On Scott, Shurmur and Square Pegs
October 31, 2011Breaking News: Derek Lowe To the Indians
October 31, 2011There were reports over the weekend, but this morning the news came down. It’s official folks, Grady Sizemore’s 2012 $9 million option was declined by the Indians, allowing the oft-injured centerfielder to become a free agent.
When he signed his six-year, $23.45 million contract back in 2006, that 2012 option for $9 million seemed like only a formality to pick up. Grady was one of the best young players in the game; a true five-tool player who could do it all. But after his 33 homer, 90 RBI season, Sizemore’s body fell apart.
Over the next three seasons, Grady played in just 210 of 486 games. This was coming off four seasons in which he missed a total of nine games.
Unfortunately for both Sizemore and the Indians, the guy who was such a dominant force on the field, never was able to get over his injuries. His six surgeries, including cuts on both knees, have been well documented. Even during the unexpected 2011 campaign in which the Indians spent most of the time at the top of the AL Central, they couldn’t count on Grady.
With their payroll scheduled to take a jump of around $20 million if they want to keep the same team in tact, the front office just could not afford to take a $9 million chance on a guy who hasn’t shown he can stay healthy for the last three years. Even if Grady is healthy, can he be the player he used to be? The odds are way against it.
It’s very possible that the Tribe will offer Grady an incentive-laden contract to come back, but speculation is already swirling that teams with bigger budgets (i.e. Washington or Texas) will offer more along with a chance at a fresh start.
In addition to the Sizemore news, the Indians also announced that they have picked up the 2012 option for Fausto Carmona, worth $7 million. For all of the Fausto-bashing – and at times rightfully so – that we do, the Indians could not afford to lose him as an innings-eater. Sure, he is not the same guy who won 19 games in 2007 with his unhittable power sinker, but he still has plenty of value.
If the Tribe were to let Carmona walk and then attempt to fill his rotation slot for $7 million, you know what kind of pitcher you’d be buying? Someone like Fausto. So why not stick with a guy you already know. He has been durable over the last two seasons, making 32 and 33 starts the past two years, and as your fourth starter in the American League, that’s all that you can ask for these days.
To me, these decisions were complete no-brainers and the right moves. It is time to move on from the Sizemore era. His best days are behind him and he is not worth $9 million, especially with the Indians financial constraints. Take that $9 million and get yourself a right-handed, outfielder who can be a middle of the order run producer (The Rays BJ Upton could be a target).
With Carlos Carrasco lost thanks to Tommy John surgery and Alex White and Drew Pomeranz no longer in the organization, the Indians don’t have a lot of starting pitching depth. Bringing back Fausto was a must.
18 Comments
Declining the option was the right move, but its still disappointing to see Grady’s tenure in Cleveland end on such a down note.
Now we need to find a center fielder in free agency. Off the top of my head, Cody Ross is available and can play all 3 outfield positions. Likely in our price range. He could be a decent fit with this team.
Odds that the $9M is used to get another quality player? I’ll believe it when I see it.
Pretty much went the only way it could. Buster Olney listed the Rangers, Nats, and Brewers as top three landing sites for Grady.
I have nothing else to say other than I’m glad to have a non-Browns story to comment on.
it’s been real Grady.
Point taken about Grady once being a star outfielder but, um, five tool? I’m pretty sure one of those five tools requires and strong throwing arm. Maybe Charlie Manual can let you borrow his calculator.
An odd name tossed out as a possible Indians pick-up: Matt Murton, a 30-year-old LF/DH who racked in Japanese ball over the last two years and set the record for hits in a single season. Don’t know much about him though. Sure seems like the type of player we’d take a chance on.
“Odds that the $9M is used to get another quality player? I’ll believe it when I see it.”
It’ll likely be used to keep a quality player from heading to arbitration – Masterson, Cabrera, Choo, etc.
Murton had an .809 OPS in his only full big league season. Not sure why he hasnt gotten more opportunities in the Majors.
Another guy I would look at is 1B Bryan LaHair from the Cubs. The guy has destroyed AAA pitching but for whatever reason has gotten limited opportunities in the bigs. If the Cubs re-sign Pena, or bring in Fielder, I would think they might deal LaHair while he still has some value.
Thankfully Brantley can play LF or CF, so we have flexibility as to who replaces Grady. I’d say the focus should be on a big RH bat that can play 1B, LF, or CF, then adjust as necessary.
The outfield is paper thin, Grady’s gone, its highly unlikely that Fukudome would come back. Brantley and Choo are coming off injuries.
I think its imperative that we find some versatility. Some guys who can play multiple positions in the outfield. Once you get past Choo and Brantley, our options are Carrera, Shelley Duncan and Jerad Head.
Murton was a decent player for the Cubs, he’d be a good addition.
And those expecting to see us sign a big-ticket $9MM guy don’t understand the economics of baseball. We’ll need that $9MM for Masterson, Asdrubal, Perez, Choo, and other guys who’ll be reaching arbitration.
Smart move by the Indians, sadly. Maybe they can bring him back as a low risk, high reward type of player that they normally look for.
#SmartLikeOribiasi
Indians just traded for Derek Lowe
@10- The outfielder market is pretty thin too. If you’re looking at CF, Coco Crisp is probably the best. Bargain bin may be the best way for us to go (yet again).
11- The way I’ve seen our hypothetical ’12 payroll break down, we may very well have some money to play with. I don’t personally think the guys deemed “big-ticket” are worth the money.
More RHP! I’m guessing Atlanta is eating the majority of that contract. Not sure what to think on that.
saw that Albert. Apparently Braves are paying 10 of his 15 million contract. All for a low level minor leaguer
Seems like a good trade to me if he can be a somewhat decent pitcher for us.
I’d love to see Grady comeback with a 2 year deal with a club option for a third year. A low base salary and very incentive laden.
While I am happy that the Indians are not going to risk 9 million dollars for a guy who has been anything bet reliable over the past three years suffering more injuries than the Browns backfield part of me is sad to see him go out like this. If this is the end of his road in Cleveland I wish him nothing but the best.
“Mr. Kearns, Mr. Kearns, please pick up the courtesy phone.”