The Indians have talked to Scott Boras about two of his clients, starters Bruce Chen and Kevin Millwood, reports Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The Tribe are looking for starting pitching help, but as Hoynes notes, the club is hampered by its financial situation.
"It doesn't really matter how much interest the Indians have in a free-agent pitcher…it's all about how much interest the pitcher has in the Indians," Hoynes writes. "As for the second prong, unless ownership is overcome by an unusual circumstance, the interested pitcher would have to sign a minor-league contract."
Chen's solid 2010 season figures to earn him a Major League contract somewhere, but we haven't heard much buzz about the veteran southpaw other than some mutual interest between he and the Royals, though not for anything more than a one-year deal. If Chen opened himself up to the possibility of a minor league contract, you'd think that would notably expand his market, and the Indians would likely get outbid.
Millwood might be the more realistic option for the Indians, though he has been connected with the Royals, Rockies and Yankees this winter. Cleveland and Kansas City would give Millwood the best chance at regular innings and it would be easier for Millwood to rebuild his value for a future contract if he wasn't pitching in hitter-friendly ballparks like Coors Field or Yankee Stadium. Millwood pitched for the Tribe in 2005 and delivered a league-best 2.86 ERA in 192 innings before signing a five-year, $60MM free agent contract with Texas.
As for other free agent starters, Hoynes reports the Tribe's interest in former Indian Bartolo Colon "has cooled considerably." Hoynes also says the Indians were in contact with Brad Penny before the right-hander signed with Detroit.
what in the hell happened to cleveland after the 90s and 07?
They sold all of their players for prospects because the players contracts were almost up and that means Pay Day. Ex. Cliff Lee
That was generally the case after ’07 and ’08, Green, but only because guys like Thome, Ramierz, Belle, et al, left for bigger bucks in the 90s.
And, for Manny anyway, a World Championship (as I’m sure you know Green).
CC Sabathia
No, it’s because baseball’s competitive balance is out of whack. But yeah, for a better response to your stupid comment see Eli’s excellent post below. No way the Indians, or ANYONE other than Boston, Philly, or New York was going to pay CC or Cliff that kind of money when they reached free agency. Either way we’ll see you in the 2012 ALCS and this time things will be different, Carlos Santana promises that.
No, it’s because baseball’s competitive balance is out of whack. But yeah, for a better response to your stupid comment see Eli’s excellent post below. No way the Indians, or ANYONE other than Boston, Philly, or New York was going to pay CC or Cliff that kind of money when they reached free agency. Either way we’ll see you in the 2012 ALCS and this time things will be different, Carlos Santana promises that.
The “sold all their players” comment is a bit disingenuine.. The two players mentioned from the 90s’ Jim Thome and Manny Ramirez each played, played well, played honorably and played out their contracts. Both were offered extensions and both departed to greener pastures.. neither was “sold” as indicated by the less learned below…
With respect to the departures of the next two guys, CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee, both were traded before the completion of their post arbitration contract extensions. CC Sabathia: in 2007, the Indians had competed well (due to the presence of CC) and believed they would be in contention for a return to the ALCS or WS in 2008. The Indians had three FA’s who had been major contributors to their success who were up for contracts. CC, Jake Westbrook and Travis Hafner. Both Jake & PRONK signed extensions (and signed Kerry Wood as a closer). CC chose to not sign. This didn’t deter the Indians front office as they believed they would be right there for the Al Central. A series of injuries at the start of the 2008 season and underperformance by more than a few players put the Indians in a position where they were hopelessly out of contention. At this time, the Indians front office decided to trade CC.. to the Brewers.
The following year, Cliff Lee was very in the similar situation (CC professed to be interested in resigning..Lee NEVER did). He had announced & made it clear, he would not sign an extension with anyone and would, at his first chance, become a free agent. The Indians, having already lost CC, determined the best time to trade Lee was after the ASB.. and he was.. to the Phillies. The Phillies also attempted to resign Lee to an extension and he remained adamant about his intention to become a FA. The Phillies trade him as well.
There was no selling of players. These were trades based on the best information and best interest of the Club at the time.. and it has been proven to be correct. The Indians could not and would not be able to affort the contract values for these players (approximately 2x the Indians current payroll for these two players alone).
These sorts of guys have value, even/especially for crappy teams. Those innings aren’t going to eat themselves.
This guy would be a good spot starter/long lefty reliever for the Yankees. He has good lifetime stats against Ortiz, Crawford, Markakiks and Luke Scott. Toronto is also loaded with left handed hitters like Snider and Lind.
I wouldn’t mind seeing them using him the same way they used Aceves a couple of years ago. He could put up good numbers in the AL East as long as he isn’t get over exposed.
Since when does having two left-handed hitters make a team “loaded” with left-handed hitters?