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Will Cleveland Indians' aggressive approach to 2018 start (and end) with Carlos Santana negotiations?
Posted November 08, 2017 at 04:11 PM | Updated November 08, 2017 at 05:14 PM


Will the Indians and Carlos Santana find common ground in the free agent market to put him back in an Tribe uniform next year? (Rick Osentoski, Associated Press).
Will Carlos Santana stay or go?

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- After the Indians' quick and disappointing exit from the postseason this year, Chris Antonetti was asked what areas of the team needed to improve.

Antonetti, who just finished his second year as president of baseball operations and 19th with the organization, didn’t rattle off a laundry list of needs. He rarely does.

What he did say is that the Indians are a good team. He could have said very good just as easily. Taking that into account, cleveland.com is taking a three-part look at how the Indians should approach this offseason. The first two parts dealt with conservative and stand pat approaches. This segment explores what an aggressive effort from the Indians might look like.

Like Antonetti said, there is a lot to like about the Indians.

The bedrock of the starting rotation – Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco and Trevor Bauer – will be back. The arms to fill out that rotation, including Mike Clevinger, Josh Tomlin, Danny Salazar, Ryan Merritt and Cody Anderson, will be back as well.

The bullpen, even if Bryan Shaw isn’t re-signed, has closer Cody Allen and Andrew Miller for the late innings. They have experienced set-up men in Zach McAllister, Nick Goody and Dan Otero along with promising Tyler Olson.

Offensively, they have three run producers in Francisco Lindor, Jose Ramirez and Edwin Encarnacion. They need more than that, especially with the free agent departures of first baseman Carlos Santana and outfielders Austin Jackson and Jay Bruce.

Maybe they’ll get some help from Michael Brantley and Jason Kipnis, but now is not the time to depend on bounce-back seasons from injured players. Now is the time to get some help.

The outfield, as it seemingly always has been since Terry Francona was hired as manager for the 2013 season, is a fluid situation. Center fielder Bradley Zimmer could be called a regular, but that’s not 100 percent certain because he ended last season with a broken left hand. In left and right field, the wind is whipping through two positions manned by question marks and empty spaces.

What will Antonetti, GM Mike Chernoff and Francona do this winter? They need answers at first and third base and in left and right field. If they could fill one of those spots with an honest-to-goodness right-handed hitting run producer that would be nice. They could use one or two proven relievers as well.

The key right now is what happens with Santana, their switch-hitting first baseman. They made him a $17.4 million qualifying offer on Monday. He has until Nov. 16 to accept or reject it. If he accepts it, or the Indians can reach a multiyear deal with him, that could be their aggressive move of the winter. If not, there’s always Plan B.

Money will be an issue no matter what happens. The Indians opened last season with a franchise record $124 million payroll. Right now, including projected raises for players eligible for arbitration, they have an estimated $123 million committed to 18 players.

So the payroll is rising to meet another season of high expectations. As for how aggressive Antonetti and the front office will be, well, they’ve been on an aggressive track the last two years. It started with the acquisition of Miller in July of 2016. Not only did they assume the $20 million plus left on his contract, they sent four prospects to the Yankees. In January, they signed Encarnacion to a three-year, $60 million contract, the biggest in franchise history. In August, they acquired Bruce from the Mets.

If this trend continues, here are a few suggestions for the Tribe. Take some with a grain of salt. Let the others sit and simmer between your ears.

Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com

Carlos Santana

The Indians and Santana were a good fit for 7½ years, but now he’s a free agent.

The Indians extended him a $17.4 million qualifying offer, on which he has to make a decision by Nov. 16. It’s a lot of money to leave on the table, but there’s probably more out there for Santana in a multiyear deal and there’s a chance it could come from the Indians.

MLBTraderumors estimates that Santana could sign a three-year, $45 million deal. He made $12 million this year.
Giants Diamondbacks Baseball

Outfielder J.D. Martinez, hit .303 (131-for-432) with 45 homers and 104 RBI last season with Detroit and Arizona. (Ross D. Franklin, Associated Press).
J.D. Martinez

The Indians came close to getting Martinez from the Tigers last year before they sent him to Arizona in July, where he put together a season that has made him one of the most sought-after hitters on the market. Martinez, between Detroit and Arizona, hit .303 (131-for-432) with 45 homers, 104 RBI and a 1.066 OPS.

