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Indians Close to Signing Foulke

by jdudas on Dec 26, 2006 9:34 PM EST Comment 21 comments

This article was linked to by mjmarble in the Foulke post on the main page. Not too much new here, but the fact that confirmation that a deal is close is appearing on the Indians' website lends creedence to earlier reports. The article notes that an announcement could be forthcoming in the next day or two. As I've noted before, I think this is a great signing. If Foulke is healthy (and he appeared to be at the end of last year), the Indians will have landed a guy who has been, and could be again, an elite closer.

0 recs | Comment 21 comments

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Re: Indians Close to Signing Foulke

Just curious with regards to the 2007 draft and opinions on this site. Assuming Foulke is signed, we have, what, the 13th pick in the draft? And then we're dark until the 5th round?

First, I think (although I'm not sure) that Shapiro said something along the lines that the AstroCab, Choo, and Max Ramirez acquisitions helped put us in a place where we could take on free agents without the arbitration/lost pick repercussions this offseason.

Secondly, how much does this hurt us down the road? Are we less aversely affected than other clubs might be in this situation because our system is one of considerable depth, if perhaps lacking on elite position prospects?

by cheech99 on Dec 26, 2006 10:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Indians Close to Signing Foulke

Returns on draft picks are volatile enough that I don't think losing a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th rounder from one year will have any significant impact on organizational development. Also, the money not spent on those picks can potentially be used to sign a few later-round fliers who might otherwise have gone back to college.

by APV on Dec 26, 2006 10:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Indians Close to Signing Foulke

We have one of the youngest teams in the majors, yet nearly every player signed his first professional contract more than six years ago. Garko and Sowers are the exceptions, and Sowers was the #6 pick overall, while Garko is only tenuously holding onto a roster spot.

This suggests, correctly, that there will be a negligible effect, if any, before 2013.

by Jay on Dec 26, 2006 11:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Indians Close to Signing Foulke

Following up on that ... Hafner and Martinez signed in 1996, Peralta in 1999. Sizemore, Marte, Choo and Gutierrez all signed in 2000.

by Jay on Dec 26, 2006 11:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Indians Close to Signing Foulke

It's worth considering for a moment, yet again, just how valuable prospect trades have been in supplementing our draft classes. And, I'd bet we aren't alone among major league teams in this fact of trades being important.

In the final analysis our own draft class is only one source, and probably not even the most significant source, of young major leaguers for the Indians to tap.

by MTF on Dec 27, 2006 12:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Indians Close to Signing Foulke

You have to remember, too, that that draft is only for the U.S. and Canada. Players from the Dominican, Mexico, Venezuela, Japan, Korea, Australia, etc. are signed outside of that system.

by Jay on Dec 27, 2006 12:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Indians Close to Signing Foulke

And also, how many of the players in our lineup came from the draft, rather than trades?

by world dictator on Dec 27, 2006 3:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Indians Close to Signing Foulke

That is partially true. Most players from outside US and Canada sign as "professional" or with the various team "schools" before they turn 18. In Asia, they sign with the professional leagues out there - possibly a changing scenario dependent on the success of young players such a Choo and Choi.

So the draft is not only for players in the US and Canada, however it is made up of mostly players from US and Canada. And includes players who have migrated to US and Canada.

by Brandini on Dec 27, 2006 10:59 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Indians Close to Signing Foulke

Pardon the "duh" factor, but what happened to
the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th picks? Lost because of
signing Borkowski, Hernandez, and Fultz?

by CaptainEasy on Dec 27, 2006 7:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Indians Close to Signing Foulke

I think that Dellucci cost a 2nd round pick.

Railing against the sacrifice bunt since 2000.

by jdudas on Dec 27, 2006 10:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Indians Close to Signing Foulke

It has to do with these rankings. When we sign a Type A or B player on this list, we generally lose a pick. However, our first pick, since it is in the top 15, is protected. Dellucci, Fultz, Borowski, and Hernandez were all Type A free agents (those reliever rankings really need to be re-worked). Foulke doesn't require any compensation according to this list.

by APV on Dec 27, 2006 10:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Indians Close to Signing Foulke

We lost our 2nd round pick with the Dellucci signing and our 3rd round pick with the Hernandez signing. We do not have to give up a pick for Borowski or Fultz because neither of them were offered arbitration from their 2006 teams. Boston did offer Foulke arbitration, which he declined, so whatever team signs him will have to give up a pick.

The only thing I am not sure of is if there is a limit to the amount of picks you have to give up.

by erdygerdy on Dec 28, 2006 1:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Indians Close to Signing Foulke

There isn't.

by Jay on Dec 28, 2006 2:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Indians Close to Signing Foulke

I wonder if this is the last offseason move?

GermanysTribeFan

by GermanysTribeFan on Dec 27, 2006 6:23 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Indians Close to Signing Foulke

Hopefully not. The surpluses in the OF and maybe some arms need to be dealt.

by exileincincy on Dec 27, 2006 10:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Indians Close to Signing Foulke

I think they could still sign Mulder. In fact, I think signing Foulke may make it more likely they sign Mulder. I think the money is there for both, and Cleveland looks more attractive with every signing.

by Jay on Dec 27, 2006 11:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Indians Close to Signing Foulke

Jay-could you further expand on your comment: "Cleveland looks more attractive with every signing."

Are you saying that people and players are beginning to recognize that we may contend in 2007 (they think they will be playing for a winner), or are you commenting more on the organization, and their dealings, or is it just $$$$.

by BoDiaz1974 on Dec 27, 2006 4:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Indians Close to Signing Foulke

I don't want to speak for Jay, but if you are a starting pitcher looking for a 2-year deal, you want to be paired with a decent bullpen. The better your W-L record looks in those two years, the more likely you are to be praised as one of the "best free agents on the market" and score some serious bank on your next contract. And also, as you say, I think most baseball players do want to play for a winning, championship-calibre team.

by APV on Dec 27, 2006 4:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Indians Close to Signing Foulke

One question. Why do teams/players agree on a mutual option? Isn't it the same thing as having no option?

I understand the one scenario where there's a player option first and then a club option second. But why are mutual options built into contracts?

by cheech99 on Dec 27, 2006 7:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: Indians Close to Signing Foulke

I think just as a good will gesture, a way for each side to say, "We'd like for to work together for more than one year."

by Jay on Dec 28, 2006 1:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Indians Close to Signing Foulke

I think a "mutual option" is pretty much like agreeing to go on another date with a chick next weekend even though you don't even know what the hell you are doing tomorrow night. In other words ANYTHING can happen/

www.kidcleveland.blogspot.com

by Kid Cleveland on Dec 27, 2006 11:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

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