Tribe Name BP Coach; Valverde Available?

Isn't it funny?

The Indians fired Luis Isaac.. Philsophy reasons.. His bullpen wasn't the greatest last year.. But that's hardly a mark on him.

So they go out and hire a guy who's had probably the one of the most banged up and erratic pitching staffs, starting and relief, in the major leagues.

However.. That idea can kill you.

The Indians have hired former Tigers pitching coach Chuck Hernandez to be their bullpen coach today.

Obviously.. Wedge made it clear that Isaac's firing was continuity between Isaac and Willis. Which is why, if you knew that Willis and Hernandez have a good relationship, you probably knew this was coming.

"Ultimately, I felt it was time for us to have a different dynamic and skill set down there, with the man in charge in that role and in that bullpen and with the relationship with Carl Willis, and ultimately how those two rub off on our starting pitchers and bullpen guys. You look at what Carl and Chuck can do together and what you can do with veterans who get better, but also to continue to develop young pitchers and develop more consistency within our bullpen."

It looks as if Wedge wanted a guy that could work with Willis. Which if that is his goal, I support. I actually like the idea once I sit down and think about it. This is a guy who was the coach of some good pitchers in Detroit. He's more of a scouting type guy as well. He's in that John Farrell mold, someone who did the minor league thing and the pitching coach thing.

Verlander, Bonderman, some decent relief pitchers were his guys.

They just got hurt a lot..

This could work out well. He's a pitching coach and he's probably going to be looking to see the mechanics of pitchers, which is nice to have another set of eyes.

I like this move. I hope it works out. Hernandez is 48 and has been with the Tigers as the pitching coach for the past few years. Before that he was the Rays' pitching coach.

Onto the Hot Stove Front.

It looks like there is another relief option out there, and he's joined by a third base target we've discussed before.

The Astros are reportedly "looking to trade" Jose Valverde and Ty Wigginton.

Both are arbitration guys and would be Free Agent's next year. In that aspect, I think it's perfect.

Houston I guess, from Richard Justice's perspective, is looking for young pitching. We've got that. At what price though?

MLBTR names us directly as a "Match" which is obvious because those just happen to be our two needs, but is it a match in terms of the players?

I'm a little on the fence about Jose Valverde. He's got attitude and fire, that's for sure. He sort of looks like K-Rod out there with all his emotion. He's been in and out of the closer's role throughout his career until 2007, when he locked it down for Arizona.

Last year, Arizona shipped Valverde off to Houston, who used him to replace Brad Lidge.

We know how that worked out for the Phils.

Now.. Valverde's ERA rose a bit into the 3's, saved three less games but pitched in a few more innings.

His numbers indicate he was better on the road, so maybe Houston was the reason for his rise in ERA.

However this is what worries me.

In September, August, and May, Valverde was SHUT DOWN.. 4 combined earned runs.

April, June and July.. 23 runs combined.

He's very inconsistent by those numbers.

The other piece of that deal would be Ty Wiggingon, who we've talked about, just as a rumor though.

I'm not sure how valid it is that we had him on our radar. Remember Teahen? That stuff happens.

Here is a story about how Wes Hodges is getting it done with the bat in the AFL. But then again everyone really is, pitching doesn't seem to be showing up.. Of course those pitchers are focused on working things, not stats.

Hodges is hitting .354 with 6 dingers and 26 RBI. The Indians are pleased with his bat, but still want to see him improve defensively before he makes it to the big leagues.

Matt LaPorta is heading home. Take a rest bud. LaPorta was out in Venezuela participating in Winter League. He's not hurt, but he was sick and did foul a ball off himself. The plan was to send him home early for Thanksgiving, so while he is leaving early, this was expected. LaPorta hit .162 with two home runs in 67 at-bats.

Tomorrow is the deadline day to add players to the 40 man to protect them from the Rule V. Today is the day, according to Tony Lastoria where we find out who the Indians have added. I'll comment tomorrow after the news comes down. I've posted who I'd like to see added, if you need a refresher on who to expect, read the link and see what Tony has to say. Five are expected to be rostered, including Jordan Brown and if remember that we've heard that Jordan Brown will be added.

Looks like we visited that Japanese pitcher, Junichi Tazawa. I'd rather not talk about Japanese players I have no clue about. Risky business sir.

The BaseballAmerica prospect rankings for the Indians are out. Carlos Santana is number one.

1. Carlos Santana, c
2. Matt LaPorta, of
3. Nick Weglarz, of
4. Adam Miller, rhp
5. Beau Mills, 1b
6. Lonnie Chisenhall, ss
7. Kelvin de la Cruz, lhp
8. David Huff, lhp
9. Michael Brantley, of/1b
10. Carlos Rivero, ss

There ya go.. Read the entire report here.

Surprised that LaPorta is behind Santana, but hey, we just got our top two talents in trades this season. Some guys don't think Santana or LaPorta are quite as good as that though. We'll find out. Check out the projected 2012 lineup, that is interesting.

and finally.. Jensen Lewis isn't taking all this closer talk to heart.. He's preparing as if he will be the guy in 2009.. I TOLD YOU LIKE THIS KID!

"I went into the offseason with the mentality that I was the guy until told differently," Lewis said Wednesday. "As of right now, that's my mindset."

Jensen might just have to be our mascot if we can get his B-R page..... Sorry Benny.