He’s projected to sign for an estimated $150 million, which puts him way beyond the Indians’ reach. But at this time last year people were saying the same thing about Encarnacion.

Jay Bruce

Bruce isn’t a right-handed hitter, but he settled the Indians’ lineup as soon as he arrived from the Mets in August. It gave Francona a power threat to hit behind Encarnacion so he could move Ramirez to the top of the lineup.

If the Indians signed him, he would bring stability to right field, while Francona would have plenty of options – Brandon Guyer, Abraham Almonte, Greg Allen -- to rest him against certain lefties. MLBTR estimates that Bruce could sign a three-year deal worth $39 million.

If you had to handicap who has the best chance of rejoining the Indians between Santana and Bruce, Santana would probably be favored at this time.
Cleveland Indians vs. New York Yankees, October 11, 2017, Game 5, ALDS

Yankee third baseman Todd Frazier, shown celebrating after scoring a run against the Indians in Game 5 of the ALDS, is available as a free agent. (Thomas Ondrey, The Plain Dealer).
Todd Frazier

The Indians tried hard to get Frazier before the Reds sent him to the White Sox before the 2016 season. Frazier, 32, would give the Indians power from third base, which has become a dark hole offensively whenever Jose Ramirez isn’t playing there.

Frazier doesn’t hit for much of an average, but he has plenty of pop and he’s solid defensively. If the Indians signed him, it would allow them to keep Ramirez at second base. MLBTR estimates that Frazier could sign a three-year deal worth $33 million.

The Tribe is probably more in the market for a right-handed hitting corner outfielder than a third baseman, but if Santana goes elsewhere, Frazier could help. He can play first and third gives Francona an offensive player to use at third instead of prospects Giovanny Urshela and Yandy Diaz.

Kansas City right fielder Melky Cabrera catches a fly ball off the bat the Tribe's Carlos Santana at Progressive Field in a game on Sept. 15, 2017. (Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer)
Melky Cabrera

The switch-hitting Cabrera hit .285 (177-for-620) with 17 homers and 85 RBI for the White Sox and Royals last season. He made $15 million.

Cabrera is more of a left fielder than a right fielder, which could be a problem if Brantley returns to left field next year. But Cabrera played quite a bit of right field last season for the Royals. If the Indians could get him on a short-term deal, it could make sense.

Kansas City lefty Mike Minor struck out 88 batters in 65 appearances last season after not pitching in the big leagues in 2015 and 2016. (Jim Mone, Associated Press).
Mike Minor

Yes, the Indians already have lefties in Miller and Olson, but they could find a place for Minor, a converted starter. He went 6-6 with six saves and a 2.55 ERA for the Royals last season.

He made 65 appearances, struck out 88 and walked 22. Right-handers hit .223 and lefties .163 against him.

Minor started for the Braves from 2010-14. He did not pitch in the big leagues in 2015 or 2016 because of shoulder problems. Minor would be a great sign on a one-year deal, but he’s probably looking for more than that.

Right-hander Brandon Kintzler saved 28 games for the Twins and ended up pitching for Washington in the NLDS. (Alex Brandon, Associated Press).
Brandon Kintzler

Brandon Kintzler, 33, saved 28 games for the Twins last season before they traded him to the Nationals for the stretch run. He went 4-3 with a 3.03 ERA in 72 games overall. Could he fit into the back end of the Tribe’s bullpen? Why not?

The one problem is that Kintzler waited until he was 33 to have a breakout season. Can't see the Indians offering him more than a year and a club option.

Last season the Indians didn't sign lefty Boone Logan until February. It didn't work out because Logan got hurt, but the lesson here is that the free-agent barrel takes a long time to empty and sometimes patience is needed.

