Cleveland Sports Forum

Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said last week that the team is undecided on whether it will pick up Mike Aviles' $3.5 million option for 2015.
They'll need to decide within three days after the World Series. "We'll go through our meetings and make sure we make the decision in time," Antonetti said. Aviles, 33, has hit just .250/.277/.356 over the last two seasons in Cleveland but adds value with his versatility. However, with top prospect Francisco Lindor nearly ready for a big league job, the Indians could slide Jose Ramirez into Aviles' utility role if they wish to save some money.

Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer
Oct 10 - 9:34 AM

You got it

That was Michael's less than stellar prospect review in 2008. In 2009 he had been traded to the Indians and he ranked No. 9 on our list, just behind David Huff and 4 spots behind Beau Mills, 6 behind Nick Weglarz and 7 behind the key to the Sabathia trade, Matt LaPorta.

The slightly more impressive report that year said: Brantley ahs outstanding barrel control and contact-hitting ability, spraying the ball to all fields. He has walked more than he has struck out in each of his four pro seasons. He has a quick bat and a fundamentally sound swing and he was able to generate more loft in his swing in 2008 than he has shown in previous years. A good athlete he has plus speed and good instincts on the bases. Brantley has shown little power in his career but at 6-foot-2 and with broad shoulders he has the potential to develop some pop. Despite his speed and feel for other aspects of the game, he has received mixed reviews in CF where he doesn't get the best reads off the bat. His lack of power doesn't play so well in LF or at 1B. His arm strength is below average. He'll need to start driving the ball with more authority to find a regular role in the big leagues.

To juice or not to juice. That is the question.

you're not really accusing Michael are you?

Today's BA discussion is about their All-Rookie team.

dave (erie pa): What do you think j Ramirez long term potential/ceiling is? Do you think tribe is thinking urshela/lindor/Ramirez/Santana at some point in 2015? Thanks!

Matt Eddy: For a competitive team like the Indians, middle INF Jose Ramirez could be a valuable multi-position player who could be spotted at 2B, SS of CF. Ramirez’s speed, versatility and switch-hit bat are attractive, but his on-base and power skills would be lacking for a first-division starter. He also has been more productive as a RH batter for three years running, so that could make him a platoon candidate with lefty-hitting starters such as Kipnis, Chisenhall or Brantley. A player like Ramirez is valuable in today’s game with bench players in such short supply as teams

Prison Mike (Scranton, PA): I don't think he qualifies as a rookie, but could you talk about Carlos Carrasco? He really seems to have broken out with the increased usage of his slider. What kind of ceiling does he have at this point? Do you think he can sustain the level of success he was having in the second half of the season? Thanks

Matt Eddy: The lack of a reliable breaking pitch had been a knock on Carrasco dating back to his days in the Phillies system, so if he truly has developed a go-to slider, then that could be the fundamental change he needed to make to consistently succeed as a starter.

"(erie pa): What do you think j Ramirez long term potential/ceiling is? Do you think tribe is thinking urshela/lindor/Ramirez/Santana at some point in 2015? Thanks!

Matt Eddy: For a competitive team like the Indians, middle INF Jose Ramirez could be a valuable multi-position player who could be spotted at 2B, SS of CF."

I thought Ramirez could play 3B also.

To elaborate on Carrasco. When he went to the bullpen he also simplified his delivery - pitching from the stretch every time.

So he learned to air it out, and pitch from the stretch. Seemed to work.

I am not sure if Ramirez has put in time at 3rd; does he have the arm? I like him very much as a utility man who we can be sure will get plenty of playing time as Tito has provided Aviles.


Looked it up: 8 games at 3rd for Akron in 2013, 1 fielding chance at 3rd for Columbus in 2014, started one game for the Indians at 3rd in 2013 and subbed in another.

Ramirez would a lot cheaper than any veteran we will probably sign.

Thanks,Civ, for looking it up. I knew Ramirez had played a few games at 3B for the Major League club, but was surprised he played so few there at the Minor League level.

He played quite a few games in winter ball last year also. I can't find the total number of games but I'm guessing around 12.

Terry Pluto talking:

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- During their season evaluation meetings last week in Arizona, Manager Terry Francona and others talked about a change that happened when Justin Masterson and Asdrubal Cabrera were traded in late July. That also was the time when Nick Swisher's season was coming to an end because of knee problems.

The front office and coaches were interested to see what players would emerge as leaders -- replacing the veterans.

Corey Kluber not only assumed Masterson's spot at the top of the rotation, but he took over for Masterson as the pitcher who'd talk to the other starters. Kluber has an iron-will on the mound, and a fierce training regimen. His personality became more outgoing as he talked to some of the younger pitchers.

Among the position players, it was Yan Gomes and Michael Brantley who began to talk more to the other players.

Like Kluber, Brantley is naturally quiet. And like Kluber, he is known for his excellent preparation to play -- and unselfish attitude. But Brantley began to be a little more outgoing.

Gomes has natural leadership qualities, and it came out during the course of the season.

Making it even better for the Tribe, all three players had excellent seasons.

Kluber is a serious candidate for the Cy Young Award. Brantley should finish at least in the top 10 for MVP voting, perhaps even in the top five. [NY Times writer voted him at No. 2. I haven't seen other articles yet.] Gomes led all regular American League catchers in OPS (.785). He was in the top three in homers (21), RBI (74) and batting average (.278).

Gomes and Brantley signed long-term contract extensions before last season opened. As I wrote last week, the Tribe is expected to talk to Kluber about a contract extension. He can't become a free agent until 2019.

The other player with leadership ability is Jason Kipnis, but he had such a miserable season (.240, 6 HR, 41 RBI) battling injuries that he wasn't his usual self in terms of being vocal. When a player is hurting and not performing, it's hard to speak up.

Francona puts more emphasis on chemistry and leadership than some managers. He likes stats and trends, but is not ruled by them. He often puts his trust in people.

That's why Francona sometimes is a bit slow to give up on a player who has earned his trust. Remember how long the manager kept a slumping Carlos Santana in the cleanup spot. And he was very reluctant to move Kipnis down in the batting order. There are other examples.

But his faith in players has often paid off, as they do respond.

The atmosphere in the clubhouse is a reason the Tribe is likely to pick up the $3.5 million option on Mike Aviles for next season. He can play every position except pitcher and catcher. While his stats are modest (.247, 5 HR, 39 RBI, .616 OPS), he has the right attitude to come off the bench. They have not made a final decision on Aviles. They have to make that call by the end of the World Series.

ABOUT JUSTIN MASTERSON

A year ago, the Indians were trying to figure out how much money to offer Justin Masterson. The right-hander had a 14-10 record with a 3.45 ERA and made the 2013 All-Star team.

At the end of spring training, the Tribe presented Masterson with a three-year, $45 million option. His agent turned that down.

Then Masterson's career went upside down.

He was 4-6 with a 5.51 ERA for the Tribe. He was traded to St. Louis for James Ramsey, an outfielder who batted .284 (.833 OPS) with 3 HR, 16 RBI in 127 plate appearances at Class AAA Columbus.

Masterson was terrible with the Cardinals, 3-3 with a 7.04 ERA. He pitched only 3 1/3 innings in September and was left off the postseason roster.

Now, he's a free agent. The Indians have discussed making Masterson a very modest offer to return to the Tribe. That decision has not been made. Francona loves Masterson and the Indians know the 29-year-old has a tremendous work ethic.

Can he find his old form? No one is sure.

Also, it would not be a shock if a team made Masterson a multi-year offer, despite his terrible season. So many teams are desperate for starting pitching that Masterson may have several choices.


Victor Martinez could be in line for a three-year contract, and it won't be from the Tribe.

Don't look for the Tribe to sign Martinez, who will turn 36 on December 23.

His agent is looking for a three-year deal in the $45 million range -- and may find a team to pay that kind of cash. The Yankees may have an interest. At the very least, the Tigers will give Martinez the $15.3 million qualifying offer for 2015 -- and they are expected to talk about a multi-year contract.

Yes, Martinez likes the Indians and would enjoy ending his career here.

