MLB Hot Stove

[homerawayfromhome]

Joe Saunders is getting $ 7 MM from the Mariners on the one year deal (includes incentives)..

I'm surprised that Baltimore didn't sign him for that, or even a team like the Angels, who never really expressed interest. I think Saundes is from Maryland, so it would seem he'd try to get something done there, but I guess Baltimore wasn't in the mix apparently or he simply chose more money in Seattle.

[GoTribe028]

Joe Saunders is getting $ 7 MM from the Mariners on the one year deal (includes incentives)..

I'm surprised that Baltimore didn't sign him for that, or even a team like the Angels, who never really expressed interest. I think Saundes is from Maryland, so it would seem he'd try to get something done there, but I guess Baltimore wasn't in the mix apparently or he simply chose more money in Seattle.

Angels acquired Jason Vargas so I don't know why they'd want to bother with Saunders. Plus it's curious if Saunders is even worth 7 million. He probably did try to get something done with Baltimore, but it's likely they didn't want to invest that much in him.

[homerawayfromhome]

Joe Saunders is getting $ 7 MM from the Mariners on the one year deal (includes incentives)..

I'm surprised that Baltimore didn't sign him for that, or even a team like the Angels, who never really expressed interest. I think Saundes is from Maryland, so it would seem he'd try to get something done there, but I guess Baltimore wasn't in the mix apparently or he simply chose more money in Seattle.

Angels acquired Jason Vargas so I don't know why they'd want to bother with Saunders. Plus it's curious if Saunders is even worth 7 million. He probably did try to get something done with Baltimore, but it's likely they didn't want to invest that much in him.

The Angels added several arms to upgrade their rotation. Joe Saunders has pitched for the Angels in the past, as for not getting a deal done with Baltimore seemed at one point he would stay there on a 2 yr deal at least, obviously, that never materialized for him. I think Saunders made $6 M last yr so $7M isn't a huge raise for him, but Id agree it is a solid figure for him, and seemingly a minimal overpay by the M's.

[GoTribe028]

@mlbtraderumors: Giambi, Indians Nearing Minor League Deal http://t.co/fCpK0IAa #mlb

Legit "lol"

[GeronimoSon]

@mlbtraderumors: Giambi, Indians Nearing Minor League Deal http://t.co/fCpK0IAa #mlb

Legit "lol"

Giambi = another one of those training camp invite/make good, low risk / reasonable reward type deals.. Nothing to get uber excited about, save for the "Lightning in a bottle" potential...

In another note at the same site, the Indians resident idiot, Paul Hoynes gooooooeeeeesssssssss waaaaaaaaaaayyyy out on a limb and says the Indians might still maybe perhaps but probably won't sign either or Michael Bourn or Kyle Lohse.. WOW!!. another scoop by Hoynes.. never underestimate him and his tremendous insight ! (FACEPALM)

[GoTribe028]

@JonHeymanCBS: Dice-K agrees to #indians deal

Hehehehe....I will say this will be a fun spring training that's for damn sure

[homerawayfromhome]

@JonHeymanCBS: Dice-K agrees to #indians deal

Hehehehe....I will say this will be a fun spring training that's for damn sure

Completely agree, nice low risk / low reward move. If he's healthy he helps out...maybe. The Tribe will have a ton of chips to deal with that's for certain. Should be some roster shuffling as ST nears an end to accommodate some of these moves. Got say I love the aggressive approach, even on these minor league moves.

[GeronimoSon]

@mlbtraderumors: Giambi, Indians Nearing Minor League Deal http://t.co/fCpK0IAa #mlb

Legit "lol"

Giambi = another one of those training camp invite/make good, low risk / reasonable reward type deals.. Nothing to get uber excited about, save for the "Lightning in a bottle" potential...

