2013 American League Playoffs -|- Wild Card Game -|- October 2nd.

[Mr. Orange]

More so talking about the bandwagon Indians fans who picked up on our chances mid-September. Was quite annoying to see a flooded timeline of "Great season Indians! Way to make the playoffs! Get back at it next year!" Uh, no. I could bet a large amount of money that we just saw Terry Francona catch lightning in a bottle and that we won't see nearly the same next year. Kazmir, and Ubaldo were integral to big pushes, and I'd bet both are gone. A Masterson/Salazar/Kluber/McAllister/Tomlin? rotation doesn't win 92 games.

We better pray Lindor is ready, because Asdrubal needed to pack the second he chased a ball in the dirt and effectively pulled the plug.

Gotcha. No matter what MLB and the Indians want me to believe, I still don't think we have made the playoffs since 2007. Not taking away from the season, they did much better than we thought, and they did fill the Jake finally, but that was not the playoffs.

 

[shoes22]

The most frustrating thing about this is our season was really no different than the Rangers. They played 93 games to determine their season, we did also. Yet somehow ours was a "playoff" game, and theirs was not.

 

[DJTJ]

Not to mention; We won't be increasing our payroll much at all, and will be completely hindered by the ability/inability to create another low budget goon squad.

 

[AZ_]

Not to mention; We won't be increasing our payroll much at all, and will be completely hindered by the ability/inability to create another low budget goon squad.

Because increasing payroll is the only way to build a winner.

 

[Frank Stallone]

I just wanna thank Roger Goodell for making the Browns game tonight. Going to shift my mind off things. A win to go 3-2 would seriously wipe away a lot from this Indians loss.

I woke up feeling awful. Really wish we would've made the real playoffs. Still a fun year. Guys got a taste... They'll be hungry. Just can't throw up all over themselves like 2007 team. But they were, obviously, way more devastated.

Because increasing payroll is the only way to build a winner.

Uh. It is. Just look at Tampa Bay...................................................................................................... (Okay my point should be made by now)

 

[Huber.]

Because increasing payroll is the only way to build a winner.

The problem with the Indians is that they cant improve the ballclub through the minors next year. Who would they bring up to replace who is on the team now? Lindor isn't ready so you have to keep Asdrubal and hope he turns it around on a contract year. One thing we will have going for us is that our younger core will be older and have more experience but Bourn and Swisher are getting older.

 

[AZ_]

The Indians payroll is almost $25 million MORE than the team that just beat their ass last night.

$82 million is a more than respectable number, and while payroll may not increase there is a number of players coming off the books.

Brett Myers - $7M
Chris Perez - $7.3M
Ubaldo Jimenez - $5.7M
Matt Albers - $2.5M
Joe Smith - $3.1M

That is more than $25 million coming off the books they can use to fill holes and field a competitive team. I certainly don't expect them to spend all of that money this off-season, or be incredibly active among the big players in a weak free agent class. They can take on a number of players on short-term deals and/or look to re-sign guys like Kazmir or Joe Smith who could play a big role in staying competitive.

 

[Nicky]

Bottom line is we need a feared power hitter. 95-97 lineup had them all up and down that line up.

 

[AZ_]

The problem with the Indians is that they cant improve the ballclub through the minors next year. Who would they bring up to replace who is on the team now? Lindor isn't ready so you have to keep Asdrubal and hope he turns it around on a contract year. One thing we will have going for us is that our younger core will be older and have more experience but Bourn and Swisher are getting older.

Sure they can, there are a number of young relievers who were up at the end of the year which could play a role.

Next year they will receive more help from the minors than they received this season.

Jesus Aguilar, Carlos Moncreif, Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez will all be at Columbus next year.

There are a number of young pitchers who could make an impact next season in the absence of CP and Joe Smith. CC Lee, Preston Guilmet, Austin Adams, Kyle Crockett, Shawn Armstrong and Trey Haley will all be at the top two levels waiting on a call.

 

[AZ_]

Bottom line is we need a feared power hitter. 95-97 lineup had them all up and down that line up.

You're not getting a '95-97 lineup.

That's not realistic for anyone in the American League right now, much less the Indians.

 

[Binkster]

The Indians payroll is almost $25 million MORE than the team that just beat their ass last night.

$82 million is a more than respectable number, and while payroll may not increase there is a number of players coming off the books.

Brett Myers - $7M
Chris Perez - $7.3M
Ubaldo Jimenez - $5.7M
Matt Albers - $2.5M
Joe Smith - $3.1M

That is more than $25 million coming off the books they can use to fill holes and field a competitive team. I certainly don't expect them to spend all of that money this off-season, or be incredibly active among the big players in a weak free agent class. They can take on a number of players on short-term deals and/or look to re-sign guys like Kazmir or Joe Smith who could play a big role in staying competitive.

Jimenez has a mutual option, correct? I'd be surprised if that wasn't picked up.

You have to think they look to re-sign Smith, as you said. Easily one of the top 2 arms in the pen.

 

[AZ_]

Jimenez has a mutual option, correct? I'd be surprised if that wasn't picked up.

You have to think they look to re-sign Smith, as you said. Easily one of the top 2 arms in the pen.

He'd be a fool to agree to that. He'll decline, the Indians will extend him a one-year qualifying offer of $13+ million. When he declines that, the team which signs him will forfeit their first-round pick to Cleveland.

I like Smith, but he could get some pretty good and long-term money. Not a sound investment for a small market club.

 

[Nicky]

You're not getting a '95-97 lineup.

That's not realistic for anyone in the American League right now, much less the Indians.

This is very much understood. That was once, which I appreciate. My point is that we have no power hitter that's in the regular lineup.

 

[BMAN]

Sure they can, there are a number of young relievers who were up at the end of the year which could play a role.

Next year they will receive more help from the minors than they received this season.

Jesus Aguilar, Carlos Moncreif, Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez will all be at Columbus next year.

There are a number of young pitchers who could make an impact next season in the absence of CP and Joe Smith. CC Lee, Preston Guilmet, Austin Adams, Kyle Crockett, Shawn Armstrong and Trey Haley will all be at the top two levels waiting on a call.

People need to start paying attention to our minor league system if they want to say how we don't have any help from the minors on the way..

 

[Huber.]

I know we have players that are major league ready but do you think those minor league players will make an improvement though?