Ironman92;1512208 wrote:Out of nowhere and ridiculous.

I saw the chad curtis headline today and started laughing about it when I read the back story about what he is doing these days.

I actually remember when he was signed as a free agent heading into 97.

What about moving Salazar to the closer role? Although its only been a short sample size, I am not impressed with his ability to go more than a few innings. At least until he can develop some off speed pitches etc.

Some preliminary numbers on (Minimum)what it would take to retain Ubaldo....4 years/$50 million. ...gulp!
Kazmir....2 years $15 million.

Giambi and the Tribe have an interest in reprising his role for another year.

HitsRus;1516715 wrote: Ubaldo....4 years/$50 million. ...gulp!
Kazmir....2 years $15 million.

Those are about right in line with what some of us talked about at the end of the last game thread.

I think they would keep Kazmir and let Ubaldo go at that point.

Someone is going to give Ubaldo that contract, which in the grand scheme of things is actually kind of reasonable based on his performance.

Given the Tribe's financial constraints, they can't afford that much on a guy they hope is more like the pitcher from the second half than the first half of last year. If he was more of a sure thing I think they would pull the trigger, just way too much uncertainty with that guy.

On the brighter side, I heard the Tigers are already looking into trading Scherzer, because he is a Boras client and is looking for bigger dollars than Verlander. He is up after next year, and Boras does not allow any extension talks, so Detroit is probably going to move him to get something for him before he leaves for nothing.

No way I'd give Ubaldo 4 years. He was a disaster last year.

If you're going to spend almost 13M a year on a starter, might as well go all out and get someone better for 17-20M a year who is potentially a free agent in waiting. Trade for David Price and give him an extension.

IggyPride00;1512179 wrote:Former Indians outfielder Chad Curtis today was sentenced to 7-15 years in prison for inappropriately touching teen girls while was a volunteer weight-room strength trainer at a Detroit-area high school.

And that's Detroit in a nutshell!

The other thing that makes it difficult to retain UJ is that Masterson is in his last arbitration year... It is doubtful that theTribe could afford to keep both. I think it's critical to retain at least one of those guys plus Kazmir.

HitsRus;1516750 wrote:t is doubtful that the Tribe could afford to keep both. I think it's critical to retain at least one of those guys plus Kazmir.

I totally agree they can't afford both.

Over a 4-5 year contract I would trust Masterson far more than Ubaldo to give the team their money's worth.

The flip side to that is I think that Masterson could potentially be more expensive, but they need to have talks with him before they talk to Ubaldo about an extension so they know their options.

If Masterson tells them he is looking for a huge payday, then you push harder to keep Ubaldo if his price is more reasonable.

It's a tough situation, but they absolutely have to find a way to keep at least one of those 2 as well as Kazmir if he can be had for the numbers you referenced.

If the Dolan's are smart, they might push themselves a bit on payroll this off-season with a free agent or 2 to try and generate some buzz and keep momentum going.

For the first time in a while they aren't coming off a terrible season, and if you add a few pieces to a 92 win team you might finally start turning around the poor ticket numbers as people would have legit reason to feel optimism the Tribe could be a contender. That should help start moving the needle a bit on ticket sales.

Chris Perez has been released.

Jason Giambi has been re-signed

Two moves I am very happy about.

Good.

Ubaldo declined his 8 million dollar option. Let's see if Dolan is willing to get his pocket out to keep him.

The Indians will at least tender a one year offer(expected to be in the $14mill range) to ensure that they receive compensatory draft picks should he be signed away. Hopefully a deal for a long term contract could be reached. Mickey Callaway is good for Ubaldo. The odds for this are slim...but not zero.

like_that;1527674 wrote:Ubaldo declined his 8 million dollar option. Let's see if Dolan is willing to get his pocket out to keep him.

We both already know the answer to this.

In all fairness to Dolan and Shapiro, they do not have the financial resources of a team like the Yankees and they have to make some decisions as to who they pay out to. Justin Masterson also is approaching free agency and they may view extending him to be a better option. Ubaldo had a great second half of the season last year, but he also had a couple of stinker years before that.....so spending big on UJ involves some risk. If Ubaldo is chasing the last dollar, he probably won't be back. If he sees some value in staying with Francona and Callaway and the Tribe can come up with a fair package, there is a slim chance he might sign. Ubaldo has stated that he likes it here...so we are part way there, but whether the Tribe will come with enough is the big question. There is not a very good history when it comes to players taking less money to stay in Cleveland.

No way we sign ubaldo...he will look for the same deal as the SF pitcher just got....pretty risky

Tribe tenders UJ a $14.1 million 1 year qualifying deal.

The Indians did not extend quaifying offers to any other of its free agents including Scott Kazmir and Joe Smith.

The team seems poised to go to camp with Bryan Shaw and Cody Allen competing for the back end of the pen spots.

Lou Marson was activated from the 60 day DL...with the emergence of Yan Gomes, Marson may be prime trade bait.

As Rosenthal reports, the annual television income each team receives from the league will more than double in 2014, going from $25 million to $52 million. That’s a $27 million increase.

http://mlb.si.com/2013/11/08/ervin-santana-ricky-nolasco-pitching-market/?eref=sihp

Wow, saw this nugget in a free agency article about Ervin Santana and Ricky Nolasco.

If true should allow the team to comfortably bump the payroll towards $95-100 million.

An extra $27 million represents about a 1/3 of last years payroll, so assuming the Dolan's plow the money back into the team instead of their pockets things might look brighter for the Trbe as far as free agency and retaining/re-signing their own players go.

I still think we sign joe smith in the end

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/11/indians-unlikely-to-re-sign-hurlers-jimenez-kazmir-smith-albers.html

I expect the Tribe to get one of those guys...maybe 2.(yeah...I'm dreaming )

Ubaldo declines Tribe's $14.1 mill qualifying offer....pretty much as expected. the Indians will still try to retain him, but they seem prepared to let him go and take the compensatory pick if he is signed away. If that is the case, the Indians will have 3 picks in the top 50 of next year's draft....the first pick would be #24.

Francona won AL manager of the year!

ohiobucks1;1534578 wrote:Francona won AL manager of the year!

Well deserved. He did a lot with average talent.

I thought for sure John farrell would win it hands down:huh:.....I'm glad for Tito: thumbup: