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ESPN's Buster Olney reports that the Diamondbacks are interested in Justin Masterson.
Olney says the D'Backs are "pushing" for a pitcher and are also in on the Cubs' Jeff Samardzija. The Indians have decided to field offers for Masterson since he's entering his walk year and they're not sure they'll be able to ink him to a long-term extension. It sounds like GM Kevin Towers is intent on upgrading his rotation this week.


Source: Buster Olney on Twitter Dec 10 - 6:26 PM

LOL seagull

Joel Sherman ‏@Joelsherman1 10m

On Masterson, 1 interested exec said #Indians "will listen but they're also trying to win, so I don't think he is that available."

Buster OlneyVerified account
‏@Buster_ESPN


Source: There are no legs to the Yankees-Masterson trade talk.

Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona tells Justin Masterson he's not getting traded

Paul Hoynes, Northeast Ohio Media Group By Paul Hoynes, Northeast Ohio Media Group

on December 11, 2013 at 5:17 PM, updated December 12, 2013 at 7:23 AM


LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – We interrupt this story about Justin Masterson awaiting a mulityear offer from the Indians for this important message: Justin Masterson is not getting traded ... at least not today.

"I called him yesterday and told him, 'Whether you like it or not you're not getting rid of us,'" said manager Terry Francona at the winter meetings on Wednesday. "I said knowing you I doubt if you're reading this. He said, 'You're right, but my mom might.

"I said tell her you're not going anywhere. I thought it was getting a little out of hand."

On Monday, the first day of the winter meetings, word spread that the Indians were exploring trade offers for Masterson, their No.1 starter, because of his impending free agency. On Tuesday, GM Chris Antonetti said the organization was merely examining options and that he hoped to make Masterson an Indian for the “long term.”

Which all sounds fine with Randy Rowley, Masterson's agent, who said his client is willing to listen if the Indians offer his client a multiyear deal to convince him to forgo free agency and stay in Cleveland at the end of the 2014 season.

To do that, an offer has to be made. So far it hasn’t.

“I haven’t heard from them, but that doesn’t alarm me in any way, shape or form,” said Rowley, who just returned from the Dominican Republic with Masterson. “Right now, we’re preparing to go to arbitration on a one-year deal and we’re very comfortable with that.

"If (a multiyear offer) presents itself, we'd be excited to listen."

Masterson’s reported availability has spawned reports that the Yankees and other teams in need of pitching have approached the Indians. When Rowley landed back in the United States on Wednesday, baseball’s hot stove was cracking with Masterson news.

“I don’t think there’s too many teams that wouldn’t like to have him,” said Rowley. “But I take that with a grain of salt. This is the hot stove season.“

Rowley has been studying the free agent pitching market because it will have an influence on any negotiations involving Masterson and a multiyear deal.

“The only thing left unsaid right now is to wait and get a clarification on (Japanese pitcher Masahiro) Tanaka,” said Rowley. “Then we can get a look at some of the guys who come off the board and fit with Masterson.”

Several teams are waiting to see if right-hander Tanaka will be posted by the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles under the new rules recently agreed upon by MLB and Nippon Professional Baseball.

The process could take at least another week, which has slowed the market for top free-agent starters such as Ervin Santana, Matt Garza and Ubaldo Jimenez.

“The market looks like it’s going to be very good,” said Rowley. “We’re in no hurry.”

Rowley said Masterson is taking the buzz about himself in stride.

“This is the farthest thing from his mind,” said Rowley. “His wife, Meryl, is expecting twins. They’re very excited.“

Indians manager Terry Francona said Thursday that Trevor Bauer looks "good" after making "key adjustments" to his delivery this offseason.
The Indians sent minor league pitching coaches and people from the front office to watch Bauer throw at the Texas Baseball Ranch. "I saw some video of him the other day and he was good," said Francona. "He’s making key adjustments. It’s exciting. Hopefully, we’ll see some results in spring training, but it’s exciting." A long-time Bauer associate said the righty looks "how he looked when he came out of UCLA." Indians GM Chris Antonetti said the changes Bauer has made have been subtle, but will allow him to "be more efficient with his delivery and allow himself to pitch longer and healthier." Bauer, 22, will be worth keeping an eye on in spring training, where he'll compete for the fifth spot in the Indians' rotation.


Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer Dec 12 - 11:03 PM

If he's back to where he was when he came out of UCLA, how did he get screwed up in the first place? I thought he wouldn't listen to anybody in the Arizona system and that's why they dumped him.

Terry Pluto

About David Price ...

Yes, the Tribe did check on David Price.

