Central Links: Damon, Cubs, Phillips
Congratulations to White Sox starter Philip Humber, who threw MLB's 21st perfect game this afternoon against the Mariners in Seattle. Humber took the path less traveled to immortality, as MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith tweets. … On with a few items of note out of MLB's Central divisions:
- The Indians will likely call up outfielder/DH Johnny Damon by May 1, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, as Damon's recently signed contract stipulates that he be brought up by then or released. Damon is currently getting at-bats in the minor leagues after signing with Cleveland earlier this week.
- The Cubs' decision to trade Marlon Byrd doesn't necessarily signal an organizational decision to immediately call up young players such as Brett Jackson and Anthony Rizzo, writes Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com. Those players will be called up when the team thinks they're ready to play in the Majors — irrespective of service-time considerations — Levine adds.
- Cubs scout Kyle Phillips, formerly a catcher who had cups of coffee with the Blue Jays and Padres, would like to return to playing in 2013, tweets Corey Brock of MLB.com. Phillips, 28, entered Spring Training camp with Toronto this year, but his contract was voided due to an injury, at which point he was hired by Cubs GM Jed Hoyer as a scout.
Quick Hits: Marlins, Jeter, Lincecum, Chisenhall
In a piece inspired by early-season injuries to key relievers Tom Verducci of SI.com points out that closers tend to be inefficient investments. "No one wants to admit it," he writes, "but the modern bullpen is a failure." Here are the rest of today's links…
- Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that he likes what he has seen from manager Ozzie Guillen despite last week's controversial remarks. “He’s very good for here," Loria said. "Excellent. Not only for here, for any team."
- When the Yankees signed Derek Jeter to a three-year, $51MM contract two offseasons ago, they felt it was an overpay, Joel Sherman of the New York Post writes. But the shortstop played tremendously down the stretch in 2011 and has started the 2012 season well.
- ESPN.com’s Buster Olney suggests the Giants will likely want to see Tim Lincecum rebound from his early-season struggles before offering him an extension at market value.
- Indians manager Manny Acta told Jim Bowden on MLB Network Radio that top prospect Lonnie Chisenhall remains Cleveland's future third baseman and won’t become trade bait this summer (Twitter link, audio here).
Upcoming Ten And Five Rights
Players who have accumulated ten years of major league service time can't be traded without their permission if they have spent the last five years with their current club. Here's a list of players whose ten and five rights kick in in the near future (service time through 2011 in parentheses):
- Bronson Arroyo, Reds ( 9.150) – Arroyo will obtain ten and five rights late this month. If the Reds trade the right-hander, deferred payments are voided and paid up-front by his new team. It’s hard to imagine a trade involving Arroyo.
- Brian Roberts, Orioles (9.131) – Roberts’ ten and five rights will kick in by the middle of May. However, his contract already provides him with full no-trade protection and no team would trade for him at this point.
- Travis Hafner, Indians (9.009) – Hafner's rights will kick in this September, replacing the limited no-trade clause he currently enjoys. If the Indians retain Hafner for 2013 by exercising their club option or re-signing him as a free agent, he'll have full no-trade protection.
Indians Sign Johnny Damon
Johnny Damon's long stint on the free agent market has officially come to an end. The outfielder's minor league deal with the Indians is complete, the team announced. Damon will earn a $1.25MM salary in the Major Leagues plus another possible $1.4MM in bonuses, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports (via Twitter).
The deal will include a full no-trade clause and allow Damon to explore other opportunities should he lose playing time once Grady Sizemore returns. Sizemore is expected to miss 8-12 weeks due to back surgery.
Damon, 38, figures to step into Cleveland's left field situation as soon as he's ready to join the team. Shelley Duncan has started all five of the Indians' games in left, but he's best deployed as the right-handed half of a platoon. A fit between the Tribe and Damon seemed natural for most of the offseason.