In another note at the same site, the Indians resident idiot, Paul Hoynes gooooooeeeeesssssssss waaaaaaaaaaayyyy out on a limb and says the Indians might still maybe perhaps but probably won't sign either or Michael Bourn or Kyle Lohse.. WOW!!. another scoop by Hoynes.. never underestimate him and his tremendous insight ! (FACEPALM)

FWIW... neither the Dice-K signing or the Jason Giambi signing were presented by Paul Hoynes. Hoynes did follow up with Troy Renck's story about Giambi. Renck primarily writes about the Colorado Rockies.. Giambi played for the Rockies.. Renck/Giambi's agent/the Rockies organization were no doubt tapped as sources for the story.. This flies in direct opposition of Paul Hoynes' examples of his insider knowledge... rme...

[danh8]

Buster Olney mentioned today on ESPN that he expects the Indians to make a final decision on which direction they are going to go with their remaining money and make an offer to either Bourne or Lohse.

[homerawayfromhome]

Buster Olney mentioned today on ESPN that he expects the Indians to make a final decision on which direction they are going to go with their remaining money and make an offer to either Bourne or Lohse.

If the Tribe did pull one of Bourn / Lohse out, it would be a major coup for the FO. I've largely been a proponent for such a move, but to be honest I'm skeptical it takes place...Then again, maybe Francona has talked Dolan into it, I think with either piece they could make a stiff run for the AL Central. IF they did, they'd certainly be looking at a further boost in ticket sales, IMHO.

[GoTribe028]

@JonHeymanCBS: Michael bourn agrees to #indians deal

BOOM!!

@JonHeymanCBS

Bourn gets $48M for 4 yrs plus vesting option that could make it $60M for 5. #tribe

[GeronimoSon]

@JonHeymanCBS: Michael bourn agrees to #indians deal

BOOM!!

@JonHeymanCBS

Bourn gets $48M for 4 yrs plus vesting option that could make it $60M for 5. #tribe

You have to think someone wants this team to succeed just a wee bit more than his old man.. I could be wrong, there's a first for everything... Four years and an option year, pretty much what the Braves wanted to offer him from the outset....

Oh..forgot..Okay, who wants to set the over under on "i told you so's" for Homer at higher than 9?..

Good call Homer..

[GhostofTedCox]

This changes everything.

Who would have thought Nick Swisher would loose his job in RF so fast?

[GoTribe028]

Wouldn't Stubbs just become a 4th OF? He still sucks against righties...you can DH anyone for "days off" basically.

[A.Zajac]

I had to make sure I wasn't drunk when I read this on Twitter. Wow! What a freaking off-season. NEVER saw this coming.

[A.Zajac]

Pretty good deal too, no complaints.

[A.Zajac]

Could Brantley or Stubbs be trade bait?

[GeronimoSon]

Could Brantley or Stubbs be trade bait?

Just a guess.. but if anyone is going to be trade bait, it might be Bourn.. around the trading deadline, if at all...

[A.Zajac]

Could Brantley or Stubbs be trade bait?

Just a guess.. but if anyone is going to be trade bait, it might be Bourn.. around the trading deadline, if at all...

Meh, don't see that.

So.. let the lineup guesses continue now. Safe to assume Bourn takes over leadoff duties.

[GhostofTedCox]

Wouldn't Stubbs just become a 4th OF? He still sucks against righties...you can DH anyone for "days off" basically.

For me, I put Blantley, Stubbs, and Bourn in the OF, with Swisher moving to 1B. That's far and away the best defense. Reynolds was marginal at 1b defensively.

Bourn becomes like Sizemore reincarnated.

The only trade I could see would be moving a RP. But not Perez anymore.

Can't believe I'm saying this; LOOKS LIKE WERE IN IT - TO WIN IT.

[homerawayfromhome]

No I told you so here, lets just say I had a hunch something was going on...Wow! I'm shocked, surprised and glad to call Michael Bourn a Cleveland Indian. Huge! For the FO. I've been critical at times but big time job by CA and company, good job.

[GeronimoSon]

Wouldn't Stubbs just become a 4th OF? He still sucks against righties...you can DH anyone for "days off" basically.

For me, I put Blantley, Stubbs, and Bourn in the OF, with Swisher moving to 1B. That's far and away the best defense. Reynolds was marginal at 1b defensively.

