CBBI
Super Chill Mode
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Pedro in 1997 was definitely an expiring contract. He signed a 7 year, 90M deal with Boston right after, something the Indians probably wouldn’t have been able to pay at that time.
Schilling in 2000 was also under contract for 2001, but he allegedly made it be known he wanted nothing to do with Cleveland because they weren’t guaranteed to make the playoffs (they ended up not making it) which killed the chances at a deal.
http://www.news-herald.com/general-news/20000728/schilling-nixes-tribes-chance
There are some major differences between those two scenarios and this year though.
In 1997 the Indians were 4th in baseball in offense, but just 20th in pitching. Adding a bonafide ace like Martinez would have given that team the one thing they truly lacked which was a dominant front of the rotation pitcher.
Another thing to consider is the fact that the 97 team was only 2.5 games up in the division at the deadline. So in theory every game Pedro pitched down the stretch of that season would have been critical as the Indians made a push to the playoffs.
In 2000, the Indians were 3rd in the majors in offense, but just 18th in pitching.
The Indians were also getting boat raced in the Central that year, 10.5 games back at the deadline. It’s doubtful adding Schilling would have given the Indians a shot at catching Chicago. They did only finish one game out of the Wild Card, so once again each game Schilling would have pitched would have been very important for that year’s playoff push.
The Indians this year are going to cruise to the AL Central title regardless of what they do in the outfield today or in August.
Knowing that they don’t *need* Harper to make the playoffs, you’re really paying for 20 meaningful at bats in the ALDS.
When you look at it through that lens and realize that any production that Harper would give the Indians in August and September is pretty irrelevant, it gives you even more pause about giving up a huge return for a guy that’s only going to give you potentially 20 meaningful ABs.
