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

[BimboColesHair]

I pray we stay away from Jason Bay. Hasn't been good since he played in Boston. His time with the Mets was awful.

I'd sign him to a cheap, incentive based contract and I would pray that he has a Nate McLouth like resurgence.

[schimmk]

I'd sign him to a cheap, incentive based contract and I would pray that he has a Nate McLouth like resurgence.

Bay with slide right in to our currently vacated Jason Michaels, Austin Kearns, Shelley Duncan and Johnny Damon role we seem to always have.

[Gimme Some Mo]

The reason they are trading their better players is because they have shown time and again that they may be talented but they are not winners.

I'm sorry that some people cannot see it, but trading them is the right idea. In fact, they should have pushed harder to do it at the deadline.

How are they not "winners?" Is it because their pitching staff consists of Josh Tomlin, Ubaldo, Masterson, etc..? Is it because our #4-#5 hitter is a DH that hits .220 with 10 HRs? Is it because we have greats like Hannahan and Kotchman providing our power at the corners?

Give me a break. This isn't basketball. You can't call someone a "winner" or "loser" when they are in the Indians situation. Choo and Asdrubal are the last reasons why we aren't winners. Them, along with Santana and Kipnis and maybe Brantley are the only (offensive) players on this terrible team that are even worth keeping STO on and not changing the channel to PBS or watching the paint on the walls dry.

[sgm405]

Better yet, lets make them give us Brien Taylor and Todd Van Poppel.

Lance Lynn won 18 games last year...not really a prospect.

[BMAN]

How are they not "winners?" Is it because their pitching staff consists of Josh Tomlin, Ubaldo, Masterson, etc..? Is it because our #4-#5 hitter is a DH that hits .220 with 10 HRs? Is it because we have greats like Hannahan and Kotchman providing our power at the corners?

Give me a break. This isn't basketball. You can't call someone a "winner" or "loser" when they are in the Indians situation. Choo and Asdrubal are the last reasons why we aren't winners. Them, along with Santana and Kipnis and maybe Brantley are the only (offensive) players on this terrible team that are even worth keeping STO on and not changing the channel to PBS or watching the paint on the walls dry.

Have you missed where Asdrubal has completely faded in the second half the past two years? Or his fading defense? His value will probably never be higher. I would trade him this offseason to get young pitching (which is what we need the most in my opinion). We have plenty of very good SS prospects coming through the system right now, so we can afford to get rid of him. Hell, it even looks like Juan Diaz could be a decent stop gap until the other good ones arrive. The guy has some pop.

Choo, he is a goner no matter what. The Indians have tried extending him and he won't. He's going to get overpaid. I think we should also trade him and try to get some young starting pitching out of it.

[Amherstcavsfan]

How are they not "winners?"

Showing up out of shape, complaining about managers, getting DUI's in the middle of a season...

Gee, I don't know...

[DJTJ]

Question. ESPN has a post regarding Choo in their rumors section, and it made its way onto the front page. Anyone have any idea what it says?

[b00bie]

Question. ESPN has a post regarding Choo in their rumors section, and it made its way onto the front page. Anyone have any idea what it says?

Nick Cafardo (Boston beat writer) mentioned him as a possibility, so ESPN stole it.

Also mentioned any team looking for OF help as a potential trade partner, calling a multi-year extension with Cleveland "unlikely."


So....yeah.

[sgm405]

1) Trade Asdrubal Cabrera and Rafael Perez to St. Louis for Lance Lynn and Matt Adams

2) Trade Shin-Soo Choo and Chriz Perez for the best prospect packages available, targeting SP's in particular

3) Sign Melky Cabrera for 3 years, $18 M

4) Sign Dan Haren for 1 year, $12 M

5) Sign Kevin Youkilis for 2 years, $16 M

6) Sign Jason Bay for 1 year, $3 M

Lineup

L-CF-Brantley
L-2B-Kipnis
S-RF-Cabrera
S-DH-Youkilis
S-C-Santana
L-1B-Adams
R-LF-Bay
L-3B-Chisenhall
R-SS-Aviles

SP

Haren
Lynn
Masterson
Jimenez
McCallister/Carrasco


Only Cabrera would be locked in long-term. If players like Bay, Haren, and/or Youkilis play well and the Indians aren't contending they flip them for more prospects as the Cubs did with Paul Maholm last season.

(Side note - This isn't what I think will happen, just what I wish they'd do)

[b00bie]

Melky Cabrera getting a three year deal?

