Cleveland Indians News and Notes: October 6, 2013

For the first time in six months, there is no game to rehash in the Sunday extravaganza. That's sad, although it gives us a chance to relive what happened in 2013, and unlike last year, that will bring back good memories.

For starting tomorrow, we'll be going headlong into a review of 2013. Included will be individual player reviews, minor-league level and overall prospect reviews, and plenty of other stuff that will lead up to the hot stove season that begins after the World Series. When we talk about important decisions the Indians need to make this winter (re-sign Kazmir? re-sign Jimenez? trade Cabrera), it helps to have some numbers to back up your argument no matter which side of the argument you take.

Speaking of which, here are the important offseason dates this winter:

• September 30-October 15: Article XX(D) free agent period (MLB players who had been outrighted)
• October 23: World Series begins
• Right after World Series ends: Eligible XX(B) players become free agents (major-league free agents)
• 4th day after World Series ends: last date to request waivers on players until spring
• 5th day after World Series: last date to reinstate players from 60-day Disabled List (Indians have four players on the 60-day DL)
• 5th day after World Series: last date for former club to tender qualifying offer* for XX(B) free agents
• 5th day after World Series: minor league players become free agents (if they have enough service time)
• 6th day after World Series: major league (XX(B)) and minor league free agents may sign with any club
• 12th day after World Series: last date for XX(B) players to accept qualifying offer from former club
• November 11: New waiver period begins
• November 20: last date to outright injured player to the minor leagues
• December 9: last date to outright a player prior to Rule 5 draft (in other words, the date rosters have to be set)
• December 9-12: Winter Meetings
• December 12: Rule 5 Draft

I'll make a separate post on these terms a bit later.

Last Night's Playoff Games

Boston 7, Tampa Bay 4

Rays 4, Red Sox 7: Price, Offense Come Up Short As Sox Extend Series Lead - DRaysBay

Red Sox 7, Rays 4: Sox topple David Price, take 2-0 lead in ALDS - Over the Monster

Of course the Rays start to pitch like garbage after they beat the Indians. David Price was knocked around even though he did pitch seven innings. After the game, Price lashed out at the TBS crew:

Dirk Hayhurst...COULDNT hack it...Tom Verducci wasn't even a water boy in high school...but yet they can still bash a player...SAVE IT NERDS

— David Price (@DAVIDprice14) October 6, 2013

In case Price has forgotten, one of the main reasons MLB players make the money they do is the media coverage of baseball, and a big part of the media coverage involves people that either didn't play in the majors or former players who "couldn't hack it" like Hayhurst.

Oakland 1, Detroit 0

ALDS Game 2: Starters Dominate, Vogt Walks Off - Athletics Nation

Tigers vs. Athletics, ALDS: First 2 games played right to script - Bless You Boys

Oakland's Sonny Gray matched Justin Verlander pitch for pitch, going eight innings and allowing just four hits (all singles). Stephen Vogt drove home the first (and only) run of the game for either side with his bases-loaded single in the bottom of the ninth.

AL Central News

The circumstances surrounding Jeff Manto's departure - South Side Sox

After an historically-bad season at the plate, White Sox hitting coach (and Buffalo Bisons legend) Jeff Manto was let go.

Royals Hire Dale Sveum as Assistant Coach - Royals Review

Just days after being fired by the Cubs, Dale Sveum landed a coaching job with the Royals.

CONFIRMED: Duke Welker IS the PTBNL In Justin Morneau Trade, Added to 40-Man Roster - Twinkie Town

The Pirates sent RHP Duke Welker to Minnesota as the PTBNL in the Justin Morneau trade. A real late-bloomer, Welker struck out 9.3 per 9 but also walked 4.4 per 9 in Indianapolis. We'll probably be seeing him out of the bullpen in 2014.

Today's Classic Clip

The Indians beat the Yankees in Game 5 of the 1997 ALDS. Make sure you look for George Steinbrenner's reaction at 0:13.