Bourn becomes like Sizemore reincarnated.

The only trade I could see would be moving a RP. But not Perez anymore.

Can't believe I'm saying this; LOOKS LIKE WERE IN IT - TO WIN IT.

Brantley Stubbs and Bourn in the outfield makes this one of the best defensive OF's in MLB..This just plays well into Tito's lineup flexibility.. Brantley & Stubbs might actually make for a very good platoon & give the Indians both a strong offensive bat against RHP's w/ Brantley and his wRC+ pver 100 and Stubbs wRC+ over 120 versus LHP's... That's pretty much an elite offensive corner OF'er, offensively if that's the way Tito goes.. Gotta love the convolutions that can come from this addition...

[MadThinker88]

According to MLB trade rumors, Tribe forfeits the competing balance pick in signing Bourn not the 3rd round pick.....

I was surprised by that one......

[homerawayfromhome]

What I love about this is the fact the Tribe are essentially losing their third round pk, which hurts but is offset with the competitive balance lottery selection the Tribe gained / now lost. The equivalent of signing both Swisher and Bourn and losing only one draft choice.

The thing that really made me think the Tribe would consider adding another piece was the fact that they were willing to sign both Jackson and Swisher. I felt that if they could land another piece at a similar price to what they would have signed Jackson for they would do it, for the right piece.

It looks like some other clubs were willing to gamble a bit here too, especially with the Mets seemingly setting the mkt for Bourn in recent wks. Timing, was the key here I think and won't be shocked to see someone swoop in on Lohse soon and rescue him from this rough offseason.

[homerawayfromhome]

According to MLB trade rumors, Tribe forfeits the competing balance pick in signing Bourn not the 3rd round pick.....

I was surprised by that one......

I saw that somewhere else, I think maybe Hoynes a few days ago.

Btw, speaking Hoynes looks like seemed to have alluded to this move yesterday... Give credit where it's due here.

[A.Zajac]

The Tribe has completely answered their questions on offense... pitching. Now that's a different story.

But man.. this is what it feels like to have a team active and spending money. I like.

[GoTribe028]

I'm just stunned. In a good way. I was perfectly fine running an OF of Brantley, Stubbs, and Swisher. It was already enough of a potential improvement for my $ when considering all the other moves this team made.

Now with Bourn added in the Indians have (potentially) at least 3 full seasons of control over all 4 outfielders.

Just think how last year we were hoping Sizemore could somehow return to be half the former player he was, and hope that guys like Duncan and Damon could just not be a black hole.

Bloody hell what a change this offseason!

[A.Zajac]

CF Bourn
2B Kipnis
SS Cabrera
C Santana
RF Swisher
1B Reynolds
LF Brantley
3B Chisenhall
DH Stubbs/Aviles

[GoTribe028]

CF Bourn
2B Kipnis
SS Cabrera
C Santana
RF Swisher
1B Reynolds
LF Brantley
3B Chisenhall
DH Stubbs/Aviles

I like it. A lot.

Now get me another starter.

[homerawayfromhome]

Heyman suggesting on twitter Tribe could dangle Stubbs / Brantley to the Mets.

I think it's possible, but I'll defer for now...

Tremendous offseason, I'm shocked, surprised, somebody wake me.

[homerawayfromhome]

CF Bourn
2B Kipnis
SS Cabrera
C Santana
RF Swisher
1B Reynolds
LF Brantley
3B Chisenhall
DH Stubbs/Aviles

I like it. A lot.

Now get me another starter.

Kyle Lohse anyone?

[Rocky55]

I'm giving it all up to Tito. Minus Tito, can't see this shit happening.

Standing Ovation to the FO for the off-season. Best one in forever.

[A.Zajac]

CF Bourn
2B Kipnis
SS Cabrera
C Santana
RF Swisher
1B Reynolds
LF Brantley
3B Chisenhall
DH Stubbs/Aviles

I like it. A lot.

Now get me another starter.

