The Indians are kicking the tires on a familiar name, as Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports they’ve reached out to Justin Masterson about a potential return. The Indians are likely interested in Masterson only on a one-year deal, which, as Hoynes notes, may be the preferred option for Masterson anyway. Masterson pitched through a number of injuries last season, and if he’s healthy in 2015, he could be a prime rebound candidate and position himself for a much nicer deal on the open market in 2015-16.
More from Hoynes and more from the AL Central…
- Hoynes also refutes previous reports that the Indians would have some interest in buying low on Ubaldo Jimenez. Though Jimenez had one of his best seasons in Cleveland under pitching coach Mickey Callaway, the organization isn’t interested in trying to fix the inconsistent righty.
- Both Aaron Crow and Tim Collins are non-tender candidates for the Royals, but Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star reports (via Twitter) that the team is still considering tendering each a contract due to a lack of MLB-ready replacement options.
- In his latest Twins Inbox, MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger reports that the Twins began their search for a pitching coach with at least 30 names and seem likely to go outside the organization to fill the role. He also discusses potential free agent targets for the Twins, noting that the team is expected to pursue second-tier starting pitcher options such as Brandon McCarthy and Jason Hammel or bounceback candidates such as Masterson and Brett Anderson. Bollinger also expects the Twins to sign a corner outfielder, though he notes Torii Hunter’s desire to play for a contender basically rules out a return to Minnesota.
Definitely got to keep Crow and Collins around. You got to bet that one of the two has to rebound. That and the lack of MLB-ready relief pitchers for KC.
Also, I’m still shocked it Jimenez that got the multi-year deal last season and not Ervin Santana. Thought it would have been the reverse. Comes down to the agents IMO.
Masterson might go to Texas the rangers had have some rumors about him
Possible, though I’d guess a return to Cleveland is more appealing if the money is about even. He’s had success there, has worked well with the pitching coach, and is probably most likely to rebound in a place where he is comfortable. If the Rangers blow him away with an offer, maybe. But if both are kicking the tires on a one year deal, I’d guess he’d prefer Cleveland. It certainly would give the Indians some flexibility to trade an arm like House for a bat.
Cleveland has a great rotation they don’t need masterson