Aug. 26: Cleveland has officially recalled Clevinger and optioned catcher Beau Taylor to the alternate site in a corresponding move. It’s worth noting, too, that while there’d been some drama surrounding the possibility that Clevinger’s path to free agency would be delayed if he spent 20 or more days at the alternate site, he’ll fall shy of that mark and remain on track for free agency after the 2022 campaign.
Aug. 25: The Indians announced that right-hander Mike Clevinger will be recalled from their alternate training site prior to tomorrow’s game with the Twins. Clevinger will get the start in his return to big league action.
It has been a whirlwind few weeks for Clevinger, who went from being the nominal ace of the Cleveland rotation to being placed on the restricted list, then sent to the club’s alternate training site, and now could even be a trade candidate. It all stems from the now-infamous incident that saw Clevinger and Zach Plesac violate the Tribe’s COVID-19 protocols by leaving the team hotel for a night out in Chicago, and then not admitting their fault until the club itself discovered the transgression. Clevinger’s involvement didn’t even come to light until Plesac had already issued an apology to his teammates after being quarantined.
The incident left many Indians players understandably upset at Clevinger and Plesac, particularly after Plesac compounded the problem with an Instagram video blaming the media for allegedly exaggerating the situation. In regards to Plesac, Cleveland president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti told MLB.com’s Mandy Bell and other reporters that after Clevinger’s recall was announced, Antonetti called Plesac to say “they don’t have an opportunity for him at this time at the Major League level.” As such, Plesac will continue to pitch at the alternate training site until an opening develops (or, given the August 31 trade deadline is nearing, perhaps until a trade can be worked out).
Amidst all this controversy, the Tribe is 17-12 and in possession of a wild card spot. Somewhat incredibly, Cleveland has barely missed Clevinger or Plesac, with Shane Bieber posting Cy Young-caliber numbers, Aaron Civale and Carlos Carrasco pitching well, and Triston McKenzie coming off an eye-opening Major League debut. Adam Plutko hasn’t been as effective, so he will likely be the odd man out now that Clevinger is back…or, perhaps just until Clevinger himself is dealt.
Clevinger has had an up-and-down year even just in terms of his on-field results. While he has a 3.24 ERA over 16 2/3 innings, ERA indicators (6.25 FIP, 5.38 xFIP, 5.46 SIERA) and batted-ball data (a .376 xwOBA that is much higher than his .338 wOBA) hint that Clevinger hasn’t been himself on the mound. Clevinger has been aided by a .205 BABIP and a 97.6% strand rate, while already allowing four home runs and 10 walks over his 16 2/3 frames.
Punishment: over
So he can be traded after a spot start
im sure ill get garbage for this, but i have a hard time believing he didnt learn his lesson for losing over a week of Major League paydays. that and i dont think they’d call him up if the teammates that said they would opt out didnt believe he had learned.
Did he lose enough time to delay a year of free agency? I thought it was like ~20 days. That could drive up his price, if so.
No, he would have to stay down 8 more days
Which is past the deadline
Op said major league paydays. Nothing about service time.
Dark, I believe you are 100% right. The people that try and say it’s gonna ruin the team are the ones thinking their team should get him for nothing. He still can be traded, not at a discount, and more likely in the offseason.
No garbage, I agree
I think they were just threatening to opt out since they didn’t want to be exposed to somebody who potentially was. Now that he’s quarantined and probably tested negative multiple times, they’ll forgive and forget.
You are out of your mind. These are guys that rely on one another, need to be able to trust one another. He also tested negative multiple times prior to his night out. Him testing negative in the minors means nothing. If he and plesac would go to the lengths they went to in order to cover this up and downplay the situation really makes it hard to believe the entire roster is willing to bring them back. ONE positive test could cost them numerous games that end up being a weeks worth of double headers. And for what? To go have beers? It’s the ultimate display of selfishness
Oh, boo hoo.
You’re not in the clubhouse.
He didn’t lose a paycheck. He was on a Major League contract so he maintained his salary.
Both players at one point were placed on the Restricted List, players on the restricted list do not receive pay. Once they were reinstated the pay kicked pay in but they both lost at least a few days worth of pay.
Would be a lot easier to believe if they didn’t rush him back to start a crucial game Wednesday against the Twins.
I don’t see one start changing his trade value. This might be more to see how the team feels about having him back.
Hopefully he can sign an extension right after his start or be traded to the Braves or Padres.
Pass.
Rosenthal, Holland, Watson, Cahill should be who they are targeting for the pen.
Far as starting pitching depth goes. Walker, Kelly, Gausman, even Cueto if Giants chip in $$ should be where the Padres heads are at.
Realistically, Trammel, Arias, Weathers and another young pitcher like Cantillo should be enough but the Indians are going to want more. So pass.
Thats a pretty good offer for clevinger. Though you’re probably right that they will want more.
This maybe the season to pass on trades. Its a real sellers market.
It is a time when some teams can off load bad contracts because its a sellers market. Padres may even be able to sell high on myers, though they need him as well.
Cleveland is not going to do any trade for all prospects. They need help in the OF now. Think of the Trevor Bauer trade from last year that brought a rental Puig and 5 years of Reyes, and prospects. The offer above does not address the needs of the Indians. I don’t see the Padres having that outfielder that they need now.
The Padres do not have a plus OF available for trade right now. Besides which they are not desperate for pitching and absolutely will not trade Weathers right now. This trade just isn’t going to happen.
I must agree with hockeyjohn.
Yeah, the Padres are in need of some bullpen help and would be parting ways with some members of their superfluous farm system. They don’t have a surplus of major-league ready talent to deal, nor are they in need of a starter
This is not a sellers market. No top 100 prospects will even be dealt. So we aren’t going to see any big names go. Plus you can only trade from 60 man pool. We’ll see a few relievers go but that is it.
No way he gets traded
+1
Audition time! Let the bidding begin!
Hopefully he understand that it’s a blessing to be back and give the Tribe 100%.
“SNY’s Andy Martino writes that Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has already been in touch with the Indians, who are said to be at least “open” to offers on recently demoted right-hander Mike Clevinger.”
This is from an MLBTR article further down.
@basquiat- please don’t say that. I would think that GM Brian Ca$hman and the Yankees have enough sense not to trade for players that can’t follow their teams protocol. These type of players don’t usually fit well in the clubhouse. So we’ll definitely pass on Cleveland Clevinger, thnx. Let him stay in Cleveland where he belongs.
The Yankees traded for and resigned Chapman and his gun issues They also still employ German and his domestic violence problems. The Yankees and their fans have no right to comment on another teams issues. Enjoy your gun shooting,, girlfriend beating players, Yank4life.
@hockeyjohn- if your precious Indian pitchers are so great why don’t you just keep them instead of trying to pawn them off on others? Obviously there isn’t much interest in them or they would probably be traded by now, right? smh
Are you really this stupid? He’s available for trade because the Indians have ridiculous SP depth. You know there isn’t much interest in them how? You’re pathetic and you can take your whiny Yankee ass down the road. You’re not getting him with your overrated garbage so go somewhere else.
Yea there isn’t much interest. I’m mean the previous article on the Yankees clearly stated Cashman called the Indians, not the other way around. It also states Cleveland is listening to offers, not shopping the pitchers. Most intelligent people on here are clearly stating Cleveland won’t trade them. And specifically not to the Yankees because they don’t have the right prospects. No one is trying to pawn them off, pawning off is what you do in every thread with andujar. Once again you run your mouth more than your tiny brain can back up. You make ridiculous statements constantly, then resort to pathetic arguments when people show how uneducated you are. Can’t wait for school to start back up so we don’t have to listen to you anymore
@Indiansjoe- yanks don’t want him. So do what you want with him. I could care less. Nobody wants a Hippie that just does whatever he wants. You could keep him in your loser uneducated organization that is known for losing. Don’t worry about me dude… lol, worry about when your going to actually win a championship which seems like never guy.
