Browns Friday Fumble goes back to 1999 – WFNY Podcast – 2015-12-11
December 11, 2015Ohio State hires Greg Schiano as defensive coordinator, associate head coach
December 11, 2015On Friday, the Chicago Cubs added to their offseason spending spree by signing start outfielder Jason Heyward to an eight-year, $184 million contract. On Friday, the Cleveland Indians added to their offseason minor league spending spree by signing outfielder Robbie Grossman and right-hander Felipe Paulino to deals with spring training invitations.
Grossman, 26, is the fourth outfielder acquired this offseason already by the Tribe. He joins Collin Cowgill and Joey Butler, both claimed off waivers, and Shane Robinson, who also was signed to a free agent deal. Grossman, drafted originally by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2008, has played his entire 190-game major league career with the Houston Astros.
A switch-hitter, he struggled mightily in 24 games in 2015 with a .143/.222/.245 batting line. But he was far more effective in 2013-14, batting .248/.335/.348 with 28 doubles, 10 home runs, and 58 RBI in 166 combined games. In his 207 career Triple-A games, he’s a .281/.382/.387 hitter. He has good patience at the plate, but very little power. Yet, his age and experience means he has a bit more upside than the soon-to-be 30-year-old Butler and 31-year-old Robinson. Cowgill, 29 and a plus defensive outfielder, is the best of the bunch.
Paulino, 32, last pitched in the majors in just four games in 2014 for the Chicago White Sox. He started 20 games for the Chicago Cubs’ Triple-A affiliate in 2015. But the big right-hander is a veteran major leaguer with starting experience, as he started 31 games for Houston in 2009-10 and 27 for Kansas City in 2011-12. In his MLB career spanning 97 games (65 starts), he is 13-34 with a 5.22 ERA, 373 strikeouts, and 172 walks in 403.2 innings. He is just 7-16 with a 5.45 ERA in 16 Triple-A games.
The signing of Paulino isn’t very exciting by any means, but he’s a veteran with some experience. At the least, he could compete in spring training for a potential bullpen role and then could land on the Triple-A Columbus Clippers roster. The Indians already have added veteran reliever Joba Chamberlain this offseason.
Obviously, the Indians remain in discussions with dozens of free agents and with dozens of teams about dozens of potential trades. But it couldn’t be funnier than to contrast the team’s offseason with that of the lovable losers of Chicago. Notably, these two teams have the longest active championship droughts in Major League Baseball. One is in Chicago and loaded with young bats and oodles of money. One is in Cleveland and loaded with young pitchers, but not very much money in the slightest.
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Indians better hire extra sales representatives when season tickets go on sale!!!