It would be a shock if the 2012 Cy Young Award winner ended up in Cleveland.

Tampa Bay has Price on the market. The lefty is 28. He won't be a free agent until after the 2015 season. That means any team trading for Price will have him for two seasons in his prime.

Price is arbitration eligible. He made $10 million last season. One Major League executive told me that Price would be in line for $28 million over the next two years.

As a free agent, his bidding would start at $100 million for five years and go up.

When the Tribe talked to Tampa Bay, names mentioned by the Rays were Carlos Santana and Danny Salazar.

I was told those two were starting points, and the Rays also wanted some top minor league prospects. I heard Francisco Lindor's name also was mentioned.

Price's agent has already said the lefty won't sign an extension with some teams. That includes Seattle, where Price may be headed. It's doubtful that Cleveland is high on his wish list.

From the Tribe's point of view, dealing Santana, Salazar and a top prospect such as Lindor for a pitcher likely to leave after two years is a lousy deal.

Santana is under contract through the 2017 season (a club option for $12 million). Many teams are very interested in Santana because he has a long-term deal in place.

Salazar is the team's most exciting pitching prospect. He was 2-3 with a 3.12 ERA in 10 starts for the Tribe. With a fastball in the high 90s mph and excellent control (65 strikeouts to 15 walks in 52 innings), the 23-year-old has a chance to be a star. He can't be a free agent until after the 2019 season.

The key for Salazar will be staying healthy, as he has had major elbow surgery.

Tampa Bay is in the position to ask for the prime prospects from any team wanting Price because Price is two years away from free agency. The Rays want young players such as Santana, who are signed long-term.

Those are not the players the Tribe is willing to trade.

About the Tribe ...


1. While it's Chris Antonetti who makes the final call on trades, he seriously considers the opinion of his manager and coaches. Terry Francona loves relief pitchers and is very interested in adding an experienced closer, and the Tribe is looking in that direction in free agency.

2. The Indians are bidding on John Axford (7-7, 4.02), Grant Balfour (1-3, 2.59, 38 saves) and others. Francona wants to keep Cody Allen and Bryan Shaw as his key set-up men. Axford was a closer in 2011-12 with Milwaukee. His best season was 2011 with 46 saves and a 1.95 ERA.

3. Did you notice that Drew Pomeranz was traded by Colorado to Oakland? The A's may use the lefty in the bullpen. The Tribe's top pitching prospect when he was sent (along with Alex White and others) to Colorado for Ubaldo Jimenez on July 30, 2010, Pomeranz was 0-4 with a 6.23 ERA this season for the Rockies. He is 4-12 with a 5.20 ERA in the majors. White is with Houston and missed all last season because of elbow surgery.

4. While Jimenez was very rocky until the last half of 2013 with the Tribe, the young pitchers flamed out in Colorado. Jimenez was 13-9 with a 3.30 ERA for the Tribe last season, 26-30 with a 4.45 ERA overall with the Indians in 74 starts.

5. The Indians are looking at some starters who may be coming off arm problems -- hoping to find another comeback story such as Scott Kazmir and Carl Pavano.

6. The Indians really are upbeat about the changes made by Trevor Bauer in his delivery. They believe he now is throwing much like the guy who was the No. 3 pick in the 2011 draft. They won't know until spring training, but minor league pitching coordinator Ruben Niebla and minor league pitching coach Julio Rangel have visited and worked with Bauer in Houston. Pitching coach Mickey Callaway will also see him soon.

7. Carlos Santana will soon start playing third base in the Dominican Winter League. He has been working out at third at the Tribe's Dominican training facility. Early reports are positive, but the Indians are being very cautious about Santana at third until they see him in game conditions.

8. Matt Carson has signed a minor league deal with the Tribe. He could make the final roster as a backup outfielder if Drew Stubbs is traded.

colon-oak-midpitch-2012-ap.jpgThe Mets didn't care that Bartolo Colon flunked a drug test in 2012. They gave the former Indian a $20 million deal.AP

About Bartolo Colon ...

On August 22, 2012, Bartolo Colon was suspended for 50 games for flunking a drug test. He was 10-9 with a 3.43 ERA with Oakland at the time.

After that season, the A's re-signed Colon for $3 million plus incentives.

Colon had an 18-6 record with a 2.65 ERA in 2013. His name did appear in the latest steroid investigation, but he wasn't penalized again. Baseball believed this violation dated back to the other one -- when he served the 50-game suspension.

Anyway, now 40, Colon just signed a two-year, $20 million deal with the Mets.

