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Cleveland Indians Offseason News, Notes, and Rumors

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I missed this one from MLBTR as well:

The Indians are next in our arbitration eligibles series.

First time: Justin Masterson, Jack Hannahan
Second time: Shin-Soo Choo, Chris Perez, Asdrubal Cabrera, Joe Smith
Third time: Fausto Carmona, Rafael Perez

Carmona would be arbitration eligible if the Indians decline his $7MM club option. He hasn't been great in terms of the categories that earn pitchers big bucks in arbitration, but he's done enough for the option to represent about $1MM in savings.

The Indians' group doesn't appear to have any non-tender candidates. Masterson projects to a healthy $4MM for his first time. Choo had been on the fast track to big arbitration earnings, but this year's dismal counting stats may keep him under $5MM for 2012. Perez's first 30+ save season should allow him to jump to $4.3MM. Cabrera's power surge should push him to $4.9MM or so. Hannahan, Smith, and Perez each project to fall in the $1.4-1.9MM salary range.

Assuming Carmona's option is exercised, these eight players should cost about $30MM in 2012. If the Indians pick up Grady Sizemore's option as well, they'll be around $56MM. That commitment is firmly in the middle of their last two Opening Day payrolls, though it doesn't account for minimum salary players.
 
sgm405 said:
I have a gut feeling the Indians talk to Cuddyer but then end up signing Willingham. I never considered him at 1B, but he really does fit perfectly if he can play there. If they keep Sizemore, the lineup could look like this:

L-CF-Sizemore
S-SS-Cabrera
L-RF-Choo
S-C-Santana
L-DH-Hafner
R-1B-Willingham
L-2B-Kipnis
R-3B-Chisenhall
L-LF-Brantley
Click to expand...

I don't believe we lead off Sizemore next year if we keep him. I also think Kipnis is better served and more helpful hitting #2. Here's my lineup.

L-LF-Brantley
L-2B-Kipnis
S-SS-Cabrera
L-RF-Choo
S-C-Santana
L-DH-Hafner
R-1B-Willingham
L-CF-Sizemore
L-3B-Chisenhall

Boy; our lineup will certainly lengthen out by being healthy and getting one more good bat.
 
What exactly has Brantley done to prove himself worthy as a lead off hitter? He doesn't get on base at all.
 
ALLsportsINTELRich Smith
BREAKING MLB UPDATE - Philadelphia Phillies reportedly will make an offer to former 1st Baseman Jim Thome once the Free Agency period opens
Click to expand...

Bye Thome :(
 
elcheato said:
What exactly has Brantley done to prove himself worthy as a lead off hitter? He doesn't get on base at all.
Click to expand...

Anyone but Sizemore. Even a healthy Sizemore striking out 150 times in a year doesn't help us leading off. Put Kipnis there then. If Sizemore is healthy, I'd rather him hitting where he is behind others on base so he can drive them in.

Bottom line; we have MANY decisions to make. Decisions even after we know what the roster is going to be.
 
Ignore the real things that matter in a leadoff hitter...on base percentage, speed.

No, be concerned with strikeouts...

The answer is to put him where he can bat with people on base, because the strikeouts will certainly not be a bigger problem there.
 
I'm not ignoring that. He can't run like he use to. Especially not with two bad knees. The Indians are better with him driving in runs and not striking out at the top of the order.

I don't want to get into this Sizemore leading off thing though. It's a moot point if we don't pick up the big money he wants. Is he worth it? Maybe if he's healthy, but that's a gigantic maybe considering it's been a few years since he's been healthy.
 
Sizemore with two bad knees still seems faster than Brantley, as sad as that is.

I don't particularly want either player leading off.
 
b00bie said:
Ignore the real things that matter in a leadoff hitter...on base percentage, speed.

No, be concerned with strikeouts...

The answer is to put him where he can bat with people on base, because the strikeouts will certainly not be a bigger problem there.
Click to expand...

The answer is definitely not Sizemore. LaPorta had a better OBP than him. Of course, if you carry that arguement out too far, Jason Donald, Hafner or Santana should be your lead off hitter since they lead the team last season in OBP. If you are looking for the best fit for lead off, it would be Brantley. Brantley passes the eye test as a lead off hitter, and is near the top of the team at OBP.
 
I've had a lot of luck with finding previews for the Indians. Here's the newest one:

f
dog_with_diarrhea.jpg
 
calleger said:
The answer is definitely not Sizemore. LaPorta had a better OBP than him. Of course, if you carry that arguement out too far, Jason Donald, Hafner or Santana should be your lead off hitter since they lead the team last season in OBP. If you are looking for the best fit for lead off, it would be Brantley. Brantley passes the eye test as a lead off hitter, and is near the top of the team at OBP.
Click to expand...

He doesn't pass the eye test at all.

He doesn't have speed, he doesn't get on base, he doesn't hit for high average.

What test does he pass? That he's a guy who looks like he should be athletic but isn't?
 
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