What jumped out to me here was Melky Cabrera. This would fall, for me, in the conservative category.

This guy just hits year after year. He could be an Austin Jackson type bargain (although probably a bit pricier)

Say a 2 year deal.

He plays LF - and is a switch hitter. Bumps Brantley to 1B. Leaves right field to Chisenhall and whomever.

And if he is cheap enough, you can still make other moves.

Here's Pluto on Tribe winter plans, suggesting free agent signings are unlikely but trades are possible. I had a heck of at time trying to copy and paste, so what follows may be incomplete or perhaps doubled up on some paragraphs. Here's a link to the story:

http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/index.ss ... iver_index

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Here was the Cleveland Indians' starting outfield for the final game of the season, a 5-2 loss to the New York Yankees:
•LF: Austin Jackson
•CF: Jason Kipnis
•RF: Jay Bruce

The odds are against any of those players being in the same position when the Tribe opens the 2018 season.

Or how about this? Here was the Tribe's 2017 opening day outfield:
•LF: Michael Brantley
•CF: Tyler Naquin
•RF: Abraham Almonte

Once again, odds are against that combination in 2018.

Some things to consider:

1. Bruce is a free agent. ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reports Bruce is looking for $80 million over five years. He probably won't get that from anyone. But he also probably will be too costly for the Tribe, especially if reports that the New York Mets want to bring him back are true. ESPN's Dan Szymborski projects the 30-year-old Bruce receiving a three-year, $53 million deal. If so, it won't be from the Tribe.

2. Jackson is a free agent. He batted .318 with an .869 OPS, both career highs. He played only 85 games because of two stints on the disabled list (quad and toe injuries). He also has a cranky knee which had surgery in 2016. Hard to know what kind of offer he'll receive. But health concerns will keep the Tribe from offering a big deal.

3. Naquin has fallen out of favor, especially as a center fielder. He could make the team in 2018 as a backup outfielder.

4. Kipnis will not be playing center field.

5. Brantley? Who knows as he's recovering from major ankle surgery.

ABOUT BRADLEY ZIMMER

So what will the outfield look like?

It will start with Bradley Zimmer in center field. The Indians had major defensive problems in the outfield until they promoted Zimmer from the minors on May 16.

You can always debate fielding ratings, but there is little doubt Zimmer was a good center fielder. Frangraphs rated him as the fifth-best in American League, trailing only Byron Buxton, Kevin Pillar, Jarrod Dyson and Jackie Bradley.

Zimmer's arm is rated tops among A.L. center fielders. He didn't make an error in 101 games.

Zimmer will turn 25 on Nov. 27. The Indians loved his defense and his base running. He was 18-of-19 in stolen bases. They want him to run even more in 2018.

Will Zimmer hit?

1. Overall, he batted .241 (.692 OPS) with 8 HR and 39 RBI. His season ended on Sept. 10 because of a broken hand.

2. On Aug. 1, he was batting .282 with 8 HR and 38 RBI. He was off to a strong start in his big league career.

3. After August 1, he batted .143 (13-for-91) with 38 strikeouts and zero homers. He had a brutal 0-for-37 slump Aug 1-17.

4. A lefty batter, Zimmer hit .243 vs. lefties and .240 vs. righties. In the minors, he had major problems facing left-handed pitching.

The Indians know Zimmer could have another up-and-down season at the plate, but they believe his athleticism in the outfield is a major asset -- the same on the bases.

ABOUT JASON KIPNIS

Let's assume Bruce signs elsewhere.

If first base becomes open, Brantley is a real option there. He played 53 games at first base in the minors. The Indians would like to keep Jose Ramirez at second base, where he has been terrific. That opens third base for Yandy Diaz, with Francisco Lindor remaining at shortstop.

Kipnis did a decent job in center field at the end of last season when Zimmer was hurt. They believe he can learn to play left field.

ABOUT THE TRIBE

1. The Indians have 18 players under contract and/or heading to arbitration and the team estimates they will be paid about $125 million in 2018. That's close to the 2017 payroll. It's also why the Tribe will probably not make another major free agent acquisition.

