Who should be locked up?

by Brick. on Aug 10, 2009 5:53 PM EDT Comment 53 comments

Being that it's August 10th in a lost season, it's about time to start thinking about something the Indians do some of pretty much every year. Fausto, being the most recent example. That is to lock up young talent to long term deals, buying out the player's arbitration years and some of their first free agent seasons. It's part of the blueprint that has pretty well stood the test of time. Even if those players don't stay through the whole contract. The risk/reward usually works out for both the player and the team. Seems to me the strategy is to keep paying a guy at the minimum until he's done enough at the big league level to convince you he's a guy to hang on to. But not to wait too long, and get too close to arbitration. So a LaPorta probably wouldn't be a candidate just yet, where an Asdrubal seemingly would be. Perusing the 40-man roster, there really only seems like a few guys that come close to fitting that mold. Who do you think the Indians will and/or should sign to long-term contracts soon?

Poll

Who should have their arbitration and some of their FA years bought out this off season?

Aaron Laffey

2 votes

Asdrubal Cabrera

35 votes

Shin-Soo Choo

18 votes

Luis Valbuena

0 votes

Cabrera and Choo

144 votes

Laffey, Cabrera and Choo

52 votes

All of the above

21 votes

272 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 53 comments

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Comments

I was thinking about this last week. Probably just Cabrera as of now. Choo is a little too old and maybe Laffey if he can get through an entire season healthy.

by Toxicadam on Aug 10, 2009 5:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah, i wanted to get a pitcher in there. i think laffey could make him self a good candidate after next year.

by Brick. on Aug 11, 2009 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh well. unless dolan figures out that it is best for him to fire shapiro once he becomes an ace, bye bye aaron

Thank you Mesa for blowing the one chance Cleveland had of being happy during the 90's.

by Indians95 on Aug 13, 2009 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

flag

by FredOx on Aug 13, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What does this even mean?

I’m about to change your sig myself.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Aug 13, 2009 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, you see, Jay, Indians95 believes that Aaron Laffey will become an ace and will immediately be traded. It’s a new and refreshing take on the Indians’ front office, and I for one have really had my eyes opened today.

by Chemo on Aug 14, 2009 12:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cleveland.com is calling you back….

Stuart Dean

by stuart dean on Aug 14, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My temptation is to say “none of the above” right now, but if I have to pick one I’m going with Cabrera. There is no one we “need” to lock up this off-season, and I think as we begin The Plan v2.0 (more to come on this later, I hope), I don’t think this is the off-season we sign guys to long-term contracts. Next off-season quite possibly, but I think we need to get a little better sense next year about what parts we are building around. In an ideal world, all of these guys become important pieces, but I just don’t think we need to make that decision now.

I suppose the one guy there is incentive to sign this off-season would be Choo, but only in relation to his uncertain military status. If he can get out of that without the temptation of an immediate long-term contract, I’d just assume not. This is still a guy with TJ surgery lingering in his not too distant past.

by APV on Aug 10, 2009 6:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree. Choo’s future is still a little uncertain, though I don’t think he will serve in the military, but given his injury history and age, he’s not the best candidate. Cabrera is definately the only guy off that list I’d consider signing long term.

You’re right though, there’s still too much evaluation to be done next year and we don’t know who’s with the team after the coming offseason, so no need to lock anyone up now.

by JP_Frost on Aug 10, 2009 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i didn’t think about the TJ thing with choo. my first thought is that, hey, this guy has turned himself into one of the best outfielders in the league. why not?

even if the military thing is on the table, i’m sure the indians would think to clause-it-up with that in his contract.

by Brick. on Aug 11, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My first instinct was to answer “Wedge”.

by Cols714 on Aug 10, 2009 7:03 PM EDT reply actions 8 recs

Wedge’s first instinct was to answer “Gimenez.”

We're really bad this year. How's that for a signature?

by mixmasterasia on Aug 12, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

I said Laffey, Choo, and Cabrera. Now is the time to lock these guys up. Cost certainty is still a big thing to this front office and ownership. They took some unforeseen hits the last couple years, and I don’t think they want to add variables like arbitration any time soon. The pattern has always been to lock up guys after their first or second productive season. I think Choo and Cabrera are no brainers here. I added Laffey, partly because I just like him and partly because I truly believe he is the clearest choice to be in the rotation in 2011.

by Ryan Kelsey on Aug 10, 2009 7:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

that’s why i added laffey, i kept thinking ’there’s gotta be a lee in there somewhere’. not that laffey will become an ace, but he was a good lock-up back when they did.

by Brick. on Aug 11, 2009 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’d say Choo is the most likely from the leverage standpoint of the Tribe. Otherwise he barely falls short of being arbitration eligible in 2010. No way on Laffey and Valbuena. Cabrera I guess depends, but my guess is they don’t this off season anyway.

by cheech99 on Aug 10, 2009 8:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

A big chunk of both this and next year’s payroll is tied up in Hafner and Westbrook. I agree the Indians need to use this strategy to keep talent as long as possible, but there is certainly risk if doesn’t work out.

by Pa tribefan on Aug 10, 2009 9:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Not sure what the first sentence has to do with the second.

