News of Michael Brantley’s ankle surgery and four- to five-month recovery timeline raised questions as to whether the Indians will exercise his $12MM club option for the 2018 season. Indians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti addressed the issue with reporters today, stating that the team is still “working through” the decision about whether to pick up Brantley’s option (link via Jordan Bastian of MLB.com). Antonetti also reemphasized that the team has “always envisioned [Brantley] being part of our organization, not only in 2018, but beyond.” Asked about potentially buying out Brantley’s option and negotiating an incentive-laden deal at a lower base rate, Antonetti declined to delve into hypothetical scenarios. Antonetti also noted that Brantley’s ankle didn’t trouble him when hitting, which is why he was included on the team’s ALDS roster.
A bit more from the AL Central…
- Royals GM Dayton Moore is taking his front office on a four-day trip to Atlanta to study Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., writes Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star. Moore feels strongly about not only educating a young front office that primarily grew up after the civil rights era on diversity, but also in studying Dr. King’s leadership, creative thinking and open-mindedness. Moore stressed to Dodd that he wants his staff to be naturally curious and open to viewing things through a different perspective. Said Moore: “When you’re in a leadership position and you’re expected to hire people, and you’re expected to embrace diversity and different culture and different races and all different walks of life, and people with great wisdom, and young people coming into the game with new ideas … if you really want to embrace and respect diversity, you need to study it.”
- While there were reports that Twins prospect Tyler Jay, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2015 draft, would require thoracic outlet surgery earlier this summer, the left-hander is healthy and pitching well in the Arizona Fall League, writes MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger. Jay did miss nearly three months of the season with neck and shoulder issues, Bollinger continues, but TOS was ruled out by doctors. Rather, Jay was diagnosed with a shoulder impingement and biceps tendinitis. The Twins have moved Jay to the bullpen for the foreseeable future and expect him to open next season in Double-A Chattanooga. ESPN’s Keith Law recently wrote that Jay has been “electric” in the AFL. The 23-year-old could well emerge as a late-inning option in Minnesota next year.
“Royals GM Dayton Moore is taking his front office on a four-day trip to Atlanta to study Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”
And maybe an interview tucked away in there?
Was just going to comment that
I think Cobb County is about the least diverse location for a MLB stadium.
Got curious, so I looked it up: worst 5 MLB counties for diversity:
1. Allegheny County (PIT), PA (82.9% White)
2. Hennepin County, MN (74.4%)
3. San Diego County, CA (71.3)
4. Maricopa County, AZ (70.3)
5. Hamilton County (CIN), OH (69.2)
Cobb County is 11th.
Use “most/least diverse” rather than “best/worst for diversity”.
Fair enough.
Yup. “Well, I’m already here in Atlanta. Might as well go visit old friends and see the new ballpark.” Solid excuse.
I knew that many would comment about the possibility of a covert interview. I will say though that there is great merit in visiting the King places and the Center for Civil and Human Rights. Anyone who gets the opportunity should take the time to explore them.
Tribe loved Grady Sizemore, and they waited year after year for his health to stabilize. That never happened. CLE front office needs to make a logical decision here and move on from Brantley. He’s all star caliber when he’s healthy, but that’s not very often these days.
Trade Brantley to the Rangers since they are like a rehab for injuries and dope heads
name 3 dope heads that played there
Agustin Montero, Josh Hamilton, Carlos Almanzar, Nelson Cruz and of course, Ron Washington.
Oops! That’s five. I can’t count. I must’ve played for Texas.
5 former Cleveland Indians suspended for drug use, Abraham Almonte, Rafael Betancourt, Marlon Byrd, Juan Rincon, and Matt Lawton.
Ha!
Buying out Brantley and resigning to incentive laden contract would be in best interest of both player and team. If he comes back healthy, Michael is a dynamic player.
Oops on double post
Pick it up. Hopefully he walks if they don’t. He was a 2 WAR player in 380abs this year.
It will be interesting to see what the Tribe is going to do this offseason. If they keep payroll at the same figure as last season they still won’t have a whole lot of money to play with. After contract raises and arbitration raises, even if they decline Brantley’s option there will likely be only $15 million or so available.
I would be surprised if the Indians didn’t look to the trade market to find cheap alternatives to fill Shaw and Smith’s positions. Thank god Olsen clinched a spot so they can decline Logan’s $7 mil option.
There are some tough decisions to be made but I find it hard to believe that they will pick up Brantley’s option.
Their window is still wide open with all members of the starting staff (aside from maybe Tomlin) peaking at the same time. I don’t see them making the type of moves Shapiro would make like signing sure fire bust Casey Kotchman because he’s affordable. This front office is more realistic when it comes to getting what you pay for. I’d need at least a 75% probability that Brantley will be healthy all year before picking up that option, and even the most optimistic of us don’t expect that.