Absolutely not.

Like everything else though, Dan Haren would never come here but I'd be all for it.

[JMcCurry08]

http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index..._river_default

Cleveland Indians taking a close look at Jason Bay
Published: Tuesday, November 13, 2012, 7:29 PM Updated: Tuesday, November 13, 2012, 7:29 PM
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer


Jason Bay's last productive big-league season was in 2009, when he made the American League All-Star team as he belted 32 homers with 119 RBI for the Boston Red Sox.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians are interested in free agent Jason Bay, a right-handed hitting left fielder who until last week was under a multiyear deal with the Mets.
The Mets made Bay a free agent on Wednesday when they purchased the remaining $21 million left on the four-year, $66 million contract he signed before the 2010 season. Bay's first three years in New York were ruined by concussions, injuries and poor play.
The Indians have been interested in Bay since his playing days with the Pirates. In fact, one winter they came close to acquiring him in a deal that would have sent Cliff Lee to Pittsburgh.
New Indians manager Terry Francona managed Bay in 2009 in Boston. It was Bay's last big year (.267, 29 doubles, 36 homers, 119 RBI) and Francona's presence could help deliver Bay, 34, to Cleveland.
The Indians hit .234 as a team against lefties this past season. Bay is a .275 (302-for-1,100) lifetime hitter against lefties. But he hit .259, .245 and .165 in three seasons with the Mets. This past season he played only 70 games and was benched for much of the second half.
The Indians are still negotiating with Kevin Youkilis, another former Red Sox. Youkilis could play first base for the Tribe. They have talked to outfielder Shane Victorino as well. The Indians tried to acquire Victorino from the Phillies during the season for one of their front-line relievers. The Phillies weren't impressed and sent Victorino to the Dodgers.

Finally: Newly acquired catcher Yan Gomes will play for Team Brazil on Thursday against Panama in a World Baseball Classic qualifying game in Panama. Gomes is the first Brazilian-born player to make the big leagues.

[JiggleIt]

Bay would be such a Cleveland Indians signing. Think he'll probably be a little high end for them though.

[BMAN]

I wouldn't mind Bay on a small deal. As long as we sign a couple others. We need starting pitching more than offensive players though.

[schimmk]

We desperately need starting pitching. Unfortunately there isn't a whole lot available to be had in free agency and whatever pitching there is will be overpaid. Haren would be great but he's made it known he only wants to play out west so that won't be happening.

[b00bie]

Well, before I continue to comment on others mock off-seasons...I have some free time and wanted to draw up a mock off-season of my own for you all.


Trades:

Cleveland deals RHP Justin Masterson and SS Asdrubal Cabrera to Boston for prospects OF Jackie Bradley Jr., LHP Henry Owens, RHP Brandon Workman and 1B Travis Shaw

Explanation: We can argue up and down about dealing established Major League players for prospects, but we can all agree that at the end of the day this is the reality of the situation Cleveland is currently in. Justin Masterson is coming off a rather up and down season in which saw his ERA jump. With that said, Boston has shown a continual desire to get him back in their organization and has always had a fondness for his abilities and with good reason. He is an innings eater with a big frame and great downward movement who can step into their rotation and fill a huge void. Cabrera is an All-Star caliber shortstop offensively, while being at worst an above average defender to boot. With that said, his contract is going to warrant a multi-year extension with a club in a larger market that will be out of the Indians price range for a player who isn't at an elite level in this league.

Jackie Bradley Jr. is a center field prospect in the Andrew McCutchon mold who is figuring out the offensive part of his game. Defensively, this kid is one of the most natural outfielders I've ever seen and covers ground like an Austin Jackson-type defender. Immediately becomes the team's second best prospect jumping Dorssys Paulino and will make an impact on the big league level within two years.

Henry Owens is a bit more of a project, a big projectable lefty with dynamite stuff and a knack for missing bats. Was surprised he went so late in the draft (supp 1st) because his stuff is top of the draft good. Signing concerns pushed him down, but the Sox got him on board and he struck out 130 in 100 innings last season for Low-A. Would be 21 in High-A Carolina and could be in Cleveland within two years if he continues to build up his innings. He will make a HUGE jump in the prospect rankings this year.

Workman projects as a back of the rotation starter, goes out every fifth day and battles. Kind of an odd delivery and needs to smooth out a little bit, but could also project as a late inning reliever.

