Earlier today, the Indians interviewed Sandy Alomar Jr. about their full-time managerial vacancy. General Manager Chris Antonetti didn't put a timetable on making a hire, but he was quick to tip his cap to Alomar for the job he did guiding the club at the end of the 2012 season, according to the Associated Press. Antonetti addressed the media today and we have the highlights courtesy of MLB.com's Jordan Bastian..
- Antonetti confirmed to reporters, including Jordan Bastian of MLB.com (via Twitter), that closer Chris Perez wants to remain in Cleveland. Perez said earlier this week that he wasn't looking for a way out this year by commenting on issues concerning the club.
- The GM wouldn't rule out bringing back Grady Sizemore or Travis Hafner on reduced deals, but Bastian (Twitter link) believes that Antonetti was just saying the right thing in regards to two long-time Indians.
- As of right now, Antonetti anticipates Shin-Soo Choo being back with the Indians in 2013 (Twitter link). Choo will hit the open market after next season and it has been said that the club will consider trades for him as they are not optimistic about an extension.
- The GM said that the decision on Roberto Hernandez's option will be difficult given the limited amount of time they had to evaluate him, Bastian tweets. Hernandez has been sidelined both by his suspension and injury.
- Matt LaPorta is out of minor league options going into next year and the GM said (Twitter link) that this will be a very important offseason for the first baseman/outfielder.
If the tribe resigns Sizemore again the fans they have should openly revolt.
I wouldn’t bring back Hafner nor Sizemore unless they paid me!
Seriously, I would not bring back Hafner. Last year I advocated bringing back Sizemore, believing that he could stay healthy and help the team, and we saw how that turned out.
The only way I bring him back is at the absolute MLB minimum. Throw in some incentives such as being off the DL at certain points of the season, or games played, but nothing more.
Sizemore will end up in Baltimore as a 4th OF, but I’d love to see him in Miami as the same.
@johnsilver:disqus
Could see him with the Mets, if he will play for little money. After the last 2 yrs he has to prove himself. He certainly would be an up grade to their OF situation. If the money’s right, it could be a good fit.
I’d like to see him sign as a 4th OF rather than try to hang on somewhere as a starter. Granted, I think he still has more talent than guys like Andruw Jones and Austin Kearns and there is a reason those guys are 4th OF now. Sizemore is sooo fragile. Think limiting his play would help keep him on the field.
NYY even is why mentioned Jones, even Boston. They had interest several years ago as a regular, but now as a ‘floater” perhaps, tho a guy like Grady fits Duquette all over.
The Marlins could really use Sizemore and get him Crisp like play (lots of time) at every OF position next year going from how their OF is currently set. Why they look like one logical landing spot. mets, like you mentioned are yet another who could use him.
I do hope he doesn’t look for a steady, FT regular position again, like with Cleveland. That IMO might be too much for his fragile body.
I could see him signing with Seattle where he could play a corner spot and DH.
What would it take for the Mets to get Shin Soo Choo from the Indians? He’s got one year left on his contract, the Mets need one more year to waste their bad contracts. They could re-sign him at that point. They need OF’s in the worst way. What do the Indians need? Do they match up well?
No. 1 and 2 starters, preferably one lefty. DH, 1B, LF and if they trade Choo RF, all preferably right handed power hitters and at least major league ready preferably proven major league talent. And if you could throw in a GM who has something resembling a clue as to what he’s doing that would be great.
Wouldn’t be terrible to get Sizemore on something like $1 million and plan on him as a 4th or even 5th outfielder. That way, you can only be pleasantly surprised. Hafner would also come cheap, but I’d be more inclined to let him walk. There’s plenty of guys who can do what Hafner does and a change of scenery would probably benefit everyone.
I’d be inclined to decline Hernandez’s option and use the money on a proven quantity. He’s had enough chances to bounce back.