2. The Indians do plan to be active on the trade market. They have a surplus in the area that is wanted the most in baseball -- starting pitchers. This is my guess, not anything I've been told. But Danny Salazar could be centerpiece of a deal to add an outfielder to the Tribe.

3. Salazar was 5-6 with a 4.28 ERA last season. He has battled arm problems, as fans know. But he has the kind of raw physical talent many teams would want. In 2016, he made the All-Star team. He is 27 and can't be a free agent until 2021.

4. Trevor Bauer is in the same contract situation as Salazar. He is arbitration eligible, but can't be a free agent until after 2020. Many teams would love to add Bauer, but the Indians would be very reluctant to do so. He's 26. In the last two seasons, he has a 29-17 record and 4.21 ERA. Unlike Salazar, Bauer is extremely durable. That enhances his value.




5. It's possible someone such as Kipnis could be involved in a major trade. The Indians have not been afraid of gutsy deals. Kipnis could be very attractive to a contender who needs a second baseman -- his regular position.

6. I keep hearing the big moves for the Indians are far more likely to be in a trade than free agency. That's why I would not be surprised to hear Salazar, Kipnis, a catcher (Yan Gomes or Roberto Perez) and perhaps prospects such as Ryan Merritt, Tyler Naquin or others mentioned in


If the ESPN Dan Szymborski is correct, free agent Carlos Santana will receive four-year, $83 million deal. I find that hard to believe. Actually, Szymborski was using his analytics to say what a player is "worth." But could the 31-year-old Santana receive something in the range of $55 million for four years? Absolutely.

The Indians would love Santana to accept the one-year, $17.4 million qualifying offer. He has until Nov. 16 to decide about that. Most baseball people expect him to decline it and look for a big contract, although he does have a sincere interest in staying with the Tribe.

If Santana and Bruce are gone, the outfield could look like this:
•LF: Jason Kipnis
•CF: Zimmer
•RF: Lonnie Chisenhall/Brandon Guyer platoon

None of this is written in ink. It's one of several options the Indians are considering.


Szymborski was using his analytics to say what a player is "worth." But could the 31-year-old Santana receive something in the range of $55 million for four years? Absolutely.

The Indians would love Santana to accept the one-year, $17.4 million qualifying offer. He has until Nov. 16 to decide about that. Most baseball people expect him to decline it and look for a big contract, although he does have a sincere interest in staying with the Tribe.

If Santana and Bruce are gone, the outfield could look like this:
•LF: Jason Kipnis
•CF: Zimmer
•RF: Lonnie Chisenhall/Brandon Guyer platoon

None of this is written in ink. It's one of several options the Indians are considering.

If first base becomes open, Brantley is a real option there. He played 53 games at first base in the minors. The Indians would like to keep Jose Ramirez at second base, where he has been terrific. That opens third base for Yandy Diaz, with Francisco Lindor remaining at shortstop.

ABOUT THE TRIBE

1. The Indians have 18 players under contract and/or heading to arbitration and the team estimates they will be paid about $125 million in 2018. That's close to the 2017 payroll. It's also why the Tribe will probably not make another major free agent acquisition.

2. The Indians do plan to be active on the trade market. They have a surplus in the area that is wanted the most in baseball -- starting pitchers. This is my guess, not anything I've been told. But Danny Salazar could be centerpiece of a deal to add an outfielder to the Tribe.

3. Salazar was 5-6 with a 4.28 ERA last season. He has battled arm problems, as fans know. But he has the kind of raw physical talent many teams would want. In 2016, he made the All-Star team. He is 27 and can't be a free agent until 2021.

4. Trevor Bauer is in the same contract situation as Salazar. He is arbitration eligible, but can't be a free agent until after 2020. Many teams would love to add Bauer, but the Indians would be very reluctant to do so. He's 26. In the last two seasons, he has a 29-17 record and 4.21 ERA. Unlike Salazar, Bauer is extremely durable. That enhances his value.