Travis Shaw is a power prospect who is originally from Ohio and went to Kent State. 22-year-old with good patience at the plate and some good pop that could project to be a 20+ HR, 100+ walk guy at the big league level. Lots of work to do with the swing, and needs to keep his body in well enough shape to project at 1B.


Cleveland trades Chris Perez to Anaheim for LHP Nick Maronde and OF Travis Witherspoon

Explanation: Almost nothing needs to be said for the dismissal of Chris Perez. Openly bashing management and ownership while closers in waiting (Pestano/Allen) emerged at the big league level. Arbitration eligible and due for a big raise, will almost certainly be dealt.

The return is probably a bit higher than I would expect, but Maronde is probably their 3rd-5th best prospect and almost certainly a future rotation member. Three good pitches and jumped four full levels this season including outright domination of the Cal League, the most notoriously offensive league in baseball (1.82 ERA in 10 starts). Not projectable as a top of the rotation "ace," but certainly a guy who will be a productive member of the rotation for years. They brought him up to the big league clubfor relief last year when their bullpen started to suck, so the Major League clock has started.

Witherspoon is an athletic outfielder with great speed and developing power. Really dropped off after leaving the Cal League, but will turn 24 in April and will start in Double-A. Plays center field right now but could eventually project out into left as well.


Indians trade Shin Soo Choo to San Francisco for RHP Clayton Blackburn and RHP Chris Heston

Explanation: Scott Boras has made it abundantly clear that the Indians will not be a long-term player for Choo. He refused their advances to buy out his arbitration years and has made it clear he wants his client in a large market. Choo has been an above average but not elite player for a number of years but will most certainly not be a game-changer over the long-term like some team hopes he will be (and will pay for).

Blackburn is just 19, but is incredibly polished and knows how to pitch. Four pitch mix and doesn't walk guys (18BB in 130 innings). One of my favorite prospects in baseball and almost certainly has a ceiling of ACE in the near future. His ability to throw strikes won't do him many favors in the Cal League, but this is the type of guy the Indians organization absolutely LOVES. Becomes the best Indians pitching prospect since CC Sabathia, IMO...most analysts wouldn't agree, but I love this kid.

Heston is your typical workhorse guy much like Workman. Has gotten better every season, was a Cal League All-Star in 2011 and didn't skip a beat in Double-A this season. Needs to fill out a little bit but will eventualy be a 200 inning guy you plug into the back of your rotation with a ceiling that probably resembles a solid #3.


Free Agency:

Indians sign Kevin Youklis to a 2-year, $13 million deal
Indians sign Jason Bay to a 1-year, $1 million deal with incentives that could push it to $5 million
Indians sign Melky Cabrera to a 1-year, $5 million deal plus incentives up to $15 million
Indians sign Eric Bedard to a 1-year, $1.5 million deal plus incentives for games started
Indians sign Shaun Marcum to a 1-year, $8.5 million deal
Indians sign RHP Mark Lowe (Texas), RHP Jason Marquis (San Diego), Chad Qualls (Pitt) and RHP Joey Devine (A's) to minor league contracts


Roster:

CF - Michael Brantley (L)
2B - Jason Kipnis (L)
RF - Melky Cabrera (S)
1B/DH - Kevin Youklis
C - Carlos Santana (S)
LF/DH - Jason Bay
3B - Lonnie Chisenhall (L)
DH/1B - Matt LaPorta
SS - Mike Aviles

C - Lou Marson
IF/OF - Brent Lillibridge
IF - Jason Donald
UTIL - Russ Canzler

Others on 40-man:
Lars Anderson (AAA), Juan Diaz (AAA), Yan Gomez (AAA), Cord Phelps (AAA), Jack Hannahan (DFA'd), Thomas Neal (AAA)


1 - Ubaldo Jimenez
2 - Erik Bedard
3 - Shaun Marcum
4 - Zach McAllister
5 - Jeanmar Gomez/Corey Kluber/David Huff/Jason Marquis/Carlos Carrasco (May)

CL - Vinnie Pestano
8 - Joe Smith
8 - Raffy Perez (L)
7 - Tony Sipp (L)
7 - Cody Allen
7 - Nick Hagadone (L) OR MiLB free agent (Qualls, Devine, Lowe)
5/6 - MiLB free agent (Qualls, Devine, Lowe)


Others on 40-man:
Blake Wood (60DL), Josh Tomlin (60DL), Chris Seddon (DFA), Scott Barnes (AAA), Danny Salazar (AA), Fabio Martinez (AAA)