Well, we don’t have much detail on this reported meeting the Indians had about bringing Austin Jackson back, but here’s what we do know:
Useful.
Other tribe happenings:
• Above-average relief pitcher Bryan Shaw signed with the Rockies for a comically large sum of money.
• Tommy Hunter, who did not pitch very well in Cleveland, and didn’t seem to leave on the best of terms, has signed with the Phillies for $18M.
• The Indians signed Alexi Ogando to a MiLB deal
• Legendary LGFT Mickey Callaway talked to reporters about not wanting a set closer but rather wants to “pitch guys when it makes sense, and we're going to pitch guys to our strengths, and they're going to face the batters they should be facing.”
• Logan Morrison could be an option for the Indians if they stupidly let Carlos Santana get away.
Ohtani news and notes
• Shohei Ohtani, baseball’s #1 offseason story, has a damaged elbow ligament. From the sounds of things, it won’t have to worsen very much to require Tommy John surgery. Most teams reportedly knew about the elbow prior to today. Still, though, his contract is a huge bargain based on his enormous potential value. But that didn’t stop the bad “takes” from rolling in.
• The Cincinnati Enquirer obtained the Reds’ Ohtani recruiting materials. Super interesting.
• Ohtani is making things difficult for fantasy sports websites.
Around baseball
• Brian Cashman somehow managed to get a team to take Chase Headley’s full salary off of NY’s books. The victim was the San Diego Padres, Headley’s former team.
Jeff Sullivan sees it as the Padres buying Bryan Mitchell from the Yankees.
• 6-8 teams are showing interest in Marlins slugger Marcell Ozuna. You can bet that the Indians are one of them.
• The Chicago Cubs signed Drew Smyly to an inexpensive 2-year deal. It will be a bargain if he’s healthy.
• The Phillies may look to add Jake Arrieta.
• For some reason, Eric Hosmer is a baseball player that teams are willing to give big bucks to.
• Manny Machado could be a trade chip for the puzzlingly-run Orioles.
• The Rays added another high-HR/high-K batter to their collection of them.
• The Rangers signed Chris Martin. Analysis