There is no significant risk in making these deals and little in not making them. They’re just smart deals.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Aug 10, 2009 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i mean, it’s not like these deals break your bank if they bust. it’s that second long term contract, after this one, that can be dicey.

by Brick. on Aug 11, 2009 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You didn’t include “Criminals” as an option.

Ok, seriously, I guess I’ll go with Choo. I want to say Laffey and Cabrera, because I really like them, but not enough reason to lock them up at this point.

The Rays kind of broke the mold by signing Evan Longoria early in his career. This is only for amazingly talented guys, I guess. Would we try to do that with anyone soon – maybe LaPorta, or Carlos Santana, when they get here?

Another guy to think about soon would be Masterson – after next season, I suppose.

Baseball isn't boring. YOU ARE.

by Matt Y. on Aug 10, 2009 9:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Actually, Masterson is probably a better candidate than Laffey, given the latter’s injury history.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Aug 10, 2009 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What exactly is Laffey’s injury history? He was on the DL in 2008 and 2009 for separate injuries, right? One involving an oblique? He seemed to be healthy in the minors, averaging about 100 innings a season. I don’t think of him as a potential unraveler (as I would Reyes or Jaret Wright). Hasn’t he just had two injuries, neither of which are chronic or enduring?

by odradek on Aug 11, 2009 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, but he’s also a pitcher.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Aug 11, 2009 12:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, but so is C.C. I just looked up his other injury: elbow, which is not good for a pitcher.

by odradek on Aug 11, 2009 12:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

hmm. i hadn’t thought much about masterson. mainly cuz i guess i don’t even know what his longterm role will be. “major league pitcher” though is pretty reasonable to assume.

by Brick. on Aug 11, 2009 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Criminals? Don’t you think it’s a little early to lock up Chisenhall?

by still ill on Aug 11, 2009 1:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ouch.

by cleveland teamer on Aug 11, 2009 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Droobs. Can’t say him and Choo without knowing of Choo’s exact citizenship future.

This is Victor's home. Victor Jose, you too.

by westbrook on Aug 10, 2009 10:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Am I the only one that thinks there is zero chance Choo leaves for the military? I guess it’s just a feeling.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Aug 11, 2009 5:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No I’m with you.

Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?

by ClemsonGirl on Aug 11, 2009 8:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m with you as well.

by JP_Frost on Aug 11, 2009 8:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not just a feeling, there’s logic behind it, and reading between the lines.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Aug 11, 2009 8:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So while there may be some concerns for offering Choo a multi-year deal, I don’t see this playing into it.

Maybe that’s what he’s waiting for before he changes citizenship.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Aug 11, 2009 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, maybe there is only a .001% chance he goes to the military, but a multi-year deal just won’t/can’t happen until that is official?

by Ryan Kelsey on Aug 11, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why wouldn’t there just be an out clause?

Stuart Dean

by stuart dean on Aug 11, 2009 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

right

by scripteye on Aug 11, 2009 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

good solution.

by Ryan Kelsey on Aug 11, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, but me feeling there is a zero chance of him leaving does not make it reality.

This is Victor's home. Victor Jose, you too.

by westbrook on Aug 11, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You left my choice out of the poll: Nobody.

Let’s drop the payroll down to <$30M TB style and rebuilt this mess from the ground up.

Resident LGT results-oriented boob.

by mauichuck on Aug 11, 2009 1:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You’d unload Cabrera, Choo and Valbuena in the name of rebuilding? Is that even possible?

by fwembt on Aug 11, 2009 1:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

fwembt, try to follow along. No, I wouldn’t “unload” any of those guys. I’d keep payin’ ‘em their pre-arb money then I might offer ’em $3-4M a year for a year before their walk year and maybe 2 more years – say $10M total. They’d be nuts to take it, but that would be the offer.

But come their FA, assuming there’s no team friendly deal, it’s AMF. Good luck with your new team.

Resident LGT results-oriented boob.

by mauichuck on Aug 11, 2009 3:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bavasi? Is that you?

Here Lies the Victor Martinez Era:
Sept. 10, 2002 - July 31, 2009

by USSChoo on Aug 11, 2009 5:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You just described a lock-up deal. Congrats, you want to do the same thing as everyone else, only you also want to issue a press release five years in advance saying that all these guys are leaving.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Aug 11, 2009 8:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Glad I’m not the only one who failed to see the point of that.

by fwembt on Aug 11, 2009 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

haha, yep.

by Brick. on Aug 11, 2009 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t see the need to sign these guys before they reach their arbitration years.
You’ll be paying extra money up front in 2010 for questionable benefits 4 years down the road.

Money will be tight in 2010. If they have any extra money, they can save it for mid-year pickups in case they get off to a good start under a new manager. Not likely this year, but if baseball economics drop enough, the free agent agent market may soften enough to work in the Indians favor. If baseball has another down year in 2010, the Indians may
be in even better position after next year.

by palcal on Aug 11, 2009 2:13 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

palcal, if you look at the lockup deals we have done, you’ll see that the salaries are phased in, going up a little bit each year. Assuming we followed the past pattern, the extra expense in 2010 alone would be negligible.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Aug 11, 2009 8:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs