The Indians will likely go the rest of the way without lefty Boone Logan, as Paul Hoynes of the Plain Dealer reports on Twitter. While he probably won’t need surgery to address his lat injury, Logan is expected to require a lengthy period of rest and rehab.
If Logan doesn’t make it back, it’ll complicate the team’s decision on his $7MM club option, which comes with a $1MM buyout. Soon to turn 33, Logan has bumped his typically outstanding swinging-strike rate to a career-best 18.5% while averaging a dozen strikeouts per nine, drawing grounders on half of the balls put in play against him, and throwing as hard as ever. He has also managed only a 4.71 ERA, though perhaps he has been unfortunate to carry a .353 BABIP-against as well as a 62.5% strand rate. Cleveland has deployed Logan mostly against lefties, calling on him for only 21 innings over 38 appearances.
Since Logan initially hit the DL, the Indians have also lost star southpaw Andrew Miller — though he wasn’t exactly a situational piece. That potentially adds to the need left with the departure of Logan, though. Cleveland does have some internal options. Tyler Olson has carried his intriguing Triple-A numbers into the majors thus far, though that’s in just a four-appearance sample. And the club just added veteran southpaw Craig Breslow on a minors deal; of course, he did not exactly thrive earlier this year with the division-rival Twins.
All said, the news that Logan is likely down for the count could well spur the Indians to make a move — if, that is, an appealing option becomes available. While deadline targets like Brad Hand and Zach Britton weren’t traded, it’s far from clear that either would represent plausible candidates to move in August. And MLBTR’s list of the most likely August trade chips isn’t exactly loaded with lefty relievers. But it’s reasonably likely a contender or two will make an interesting arm available after they fall out of the race, and there are a few starters (say, Clayton Richard and Derek Holland) that could conceivably move into a relief role.
Very flattering photo of Boone Logan there
haha good one
With so little usage out of him getting a flattering picture of him has been difficult. With him getting that kind of salary Miller has been an absolute bargain at $9mil.
Derek Holland vs. LHB- .215/.270/.344
And the Sox would happily pay half his remaining salary for a nothing prospect.
Why does this news not bother me?
Because Team Options are great 🙂
Olson has actually been pretty solid so far, so I’d be okay with him being the other lefty in the pen when Miller comes back from the DL.
If he struggles, I still think Kyle Crockett deserves another shot, and if THAT doesn’t work out then I think Shawn Morimando would be a solid lefty reliever (not Merritt though because he’s more valuable as an innings eating swingman than a situational lefty).
Between those guys and Breslow (ignore his overall numbers; he can still get lefties out and would be a great specialist), I honestly think an outside addition is more of a luxury than a necessity.
Assuming the Indians decline his option, I would love for the braves to go after him.
Not so sure what makes deciding his option so complicated. At that price it should be a no-brainer, he’s way overpaid for what he brings them. See ya!