Just 277 hits away from 3,000 for his career, Damon hit .261/.326/.418 with 16 homers and 19 steals for the Rays last season. He has played fewer than 400 total innings in the outfield over the last two years, but he has appeared in at least 140 games in each of the past 16 years.
The Indians tried to acquire Bobby Abreu a few weeks ago, presumably for the same role Damon will fill. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports first reported that Damon would sign with the Indians (all Twitter links).
Central Notes: Reds, Votto, Pirates, Indians
A look at items out of the Central divisions..
- Reds first baseman Joey Votto told Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun that he wanted to become the highest-paid Canadian player in baseball. Votto’s ten-year, $225MM extension not only made him the top earning Canadian baseball player, but made him the country’s highest-paid athlete. There was talk about the Blue Jays targeting Votto down the line but the slugger said that it would be difficult to ever settle for a five-year deal as per their policy.
- There’s been a lot of talk about the Braves‘ low-paying television deal but Bob Cohn of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review points out that the Pirates contract is also undervalued. The Bucs are in the third year of a ten-year TV deal and will receive $18MM this year, according to industry sources.
- Even though the Indians are in need of an impact bat, Paul Hoynes of The Plain Dealer isn’t sure that the club should trade Chris Perez to get that done.
- Drew Stubbs has some level of trade value but the Reds wouldn’t get a whole lot back for him, tweets John Fay of Cincinnati Enquirer.
Cafardo On Greinke, Marcum, Damon, Indians
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe wonders how the Red Sox will approach Jacoby Ellsbury, now that he is injured for the second time in three years? The Sox could be thinking longer-term with players like Daniel Bard, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Andrew Bailey but Ellsbury's health is a concern. However, it might not make a big difference one way or another as Ellsbury is a Scott Boras client. Here's more from Cafardo..
- The Brewers took a hit when they couldn’t retain Prince Fielder, and owner Mark Attanasio is very competitive. That could spark the club to get a deal worked out with right-hander Zack Greinke, even though the two sides recently put discussions on hold. Greinke, however, needs to have a strong season and show consistency from one year to the next to get the big-money deal he’s after. Greinke could be after a Matt Cain-type deal (six years, $127.5MM) but the numbers may not support that.
- There hasn't been much talk between the Brewers and Shaun Marcum either, but Milwaukee should have extra incentive to get a deal done after giving up Brett Lawrie to land him.
- Could the Indians slow offensive start have sparked them to sign Johnny Damon? Cafardo writes that GM Chris Antonetti came to the conclusion that the Tribe could use Damon, especially after the club hit .176 on its opening five-game homestand.
- Scouts seem to have split opinons on Alex Rodriguez as some say that his bat has slowed down significantly and others believe that he looks as physically sound as he has in three years. Cafardo agrees with the latter. Including this season, Rodriguez has six years remaining on his ten-year, $275MM deal.
Quick Hits: Twins, Thomas, Damon, Nationals, Rays
Saturday afternoon linkage..
- Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter) notes that the Twins finally got Clete Thomas, years after they drafted him but were unable to sign him. Minnesota claimed Thomas off of waivers from the Tigers earlier today.
- Matt Klaassen of Fangraphs examines whether Johnny Damon is worth it for the Indians.
- Nationals manager Davey Johnson pushed for major changes to the bench this year and is happy with the outcome, writes MLB.com's Bill Ladson. This year's bench is clicking so far with the likes of Chad Tracy, Xavier Nady, and Mark DeRosa.
- The Rays signed Dominican shortstop Christian Toribio for $65K, according to a press release from the Dominican Prospect League. The DPL categorizes Toribio as an above average runner and a solid defender with enough arm strength and range to stick at the position.
Contract Details: Johnny Damon
The Indians have agreed to sign Johnny Damon to a one-year deal worth $1.25MM plus incentives. He'll play left field in Cleveland and will be allowed to leave if the team stops playing him regularly. Here are some details on Damon's new deal…
- Damon's deal doesn't include a set opt-out date, Peter Gammons of MLB Network tweets. Rather, Damon and GM Chris Antonetti have agreed to address the issue if the outfielder isn't getting enough chances to hit.
- Associated Press reporter Tom Withers hears Damon will start his Indians career on a minor league contract and get a Major League contract when the team adds him to the 40-man roster (Twitter link).
Indians Notes: Damon, Contracts, Dolans
April 12 was the date of two very notable trades in Indians history. On this date in 1916, the Indians acquired future Hall-of-Famer Tris Speaker from the Red Sox after Speaker refused to take a pay cut from Boston. Speaker spent 11 seasons in Cleveland as both a player and a manager, leading the club to its first World Series title in 1920. The Tribe weren't so lucky in the trade market on April 12, 1960, however, when they acquired Steve Demeter from the Tigers in exchange for Norm Cash. Demeter made just five Major League plate appearances after the deal while Cash went on to slug 373 homers in 15 seasons with Detroit.
Here's the latest from Progressive Field…
- Johnny Damon discussed his contract agreement with the Indians in an interview with Jim Bowden and Casey Stern of Inside Pitch on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (the Cleveland Plain Dealer has a partial transcript). "I know what Cleveland really wanted," Damon said. "They wanted somebody with a winning mentality and someone who has been there and done that and obviously I’ve been around for a long time."
- Damon's contract reportedly includes a clause that will allow him to opt out of the deal once Grady Sizemore returns, and the signing isn't yet official since that clause has to be approved by the Commissioner's Office, reports Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News (via Twitter). Feinsand expects the deal to be finalized on Friday.
- The Indians' success in the 1990s stemmed from their team policy of quickly signing their young stars to contract extensions, and MLB.com's Jordan Bastian looks at how the modern-day Tribe are trying to do the same, as shown as their recent deals with Carlos Santana and Asdrubal Cabrera.
- The extensions also should quiet rumors that the Dolans were looking to sell the team, writes Mike Brandyberry for Cleveland.com. “The idea we’re selling the team is silliness," said Tribe CEO Paul Dolan.
Offseason In Review: Cleveland Indians
The Indians fortified their rotation and signed a first baseman, but choosing to retain two longtime players set the team back in the short-term.
Major League Signings
- Roberto Hernandez, SP: one year, $7MM. Club option exercised, later re-structured.
- Grady Sizemore, OF: one year, $5MM.
- Casey Kotchman, 1B: one year, $3MM.
- Total spend: $15MM.
Notable Minor League Signings
Dan Wheeler, Ryan Rohlinger, Julio Lugo, Ryan Spilborghs, Fred Lewis, Jeremy Accardo, Argenis Reyes, Chris Ray, Robinson Tejeda, Andy LaRoche, Jose Lopez, Felix Pie.
Trades and Claims
- Acquired SP Derek Lowe and $10MM from the Braves for RP Chris Jones.
- Acquired SP Kevin Slowey from the Rockies for RP Zach Putnam.
- Acquired RP Jairo Asencio from the Braves for cash considerations.
- Acquired 1B Russ Canzler from the Rays for $100K.
- Acquired OF Aaron Cunningham from the Padres for RP Cory Burns.
- Acquired cash considerations from the Blue Jays for IF Luis Valbuena.
Extensions
Notable Losses
- Kosuke Fukudome, Jim Thome, Chad Durbin, Kelvin De La Cruz, Putnam, Burns, Valbuena.
When the offseason began, the Indians lacked outfield depth and answers in the rotation. They addressed both weaknesses over the winter, and could be considered a sleeper team for 2012. But this team also has its share of shortcomings.
Back in October, the Indians faced the possibility that they’d lose longtime fixtures Fausto Carmona and Grady Sizemore. They moved quickly to exercise Carmona’s option and allowed Sizemore to hit the open market before signing him at a bargain rate. At the time, both decisions seemed prudent.