@cdav45- So he’s available for a trade? Yankees are a lst class organization that has no interest in Clevinger. If your were smart you would realize that. lol… oh well so much for that. Don’t take it out on me that the Yankees don’t want your player. Grow up and get over it dude. lol
@Indiansjoe- it must suck to haven’t won a championship since 1948? lol I wish I could feel your pain. But I can’t sorry. lmao
Hey moron, if they weren’t interested why did the gm call and ask about him?????
@Indiansjoe- Hey moron, I’m not interested in him at all! I wouldn’t trade Clarke Schmidt or even Deivi Garcia for him straight up. All I hear about Garcia from you fools is his 5-9 frame. And that he wouldn’t be able to be a starter. How the hell would you know? I’d rather trade for Marco Gonzales, Johnny Cueto, or even Trevor Bauer then Clevinger. I never liked him. Why, don’t you keep him? Or trade him to the Braves or to the Padres.
Do you actually read or just keep post stupid comments? Most of the post here implied Cleveland would keep him, as do mine. No one cares what you would do, as you have no knowledge of the game or what your own team is doing. Again if the Yankees weren’t interested why did they call? As far as Garcia, if Cashman thought he would workout he would have been given an opportunity instead of shopping for options. You really should quit, you look real dumb right now.
@Indiansjoe- maybe it’s time for a nap & a diaper change? It seems like you soiled yourself again. Something tells me you like your boy Clevinger don’t go to the barber but both go to the stylist together. Obviously he could never pitch for the Yankees. And stupid, Garcia and Schmidty are about to be called up, not be traded for your favorite hipee. Obviously your enamored with the Yankee prospects that you’ll never see. lol. Grow up little one!
Cashman is begging for Clevinger. Word is he was offering Torres if Tribe would include Lindor. Too bad he got hurt like all of the other soft Yankees.
@1m1330-stop being delusional that trade offer happened in your dreams. Cashman is begging the Indians for nothing. The Yankees will never trade Torres.
Yankees have had plenty of players over the years that had issues. Ruth, Jackson, Clemens, Strawberry…. I have no issues with trading for Clevinger and straightening him out
@PinstripedPride- all that said the Yankees are still likely going to pass on Clevinger or Plesac. Exposing yourself to Covid-19 by not listening to protocol and putting your life, your family’s life, and your teammates life in jeopardy is too much of a chance to take. Didn’t Carlos Carrasco just have cancer? Was Clevinger or Plesac thinking of him at all? smh
I trust the team brass and players like Judge and Gardner to keep offenders in line. We’re gunning for a World Series title, and Clevinger is a supremely talented pitcher. I’d get him in a heartbeat, no regrets.
Andy who?
Every gm has to make the phone call, wouldn’t be a very good gm if you didn’t. Every gm has to listen, you never know when someone will blow you away with an offer. I’m sure they have thousands of conversations we haven’t heard about. The fact it got out probably means it failed to take shape.
Going to showcase him before trying to make a trade.
Perhaps the Tigers taking 2 out of 3 from Tribe made them more forgiving.
My oh my, how we soon forget. Didn’t the Tigers just end their 20 consecutive game losing streak to the Indians?
That would be correct!
What Clevinger did was worse than what Plesac did. At the very least, the two should be treated the same.
I hope the Indians treat them the same.
Idk about treatment. One spot is open in the rotation, they are calling up the guy who they think helps them win that game best. If you have one outfield spot open when playing the division leader, are you putting Trout or Adell in the line up?
Activate Plesac. He’s not one of your best 28 players?
I don’t think they are leaving him down for punishment, I just thin McKenzie blew them away and earned another start.
Plesac had three greats starts. I’m not all that familiar with the Indians, but it’s pretty clear this year Plesac has earned another start.
