Former Cleveland 2B Carlos Baerga goes from hits to scoops: The week in baseball
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Carlos Baerga always had time for reporters when he played for the Indians. Now he’s become one.
Baerga, who spent 14 years in the big leagues, hosts a popular podcast in Puerto Rico called “I Love Sports with Carlos Baerga and Friends.”
During the winter meetings in December, Baerga was first with the news that Cy Young winner Justin Verlander was signing a two-year $86.8 million deal with the Mets. He posted the news on his Instagram account.
Baerga, 54, also was first with Boston signing third baseman Rafael Devers to a 11-year $331 million extension after losing free agent shortstop Xander Bogaerts to San Diego.
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He just missed a two-fisted blockbuster when he reported that Aaron Judge and Carlos Correa were considering signing with the Giants. Judge, of course, returned to the Yankees after breaking bread with the Giants. Correa agreed to a 13-year, $350 million deal with the Giants, but he didn’t pass their physical and eventually signed a six-year $200 million deal with the Twins.
Last season Baerga was first with the trade that sent third baseman Matt Chapman to Toronto before the start of the regular season.
“I’ve been doing the podcast for the last 2 1/2 years,” said Baerga, from Puerto Rico. “I have good contacts with players and reporters. Plus I worked for ESPN for seven years and that helped a lot.”
Baerga talks to players, coaches and managers on his nightly podcast.
“I’ve had Hall of Famers Ozzie Smith, Paul Molitor, Robin Yount, Dave Winfield, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez and Juan Marichal,” said Baerga. “I have almost all the Latin players. I’ve done 187 interviews.
“It’s something I love to do. I always respected what reporters did. When I went to work for ESPN after I retired, I realized the job reporters do and how they prepare. I like it.”
The Indians acquired Baerga, Sandy Alomar Jr. and Chris James from the Padres for Joe Carter at the 1989 winter meetings. Baerga and Alomar formed the foundation of a team that would dominate the AL Central for much of the decade.
Baerga went to three All-Star Games and won two Silver Slugger awards with Cleveland before he was traded to the Mets during the the 1996 season. He rejoined the Indians briefly in 1999.
When asked what feels better, getting a big hit or a big story, Baerga laughed and said, “Getting a big hit is what I like. I loved preparing myself for spring training, having a good year, going to the playoffs and the World Series ... I wouldn’t change that for anything.”
Cleveland reached the World Series for the first time in 41 years in 1995. Baerga hit .314 (175 for 557) with 87 runs, 15 homers and 90 RBI that season.
Baerga, a member of Cleveland’s Hall of Fame, works with the Guardians as part of their Youth Baseball & Softball Ambassadors program. He also works with the minor leaguers.
“I really like what the Guardians did last season,” said Baerga. “I think it’s going to be better this year because they’re going to be more mature and they know the league now.
“Adding Josh Bell, to hit behind Jose Ramirez, that puts them at another level. We’re going to be a lot better than last year and that’s scary because we were really good last year.”
The Guardians debuted 17 rookies last year on the way to winning the AL Central with a 92-70 record. Their 26-man roster just might be the most talented since manager Mike Hargrove’s clubs of the 1990s that featured Baerga, Alomar, Omar Vizquel, Kenny Lofton, Albert Belle, Manny Ramirez, Jim Thome, Paul Sorrento, Charles Nagy, Orel Hershiser, Dennis Martinez, Jose Mesa and others.
Baerga agreed to a point.
“The only thing that we had over them was the power,” said Baerga. “They have great players and they come to play every day. I have to give credit to Terry Francona and his coaching staff.
“It’s not easy to work with that many young players. They did a great job.”
Aside from scoops and podcasts, Baerga says he’s never felt better. As a player he fought to keep his weight under control. When he retired, Baerga said his weight soared to 318 pounds
He had sleep apnea, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
“The doctor said, ‘You’ve got to do something with your life or you’re going to have a heart attack,’” said Baerga.
Baerga said he’s lost 84 pounds and counting.
“I did it because of my family,” said Baerga. “I’ve got two grandchildren and I want to watch them grow. I’ve got my energy back. Now I’m back to being Carlos Baerga.”
Names to remember
OF Alex Ramirez, who played 92 games with the Indians from 1998 through 2000, was inducted into the Japanese Professional Baseball Hall of Fame on Friday. He hit 380 home runs in Japan and 508 in his entire career.
INF Yandy Diaz, who played with the Indians from 2017 to 2018, did not reach an arbitration settlement with the Rays.
OF Anthony Santander, former Indians farmhand, settled with the Orioles on a one-year $7.4 million deal.
OF Lee Tinsley, who played in Cleveland’s minor leagues in 1991 and 1992, died on January 12. He was 53.
UT Nick Maton, brother of former Indians right-hander Phil Maton, was traded to Detroit by the Phillies.
C Sandy Leon, who caught for the Guardians last season, will be in spring training with Texas on a minor league deal.
OF Greg Allen, a sixth round pick by the Indians in 2014, will be in spring training with Boston on a minor league deal.
LHP Wade Miley, one of a record three pitchers to no-hit the Indians in 2021, has signed a one-year deal with the Brewers.
RHP Craig Stammen, who pitched at Class AA and Triple A for Cleveland in 2016, has signed a minor league deal with the Padres.
An earlier edition of this story did not include Albert Belle as one of the key members of the 1990s Indians.
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