Jake Pitches A Gem & No More Fultz
I
really won’t continue to post everyday, but I felt some Tribe related
things needed to be addressed.
Originally this
was just going to be a post about the Tribe designating Fultz for
assignment, but a spring training game also occurred so that’s also
going to be quickly touched on.
The first big thing I think I heard today was Cliff Lee being awarded the 5th starter
spot for the Tribe. With Sowers and Laffey being sent to AAA. In that
same article the DFA of Fultz was also mentioned. Obviously as
speculated here the Tribe front office things that either Breslow is
their LOOGY (Lefty One-Out Guy) or maybe they don’t need one. The
slight surprise in all of this is the Tribe having to “eat” Fultz’s 2008 option
of $1.5 million. It is my vague recollection that Fultz struggled down
the stretch last year and was anything but a consistent bullpen option.
Well forget him, because he’s gone. The Lee news isn’t too surprising
but here’s to hoping Lee rediscovered himself after a stint in AAA last
year.
The other exciting/interesting news is Westbrook pitched a gem against the Braves today,
yeah I know spring training is meaningless, but if that were really
true Fultz would still be in the Tribe’s bullpen. Jake pitched six
perfect innings and even had eight strikeouts, which is unusual for the
sinker-ball pitcher. The other interesting piece of news is Jorge Julio
pitched today going an inning giving up one hit and striking out 2
while allowing no runs to lower his spring ERA to 1.64. Now I’ve
briefly discussed Elarton and quickly name dropped Mastny, now Julio
could be the favorite for the Tribe. When it gets down to it the only
thing that is certain about a bullpen is that the bullpen at the
beginning and end of a season will almost never look the same. That and
if someone isn’t in Wedge’s Circle of Trust then it doesn’t matter what
I think of them they’ll just be used for garbage innings anyway. But
it’s still nice to see Jake pitch well, let’s hope he keeps this up, oh
and the Tribe won today 8-0.
Tomorrow the Indians take on the Yankees at Winter Haven, with Bryd pitching for the Erie Warriors.
Go Tribe! 