Guardians Rumors

Indians Will Keep Eye Out For Sizemore Alternatives

By Mike Axisa | March 1, 2012 at 7:42pm CDT

The Indians lost Grady Sizemore for the next 2-3 months due to his recent back surgery, but GM Chris Antonetti told reporters (including MLB.com's Jordan Bastian) that he likes the team's in-house replacements (Twitter link). Antonetti acknowledged that he'll have scouts watching other clubs in Spring Training for possible alternatives, however.

With Sizemore out, Michael Brantley will step in as the everyday center fielder with Shin-Soo Choo and various left field candidates flanking him. The Indians signed Fred Lewis, Felix Pie, and Ryan Spilborghs to minor league contracts this offseason and already have Ezequiel Carrera, Aaron Cunningham, and Shelley Duncan on the 40-man roster. Scouting other clubs following Sizemore's injury seems to be little more than due diligence.

Quick Hits: Burnett, Sizemore, Posey, Yankees

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | March 1, 2012 at 3:18pm CDT

Now that the calendar has flipped to March, Opening Day seems that much closer. Here are some links from around MLB, starting with a pair of injury updates…

The Pirates announced that A.J. Burnett has an orbital fracture of his right eye and will require surgery. The club didn’t provide a timetable for the right-hander, who was acquired from the Yankees last month.
The Indians announced that Grady Sizemore underwent a “minimally invasive low back procedure” and is expected to miss two to three months.
Agent Jeff Berry told Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle that no discussions about a multiyear deal for Giants catcher Buster Posey are expected to take place before Opening Day. Posey hasn't played since last May 25th, so it's more likely that an extension would become a priority next offseason.
Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner confirmed to reporters, including Marc Carig of the Star-Ledger, that he is intent on lowering payroll below $189MM by 2014 for luxury tax purposes (Twitter link).

Extension Updates: Garza, Kennedy, Gordon, Hamilton

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | February 28, 2012 at 7:41pm CDT

The Cardinals and Yadier Molina are closing in on a five-year deal in the $70-75MM range. Here are more updates on extension talks around the league…

The Cubs will sit down and discuss a deal with Matt Garza, GM Jed Hoyer told David Kaplan of CSNChicago.com. "We're hoping to get something worked out, but you never know and we'll keep it private when we do," Hoyer said. Garza also expressed enthusiasm about an extension, a possibility I discussed during the offseason.
Ian Kennedy is open to a possible extension with the Diamondbacks, Steve Gilbert of MLB.comreports. The pre-arbitration eligible right-hander said agent Scott Boras hasn't discussed a deal with the team, as far as he knows.
Asdrubal Cabrera said he doesn't want to jump from team to team and hopes to finish his career in Cleveland, Paul Hoynes of the Plain Dealer reports. The Indians have discussed an extension with Cabrera, who is set to earn $4.55MM in 2012.
When the Royals announced major contractual news yesterday, many assumed Alex Gordon had signed an extension. The outfielder says there's "nothing new" on that front, according to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star. The extension went to catcher Salvador Perez, in case you missed it.
Texas assistant GM Thad Levine joined Mike Ferrin and Jim Bowden on MLB Network Radio and said the Rangers and Josh Hamilton have a different idea of what a long-term deal would mean (via Bowden on Twitter).
David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News wonders if a five-year, $65MM extension might make sense for the Phillies and Shane Victorino right now. The outfielder is scheduled to hit free agency after the 2012 season.
Dave Cameron of FanGraphs examines the Molina deal and decides that the Cardinals' decision looks better upon close examination. Cameron explains that Molina is a premium player, even though he's not signing at a bargain rate by any stretch.

