Cleveland%20Indians

Currently, Major League Baseball is the only major professional sport without a salary cap. For years this has hurt small market clubs in their pursuit of quality players, and the big market clubs with the luxury of huge revenue streams could simply outspend small market teams. It was the classic example of the haves and have-nots. But new IBI contributor Will Joyce says that while more work needs to be done, that things are slowly changing and the new CBA that was adopted last year may be helping smaller revenue teams.

The playoffs continue in the Venezuelan, Dominican and Puerto Rican Winter Leagues, and a few Indians players have upped their game as they push forward for a chance at a league championship. In particular, Jesus Aguilar launched three home runs this past week, and Asdrubal Cabrera continues to impress at the plate. The IBI's Steve Orbanek recaps all the action and provides all of the winter statistics in this week's edition of the Winter Ball Notebook.

You may have noticed that the 2013 Hall of Fame results were released yesterday. If you realized that, you may have also realized that no players were elected this year, despite the presence of many deserving candidates on the ballot. The outrage has filled the internet over the last 24 hours, with plenty of people getting worked up over the results. Jim Piascik decided to join the fun, arguing that among plenty of unappealing options, voting no one in was the worst possible choice.

The Indians completed a trade today sending right-handed pitcher Jeanmar Gomez to the Pirates in exchange for outfielder Quincy Latimore. Gomez had been designated for assignment last Wednesday to make room on the roster for newly acquired free agent pitcher Brett Myers.

The BWAA announced the 2013 Baseball Hall of Fame class on Wednesday, and for just the eighth time in the history of the voting and first time since 1996 no one was voted into Cooperstown. Former Indians fan favorites Sandy Alomar Jr. and Kenny Lofton were on the ballot for the first time, and the news was fatal for both.

Today the Indians announced that they have officially signed free agent left-handed pitcher Scott Kazmir, right-handed pitcher Jerry Gil, and left-handed pitcher Edward Paredes to minor league contracts with non-roster invitations to Major League camp this spring. Tony quickly reviews each signing...

The Cleveland Indians annual Winter Development Program kicked off today at Progressive Field. Now in its 17th year, the Winter Development Program consists of a two week long program for fourteen players in the Indians minor league system. The program mostly involves players who are expected to make their Major League debut in the upcoming season, who have recently been acquired in a trade, or are a high level prospect nearing a big league opportunity.

Welcome to the newest feature at Indians Baseball Insider, the IBI Power Poll. The Poll will take a look at a relevant topic of the time, an all-time list, or just something that we're talking about here at the IBI home offices. There's nothing like a list to spur a debate, so join us in our lively banter with our weekly polls! Today's poll focuses on the best Indians' second baseman of all time. Join Jim Pete after the jump...to find out the who made the cut...

In one fell swoop this offseason the Indians have completely changed their organizational culture with the hiring of manager Terry Francona and the signing of outfielder Nick Swisher. Both should have a big impact on the team both on and off the field this season and seasons to come, and Tony talks about the culture change they should bring and the foundation the Indians have set in place with them. Tony also talks about the Myers signing and what money may be left to do anything else this offseason, explains the Russ Canzler roster move, looks at the Indians fourth outfielder situation, and more.

When the IBI's Jeff Ellis first heard that the Indians had signed right-hander Brett Myers his initial response was that he should be a guy who eats innings and not do much else. After spending all of last season in the bullpen Jeff and others kind of overlooked him as a starting option for 2013; however, after Jeff did his usual research he found that Myers could be a pitcher that adds great value for the Indians in 2013.

Free agent right-handed pitcher Brett Myers passed his physical this morning and the Indians officially announced his signing today. He has been signed to a one year $7 million deal and has a club option for 2014 that will pay him $8 million if the Indians pick it up after the season. To make room on the 40-man roster the Indians designated Russ Canzler for assignment.

It's been a busy week in the numerous winter leagues as now the Dominican, Puerto Rican and Venezuelan winter leagues have all begun round robin postseason play. A few Indians players are still working hard in the leagues, including Juan Diaz in the DWL and Ezequiel Carrera in the VWL. Plus, on another continent, Andrew Campbell continues to rake in the Australian Baseball League. The IBI's Steve Orbanek touches on this and more in the latest edition of the Winter Ball Notebook.

The IBI's Jeff Ellis missed the Nick Swisher press conference on the radio and TV on Thursday, but he followed it via Twitter and was impressed with the way his words sparked excitement and energy among the fans and media. He talks about how it was nice for once to have a player happy to come to Cleveland rather than cutting bait and leaving town like so many others have before him.

On Thursday the Indians officially announced that they have signed free agent outfielder Nick Swisher to a four year $56 million deal with a vesting club option for 2017. To make room on the roster they designated outfielder Thomas Neal for assignment.

Smoke Signals is back on the cyberwaves tonight for a special half hour edition from 11:00pm – 11:30pm EST. Indians Baseball Insiders Tony Lastoria and Jim Pete will take a look at the Hot Stove League, including the the signings of Nick Swisher and Brett Myers. They'll also look ahead at the rest of the offseason, and the players that could fall into the Indians laps before pitchers and catchers report to Goodyear on February 10th.

With Tuesday's signing of Brett Myers, the Cleveland Indians continued to address the team's needs. The Myers move is just the latest in what has been a very busy offseason for the Tribe. The team's needs have not differed much this offseason when compared to last offseason, yet the Indians have approached the needs in an entirely differently way this year. The IBI's Steve Orbanek chimes in with his thoughts after the jump...