Indians Need a Power Hitter for 2016

[JFT]

Here's the issue - we have no idea if those guys are available. Is Goldy "reasonable" to think of as a target? Paul Goldschmidt is an NL MVP candidate. It's doubtful Arizona is willing to deal him and if they were, it'd cost far more than Salazar or Carrasco. Kyle Schwarber has been talked about in trade rumors for the past week or so, but have the Cubs actually said or done anything to suggest they want to deal him? And if they do, you're going to pay a hefty sum - Salazar or Carrasco would be the starting point. Puig? We've talked about it on RCFsports.com, and the Dodgers have been rumored to be considering dealing him, but at what price? They know he has a huge upside too, and surely they're curious to see if his relationship with Mattingly (now gone) was part of the problem. That leaves Brandon Belt, who would surely be a nice pickup but, again, there's no indication that the Giants want to move him.

And that's my point. Sure, there are options out there. However, in every case we just discussed, the issue isn't taking on salary, it's the players that they'd have to give up to bring the hitter back. This is why I said it's lazy - fans scream and yell for the Dolans to spend because that's what Joe Cleveland does. The problem with that argument is that money isn't the issue in acquiring said player.

Listen, this offseason is a tough one for the Indians. They have the chips to get the impact bat everyone keeps talking about, but how far are they willing to go to get him?

Yes, and that's why I site the owners as a key to all of this. It's pretty simple. The Indians have a very young and very solid team. They are only missing a power hitter or two from contention over the next few seasons. They could go Dan Gilbert if needed, but I don't think quite that is needed to be a contender. Look at the Mets.

http://espn.go.com/blog/newyork/met...woeful-to-the-world-series-in-five-long-years

 

[AZ_]

Dan Gilbert

This thread wouldn't have been complete without a Dan Gilbert reference.

It's like Bill Cowher in the Browns coaching search threads.

 

[Steve_424]

Yes, and that's why I site the owners as a key to all of this. It's pretty simple. The Indians have a very young and very solid team. They are only missing a power hitter or two from contention over the next few seasons. They could go Dan Gilbert if needed, but I don't think quite that is needed to be a contender. Look at the Mets.

http://espn.go.com/blog/newyork/met...woeful-to-the-world-series-in-five-long-years

...but it's not going to be a financial decision, it'll be a baseball one. They have to decide if Player A - and maybe Players B and C - are worth giving up for Player D. Period.

 

[JFT]

...but it's not going to be a financial decision, it'll be a baseball one. They have to decide if Player A - and maybe Players B and C - are worth giving up for Player D. Period.

It's always a financial decision. It's a business.

 

[Huber.]

It's always a financial decision. It's a business.

Dan Gilbert is an average NBA owner and profits on the NBA salary system. If he owned the Indians we would be looking at the same spending scheme.

@Dan Gilbert Appreciation Thread
@genpop

 

[Lee]

I misread the title and thought it said Indians need a power Hitler.

I am not even sure what that means.

 

[Seiklis]

I misread the title and thought it said Indians need a power Hitler.

I am not even sure what that means.

When Hitler stopped hiding in Argentina and resurfaced as a 1980s hair metal band

 

[macbdog]

I misread the title and thought it said Indians need a power Hitler.

I am not even sure what that means.

I'm assuming a less methy Hitler? He was scrawny and not very athletic, do not want as a power hitter.

 

[Steve_424]

It's always a financial decision. It's a business.

No, it's not always always a financial decision. If the Dodgers offer the Indians Yasiel Puig but want Carlos Carrasco back, the decision will be made based on who gives them a better chance at winning a World Series.

 

[JFT]

No, it's not always always a financial decision. If the Dodgers offer the Indians Yasiel Puig but want Carlos Carrasco back, the decision will be made based on who gives them a better chance at winning a World Series.

And that is a financial decision. If they contend for or win a World Series it sells tickets and fills the stadium, generates vendor revenues, brings fans downtown, generates tax revenue, etc. etc. etc. As much of a baseball fan as I am, it is still all about the bottom line...for the owners, the players, and the League.

 

[JFT]

Dan Gilbert is an average NBA owner and profits on the NBA salary system. If he owned the Indians we would be looking at the same spending scheme.

@Dan Gilbert Appreciation Thread
@genpop

First, Dan is not an "average" NBA owner. He just doled out $190M+ in yearly salary and taxes, the second highest ever for an NBA team, and the most for a "small" town franchise ever.

He has built a franchise around bringing in high caliber players at a high cost that will generate revenues through the Cavs, the casinos, and many other venues. And he'll make a nice profit doing it and will bring a Championship to Cleveland, finally.

He could do the same with the Indians as well irregardless of the difference in contract rules between the NBA and MLB. It's all about the business and franchise he has built over a number of years.

 

[AZ_]

Dan Gilbert built a franchise by having the worlds best player, allowing him to spend a ton of money he knows will be recouped in full and then some.

Pretending that's easily replicated in Major League Baseball is a bit silly, honestly.

 

[Steve_424]

And that is a financial decision. If they contend for or win a World Series it sells tickets and fills the stadium, generates vendor revenues, brings fans downtown, generates tax revenue, etc. etc. etc. As much of a baseball fan as I am, it is still all about the bottom line...for the owners, the players, and the League.

I can't go for another spin on the merry-go-round of this man...

 

[JFT]

Dan Gilbert built a franchise by having the worlds best player, allowing him to spend a ton of money he knows will be recouped in full and then some.

Pretending that's easily replicated in Major League Baseball is a bit silly, honestly.

So why then do teams in the MLB that spend $125M+ in salaries each year seem to be playoff contenders over the time they spend that level of money.

It's all about the financing of a franchise these days and the return on investment. And for those of you who deny that and believe it's just a "game" like the good old days, that's simply wrong. It's a business, in both the MLB and NBA. Gilbert's no dummy.

 

[AZ_]

I can't go for another spin on the merry-go-round of this man...

The Dolans are too cheap to buy a merry-go-round.

So why then do teams in the MLB that spend $125M+ in salaries each year seem to be playoff contenders over the time they spend that level of money.

It's all about the financing of a franchise these days and the return on investment. And for those of you who deny that and believe it's just a "game" like the good old days, that's simply wrong. It's a business, in both the MLB and NBA. Gilbert's no dummy.

You think people come out to see the Cavs because of Dan Gilbert's financial commitment?

Because I think they come out to see LeBron James. I'm sorry, but I don't really see what Dan Gilbert did to bring him in other than apologize for fucking it up the first time.