Extra Motivation for Clubhouse
Until last week, the Cleveland Indians had not received much criticism about their play on the field.
It wasn’t an easy four months to start the season, as the team was without starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco for the entire month of May and of course the Michael Brantley situation has been a thorn in the side of the Indians all season, yet even with those excuses, the team produced day in and day out.
It was after being swept by the Baltimore Orioles and losing the second of a two-game series to the Washington Nationals, when fans and analysts really started to question whether or not this team is “for real.”
It’s no secret that the weakest link in the Indians’ offense has been the catcher position. Even when Yan Gomes was healthy, the 29-year-old was hitting just .165, unacceptable for an everyday starter.
Behind Gomes, it’s been Chris Giminez, who is batting .202 and Roberto Perez, hitting .080 with a .324 on-base percentage.
Not many teams would be pleased with a catcher duo of Giminez and Perez, but after the Tribe finished off a three-game sweep with Sunday’s 8-0 win over the Oakland Athletics, Giminez had some interesting thoughts on the Lucroy situation.
His loss,” Gimenez said. “I don’t have any idea why he did [veto]; I just know he said something [previously] about how he wanted to play for a contender. He had the opportunity. Unfortunately, he chose not to be a part of it. Hopefully, we can win the World Series and we’ll be laughing at him.”
As someone who believes this Indians team has every right to be confident and cocky, I love that mentality. Reporters who were in the clubhouse following Sunday’s win all indicated that the team felt that if Lucroy didn’t want to be a part of the Indians, then they don’t want him.
This Indians team should feel like the top dogs in the American League. If other players or other teams don’t respect that, they can find out the hard way.
Perhaps Lucroy’s decision to reject a trade to Cleveland will light a spark under the team a little bit, making them feel disrespected and bringing the guys who have made it this far together even closer.
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Nick Lauren
August 1, 2016 at 11:11 am
This could quite possibly be the dumbest article I’ve ever read. Lucroy vetoed because he was told he would be a part time backup next season…
To say Gimenez or the other jokers behind the plate are even close to Lucroy’s talent is ridiculous…when you have guys batting .165 at a position you have a serious problem. Lucroy is not only clutch, but hits over 300 consistently and also hits for power…not to mention his pitch framing and defense.
I get being a hometown homer…but comeon man
Matt Medley
August 1, 2016 at 11:16 am
Thanks for reading! Did he really veto because of that or was that what his agent fed reporters? More than one side to every story!
If you misread any point in the article that you thought said Giminez and Perez were more-talented or close to as talented as Lucroy, that’s unfortunate. But it never says that at any point. Direct quote: “This is not to say Perez and Giminez are better or even close to as talented as Lucroy, but perhaps Perez and Giminez are just the right guys when it comes to this situation.”
Also he has hit above .300 in 2 out of 7 seasons… so saying he hits above .300 consistently is not true at all. Lucroy’s career-high in home runs was 18 in 2013. Aside from that he has never hit more than 13 home runs in a season. This season he might hit 20 if he keeps up at the pace he’s going.
Matt Medley
October 19, 2016 at 11:12 pm
So what do you have to say for yourself buddy?
Matt Medley
October 19, 2016 at 11:12 pm
So what do you have to say for yourself, buddy?