Carlos Santana's phone rang. The Santana era behind the plate begins in Cleveland tonight.
A very good baseball mind in Cleveland told me yesterday that Santana is still having trouble with the defensive part of his game. His game calling and communication issues with his pitchers still need improvement. But the Tribe brass feels he has enough offense to be given an opportunity at the big league level. He should hit at Progressive Field.
Lou Marson is returning to AAA to work on his game. He can't throw out base runners and he hasn't been able to hit big league pitching with any type of consistency. That means he will join Matt LaPorta and Michael Brantley in the Indians player development program. These three were major chips in the blockbuster trading spree conducted by General Manager Mark Shapiro. So far Justin Masterson, Chris Perez and Jason Donald are the only players on the big league roster from the Sabathia, Lee, Martinez, Garko, DeRosa and Betancourt deals. Yikes!
He isn't getting much publicity, but Alex Rios is having a really nice season so far. He's hitting for average and power as well as running well. He's not what everyone once thought he could be, but Rios is a nice piece for the White Sox roster.
Lou Piniella and Steve Stone have had a bit of a war of words regarding Cubs outfielder Tyler Colvin. Stone thinks Colvin should get 30 at-bats a week and Piniella wonders where Stone has ever managed, been a farm director or a general manager in his life. Piniella reminds Stone that he, Piniella is one of the winningest managers in baseball--ever. Stone thinks it's very difficult to manage a team with 5 high quality starting outfielders on the same roster. Stone has never been shy. Either has Lou.
Not to be outdone, Ozzie Guillen and General Manager Kenny Williams are having their own little conflict on the south side of Chicago. That one is apparently over the draft position of Ozzie's son. Apparently Ozzie felt his son should have been drafted higher.
It was a battle of awful closers yesterday in Cleveland. Kerry Wood couldn't bring home a victory as he gave up a huge homer to Adrian Beltre. Not to be outdone, Daniel Bard coughed up the lead given by his team. Wood would make a great trade piece for the Indians if he were more reliable.
The Orioles are waiting for their 3B of the future, Josh Bell to heat up.
I hope it doesn't impact Vlad's offense when he plays defense during inter-league play this weekend. That will be something to watch. He's having a fantastic season. But his knees are shot, his arm is all but gone and he really can't cover much ground in the outfield anymore. He'll probably get a day off in between during the series. But is he ever swinging the bat. What a joy to watch him hit.
Omar Vizquel has gotten lots of playing time at 3B for the White Sox. A a goodt guy to have on a ball club. He just brings so much energy and experience to every team he's ever played with. He isn't playing against the Cubs because a personal issue has taken him away from the club.
Brandon Wood just can't get a break. Not that he was hitting. But not hitting and getting hurt. It just won't quit for him. Will we ever really find out if he can hit? How much longer do the Angels stick with him?
Can you keep up with the Oakland A's roster moves? Just askin because I can't.
It's really tough to watch Justin Upton struggle with pitches on the outside corner. He is scuffling big time at the plate. But on the other side of the coin, Chris Young looks much, much better at the plate. And anytime he gets on first, he runs. Upton and Mark Reynolds could set the all time strikeout record for two guys on one team in one season. It's really a tough thing to watch.
If you had to vote today, who's your AL Cy Young winner? I really think mine is David Price.
Let's hope Maglio Ordonez comes back sooner than later. It seems like it's an oblique or similar type injury that could linger. His absence is having a negative impact on Miguel Cabrera. Just like not having Jacoby is hurting the Red Sox. Big time.
Where are Justin Verlander's K's hiding? We counted on those.
I've always wanted to see Jaime Garcia pitch in person. Tonight's the night.
Michael Young is hot, hot, hot. His swing is effortless. With pop. I don't hear him in the 3B conversations with Longoria, Sandoval, ARod, and Zimmerman. But Young does it all.
I still think Max Scherzer is a closer and not a starter. For one inning with that fastball he is lights out. Give him more than a couple of innings with limited progress on his secondary pitches and he gets hit hard.
Is anyone better out of the pen this year than Arthur Rhodes? He is flying so under the radar. I hope he makes the All Star team. He certainly deserves it. I think he pitched to Babe Ruth early in his career. He relieved Jamie Moyer in that game.
My featured prospect in my Minor League Report next week will be Mike Moustakas. Hope you'll stop by and give it a read.