Quick Hits: Cabrera, Marlins, Dodgers

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | February 27, 2012 at 10:50pm CDT

The deadline for NHL teams to make trades in preparation for their playoff runs passed this afternoon. Baseball's deadline is five long months away, but we've got these links to keep you going in the meantime…

The Indians are trying to sign Asdrubal Cabrera long-term, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweets. Cabrera told Nick Camino of WTAM 1100 that he and the Indians are "not on the same page right now" (Twitter link). The sides discussed a multiyear deal earlier in the offseason before avoiding arbitration with a one-year, $4.55MM contract.
Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria said he intends to own the club as long as he lives, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports. “I love this team,” Loria said. The 71-year-old spent big on the likes of Jose Reyes and Mark Buehrle this offseason.
In a piece at ESPN.com, Kevin Goldstein wonders how much top prospects Mike Trout, Bryce Harper and Matt Moore would command on the open market.
In this week's edition of Ask BA, Jim Callis of Baseball America explains that Miguel Sano of the Twins might be the best power prospect in the minor leagues were it not for Harper.
Georgia Southern outfielder Victor Roache had a chance to be selected in the first round of this year's draft, but he injured his wrist diving for a ball, according to Jason A. Churchill of ESPN.com.
Just seven groups remain in the mix to purchase the Dodgers, according to Tony Jackson of ESPNLosAngeles.com. Jackson breaks down the list, which includes St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke.

Cafardo On Oswalt, Angels, Bourjos, Rodriguez, Lowe

By Zachary Links | February 26, 2012 at 10:59am CDT

Here's a look at some highlights from today's column by Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe..

One National League GM said that Roy Oswalt's desire to pitch closer to home has some teams wondering if the hurler might not be enthused about pitching this season. "Everyone knows he has back issues, but the thing that bothered teams was that all of a sudden, he wanted to be closer to home and wanted to start picking and choosing where he wanted to be. A lot of people felt he lost that desire he used to have to pitch, and now we’re seeing him say, ‘Maybe I’ll show up somewhere around midseason and make just as much as I’d make if I signed now,'" said the GM.
The Angels are unlikely to outright release Bobby Abreu as they owe him $9MM, but their efforts to deal him have been fruitless so far.
Peter Bourjos, meanwhile, is still prominent on the Nationals’ wish list for center fielders, but the Angels want considerable value back if they deal him. With Torii Hunter in the final year of his contract, there is room for the Halos to keep both Bourjos and Mike Trout.
Astros left-hander Wandy Rodriguez will be a top "go get" guy before the deadline for teams needing an extra piece. Astros people remain surprised at the lack of interest in Rodriguez, even with the club willing to pick up about half the $36MM owed to him.
Indians pitcher Derek Lowe has strong interest in returning to the Red Sox after this season as a starter or reliever. Cafardo writes that the veteran could have been an interesting solution as the BoSox's fourth or fifth starter, but picking up a large chunk his salary from the Braves didn't interest Boston.
Jason Varitek's friends still insist that he is leaning toward retirement as he can’t envision himself in a non-Red Sox uniform. However, he feels that he can still play and at least be a backup catcher somewhere.

Quick Hits: Greinke, Indians, Aybar, Kazmir, Matsui

By Zachary Links | February 25, 2012 at 10:44pm CDT

Angels GM Jerry Dipoto recently said that it's unlikely the club will work out an extension with Erick Aybar before Opening Day. However, Dipoto acknowledged that it's very much a possibility that the club will work out a new deal with the shortstop. Here's more on Aybar and other notes from around the baseball…

Zack Greinke helped the Brewers evaluate pitchers prior to the draft according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy, asking to see video of prospects before the team chose hurlers Taylor Jungmann and Jed Bradley in the first round. Tom Haudricourt of The Journal Sentinel says (on Twitter) that Greinke is at Arizona State scouting right-hander Brady Rodgers with Craig Counsell tonight.
Within this article comparing the Phillies to the late-90s Indians, Sam Donnellon of The Philadelphia Daily News says the Tribe had a deal in place to acquire Curt Schilling in 2000. "I banged hard on that one," said then-Indians GM John Hart when asked how he felt after the deal fell through.
Aybar told reporters that he hopes to remain with the Angels beyond this season, writes Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com. The 28-year-old declined to go into details about the kind of deal he’s looking for, but the Halos might not be willing to shell out major money for him with prospect Jean Segura in the fold.
The Mets were the only club to watch Scott Kazmir throw yesterday and Sandy Alderson didn't exactly offer a ringing endorsement of the pitcher, tweets Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. A reunion between the club and left-hander is unlikely, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com (via Twitter).
Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News (via Twitter) spoke with someone that said Hideki Matsui isn't close to signing anywhere. The veteran will likely wait and see which teams have needs as spring training goes on.

