made this big of a difference. Also, there were quit a few times where it looked like the Indians were going to fall apart(especially when we swept them), and they ended up bouncing right back. They weren't able to do that the past few years. I give Francona all the credit in the world for that team's success.

New to the Indians in 2013

Nick Swisher

Michael Bourn

Drew Stubbs

Ryan Raburn

Jason Giambi

Mike Aviles

Mark Reynolds

Yan Gomes

Scott Kazmir

Bryan Shaw

Rich Hill

Matt Albers

 

[Rebbiv]

Versus teams that finished below .500

DET 45-29 .608

CLE 56-18 .757

Keep in mind, DET was 0-9 versus MIA and LAA, where CLE was 6-3. That is partly the biggest difference.

 

[Thundercats]

New to the Indians in 2013

Nick Swisher- Bad defense and an overall downgrade to Choo

Michael Bourn - Upgrade defensively and offensively

Drew Stubbs - Platoon player who barely hits

Ryan Raburn - Solid year, albeit still a backup

Jason Giambi - Average under .200

Mike Aviles - Backup MIF

Mark Reynolds - Got DFA'd

Yan Gomes - Backup catcher/utility

Scott Kazmir - 5th starter

Bryan Shaw - Solid middle reliever

Rich Hill - Lefty specialist

Matt Albers - average middle reliever

New pieces, yes, but not much different than last year. Talent wise, they are about the same.. just with more bench pieces. Another kudos to Francona for managing them right.

 

[Rebbiv]

1B = Swisher > 2012 Kotchman

3B = Chisenhall > Hannahran

LF = Brantley > Shelley Duncan

CF = Bourne > Brantly

RF = Stubbs < Choo

DH = Giambi < Hafner

Kazmir > 2012 Derek Lowe, 2012 Josh Tomlin


You are overvaluing the role of a manager. Player upgrades and rookies/sophomore players contributed more than just being "new pieces".

 

[Rebbiv]

2013 vs 2012 by position

C = .824 OPS vs .695

1B = .724 OPS vs .675

2B = .786 OPS vs .726

3B = .639 OPS vs .677

SS = .693 OPS vs .728

LF = .757 OPS vs .598

CF = .701 OPS vs .738

RF = .757 OPS vs .797

DH = .753 OPS vs .702

TOTAL = .737 OPS vs .705 OPS


Pitching =

.708 OPP OPS vs .766 OPS

3.82 ERA 1.33 WHIP vs 4.79 ERA 1.42 WHIP