Kyle Lohse anyone?

Yes please. Rotation still a big question mark IMO, but man.. what a nice offense.

[homerawayfromhome]

It looks like the option yr may have been what landed Bourn in Cleveland. Per Joel Sherman of the NY Post, Bourn had the same offer from the Mets, but the Tribe offered the additional option yr. I'd like to think he's always wanted to play for the Indians, but who cares...just glad they've landed him.

[OhioBaseball]

CF Bourn
2B Kipnis
SS Cabrera
C Santana
RF Swisher
1B Reynolds
LF Brantley
3B Chisenhall
DH Stubbs/Aviles

It's a good line-up and the Bourn signing was definitely on the cheap. It's much less than what people were projecting him to get a couple of months ago. I'm still a bit weary of the Indians starting pitching, and if it turns out to show no improvement next year, the Indians could unload Bourn if they chose b/c he's not getting paid that much. I think Carlos Carrasco and Trevor Bauer are the X-factors; if they pitch well in 2013, the Indians could be legitimately good.

On a side note, it seems as though teams passed on Bourn b/c they wanted to keep their 1st round draft pick? I've always been a huge proponent of developing through the draft so I value draft picks, but I really think they've become overvalued this off-season. Teams aren't willing to sign free agents b/c they don't want to give up draft picks? About 30-35% of 1st round picks turn out to be MLB players...that's not good odds. To be honest, most GM's should probably be prioritizing the MLB team in their own self-interests b/c if the MLB team plays poorly (possibly b/c they didn't sign a free agent!) they could be out of a job -- what GM wants to pass on a free agent NOW in favor of a draft pick that could be in the majors in FOUR YEARS, and quite possibly be on a MLB team with someone else as the GM?!? I understand the spending money associated with the 1st pick stuff and all of that, but this isn't the NFL where your 1st round pick turns into your starting right tackle next year. You've got to wait YEARS for this pick to turn into a productive MLB player, and the odds are the pick won't even make the majors (especially if you're outside of the top 10 overall, as is the case with teams that looked at Bourn). Good for the Indians if this draft pick stuff really drove Bourn's price down that much. To me it just seems silly, but it could have been reality. It was a buyer's market in this case.

[BrianM]

I'm giving it all up to Tito. Minus Tito, can't see this shit happening.

Standing Ovation to the FO for the off-season. Best one in forever.

HUGE +1...The biggest move of the offseason was Francona

[A.Zajac]

For any of the older posters on this board... I would love to see what our "good buddy" Dennis Nosco would have to say about this one...

[BrianM]

CF Bourn
2B Kipnis
SS Cabrera
C Santana
RF Swisher
1B Reynolds
LF Brantley
3B Chisenhall
DH Stubbs/Aviles

It's a good line-up and the Bourn signing was definitely on the cheap. It's much less than what people were projecting him to get a couple of months ago. I'm still a bit weary of the Indians starting pitching, and if it turns out to show no improvement next year, the Indians could unload Bourn if they chose b/c he's not getting paid that much. I think Carlos Carrasco and Trevor Bauer are the X-factors; if they pitch well in 2013, the Indians could be legitimately good.

On a side note, it seems as though teams passed on Bourn b/c they wanted to keep their 1st round draft pick? I've always been a huge proponent of developing through the draft so I value draft picks, but I really think they've become overvalued this off-season. Teams aren't willing to sign free agents b/c they don't want to give up draft picks? About 30-35% of 1st round picks turn out to be MLB players...that's not good odds. To be honest, most GM's should probably be prioritizing the MLB team in their own self-interests b/c if the MLB team plays poorly (possibly b/c they didn't sign a free agent!) they could be out of a job -- what GM wants to pass on a free agent NOW in favor of a draft pick that could be in the majors in FOUR YEARS, and quite possibly be on a MLB team with someone else as the GM?!? I understand the spending money associated with the 1st pick stuff and all of that, but this isn't the NFL where your 1st round pick turns into your starting right tackle next year. You've got to wait YEARS for this pick to turn into a productive MLB player, and the odds are the pick won't even make the majors (especially if you're outside of the top 10 overall, as is the case with teams that looked at Bourn). Good for the Indians if this draft pick stuff really drove Bourn's price down that much. To me it just seems silly, but it could have been reality.

