Just imagine that

Tribe spins direction toward improving rotation

By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com | 10/16/12 2:10 PM ET

CLEVELAND --

The numbers do not look good no matter how they are sliced. By traditional standards, or through the prism of newer metrics, the Indians' rotation was thoroughly disappointing this past season.

It could be argued, with plenty of averages and totals as evidence, that Cleveland fielded the worst starting staff in the franchise's 112-year history. Then again, numbers can be skewed, or driven drastically in a particular direction, by a small, but bloated, sample.

"You look at it," Indians starter Justin Masterson said. "Aside from a couple stretches, in an overall sense we did decent. Of course, the numbers -- when we were bad, it was really bad. That's why when you see the numbers, it's really hard.

"But I like our potential. I like what we have."

Players' opinions aside, the reality is that Cleveland's rotation served as the catalyst for the team's second-half free fall. There were other issues -- offensive woes with situational hitting and middle-relief problems among them -- but rare is the team that reaches baseball's promised land with abysmal starting pitching.

Addressing the rotation will be a primary need for the Indians over the coming winter months. New manager Terry Francona, in his introductory press conference last week in Cleveland, made a point to note that pitching is always a priority, no matter how many quality arms exist on a depth chart.

"When you talk about pitching," Francona said, "you're going to hear me say this: 'When you think you've got enough, you go get more, or you try to.' You try to have depth, because no team has enough pitching."

Cleveland certainly lacked pitching depth during its discouraging 2012 campaign.

Consider these statistical achievements of the Tribe's rotation:

• The rotation was hung with 76 losses, marking the most by an Indians starting staff since 1991 (79). The rotation's 913 2/3 innings represented the fewest in a season for Cleveland since 2001, and the seventh-lowest figure in club history.

• Tribe starters allowed 13.94 baserunners per nine innings, which was the eighth-highest rate in a season for the team, dating to 1921. Cleveland's left-on-base percentage of 65.5 was its lowest average since 1936 (64.3).

• The Indians' 5.25 ERA from its starters (10 pitchers made at least one start during the year) was the fourth-highest single-season rate in club history. The team's 1.51 WHIP was the 15th-highest average for a single campaign for the franchise.

• Cleveland allowed 108 stolen bases, marking the most by the team since 1979 (114) and the fourth-most in a season in club history. The 81.2-percent success rate for basestealers was the highest against any Indians rotation.

• The Indians established a new record with 14 games in which their starter allowed at least eight runs. The previous mark was 11 such games in both 1925 and 1936. Cleveland tied a club record (1925) with 25 games in which the starter gave up at least seven runs.

• The Tribe had two pitchers with at least 15 losses (Ubaldo Jimenez and Masterson) for the first time since 1991. This was the first time in team history that Cleveland had a pair of starters with at least 15 losses and at least a 4.90 ERA apiece.

• Cleveland's rotation WAR (wins above replacement) of 4.6 was its third-lowest of all-time, topping only the 1960 (2.8) and 1971 (2.4) staffs. The Indians' ERA- of 133 (a metric that accounts for the league and park) was the worst in team history.

Needless to say, this is an issue in need of attention.

"There certainly were guys in the rotation," Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said, "that weren't as consistent as we needed them to be for us to be the team that we wanted to be."

As things currently stand, Masterson (eligible for arbitration this winter) figures to be back atop the staff in 2013, barring a trade. The sinkerballer went 11-15 with a 4.93 ERA, struggling to consistently maintain his mechanics. Cleveland is hoping a normal offseason (Masterson had left shoulder surgery at the beginning of last winter) will help lead to a rebound.

Jimenez, who went 9-17 with a 5.40 ERA in his first full season with the Tribe, will return if Cleveland picks up his $5.75 million club option. The Indians also have a $6 million club option for righty Roberto Hernandez (0-3, 7.53 ERA), but it seems unlikely that the team would bring him back at that price.