No doubt he is a starter, but only 5 spots in the rotation. McKenzie on pitch count threw 6 innings, 1 run and 10 strikeouts. Plesac will get another shot, but McKenzie shouldn’t be held back for this either.
Triston McKenzie stole his spot. He looked very good and earned another start. I’m not saying it’s forever, but McKenzie has fought for this chance too. It will work it’s way out, Plesac won’t be down for long I’m sure.
And it’s better this way. Now Plesac (and whoever else in the rotation) is on notice that no one’s spot is safe! This should be all the motivation you need. I love the way the Tribe have played this.
Cookie better fix his pitching issues or he could end up in the bullpen.
You are right. It hurts me to say, but he does look like he is getting gassed as the game goes on. He abandons his fastball, he might be better suited for the pen right now. That said, I doubt they will broach the topic with him any time soon. For now, let’s just hope clev got his mechanics right while down
Send Cookie to Yankees for Frazier and Garcia. Stick Garcia in the bullpen.
They told him to go away for 10 days as if it was this harsh punishment, hilarious.
Not even sure if he missed two starts because he’s starting tomorrow. Way to wilt when important games started against the Twins, Cleveland.
I think this points to the Indians NOT trading Clevinger. Even before this I thought the chances of a trade were unlikely. Chernoff’s language was no different than what any other GM would say about their stars but it’s us fans that drive the rumors, sometimes.
Sometimes you make to much sense to be on these comment sections. It is nice to read the few people that understand reality, no matter who they root for.
ROFL! Back at you. I was kind of thinking along the same lines as HaloFan about Plesac but then you made a really good point about McKenzie that I hadn’t thought of that changed my view. The real risk he took was loosing his rotation spot to a hot start.
The fact that Clevinger was called back up first makes more since because he has the greater value. Maybe what Clevinger did was worse but in the world of unions, this is how things work. The lower man on the totem pole risks more because he is less established.
Yea, I’m not a gm. If I was, and this is just me, if I was actively trying to trade Clevinger, I would of brought Plesac up. One, to make sure his head didn’t get so screwed up he couldn’t pitch and I could still afford to trade Clevinger. But two, I wouldn’t want to risk injury if I had a trade lined up. One start wouldn’t change his value. Any team making offers know his stuff is what you are buying. As crazy as it seems, his stuff is better than his results. I believe he can be better, or injured….that’s the trade gambles.
Will they pump in crowd boos?
Pipe in?
is there a difference?
Pump up the jam
My question for all, because I didn’t see it mentioned, Are the current members of the Indians allowing Clevinger back without a revolt? Remember, Oliver Perez was on record that he would leave and the media implied that others felt the same way..Does anybody have any incite about the Clubhouse politics with him returning tomorrow?
I think more was made of it than it really was. A few guys were vocal, and should have been. But cooler heads will prevail as everyone has had time to think about it. Everyone wants the same thing, you don’t have to be best friends. And without a doubt, winning would cure everything. If they struggle for a couple weeks, or he has 2 or 3 bad starts, then there might be some residual complaints. The good news is if someone struggles, Plesac is waiting for a shot.
Yup remember when Rudy and Donovan would never be able to share the court again for the Utah Jazz –
They are both performing better than they ever have today
Time can heal and calm all butt hurts.
Possible one last showcase before a trade
I just don’t see it. Everyone knows how good he is and his how good his stuff is. You wouldn’t risk injury before a trade. I think this is more a message to other teams they aren’t impressed with the offers so far and they aren’t afraid to move on with him as their starter
I dont think so…the showcase could really only hurt him in that manner-
Clev doesnt have to show anything right now other than he’s healthy and that always gets taken care of anyway in any sort of trade by the Docs
Clevinger, after a shaky start, settled down and pitched very from the 3rd inning on. When he left the game, the local TV broadcast showed Clevinger talking then hugging Carlos Santana who is one of he clubhouse leaders. During he post game interview, Clevinger took responsibility for his actions and said all the right things The Indians dugout was very active and having fun throughout the game. The Indians are ready to move on and start a new chapter as Lindor stated.
