CLEVELAND, Ohio – Did you notice what the Indians actually did when they took pitchers Zach Plesac and Mike Clevinger off the restricted list?
They did more than send two of their starting pitchers to the team’s alternative training site in Eastlake.
They both were optioned to the minors, where they have to stay for at least 10 days beginning Friday.
Most fans know Clevinger and Plesac broke the team curfew last Saturday night in Chicago. They went out with some friends, according to Plesac.
In a normal season, this would not be a big deal.
But there is nothing normal about the COVID-19 world of 2020. Every positive test to a Major League player for the virus has a chance shut down his team for several days or more.
Just ask the St. Louis Cardinals, who have eight doubleheaders set for the rest of the season to make up for games lost to the virus.
The Tribe players put together a code of conduct. It was more than rules imposed on them by MLB and the Tribe front office. They set up boundaries and are determined to hold each other accountable.
Furthermore, Plesac didn’t mentioned he was out with Clevinger when he was caught coming in late.
Nor did Clevinger tell anyone he was with Plesac.
The Tribe had a team meeting last Sunday to discuss Plesac’s action, and Clevinger defended his teammate. Remember, this was in front of the other players, and Clevinger never said a word about being with Plesac.
That didn’t come out until Monday.
Remember, this is the COVID-19 world. The virus spreads in different ways, not fully understood by even by medical people. The Indians were afraid Plesac and/or Clevinger were infected and it could spread to others on the team.
It turns out the two pitchers tested negative, so that’s good news.
WHAT’S THE REAL PROBLEM?
The violation of team rules was a problem.
But the bigger issue is the players and others with the Tribe were especially upset about the lack of honesty from the two pitchers.
Making it worse, Plesac released a video Friday mostly blaming the media with the criticism surrounding their actions. In the normal world, blaming the media usually is a good diversion for those in trouble. And sometimes, it’s correct.
But Plesac’s video taped while driving around...yes, driving around...is filled with excuses and hurt his cause with many of his teammates, coaches and the front office.
Francona only said, “It’s disappointing.”
That qualifies for one of the understatements of the year.
“I‘m not sure Zach was able to convey what he intended to convey in the video after having a chance to speak with him afterwards,” said Tribe President Chris Antonetti. " I think if he had a do-over, he may have said things a bit differently.”
Let’s hope so.
Plesac has taken down the video, but it’s still on Yutube and other places. That’s the trouble with social media. Nothing ever seems to go away.
Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona calls for the next infield workout during summer camp at Progressive Field, July 8, 2020.John Kuntz, cleveland.com
THE TEAM MEETING
“(Clevinger and Plesac) had a chance to address the group (Friday morning),” said Antonetti. “The group had a chance to ask some questions and there was some discussion back and forth.”
Most team meetings are boring. Bet that wasn’t the case with this one.
After the meeting, the front office and Francona made the decision to option the two pitchers to Eastlake. A key element was input from various Tribe players. They considered this a serious situation and apparently not everyone at the meeting liked what they heard from the two pitchers.
Plesac and Clevinger probably were shocked. Both had brought their baseball equipment to Detroit for the meeting and expected to be activated for the weekend games against the Tigers.
The issue for the pitchers isn’t unfair media coverage, it’s credibility with their teammates.
Earlier in the week, fellow starting pitcher Adam Plutko said in a Zoom media call: “They lied to us. They sat here and publicly said things that they didn’t follow through on...Those grown-ass men can sit here and tell you guys what happened and tell you guys what they’re gonna do to fix it. I don’t need to do that for them.”
SENDING A MESSAGE
This doesn’t end their careers with the Tribe. It’s reasonable to expect them to be back with the team once eligible.
They are two key starting pitchers. The Indians need them to make the playoffs.
But they have caused more than the usual discord on a team that rarely has major internal problems. Most personality clashes and discipline brush fires between the front office and coaching staff are handled quick and successfully.
But not this time, which led to sending them to the minors.
Francona stressed this is “not being vindictive.”
Antonetti added: “For clarity, this isn’t punitive in any way. This is us reflecting and thinking, ‘OK, given all that’s happened, how do we put together the best team right now to go out and win games.’ And given what’s transpired and how people are feeling, we thought at least for the time being, this is the best thing for us to do to put our team in the best position to succeed.”
Clevinger is 29. Plesac is 25. Men in their 20s don’t always make mature decisions. This also is the first time both pitchers have received heavy media criticism.
It truly is a learning moment.
Members of the Tribe front office often talk about having players “be the best version of who they can be.” They want these guys back and pitching well very soon.
This is a chance for Clevinger and Plesac to do just that. It sounds like a cliche', but this adversity they brought on themselves can make them better.
And that’s another part of the message the Tribe is sending to their pitchers.
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The Link LonkAugust 16, 2020 at 05:00PM
https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/2020/08/off-to-eastlake-cleveland-indians-rightly-send-a-strong-message-to-mike-clevinger-zach-plesac.html
Off to Eastlake: Cleveland Indians rightly send a strong message to Mike Clevinger & Zach Plesac - cleveland.com
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