Central Notes: Sizemore, Kendall, Reds, Votto

By Zachary Links | February 25, 2012 at 4:49pm CDT

Here’s a look at some items out of the Central divisions..

Even though the outfielder has suffered yet another setback, Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com doesn’t see the re-signing of Grady Sizemore as a mistake for the Indians. The 29-year-old is set to earn $5MM with as much as $4MM in incentives in 2012.
Jason Kendall enjoys serving as a coach for the Royals but still hopes to play again, writes Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star. The 37-year-old hasn’t played since his stint with Kansas City in 2010.
Reds CEO Bob Castellini also gave a solid endorsement of skipper Dusty Baker, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter). The manager is in the final year of his contract.
Castellini says that there’s mutual interest between the club and Joey Votto in completing a new deal, tweets Morosi. The slugger has been tight-lipped on contract talks but acknowledged that they are something of a distraction. Ben Nicholson-Smith recently wrote that it could cost as much as $160MM to keep Votto signed through 2020.
Castellini also acknowledged that the club is active in talks with second baseman Brandon Phillips, Morosi tweets.
Brewers principal owner Mark Attanasio wants to wrap up contract extensions for GM Doug Melvin and manager Ron Roenicke before Opening Day, writes Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. Meanwhile, Attanasio didn’t say much about free agents-to-be Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum.

Jon Garland No Longer With Indians

By Mike Axisa | February 22, 2012 at 2:28pm CDT

Jon Garland is no longer with the Indians, reports Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain-Dealer. The right-hander was scheduled for a physical on Monday, but he didn't take it and his minor league contract will not be finalized.

GM Chris Antonetti told ESPN's Jim Bowden that Garland is going to continue to rehab, but he's not currently able to compete for a job (Twitter link). The Tribe agreed to sign the righty shortly after learning that Fausto Carmona – a.k.a. Roberto Hernandez – was unlikely to be in Spring Training on time. The 32-year-old Garland missed most of last season due to shoulder surgery after posting nine consecutive seasons of at least 190 innings.

Rangers Acquire Kelvin De La Cruz

By Tim Dierkes | February 21, 2012 at 1:58pm CDT

The Rangers acquired lefty Kelvin De La Cruz from the Indians, tweets Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The Indians received cash considerations, tweets MLB.com's Jordan Bastian. De La Cruz was designated for assignment a week ago to open a 40-man roster spot for Casey Kotchman. The Rangers currently have an open 40-man spot they can use for De La Cruz.

De La Cruz, 23, posted a 4.19 ERA, 9.9 K/9, 6.0 BB/9, and 0.31 HR/9 in 86 Double-A innings last year, his second stint at the level. A year ago, Baseball America ranked him 24th among Indians prospects, citing diminished stuff after an '09 elbow strain. De La Cruz dropped out of BA's Indians top 30 this year and will be a project for the Rangers.

Indians To Sign Cristian Guzman

By Tim Dierkes | February 21, 2012 at 12:42pm CDT

The Indians will sign infielder Cristian Guzman to a minor league contract with a spring training invite, tweets MLB.com's Jordan Bastian. He took his physical today and the deal will likely become official tomorrow.

Guzman, 33, last played in the Majors in 2010 with the Nationals and Rangers. He sat out the 2011 season due to a shoulder injury, he told Bastian. Guzman is a career .271/.307/.383 hitter who has appeared at both middle infield positions.

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