Behind Masterson and Jimenez, Cleveland projects to have a slew of pre-arbitration arms such as Carlos Carrasco, Zach McAllister, Corey Kluber, David Huff and Jeanmar Gomez in the mix for jobs in Spring Training. Carrasco will be returning after missing all of 2012 with a right elbow injury. McAllister and Kluber come in after finishing the season on the staff.

McAllister (6-8, 4.24) and Kluber (2-5, 5.14) endured their share of growing pains, but the youngsters still impressed the Indians brass with their work ethic and learning curve down the stretch.

"The way Zach McAllister and Corey Kluber pitched," Antonetti said, "especially in the second half of the season, I think they made real strides with their development and established themself as Major League starting pitchers."

Like Francona said, though, the Indians -- like any team -- could use more.

Cleveland will surely explore the trade front, while also examining its realistic options on the free-agent market, this winter. Some potential free-agent starters include Anibal Sanchez, Brandon McCarthy, Kevin Correia, Jeremy Guthrie, Edwin Jackson, Hiroki Kuroda, Francisco Liriano and Shaun Marcum, among others.

"That will be an area that's important for us to improve going into next year," Antonetti said.

"That will be an area that's important for us to improve going into next year," Antonetti said.

Pretty good incite from a Georgetown Grad

Players' opinions aside, the reality is that Cleveland's rotation served as the catalyst for the team's second-half free fall. There were other issues -- offensive woes with situational hitting and middle-relief problems among them -- but rare is the team that reaches baseball's promised land with abysmal starting pitching.

That's it in a nutshell.

fkreutz wrote:No question Francona has a commitment from dolan to increase the payroll. Going to be an exciting off season folks.....

If you say so, Frank. The reporters have suggested othewise.

LaPorta has arthroscopic surgery on left hip

By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com | 10/18/12 3:15 PM ET

CLEVELAND --

In the wake of another disappointing season, Matt LaPorta already had his work cut out for him this winter. His uphill battle for earning a roster spot just became a bit steeper.

On Thursday, Cleveland announced that LaPorta underwent a left hip arthroscopy in Nashville, Tenn., and will need three to four months for recovery and rehab. Barring any setbacks, the expectation is that LaPorta will be healthy in time for Spring Training games in March.

The surgery complicates LaPorta's already uncertain future.

"He's out of options going into next year," Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said at the end of the regular season. "So he'll either have to be on a Major League team somewhere or he'd have to go through waivers before he could be sent back to the Minor Leagues.

"I've talked with Matt. It's obviously an important offseason for him, because he's going to have to come into Spring Training to win a job."

LaPorta served as a first baseman and designated hitter in his 22-game tour with the Tribe last season, and he spent some time in left field while with Triple-A Columbus. All three of those positions are in need of attention this winter, though the chances of LaPorta earning an everyday job at this point seem slim.

First baseman Casey Kotchman will be eligible for free agency this winter, and Cleveland will likely decline the $13 million club option on veteran DH Travis Hafner's contract. The Indians cycled through 10 left fielders this past season, and there is no clear favorite to open the 2013 campaign as the starter at that spot.

If the Indians do not address first base through a trade or free agency, two in-house options are Russ Canzler (under club control) and Jack Hannahan (eligible for arbitration). Canzler and Ezequiel Carrera appear to be the top internal candidates for left field at the moment.

LaPorta, 27, hit .241 with one home run and five RBIs in his abbreviated stay with Cleveland this past summer. In 101 games with Triple-A Columbus, he hit at a .264 clip with 19 homers, 19 doubles and 62 RBIs.

In parts of four big league seasons with the Indians, who acquired LaPorta as a key piece within the trade that sent CC Sabathia to the Brewers in 2008, he has hit .238 with a .301 on-base percentage and a .393 slugging percentage. In 291 career games in the Majors, LaPorta has 31 homers and 120 RBIs.

This is the second operation LaPorta has needed for his left hip. He also underwent an arthroscopic left hip procedure -- performed by Dr. Marc Philippon -- on Oct. 14, 2009 in Vail, Colo. The latest hip arthroscopy (a debridement of the joint) was handled by Dr. Thomas Byrd of the Nashville Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center.

Too bad. Looks like winterball won't be enough to save LaPorta's MLB career.

After being embarassed his last trip to winterball, I doubt winterball would have even been an option.

I thought that striking out in half of his 40 some at bats in Caracas was serious, I really have some concerns for Jesus Aguilar who has struckout in 8 of his last 9 at bats. Jesus is giving LaPorta a battle for futility. Overall, Aguilar has fanned 9 times in 16 at bats.

Too bad he did not take any steroids while playing there. Is that not what that whole area is about ?

Cheating.

fkreutz wrote:No question Francona has a commitment from dolan to increase the payroll. Going to be an exciting off season folks.....

Dollars to doughnuts, if increased it will likely be by just enough to buy a box of doughnuts.

Oh wait, Dolan already has his cream puffs in Antonetti and Shapiro who have lorded over while this franchise has been glazed over and Krispy Kreme'd...

Arbitration Eligibles: Cleveland Indians
By Tim Dierkes [October 17, 2012 at 7:47am CST]
The Indians are next in our 2013 Arbitration Eligibles series. Matt Swartz's salary projections are below.

First time: Tony Sipp ($1MM), Brent Lillibridge ($700K), Lou Marson ($800K)
Second time: Jack Hannahan ($1.5MM), Justin Masterson ($5.7MM)
Third time: Shin-Soo Choo ($7.9MM), Chris Perez ($7.2MM), Joe Smith ($2.7MM), Kevin Slowey ($2.8MM)
Fourth time: Rafael Perez ($2MM)
Choo, Perez, and Masterson represent the Tribe's big money arbitration trio, and all will be tendered contracts. Choo, 30, had a strong bounceback season and will be entering his contract year. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports talked to Chris Antonetti in August, and the Indians' GM explained that Choo and agent Scott Boras have not been receptive to an extension. Choo's trade value may be limited by the lone year of remaining control and his struggles against left-handed pitching.

Perez made headlines in September when he was mildly critical of the Indians' payroll and front office in an interview with Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The closer later hashed things out with Antonetti in a long meeting. After that, Perez touched on his future with MLB.com's Jordan Bastian, saying, "That's a business decision that they're going to have to make. That's not up to me. That's not my decision. I have two years left here at least. Right now, it's up to them. I think whatever they decide to do is definitely going to tell you which way the team is going one way or the other." In other words, if the Indians trade Perez for cheaper players, it'll represent a step in the rebuilding direction. On that point, I disagree: the value placed on the save statistic will continue to artifically inflate Perez's salary next year, and if the Indians can get a solid return for him, that's just a good baseball decision.

At a salary approaching $6MM, Masterson will be pricey for a guy coming off a 4.93 ERA. He's better than that, and maybe the comfort of having Terry Francona as manager again will provide a small boost.

Of the team's seven remaining arbitration eligible players, many are non-tender candidates: Lillibridge, Rafael Perez, Hannahan, and Slowey. Slowey will pitch in the Dominican Winter League following an injury-shortened 2012 campaign in which he did not return to the Majors. Without the Rockies picking up part of the tab on Slowey this time, he's headed for a non-tender. Lillibridge couldn't reproduce his strong part-time showing in 2011. The Red Sox acquired Lillibridge in the Kevin Youkilis trade in late June, but designated him for assignment in less than a month, at which point the Indians got him in a minor deal.

Rafael Perez came down with shoulder soreness in March, missed most of the season, and had arthroscopic shoulder surgery in late September. Even if he is ready for Spring Training, Perez doesn't represent a great risk of $2MM. Hannahan, typically well-regarded for his defense, could stick around for a reduced role behind Lonnie Chisenhall. Or, the Indians could seek a cheaper backup at third base.

Sipp has troublesome flyball/home run tendencies, though at a million bucks or so he may be retained. Smith will remain a key cog in next year's bullpen. With Carlos Santana spending some time at first base, Marson received more starts at catcher than a typical backup. I expect him to be tendered a contract.

