The 2020 Cleveland Indians

[Urban]

I think this is my single biggest issue with what they did to him- they picked up his option only b/c they planned to trade him, effectively denying him a shot at FA. He is now entering FA not only a year older but coming off a second season of injuries. Had he hit the market this past offseason, he stood to make more than 16m in a multiyear deal, even if it was a prove it deal. Now he will probably be looking at a incentive laden 1 year deal. And all for a reliever who can't pitch without pharmaceutical enhancement and a 4th OFer (no matter how much we like him). Just not how you treat a guy who was arguably the team's best pitcher since Addie Joss, left all his belongings here, and played here on an insanely team friendly deal. It sends a message to the players that this team is purely a business, a sentiment that Clevinger voiced on the way out. That's fine, but once the best player liason this team has in Francona retires here soon we will see how many non-vulnerable players 'buy in' on this team's long-term contract offers. To me, the human thing to do would have been to decline his option and let the guy who gave this club a HOF-caliber 5 year run or whatever his chance to pick his team. But oh well, water under the bridge. At least we got Deshields, who may not be a world beater but looks like an excellent 4th OFer.

You have an issue with the organization doing what was in its best interest? I guarantee every other team in the league would've traded him under the same circumstances rather than cutting him loose for nothing

Let's not forget that the Indians gave Kluber the largest guarantee ever for a pre-arbitration pitcher. Pretty good money for a 29 year pitcher that was what, 4 seasons away from free agency?

 

[TxBuckeye]

I think this is my single biggest issue with what they did to him- they picked up his option only b/c they planned to trade him, effectively denying him a shot at FA. He is now entering FA not only a year older but coming off a second season of injuries. Had he hit the market this past offseason, he stood to make more than 16m in a multiyear deal, even if it was a prove it deal. Now he will probably be looking at a incentive laden 1 year deal. And all for a reliever who can't pitch without pharmaceutical enhancement and a 4th OFer (no matter how much we like him). Just not how you treat a guy who was arguably the team's best pitcher since Addie Joss, left all his belongings here, and played here on an insanely team friendly deal. It sends a message to the players that this team is purely a business, a sentiment that Clevinger voiced on the way out. That's fine, but once the best player liason this team has in Francona retires here soon we will see how many non-vulnerable players 'buy in' on this team's long-term contract offers. To me, the human thing to do would have been to decline his option and let the guy who gave this club a HOF-caliber 5 year run or whatever his chance to pick his team. But oh well, water under the bridge. At least we got Deshields, who may not be a world beater but looks like an excellent 4th OFer.

Baseball is a business? who woulda knew. Sorry, as much as I loved Kluber don't feel sorry here. Do you feel it will be sh!tty of Frankie to take off for the biggest contract? or when Thome or Albert Belle took off for more money? or Brantley? The organization took these guys in, helped them grow as players and then bam, thanks but I don't need you any more. And to say Clase can't pitch without some help from PED's is a bit facetious don't you think? Maybe wait and actually see if that's the case.

 

[Derek]

The Indians did Kluber a favor by picking up his option

 

[bob2the2nd]

The Indians did Kluber a favor by picking up his option

maybe.

Short term absolutely he made a lot more money this year than he would have. However chances are he would have been able to sign a couple year deal worth more. Especially in a post COVID world. That said if he still gets a couple year contract worth decent money this offseason, then yes absolutely the indians did him a favor

 

[macbdog]

You have an issue with the organization doing what was in its best interest? I guarantee every other team in the league would've traded him under the same circumstances rather than cutting him loose for nothing

Let's not forget that the Indians gave Kluber the largest guarantee ever for a pre-arbitration pitcher. Pretty good money for a 29 year pitcher that was what, 4 seasons away from free agency?

The Tribe made a gamble and it paid off handsomely, as they got Kluber at a drastic discount for what he provided. They won a gamble. And again, if this is only about what is in the Tribe's best interests, the players have already taken note. I think outside of Latinx players who aren't superstars we will see more going the Bauer/Lindor route and turning them down. I guess we see.

 

[Derek]

maybe.

Short term absolutely he made a lot more money this year than he would have. However chances are he would have been able to sign a couple year deal worth more. Especially in a post COVID world. That said if he still gets a couple year contract worth decent money this offseason, then yes absolutely the indians did him a favor

I don't think we can base whether or not they did him a favor on whether he can stay healthy and get another contract.

As unfortunate as it is, that's on him.

Nobody was going to pay him nearly as much as what he ended up getting paid this year. Whatever he gets from here isn't on the Indians organization.

Imagine us declining Kluber's option, him signing a smaller one-year "prove-it" deal and THEN getting hurt. That would have been shitty.

 

[Kevalier]

If the Tribe wins the last four games here, then we're looking at a Wild Card round matchup with the Yankees. Count me as one of the folks that wants nothing to do with having to play the Yankees in a best of three series.

 

[bob2the2nd]

I don't think we can base whether or not they did him a favor on whether he can stay healthy and get another contract.

As unfortunate as it is, that's on him.

Nobody was going to pay him nearly as much as what he ended up getting paid this year. Whatever he gets from here isn't on the Indians organization.

Imagine us declining Kluber's option, him signing a smaller one-year "prove-it" deal and THEN getting hurt. That would have been shitty.

You just completely ignored the fact that this is a post COVID world and there isnt going to be nearly as much money floating around for free agents as there has been.

 

[LL3]

The Indians did Kluber a favor by picking up his option

I tend to believe both player and club understood his physical issues when the option was picked up...Tribe took a risk, but must have felt they could move him, and still get him paid. That is my happy spin and belief...decent shot it is largely true.

 

[bob2the2nd]

If the Tribe wins the last four games here, then we're looking at a Wild Card round matchup with the Yankees. Count me as one of the folks that wants nothing to do with having to play the Yankees in a best of three series.

I think if the tribe wins out, there is probably a good chance indians are no longer a wild card team and instead become the 2nd team in the AL central

 

[Derek]

You just completely ignored the fact that this is a post COVID world and there isnt going to be nearly as much money floating around for free agents as there has been.

Not ignoring that at all.

I just can't fathom thinking that picking up his option was anything less than a good move by the organization, and one Kluber should be thankful for.

It's just another example of taking care of their guys, in my opinion.

 

[macbdog]

The Indians did Kluber a favor by picking up his option

Completely disagree. Ryu had one year of health and got 80m. Guys like Tanner Roark and Wade Miley got multiyear deals. Hell, the team that traded for him would have easily gone after him had he hit FA- if that is where Kluber wanted to go. Injuries or not, there would have been a market for a former Cy Young hurler in FA. And the point stands- he would have been able to choose where he goes, not be forced. Kluber is too nice of a guy to say it. He gave enough here to have chosen, at such a critical juncture, what teams doctors he would have trusted for his last big shot.

 

[LL3]

The only team/situation I'd really like to avoid is the Twins in Minneapolis. The White Sox may be my preferred opponent.

 

[Derek]

Completely disagree. Ryu had one year of health and got 80m. Guys like Tanner Roark and Wade Miley got multiyear deals. Hell, the team that traded for him would have easily gone after him had he hit FA- if that is where Kluber wanted to go. Injuries or not, there would have been a market for a former Cy Young hurler in FA. And the point stands- he would have been able to choose where he goes, not be forced. Kluber is too nice of a guy to say it. He gave enough to have chosen, at such a critical juncture, what teams doctors he would have trusted for his last big shot.

I feel like you're way off base, but I'll just leave it at that.

 

[bob2the2nd]

Not ignoring that at all.

I just can't fathom thinking that picking up his option was anything less than a good move by the organization, and one Kluber should be thankful for.

It's just another example of taking care of their guys, in my opinion.

sorry I should clarify my stance here.

Yes by picking up the option it gave kluber a higher guarantee of salary this year than he would have otherwise received had he hit the open market. Probably by 5+ million. That is doing him a favor.

However from a long term perspective it may or may not end up with him getting more money.