Its not the pick, its the money. If you lose the pick, you lose a massive chunk of what you can spend without being penalized. If it were just the pick it would not matter considering teams can just sign guys for way over slot in the next couple rounds, just like it had used to be.

And about the pitching....We now have guys that could very well be traded anytime before the deadline to help us net some rotation help if we need it. Basically everyone except Kip, Santana, Chiz, and Swisher I would think.

[BrianM]

For any of the older posters on this board... I would love to see what our "good buddy" Dennis Nosco would have to say about this one...

Ha...I wasnt on this board when Nosco was around, but he was also over on the scout.com board. He was, well, an interesting guy.

[OhioBaseball]

CF Bourn
2B Kipnis
SS Cabrera
C Santana
RF Swisher
1B Reynolds
LF Brantley
3B Chisenhall
DH Stubbs/Aviles

It's a good line-up and the Bourn signing was definitely on the cheap. It's much less than what people were projecting him to get a couple of months ago. I'm still a bit weary of the Indians starting pitching, and if it turns out to show no improvement next year, the Indians could unload Bourn if they chose b/c he's not getting paid that much. I think Carlos Carrasco and Trevor Bauer are the X-factors; if they pitch well in 2013, the Indians could be legitimately good.

On a side note, it seems as though teams passed on Bourn b/c they wanted to keep their 1st round draft pick? I've always been a huge proponent of developing through the draft so I value draft picks, but I really think they've become overvalued this off-season. Teams aren't willing to sign free agents b/c they don't want to give up draft picks? About 30-35% of 1st round picks turn out to be MLB players...that's not good odds. To be honest, most GM's should probably be prioritizing the MLB team in their own self-interests b/c if the MLB team plays poorly (possibly b/c they didn't sign a free agent!) they could be out of a job -- what GM wants to pass on a free agent NOW in favor of a draft pick that could be in the majors in FOUR YEARS, and quite possibly be on a MLB team with someone else as the GM?!? I understand the spending money associated with the 1st pick stuff and all of that, but this isn't the NFL where your 1st round pick turns into your starting right tackle next year. You've got to wait YEARS for this pick to turn into a productive MLB player, and the odds are the pick won't even make the majors (especially if you're outside of the top 10 overall, as is the case with teams that looked at Bourn). Good for the Indians if this draft pick stuff really drove Bourn's price down that much. To me it just seems silly, but it could have been reality.

Its not the pick, its the money. If you lose the pick, you lose a massive chunk of what you can spend without being penalized. If it were just the pick it would not matter considering teams can just sign guys for way over slot in the next couple rounds, just like it had used to be.

Reading comprehension fail? I acknowledged the money. Regardless, my point is the same. It's not whether you spend x-amount of dollars on one guy or someone else, there's less than a 40% chance the guy even makes the majors and you're waiting almost half a decade until the guy turns into a productive MLB player.

[homerawayfromhome]

Agreed, it's crazy to think the draft pk / money held teams back on some of these guys. It does show an overly high view of draft pks / pool money associated with the guys. I think it's also combined with the fact that these last few guys aren't the superstars of the game. Very good, AllStar qlty but not superstars some teams look for and a few questions here and there, but kind of shocking at the same time that a team like TX didn't step up or even one of the other big spenders. Frankly, I'm glad they didn't.

[homerawayfromhome]

Any body care to chime in on who goes to make room for Bourn on the 40 man roster. I think we will see that move forthcoming sometime this week.

[A.Zajac]

Any body care to chime in on who goes to make room for Bourn on the 40 man roster. I think we will see that move forthcoming sometime this week.

My gut tells me McDade.

