A quick look around Major League Baseball, which is now down to nine teams vying for a World Series…
- With their season having ended earlier than expected, the Indians are now facing an important decision on star right-hander Corey Kluber, who has a $17.5MM club option (or a $1MM buyout) for 2020. As of Sunday, the club’s higher-ups and Kluber hadn’t discussed his future, he told Zack Meisel of The Athletic (subscription required). It’s hard to believe the Indians would buy Kluber out, though the two-time AL Cy Young winner is coming off an abbreviated season in which he struggled to a bloated 5.80 ERA (with a much better 4.06 FIP) in 35 2/3 innings. Kluber wasn’t able to make it back after suffering a right forearm fracture May 1, thereby ending a run of five straight seasons with 200-plus frames. Indians manager Terry Francona found a silver lining in Kluber’s truncated season and made it sound as if the longtime ace will stick with the club in 2020, saying: “Maybe it’s a blessing in disguise for next year. I mean, we leaned on him pretty heavy for six years.”
- The Dodgers re-signed first baseman David Freese for $4.5MM last offseason, though the veteran nearly retired after their World Series loss to the Red Sox, per Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times. In the end, however, the “deep mutual interest” Freese and the Dodgers had in a reunion won out, Castillo writes. “I came back because this was everything I wanted to be a part of. And it was worth another year to get up for 180 games and just get after it,” said Freese, who, as Castillo details, seems universally respected in the organization. It doesn’t hurt that the 36-year-old has thrived with the bat this season, having batted a spectacular .315/.403/.599 with 11 home runs in 186 plate appearances. The former World Series hero with the Cardinals will have another chance at a memorable October this year, though this postseason could prove to be the end of the line for Freese, Castillo suggests.
- It wouldn’t have been a surprise if the Phillies jettisoned maligned manager Gabe Kapler after their disappointing season ended Sunday. A couple days later, though, they still haven’t announced whether he’ll return for a third year. But it’s “likely” they’ll make Kapler’s fate known on Wednesday, Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. The Kapler-led Phillies just concluded a second straight season in which a summer implosion canceled out a promising start. Philadelphia went 80-82 under Kapler in 2018, and despite an incredibly active offseason, the club only mustered an 81-81 mark this year.
froeeze has hit well ever since the dodgers got him in 2018 hope he comes back in 2020 too
Should be useful against Corbin and Sanchez in games 1 and 2 most likely.
I wouldn’t rule out a Strasburg start on Friday. He didn’t throw so many pitches that he’d necessarily require four days to recover.
I normally don’t see the point in legacy contracts, but I also don’t see the point in harsh purely analytical and cost effective strategy. If Corey Kluber had hit free agency after last year when he would’ve been eligible, he’d be wrapping up the first year of a probably 4-6 year deal in the $30M AAV range. Obviously he’ll probably never reach those heights of salary, but the Indians picking up the $17M option is just good sportsmanship, shows an understanding of his value to them overall. I hope he has a bounce back season in 2020 and the $18M option winds up an under pay.
Lets say the Indians panicked and got cheap and he became a F/A. What do people think Kluber could get on the open market?
Seems like a candidate for a 1 year/$10M deal and a $35M option with a $10M buy out if he hit the market.
At the option rate, the Indians would be silly not to pick it up. Given his track record as a solid starter, and the cost of the option, it would be prudent to at least give it another year and see if he can bounce back.
Kluber would get way more than 1/10 if he hit free agency.
Technically the example contract I made up off the top of my head is actually a 1 year/$20M guaranteed contract, but $10M would be a buyout on a $35M option. I suppose he’d rather have a 2 year/$35.5M guaranteed over a 1 year/$20M deal that could become 2 years/$45M.
Let me amend it: 1 year/$20M guaranteed with a $5M buyout on a $35M option, another $5M buyout on another $35M option. So 1 year/$25M or 2 years/$60M or 3 years/$95M.
Point is, one way or another, Kluber is losing out on tens of millions of dollars right now and everybody knows it.
If they buy out Corey kluber…
Although I’d love to see him with the Mets I do believe he will manage the Cubs. I feel as if he’s been holding out for that job and if Chicago wants a total overhaul like they say they do then this is a step in that direction.
The up side of keeping Kluber FAR outweighs buying him out. 1 down season because of injury, but 5 season with 200+innings and 2 Cy young awards… $17.5 mil is a steal if he goes back to form, and easy trade bait for next seasons trade deadline if they are out of contention, if not, qualifying offer and compensation pick. If he is injured I am sure they have insurance that will foot the bill. Really seems like an obvious decision.
I don’t see how you can fire Kapler with the team getting better. At this rate they should have enough wins to make the playoffs in 15 years.
He is not a good manager.
He doesnt make wise pregame and in game decisions. I am surprised there are those out there who want to keep a mediocre manager. Fire him.
Mike doesn’t get jokes
All you have to do is look at what Kapler did to the bullpen the last 2 years. Guys arms are falling off.
As a Braves fan I think Kapler should get a lifetime contract
I’d like to see Atlanta trade Ender to Cinch for Iglesias.