Are we watching Grady Sizemore's last season with the Indians? Hey, Hoynsie!

The Indians' financial status and the future of their most recognizable player leads this week's mailbag for beat writer Paul Hoynes.

View full sizeChuck Crow / The Plain DealerGrady Sizemore's fast start to his 2011 season doesn't change an uncertain future with the organization, says Paul Hoynes.

Hey, Hoynsie: What is the likelihood that Grady Sizemore wears an Indians uniform in 2012? If the Indians once again finish last in the majors in attendance, is there any chance they will pick up his $9 million option for 2012? Regardless of Sizemore's health and productivity, and regardless of the Indians' financial position, there has to be value in keeping the face of a franchise on a team that has traded away three All-Stars and has alienated a significant portion of its fan base. -- David Bruno, Chagrin Falls

Hey, David: At this point of the season, I don't think the Indians have a good handle on what they're going to do.

A lot depends on how well Sizemore and the Indians play this year. Before the Indians make any kind of decision, I would think they'd want to watch him play for a couple of months to make sure he's healthy.

Hey, Hoynsie: I've noticed a strange sound like a bell going off when the Indians score a run at home games while watching on Sportstime Ohio. Is this sound supplied by the channel or an actual sound at the ballpark? -- Edward Radatz, Sandusky

Hey, Edward: That has nothing to do with STO, that's the bell ringing between my ears. I haven't been able to sleep for weeks and my hearing is fading fast.

Hey, Hoynsie: How deep into the season do you think the Tribe has to contend for ownership to back up its promise to spend when we contend? -- Herb Walsh, Cleveland

Hey, Herb: The last date a team can make a deal to influence the postseason is Aug. 31. If the Indians did it any sooner than that, it means they have a significant lead in the AL Central and are convinced they can do damage in October.

I know things change, but at general managers/owners meetings in November, Paul Dolan said, "This is not the year to spend."

Hey, Hoynsie: Why are ballplayers' salaries public, but not ownership and front office employees? -- Lisa Jackson, Cleveland

Hey, Lisa: The owners and front office employees have better agents. Or maybe it's because they don't have agents and do the deals themselves. Or perhaps no one really cares what a general manager makes and can't count that high to calculate what an owner takes in.

Yes, I'm being sarcastic.

Hey, Hoynsie: How is the Tribe handling the development of Jason Kipnis and Cord Phelps, both being listed at 2B? -- Doug McDougal, Akron

Hey, Doug: The plan coming out of spring training was to play Kipnis at second and move Phelps all around the infield. They also wanted Phelps to play some outfield.

View full sizeAP photoChris Perez and the bullpen have won over at least one Indians fan, but that doesn't mean there won't be a few bumpy rides this season.

Hey, Hoynsie: I want to propose a slogan for the Tribe's bullpen this year -- specifically Raffy Perez, Tony Sipp and Chris Perez. "Good Morning ... Good Afternoon ... Good Night!" -- Gary Wilmot, Phoenix

Hey, Gary: After Thursday's meltdown against Kansas City I'd like to add one more line: "Good grief."

Hey, Hoynsie: What do you think about my recommendation from December, 2009: "Although he just turned 30, wouldn't free agent Shelley Duncan be good choice for the Tribe to play first, especially since he hits with power from the right side?" -- Mike Sedonic, Dunmore, Pa.

Hey, Mike: I think you should start reading palms.

Hey, Hoynsie: Is Carlos Santana in any danger of being sent down again for the dreaded "seasoning?" -- Hunter Royce, Denver

Hey, Hunter: As far as I know, Santana isn't going anywhere.

Hey, Hoynsie: Last week you wrote that the Indians may give Jason Kipnis a try in left field. I agree. However, if he becomes the second baseman, wouldn't they want to give Cord Phelps some time also in left field and at first base? He has good size and if something happens to Matt LaPorta, other than Carlos Santana playing first part-time, we have no good-hitting first basemen in the pipeline. -- Joe Eversole, Pelham, Ala.

Hey, Joe: I mentioned Kipnis as a possibility in left based only if the Indians had a need for him there. As of now, I think Phelps is scheduled to play some first and outfield.

Hey, Hoynsie: What happened to Beau Mills? I was looking for him on the minor-league rosters and couldn't find him. Also, what are the Indians thinking about him these days? I know his numbers have dropped off a bit over the last few years. -- Kelly Rocke, Durham, N.C.

Hey, Kelly: Mills is in extended spring training Goodyear, Ariz., with tendinitis in his Achilles heel. He's expected to be back playing soon. As a former No.1 pick, he needs to start being productive. The clock is running.

Hey, Hoynsie: How come writers who vote for players to go in the Hall of Fame think they are God and have to judge players for their behavior instead of their stats? -- Richard Novak, Westlake

Hey, Richard: It's hard to base your voting on stats when there is ample evidence that some of the players who accumulated them cheated to do so. I don't mean cheat by scuffing a baseball or corking a bat, I mean cheat by injecting themselves with substances that changed their bodies and gave them an unfair advantage over their peers.

I don't know a writer who votes for players on baseball's Hall of Fame ballot who volunteered to be judge, jury, executioner and drug tester. They just wanted to vote for the best player, but now that's impossible.

Hey, Hoynsie: The Indians last hosted an All-Star Game in 1997. Have they given any thought to attempting to bid on a future game? -- Brent C, North Ridgeville

Hey, Brent: There is a lot of competition for the All-Star Game among teams. Organizations with new ballparks are anxious to show them off.

The Indians have hosted five All-Star Games: in 1935, 1954, 1963, 1981 and 1997. I would imagine Commissioner Bud Selig feels there are other teams who have not hosted that many All-Star Games who deserve it more.

Hey, Hoynsie: Do you think the Indians' public relations department could advise GM Chris Antonetti to sprinkle in some enthusiasm and hope when he responds to potential mid-season trade questions? His responses seem so overly pragmatic and calculated that it is probably only serving to dampen interest in the club. -- Leslie Marchak, Sagamore Hills

Hey, Leslie: General managers are pragmatic and calculating by nature. They have to be or they could be painting houses, or digging swimming pools, in a couple of years.

Hey, Hoynsie: The Dolans said they would spend when the time is right, so "if" the Indians keep winning do you see them making a play for a front-line starting pitcher like Felix Hernandez in June or July? -- Jason Siska, Toledo

Hey, Jason: Timeout. I want you to sit down, clear your head, and think about what you just wrote.

Hey, Hoynsie: Help me out if you can. In 1951 my dad took me to a Indians-Yankees doubleheader where I think I saw both Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle play. I also think I saw one or both hit home runs. As I was under 10 perhaps my recollection is vastly exaggerated. Can you find the box scores of those games and let me know what I did see?-- Will Hood, Naples, Fla.

Hey, Will: I'm assuming you went to that doubleheader in Cleveland. In 1951, the Indians and Yankees played one doubleheader at Municipal Stadium and it was on June 3. Mantle and DiMaggio started the first game. Mantle went 0-for-5, DiMaggio 2-for-3. They did not homer. In the second game, DiMaggio went 1-for-3 and Mantle went 0-for-1 as a pinch-hitter. DiMaggio's one hit was not a homer as the Indians swept the doubleheader.

In the future check out baseball-reference.com for such questions. It has a year by year history of all teams and box scores.

-- Hoynsie

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2011/04/are_we_watching_grady_sizemore.html

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