5. It's possible someone such as Kipnis could be involved in a major trade. The Indians have not been afraid of gutsy deals. Kipnis could be very attractive to a contender who needs a second baseman -- his regular position.

6. I keep hearing the big moves for the Indians are far more likely to be in a trade than free agency. That's why I would not be surprised to hear Salazar, Kipnis, a catcher (Yan Gomes or Roberto Perez) and perhaps prospects such as Ryan Merritt, Tyler Naquin or others mentioned in rumors.

I was hoping we would move Kipnis and Salazar for Sale or other lefty last year. But I did not think the Tribe would do it. Now a trade of them is being discussed.

I agree Lou, Kipnis does not have a position here anymore, and Salazar could be like the next Ubaldo. I would not be unhappy to trade them both, they are blocking progress.

If they're going to trade pitching, the Mets certainly would be interested. Callaway knows Tribe pitching inside and out. Go slow!

(I hate it when people say this) I've said all along that Jose Ramirez is freaking phenomenal at 2B. We are talking Lindor and Ramirez up the middle = Correa and Altuve ish.

I think the Indians love this and Kipnis knows this, is definitely not pleased (understandably) and trade bait. Left field is a fall back option - but if they are talking trade certainly a corner outfielder might be coming back.

Speaking of unhappy Indians, seemed to me Gomes was shoved to the side the more crucial the games got. Like Kipnis, he can't be happy. Pitchers seem to love Roberto Perez.

So yes, Gomes, Kipnis, Salazar (with the emergence of Bauer and Clevinger) would certainly be capable of getting us back what we need (corner outfielder and/or 1B) and at the cost of excess guys.

(Bracing myself for attack from HB)

I could see a very small deal for Napoli as a possibility. We are talking a one year thing - just to platoon the guy.

Sign Hosmer!!!!!!

Napoli is done in my opinion.

Somebody will give him another chance.

If it's the Tribe it will be a late, late spring signing and only because of an injury.

Indians are asking the Leones to give Diaz some playing time at first this winter.

I'm all in on acquiring a dominant southpaw for the starting rotation. Let the rest of the pieces fall into place.

TFIR, I sure hope you don't view me disagreeing with you as an attack.

That being said, I do disagree with you.

If season started tomorrow I'd have to think Yandy would be 1B/DH candidate with EE. I wouldn't want to take any at bats away from a youngster with a lot of potential for a bum who strikes out all the time. They are both right handed.

(Me personally, I don't think Kipnis gets traded. I think you'll see him at 2B, Jose at 3B, and Yandy at 1B next year. Now I might be wrong and any trade this winter may change things of course. But this is how I see it now. I wouldn't even be mad if they trade Kip and gave a position to Gonzalez next year to start the season)

And this team has been to a World Series and playoffs last two years and developing a lot of experience. I really don't see the need to waste a roster spot on a cheerleader/clubhouse leader type like we did with Giambi a while back.

Bryan Shaw draws interest and five other things you should know about MLB's hot stove season
Posted November 14, 2017 at 05:05 AM | Updated November 14, 2017 at 08:26 AM


CLEVELAND, Ohio – MLB's general managers are in Orlando, Fla. this week doing what general managers do – talking, debating and trying to make their teams better. Some agents are at the meetings as well, trying to get their clients the best deal possible.

It’s the offseason, the time for firings, hirings, trades, signings and team building. A lot of that starts with the bullpen.

Bullpens rule in baseball today, which is one of the reasons why Indians free agent set-up man Bryan Shaw is drawing a lot of interest. Shaw, in line for a three or four-year deal, just could come off the board quickly as teams try to bolster their bullpens.

Shaw, in a crowded field of free agents, is the only one with 70 or more appearances and 20 or more holds in the last two years. His 55.9 percent ground ball rate is second among free agent relievers. Plus, he’s never been on disabled list, while making the most appearances in the big leagues over the last five years.

Other notable free agent set-up men include Joe Smith, Tyler Clippard, Steve Cishek, Brandon Kintzler, Brandon Morrow, Pat Neshek, Addison Reed, Anthony Swarzak, Mike Minor, Tony Watson and Jake McGee.

