2012-2013 Indians Red Hot Offseason Thread (Bourn signed post 1940)

[sgm405]

Here's an interesting link to consider - FanGraphs' projections for how much free agents may sign for.

[sgm405]

Indians have traded Esmil Rogers to Toronto for Mike Aviles and Yan Gomes.

[Amherstcavsfan]

Barely better than Donald.

[sgm405]

Barely better than Donald.

Aviles was a 2.0 WAR last season, Donald a -0.3 WAR. Aviles can play 2B, SS, and 3B. Decent numbers against lefties (.286 AVG, .325 OBP, .429 SLG, .754 OPS).

Obviously it isn't a huge trade, but it's not a bad one either.

[JMcCurry08]

We have Aviles' until 2015 too

[sgm405]

It's also worth noting Aviles played for Terry Francona in 2011 in Boston.

[Tecumseh]

Solid move. Yan Gomes will compete for a job at 1B. Aviles will fill the utility man role. Both are also RH hitters.

Wow, Gomes started at 1B, 3B, LF, and Catcher. All are places of weakness with the exception of catcher.

[Damage]

Barely better than Donald.

Career .797 OPS against lefties says you're full of shit.

Good move. Sold high on Esmil. I like Aviles a lot, but only against lefties.

[Damage]

Guy wants to play for a winning team. He's on a team that's not winning now and is highly unlikely to win for at LEAST another three years or so, and that's assuming the team has figured out how to draft properly. Can't blame him for wanting out.

Trade him and hit with the talent you pick off. You can't miss on this one though, because once Choo is gone...you're out of veteran talent. Whether they can get some contributors out of this trade will largely affect whether they can put together a winning squad within the next 3-4 years. If they can't do it, and there's no proof that the Indians are drafting successfully...you're relying on Santana, Kipnis and maybe Chisenhall to be the offense.

Blowing the CC, Cliff Lee and Ubaldo trades has put a lot of pressure on the upcoming Choo trade...

If this doesn't receive the "No shit" award, I don't know what will

[Stephen]

Gomes doesn't do all that much for me, he's got to prove his 2012 wasn't an abberation. Bloated Vegas numbers happen a lot, will see what he does in Columbus.

Aviles is a solid guy to have on the bench.

[MoFlo]

Mike Aviles ‏@Themikeaviles

Well on the move again!! Got the news I'm off to Cleveland!!! Excited for the new adventure!! #titoreunion #gotribe

Sounds like he's excited to be reunited with Francona.

Some thoughts from some Tribe guys:

Jordan Bastian‏@MLBastian

Antonetti noted that Gomes will come to camp to compete for big league job: backup catcher or third catcher/corner infielder.

Jordan Bastian‏@MLBastian

Gomes has experience at 1B/3B, but Indians are viewing him as a catcher, says Antonetti.

Jordan Bastian‏@MLBastian

Yan Gomes, 25, hit .328/.380/.557/.938 with 13 HR, 29 2B, 59 RBI in 79 G at AAA Las Vegas (where offense can be a bit bloated) last year.

Jordan Bastian‏@MLBastian

Quick reaction: Indians struggled vs LHP last year, and never had reliable backup SS to Cabrera. Aviles helps both areas.

Tony Lastoria‏@TonyIPI

No one mentioning how Gomes p/u could mean Marson is dealt. He's up for arbitration & in past Indians dealt those b/u types (Bard, Shoppach)

Tony Lastoria‏@TonyIPI

Not saying Marson is dealt, but gives the Indians another catcher now IF they do so.

Tony Lastoria‏@TonyIPI

Indians also have poor backup INF options behind Cabrera/Kipnis. Aviles could play almost anywhere on the field & handcuff at 3B/SS/2B.

Tony Lastoria‏@TonyIPI

Rogers looks to be a Super 2 arbitration guy this offseason, so in for a decent raise.

[elcheato]

Aviles is horrible, but the Indians didn't give up much either although Rogers did look promising.

[Damage]

Aviles is horrible, but the Indians give up much either although Rogers did look promising.

Against righties, yes. But ignore his .797 OPS against lefties.

[sgm405]

This move makes me believe Francona is playing a decent role in personnel decisions. In his introductory press conference, he spoke of the leaders in the clubhouse not necessarily being obvious (i.e. stars). I'm guessing he views Aviles in this fashion.

[macbdog]

This move makes me believe Francona is playing a decent role in personnel decisions. In his introductory press conference, he spoke of the leaders in the clubhouse not necessarily being obvious (i.e. stars). I'm guessing he views Aviles in this fashion.

Eh, maybe. He only had Aviles for half the season, and that was the half season that the Sox tanked and cost Francona his job. Not sure how familiar he really is with him.

I think the reasoning is more obvious, and both you and Damage pointed it out- the team knows they need a right-handed batt off the bench and a productive utility guy and they think Aviles can be that. With Esmil Rogers up for arbitration and still being a wild card, they weighed his cost vs. Aviles and decided to make a move. I'm fine with it.

If Gomes can turn into anything useful it is a boon, but I wouldn't hold my breath based on one year at LV which is a launching pad. Not sure how he is defensively, although if a C is tried at other positions it usually isn't because he is the next Johnny Bench defensively. Guess we just got to wait and see there.