However, Carmona had been using an assumed name and lying about his age. The Dominican government dropped charges against the right-hander, who's now known as Roberto Hernandez. He remains in the Dominican Republic, and though the Indians have re-structured his contract, it’s still a blow for the team. Hernandez isn’t helping them win games and he could face a suspension upon his return if the Juan Carlos Oviedo situation is to serve as precedent. The Indians now face an uncomfortable set of circumstances, even though Antonetti’s decision made sense in October, when he exercised the groundballer’s option.
Sizemore’s injury came as less of a surprise than Carmona's identity issues, but it's similarly disappointing from the Indians’ perspective. He'll miss at least another month or two recovering from back surgery, and Shelley Duncan will get lots of playing time in left as Michael Brantley shifts to center. The Indians invested considerably to retain Carmona and Sizemore, but there’s no guarantee either player will help the team win in 2012. The team’s biggest offseason investments have already become its biggest disappointments.
"Grady’s injury certainly hurts," Antonetti told me via email. "But I feel as if we were able to improve the team from last year. If we stay healthy and our young players develop, we have a chance to have a good team."
That Duncan, Jack Hannahan and Casey Kotchman occupy three of the team's four corner positions may be cause for concern. None of those players have hit 15 homers in a Major League season. However, Hannahan and Kotchman are expected to provide strong defense behind the Indians' pitching staff. Third base prospect Lonnie Chisenhall and first baseman Matt LaPorta, who are both playing at Triple-A Columbus, have more offensive upside than the team's current starters and could join the big league club by the time the season's up.
The Indians added ground ball pitcher Derek Lowe to the rotation soon after the offseason began, taking on $5MM of the right-hander's 2012 salary. Though the Braves seemed eager to move Lowe, this acquisition makes sense for the Indians. He's an extreme ground ball pitcher who should provide 180 innings of league average production in 2012 (last year's 5.05 ERA was deceptively high). The Indians traded for fly ball pitcher Kevin Slowey later on, and he'll provide depth at Triple-A for now.
The Indians appeared to have interest in left field/DH types such as Jason Kubel, Michael Cuddyer and Josh Willingham early in the offseason. Later, the team was linked to players such as Vladimir Guerrero and Bobby Abreu, so the team had interest in adding offense.
If the Indians get off to a hot start, like they did in 2011, I'm guessing they'll be in the market for a left fielder who can hit. Duncan offers power, but doesn't get on base enough to be considered a well-rounded offensive threat. Next offseason, when Hafner's contract expires, the Indians could find themselves pursuing traditional DH types for the first time in years.
The Indians' relievers pitched respectably in 2011 and with the bullpen's key members under team control for the coming season, Antonetti didn't need to spend on relief. He did well to add Dan Wheeler on a minor league deal, since comparable pitchers obtained Major League deals worth $1MM or more. Newly-acquired right-hander Jairo Asencio currently has a spot in Manny Acta's bullpen, but if he falters the Indians have a number of qualified relievers at Triple-A. They'll prove useful over the course of the 162-game season.
Antonetti and team president Mark Shapiro have shown restraint in recent years and their team has no bad contracts going forward. Last offseason, Antonetti's first as Cleveland's GM, included minimal spending on free agents. In fact, until last week, no Indians were under contract beyond 2012.
The Indians recently agreed to a two-year extension with Asdrubal Cabrera that keeps the shortstop in place through 2014. I like this deal for the team, since it buys out a free agent season — Cabrera's age-28 campaign — for a reasonable price without exposing the club to unnecessary long-term risk.
The Indians obtained the rights to a free agent season of Carlos Santana's by committing to the switch-hitter for the next five seasons. They don't appear to have obtained a substantial discount for his arbitration seasons (Joe Mauer and Brian McCann earned comparable amounts for that five-year chunk of their careers), but it made sense for the Indians to extend their control over Santana.
The Indians’ current position seems relatively strong. With no bad contracts on the books and many young players ready to contribute in the Major Leagues, they could break out before long. Yet their most recent offseason didn’t feature franchise-altering trades or free agent signings. Instead, Antonetti added supplementary players during another relatively quiet winter.
Photo courtesy of US Presswire.