One team that is reportedly interested in Shaw is the Mets, who just so happen to be managed by his old pitching coach, Mickey Callaway.




Boston's power play

The Red Sox finished last in the AL this year in home runs with 168. Sounds impossible, right, for a team that plays at Fenway Park. Well, it hit a chord with GM Dave Dombrowski who is determined to change that.

It’s why the Red Sox have an interest in outfielder J.D. Martinez and first basemen Eric Hosmer and Carlos Santana. They’ve also been mentioned as one of the teams that might be willing to take on Giancarlo Stanton’s contract from the Marlins. The Marlins owe Stanton, who hit 59 homers this year, $295 million for the next 10 years. St. Louis and San Francisco have been mentioned as other possible trade partners for Miami.

Stanton has an opt out clause in 2020 and a full no trade clause. No matter what happens with Stanton, it's going to take a while to unfold.

Who wins AL, NL Manager of the Year?

The BBWAA reveals the AL and NL Managers of the Year on Tuesday night on MLB Network. Terry Francona of the Indians is one of the AL finalists along with Paul Molitor of the Twins and A.J. Hinch of the Astros.

Usually, the manager with the best team doesn’t win this award. The Indians were loaded going into the 2017 season and they played like, winning 102 games. They also won an AL record 22 straight games.

Ditto for the Astros, who won 101 games and went on to win the World Series. That leaves Molitor, who led the Twins to a wild card berth after they lost 103 games in 2016. It is the kind of storyline that BBWAA voters like.

In the NL, Dave Roberts of the Dodgers, Arizona’s Torey Lovullo and Colorado’s Bud Black are the finalists. This one is tougher to call because the Rockies and Diamondbacks lost 87 and 93 games, respectively, in 2016. But Lovullo guided the Diamondbacks from 93 losses in 2016 to 93 wins this year.

Roberts led the Dodgers to a 104-regular season wins. Like Francona and Hinch, he was supposed to win and he did.

It may be just coincidence, but out of the six finalists for the AL and NL managers of the year, four have a connection to the Indians.

Not only has Francona managed the Tribe for the last five years, but he played for them in 1988 and worked in their front office.

Roberts played for Indians from 1999 through 2001. Black pitched for them from 1988 through 1990 and once again in 1995. He also worked for them as a special assistant. Lovullo played for the Indians in 1998 and coached or managed in their farm system from 2001 through 2009.

So it’s clear what Yankee GM Brian Cashman should do in searching for a manager to replace Joe Girardi. Find someone with Cleveland roots.

Is it any surprise that one of the first candidates he interviewed was former Indians manager Eric Wedge? Or that Aaron Boone, who played with the Tribe from 2005 and 2006, is expected to interview with Cashman in the near future.


In search of a center fielder

The Giants need a center fielder. They’ve been linked to Jackie Bradley Jr. of the Red Sox and Billy Hamilton of the Reds.

There are some available free agents as well including Austin Jackson, Jarrod Dyson, Carlos Gomez and Cameron Maybin. But what about Tyler Naquin, who finished third in the AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2016, but played only 19 games with the Indians last year? Could that lead to a match with the Giants?

Naquin spent most of last season at Class AAA Columbus. Headed into the 2018 season, it appears Bradley Zimmer will be the starting center fielder for the Indians.

In search of a second baseman

It’s still unclear what the Indians intend to do with Jason Kipnis, who is currently a man without a position. Jose Ramirez has replaced him at second base and a healthy Zimmer will replace him in center field next year.

The Brewers, Mets, Toronto, Angels and, perhaps, the Red Sox could use help at second base this winter. But if the Indians do make Kipnis available, they could find a crowded market If Detroit’s Ian Kinsler and Miami’s Dee Gordon are also being shopped. Not to mention free agents such as Eduardo Nunez, Neil Walker, Chase Utley and Brandon Phillips.

The Indians still owe Kipnis $30.5 million through 2019. That includes a $2.5 million buyout on his 2020 club option.