He is coming off a super season, hitting .335 (.974 OPS) with 32 HR and 103 RBI. Given his age and his surgically repaired knees, you can understand why Martinez would want a multi-year deal. He is primarily a DH who can play some first base. At this stage of his career, I wouldn't give Martinez more than a one-year deal. But it seems a few other teams may be willing to meet his price.

ABOUT THE TRIBE AND RATINGS

1. The Indians finished last in the American League in attendance. But they were among the top five franchises in average TV ratings for their games, according to Sports Business Daily.

2. The Tribe averaged a 6.1 rating (90,000 households) for their games on Fox Sports Ohio. For prime-time games (7-11 p.m.), the Indians were at 101,500 households. That's a 12 percent increase from 2013, when the Tribe made the playoffs.

3. Radio ratings were up 20 percent, an average of 101,600 per game. It's interesting that the same amount of people seem to listen to the radio and watch games. The games are on WTAM (1100 AM) and WMMS (100.7 FM), and the Indians think a major reason for the 30 percent increase in the 18-34 age group is the presence of games on WMMS.

4. The radio and television ratings show an interest in the team well beyond the attendance. From a personal point of view, my emails from fans about the Tribe are way up in the last two seasons.

The one area that this FO seems to always have a problem with is overpaying utility infielders and utility outfielders.

Let's just say that the Indians could trade outfielder Murphy and not pick up Aviles contract. You would save 10 million assuming the Tribe did not pick up a contract in the trade.

That 10 million could go to Victor. (Unless you know he is juicing ! )

When can Lindor be expected to join TribeI

Beat reporter Jordan Bastian answers Indians fans' questions

By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com | @MLBastian | October 13, 2014 + 85 COMMENTS

What is a realistic timeframe for shortstop prospect Francisco Lindor? What happens with Jose Ramirez if he continues to play well? Any chance second baseman Jason Kipnis moves back to the outfield?
-- Adam S., Broken Arrow, Okla.

Barring an injury or unexpected trade, I would be absolutely stunned if we don't see Lindor in the big leagues with the Indians at some point during the 2015 season. I do not expect that to be on Opening Day. The job out of the gates would seem to fall to Ramirez, who played admirably at shortstop in the second half of this season.

Defense was an issue all season for Cleveland, but the 22-year-old Ramirez helped shore things up some up the middle. In his 498 2/3 innings at short, Ramirez turned in an 18.9 UZR/150 (Ultimate Zone Rating scaled to 150 games), which ranked first in the Majors among the 30 shortstops who played at least 450 innings at the position. Atlanta's defensive wiz, Andrelton Simmons, ranked second with an 18.4 UZR/150 in his 1,277 innings.

In the first half, Asdrubal Cabrera -- dealt to Washington prior to the July 31 Trade Deadline -- turned in a negative 10.8 UZR/150 and was hit with negative seven Defensive Runs Saved in his 820 2/3 innings at shortstop. Ramirez, on the other hand, was credited with four Defensive Runs Saved, even though he played roughly 60 percent of the number of innings logged by Cabrera.

Here is the point: Ramirez provided the Indians with a clear defensive upgrade and a sound option for shortstop for Opening Day 2015. Lindor is also considered an above-average defender, but the reality remains that he is only 20 years old (21 in November) and has just 38 games at the Triple-A level under his belt. He is playing in the Arizona Fall League to get further experience.

It's also worth noting that Lindor's signature plate discipline took a hit at Triple-A. At all other levels combined, the switch-hitter had a 1.23 strikeout-to-walk ratio. In his brief stint at Triple-A, Lindor struck out four times for every walk drawn. He appears poised to make an impact in the Majors, but it is easy to spot some areas still in need of refinement.

So, for now, Ramirez gives the Indians a good alternative until Lindor is deemed to be ready to join the big league club sometime next summer. If and when Lindor does come up, Ramirez's experience around the infield gives Cleveland a couple of options. He could rotate in as a utility man or get increased reps at third base. I don't see Kipnis moving away from second base anytime soon.

Jordan Bastian is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Major League Bastian, and follow him on Twitter @MLBastian. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.