A total arbitration estimate doesn't mean much given the different trade and non-tender scenarios for the Indians. But if Choo, Chris Perez, Masterson, Smith, Sipp, and Marson are retained, we're estimating $25.3MM for six arbitration eligible players.

Matt Swartz's arbitration projections are available exclusively at MLB Trade Rumors. To read more about his projection model, check out this series of posts.

Who is the best fit for LF next year?

A desirable FA or trade-able commodity that hits right-handed and isn't over 33 years old.

Maybe Youkalis at 1B and DH? Canzler at DH?

Donald and Hannahan as extra IF?

Lots of choices for 4th OF.

But who can the Tribe add in LF that would generate some excitement?

Maybe Soriano. Maybe Cuddyer or Parra. Maybe someone from the Angels..... Maybe Swisher if no one else bids on him.

Not sure that any of those are exciting though.

Jonny Gomes - DH - Athletics

Jonny Gomes seems unlikely to re-sign with the A's.
A's GM Billy Beane admitted as much on Saturday afternoon when announcing the Chris Young trade. Unless there is another deal in the works, it may be difficult to find a spot for Gomes on the 25-man roster for 2013.

Source: Jane Lee on Twitter Oct 20 - 7:51 PM

Would not be a bad choice to DH and spot start in LF.

I've always sort of liked Gomes, but he's best suited to be half a platoon.

Offseason Outlook: Cleveland Indians
By Ben Nicholson-Smith [October 22 at 7:48am CST]
The Indians will add starting pitching and consider trading some established arbitration eligible stars.

Guaranteed Contracts

Carlos Santana, C: $19.5MM through 2016
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS: $16.5MM through 2014
Arbitration Eligible Players (estimated salaries)

Rafael Perez, RP: $2MM (fourth time eligible, non-tender candidate)
Shin-Soo Choo, OF: $7.9MM (third time eligible)
Chris Perez, RP: $7.2MM (third time eligible)
Joe Smith, RP: $2.7MM (third time eligible)
Kevin Slowey, SP: $2.8MM (third time eligible, non-tender candidate)
Justin Masterson, SP: $5.7MM (second time eligible)
Jack Hannahan, 3B: $1.5MM (second time eligible, non-tender candidate)
Tony Sipp, RP: $1MM (first time eligible)
Lou Marson, C: $800K (first-time eligible)
Brent Lillibridge, UT: $700K (first time eligible, non-tender candidate)
Contract Options

Travis Hafner, DH: $13MM club option with a $2.75MM buyout
Roberto Hernandez, SP: $6MM club option
Ubaldo Jimenez, SP: $5.75MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Free Agents

Grady Sizemore, Casey Kotchman
The Indians fired their manager following a trying season that saw the team lose 53 of 77 second half games. They had to let Manny Acta go after such a dismal finish, and hiring Terry Francona seems like a positive development for a franchise that hasn't finished above .500 since losing to Francona's Red Sox in the 2007 ALCS. It’s not enough. The Indians must also add starting pitching depth and improve on a below-average offense in the offseason ahead.



Indians starters were ineffective in 2012. The group ranked near the bottom of the league in innings (27th in MLB, 913 2/3), strikeout rate (29th, 6.1 K/9), walk rate (28th, 3.5 BB/9), ERA (28th, 5.25) and wins above replacement (28th, 4.6 fWAR). They were historically bad in many departments, as MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian detailed this month.

The Indians have spent with characteristic small-market restraint in the first two offseasons under general manager Chris Antonetti. It might now be time for the Indians to rely more extensively on the free agent market. Next year's payroll includes just $11MM in guaranteed contracts at this point, according to Cot's Baseball Contracts. This should lead to some payroll flexibility, even after accounting for the team's large class of arbitration eligible players.

Though Justin Masterson has succeeded before and Zach McAllister and Corey Kluber showed promise this past season, the Indians need help. Internal options like Carlos Carrasco, David Huff and Jeanmar Gomez will get opportunities at some point, but relying on them to carry the team through a six-month schedule would be excessively risky.

Shaun Marcum, Joe Blanton, Ryan Dempster, Paul Maholm, Brandon McCarthy and Chris Young are some of the mid-rotation free agents Antonetti could pursue. If the Indians look to the trade market for starting pitching, they could consider targeting pitchers such as Jason Vargas, Chris Capuano, Aaron Harang and Jon Niese. Whether it's through trades or free agent signings Antonetti must obtain starting pitching.

Antonetti faces a pair of option decisions on starters who have struggled in recent years. Ubaldo Jimenez can be retained for $5.75MM or the club could decline the option following a disappointing season and a half in Cleveland. Declining the option makes sense given Jimenez's diminishing velocity and poor peripheral stats. It seems unlikely that the Indians will exercise Roberto Hernandez's $6MM option given his poor performance. His late-season ankle injury doesn’t help his case, nor do the recent revelations regarding his age and identity.

The Indians' struggles weren't confined to the rotation. They out-scored just one American League team in a season that yielded minimal production from traditionally offensive positions. Cleveland left fielders ranked last in MLB at their position with a .598 OPS. The team's first basemen (28th, .675), third basemen (24th, .677) and designated hitters (11th in AL, .702) weren't much better.

Assuming the Indians give third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall time to succeed they'll be looking at designated hitters, first basemen and left fielders this coming offseason. Spending on powerful free agents at these offense-first positions gets expensive. The Indians might find solutions to some of their offensive issues in this way, but they must also be able to find bats affordably. Players break out every year, so the Indians would do well to find this year's Brandon Moss or this year's Ryan Ludwick. Easier said than done, I know. Tyler Moore and Lucas Duda are examples of the powerful, controllable players that might intrigue Indians executives this winter.

The Indians will decline Travis Hafner's option, opening up the designated hitter spot for a newcomer. Francona would gain flexibility if his bosses don't acquire a positionless DH, so there's no need to spend on an aging slugger for the sake of tradition. It doesn't sound as though longtime Indians star Grady Sizemore will have a role on next year's team either.

Chris Perez tested the patience of Indians ownership this summer, publicly criticizing the team for its modest spending. As irksome as his words must have been, the comments themselves wouldn’t justify a trade. But when you consider Perez’s upcoming arbitration raise and the value he’d have as a trade candidate, the argument in favor of a deal becomes convincing. Better to obtain something of value for the outspoken 27-year-old while it's still possible to do so.

Perez isn’t the only trade candidate in town. It seems unlikely that the Indians will find common ground with Shin-Soo Choo on an extension, especially now that the Scott Boras client is just one year away from free agency. The Indians have discussed the possibility multiple times without making an offer Choo felt inclined to accept. Antonetti will consider trade offers for the arbitration eligible outfielder this offseason, and if the GM can get a controllable player who projects as an MLB regular he should make the trade instead of waiting and taking the risk that Choo’s trade value will diminish. The Mariners, Mets, Yankees and Giants are among the teams that could have interest in the right fielder.

Masterson’s name could surface in trade rumors this winter, as it did a few months ago. Yet the Indians might prefer to keep the right-hander in place and see if he can return to form under Francona, who managed him in Boston. Teams might also call on Asdrubal Cabrera given the scarcity of available shortstops, but dealing the 26-year-old infielder would create as many questions as it would resolve. Expect Cabrera to stay put -- at least until the Indians' top shortstop prospects are ready for the MLB level.

Perez, Choo and Masterson lead a large class of arbitration eligible players. The Indians could non-tender a number of players, including Rafael Perez, Kevin Slowey and Brent Lillibridge. Jack Hannahan is a borderline case who could also be cut loose. The group doesn't include any extension candidates other than Choo, who doesn't seem inclined to sign. The Indians could also attempt to lock pre-arbitration eligible second baseman Jason Kipnis up given his strong showing in 2012.

In the next few months, Antonetti must address needs in the rotation and on offense while working with a small payroll. And though the Indians aren't in total re-build mode, they're multiple pieces away from winning anything. That's one tough offseason assignment.

Photo courtesy of US Presswire.