[BrianM]

CF Bourn
2B Kipnis
SS Cabrera
C Santana
RF Swisher
1B Reynolds
LF Brantley
3B Chisenhall
DH Stubbs/Aviles

It's a good line-up and the Bourn signing was definitely on the cheap. It's much less than what people were projecting him to get a couple of months ago. I'm still a bit weary of the Indians starting pitching, and if it turns out to show no improvement next year, the Indians could unload Bourn if they chose b/c he's not getting paid that much. I think Carlos Carrasco and Trevor Bauer are the X-factors; if they pitch well in 2013, the Indians could be legitimately good.

On a side note, it seems as though teams passed on Bourn b/c they wanted to keep their 1st round draft pick? I've always been a huge proponent of developing through the draft so I value draft picks, but I really think they've become overvalued this off-season. Teams aren't willing to sign free agents b/c they don't want to give up draft picks? About 30-35% of 1st round picks turn out to be MLB players...that's not good odds. To be honest, most GM's should probably be prioritizing the MLB team in their own self-interests b/c if the MLB team plays poorly (possibly b/c they didn't sign a free agent!) they could be out of a job -- what GM wants to pass on a free agent NOW in favor of a draft pick that could be in the majors in FOUR YEARS, and quite possibly be on a MLB team with someone else as the GM?!? I understand the spending money associated with the 1st pick stuff and all of that, but this isn't the NFL where your 1st round pick turns into your starting right tackle next year. You've got to wait YEARS for this pick to turn into a productive MLB player, and the odds are the pick won't even make the majors (especially if you're outside of the top 10 overall, as is the case with teams that looked at Bourn). Good for the Indians if this draft pick stuff really drove Bourn's price down that much. To me it just seems silly, but it could have been reality.

Its not the pick, its the money. If you lose the pick, you lose a massive chunk of what you can spend without being penalized. If it were just the pick it would not matter considering teams can just sign guys for way over slot in the next couple rounds, just like it had used to be.

Reading comprehension fail? I acknowledged the money. Regardless, my point is the same. It's not whether you spend x-amount of dollars on one guy or someone else, there's less than a 40% chance the guy even makes the majors and you're waiting almost half a decade until the guy turns into a productive MLB player.

I was excited...I did miss your mention of the money, but dont undervalue that. When it makes up such a large portion of the cap, it could have a major effect on your entire draft. I think we can all agree that we would be much less excited and optimistic about our own draft if we had lost our first round pick. It doesnt quite make as much sense for the Mets though, considering there market and the fact that they dont need to completely rely on the draft or trades to rebuild.

[GoTribe028]

Any body care to chime in on who goes to make room for Bourn on the 40 man roster. I think we will see that move forthcoming sometime this week.

McGuinness IMO. Mike McDade also possible...Maybe Zeke or even Stubbs are being shopped around?

Suppose guys like Huff and Herrmann are also on the bubble.

[GoTribe028]

Any body care to chime in on who goes to make room for Bourn on the 40 man roster. I think we will see that move forthcoming sometime this week.

My gut tells me McDade.

My gut tells me more pizza

[A.Zajac]

Tweeted this a few hours ago, but this is the most excitement and buzz around this team in quite a while.

[homerawayfromhome]

Tweeted this a few hours ago, but this is the most excitement and buzz around this team in quite a while.

Agreed, I think they are contenders for the AL Central now. Makes me wish I lived back home...

[A.Zajac]

Good ole Keith Law never seems to amaze me....

They're not a .500 team as currently constructed, even with improvements on offense and in their outfield defense, even if you assume that one of Carlos Santana, Jason Kipnis, or (least likely) Lonnie Chisenhall takes a step forward. In fact, as good as Bourn is, Brantley actually had the better triple-slash line last year while playing in the better league, although he can't can't touch Bourn on defense or on the bases.

[GoTribe028]

Just a thought....and I DO NOT believe this is what's happening at all....

Could Bourn being signed by the Indians be one of those rumored "sign & trade" deals that was being rumored a month or so ago? Would figure those rumors would be out there by now but we all know how quiet the Indians can be regarding these kinds of things.