Once again, cheating pays off big -- just as it did with Jhonny Peralta, who signed a four-year, $53 million deal with St. Louis after being suspended this season for flunking a drug test.

I know, all these guys just used the happy juice once -- and they just to happened to get caught.

Or so they tend to say.

Anyway, none of this will end until baseball puts in some new rules for first offenders.

My suggestion:

1. A first violation is 100 games.

2. After a first violation, any years remaining on a player's contract are no longer guaranteed. They become club options. Ryan Braun should not be permitted to keep the $115 million guaranteed remaining on his contract.

3. No player who flunks a drug test can ever sign anything except a one-year contract.

4. These players should be tested weekly for the rest of their careers.

Jordan Bastian of MLB.com confirms that the Indians have reached an agreement with free agent John Axford.
The deal was first reported by ESPN's Buster Olney. Terms of the contract have yet to be disclosed. The Indians get the experienced closer that they desired while keeping Cody Allen and Bryan Shaw in their customary setup roles. As a trio, they should form one of the more formidable late-inning attacks in the American League.
Related: Indians


Source: Jordan Bastian on Twitter Dec 15 - 10:12 PM

Since he has toiled in remote corners of the National League, I know not a thing about Axford, other than that he lost his closer job last year which means at least one team thought that were better options internally. He isn't another Borowski type high ERA closer is he? If so, I hope that his actual intended role is to give Allen someone to compete against in camp, or someone for Allen to be poised to replace during the course of the season, or for someone with experience to be available to back up Allen.

Indians signed RHP Shaun Marcum to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.
Jordan Bastian of MLB.com hears that Marcum would have a $1 million base salary if he makes the team, with the chance for another $3 million with incentives. He can opt out of the deal if he doesn't make the Opening Day roster. The 32-year-old is coming off thoracic outlet surgery and has had a host of injuries in his career, but he's a nice gamble for Cleveland.


Source: Jordan Bastian on Twitter Dec 16 - 5:33 PM

Jason Knapp will attempt a comeback in 2014.


Knapp hasn't pitched professionally since 2010 due to shoulder issues, but he's claiming to be healthy now and should be able to find a minor league contract from some team. Knapp is only 23 years old and was one of the prospects sent to the Indians for Cliff Lee in 2009.

Source: Jerry Crasnick on Twitter Dec 17 - 5:11 PM

Is Lonnie Soloff running this team? If you're injured come rehab with the Cleveland Indians. We'll fix you up so you can sign a contract with another team.

How about trying to sign some healthy players?

Jason Knapp Attempting Comeback


By Steve Adams [December 17 at 5:09pm CST]


It's been more than four years since the Indians traded reigning Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee to the Phillies in exchange for a package of four prospects headlined by right-hander Jason Knapp. Since that time, Knapp has undergone a pair of shoulder surgeries and been released by the Indians, but ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reports that the former top prospect will be attempting a comeback at age 23 (All Twitter links).

Knapp hasn't pitched professionally since 2010, but Crasnick reports that his fastball is back up into the 90s. As Crasnick notes, if Knapp truly is healthy, he figures to draw interest from plenty of teams. Knapp is the type of player teams will dream on -- a low-cost, low-risk pickup of a player that was once one of the game's best pitching prospects. From 2008-10, Knapp posted a 3.63 ERA with 12.0 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9 across two minor league levels with the Phillies and Indians.

The Phillies drafted Knapp -- who was last listed at 6'5", 235 pounds -- out of high school in the second round of the 2007 draft. Following the 2008 season, Baseball America ranked Knapp 64th among all prospects and called him the best player the Indians received in the Lee haul. BA then praised Knapp for a fastball that could touch 98 mph, a sometimes-plus 12-to-6 curveball and a changeup that had the makings of at least an average third pitch. At the time, BA wrote that if he could remain healthy, Knapp could develop into a front-line starting pitcher.

MONDAY: The Astros have agreed to terms with right-hander Matt Albers on a one-year, $2.45MM contract with a club option for 2015, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (Twitter links). Albers, who is represented by SSG Baseball, will earn $2.25MM in 2014 and has a $200K buyout on a $3MM option for 2015.

Reports earlier this month indicated that Albers, a Houston native, had already received at least one two-year offer from an interested team. Perhaps the allure of once again playing in his hometown caused the soon-to-be 31-year-old to leave some guaranteed cash on the table.

Albers posted a 3.14 ERA with 5.0 K/9, 3.3 BB/9 and 63.8 percent ground-ball rate in 63 innings for the Indians. Over the past two seasons, he has parlayed his ground-balling ways into a 2.77 ERA in 123 1/3 innings