Related question: which wing Wednesday will he be going to afterwards?
Anyone checked to see how this sojourn has effected/is still effecting each player’s service time? They screwed up royally, and I wouldn’t put it past any team to take advantage of such a juicy excuse. I mean, the Cubs got away with “he needs to work on his defense for exactly the amount of time it takes to get us another year” with Bryant, so this would be a slam dunk.
In what alternate universe is Carrasco pitch well?
Have you seen how many pitchers are getting blown up? For this year a 4.50 ERA just keeps looking better and better.
It makes me laugh that the Indians are SO loaded with pitching and they are acting like for a second they were trading Cleveland Clevinger or Dan Plesac’s Favorite Nephew Zach when they never ever had that intention to trade either one of them. Maybe the Indians are as dumb as their fans? lmao
Are you mad, bro?
After all of the posts that I have seen from you, including this one Yank4Life, it is amazing to me that you would include that last statement. “Maybe the Indians are as dumb as their fans?”
Let me get you a mirror pot. Try not to be shocked, but the kettle isn’t the only one who is black.
Clevinger has been very inconsistent in his few 2020 starts. He has linked some of that inconsistency to compensating from an earlier (knee) injury. Clev also has had a history of injury issues. So it makes sense that Cleveland wants to get him on the mound and show people that not only is he 100% healthy, but that he’s tuned up his mechanics and is able to pitch right now at the ace-level we’ve seen before.
Clevinger is clearly being showcased. If he shows he’s ready to be dominant and there’s a haul that Cleveland can get, I have no doubt that they will trade him. And if no haul out there, then there’s absolutely no need to trade him now. Cleveland simply heads toward the playoffs with arguably the strongest starting pitching in baseball. Looking a little farther out, Plesac and McKenzie are looking ready for prime time full rotation slots, so Clevinger can always be traded in the offseason, as he still has great value with two full arb years to go.
Lastly, any trade of Clevinger does not necessarily need to address their current bat/outfield needs. They have other urgent (but slightly longer term) needs, like replacing Lindor, Santana, Hand, Carrasco, etc. They have a strong farm with plenty of attractive non-Clev trade chips if they want to go after a young, already playing in MLB, up and coming outfielder. The problem is, there aren’t many of those around…
I wonder if Cleveland Clevinger gets shelled tonight against the Twinkies if he gets another start with the Indians? Something tells me no. Then Dan Plesac’s Favorite Nephew Zach probably gets his spot when he is traded. One of them are likely to get dealt.
Wrong again and your little nicknames are just dumb, time to move along…
They’d be foolish to trade either as what they really need (a lefty OF slugger) isnt available and i imagine if they seek bullpen help they can acquire such without giving up a controllable starter of that caliber. They need to suck it up and set the past aside with harsh words and apologies or whatever shenanigans work but they have more to accomplish this year
Does Taylor being optioned mean León is back too? I certainly hope so.
That’s understandable and makes sense, especially if they can’t find a lefty bat.
And he promptly gives up a leadoff HR.
Off topic, why is Greg Allen starting any game? Mercado and Zimmer struggling is better than Allen. Or give Bauers a shot. We need a corner outfielder or 2.
Versatility? Zimmer has plain stunk it up, but I also want to see Mercado recalled……and Domingo Santana sent packing.
I second your Domingo plan
Domingo is their best hitting OF….he’s had some bad luck when he had good contact. He’s the least of my worries. I do agree that Mercado should just be in CF and allowed to work through his slump. These other guys are terrible! Bring Bauers up to play LF and roll with the pitching.
Writing is on the wall – they are going to keep Clevinger and trade Pleasac (who seems like an immature punk)
No way they trade Plesac. That’s not how the FO operates in Cleveland.
Plus….who wants to give up anything for him. You don’t just give him away.
I’d love a package centered around Plesac and David Peralta. He’s a perfect fit for the Tribe.