The Cleveland Indians announced that they have signed All-Star 2nd Baseman Jason Kipnis to a 6-year $52.5 million contract extension. While on the surface it looks like a good deal for the Indians, Jacob had some questions about it, which led to the inevitable WFNY Roundtable. Enjoy!
Y’all said everything that needed to be said, so let’s just take a look at our position players and how long they are locked up including the team option year:
So, 7 of the 9 slots are locked in for the forseeable future. For a small budget club that is a thing of beauty. All we have to do now is focus on finding pitching every year.
– agree with Scott’s “this is what players cost.” Begs the question “why Kip, and why not Masty at fewer years.” Which maybe begs the answer: Competent scouting and development has created a line behind Masty of other potential front of rotation pitchers. There’s no such line behind any position player other than shortstop.
– With Francona and much of a decent core locked up, might it start being easier to attract better FAs? Obviously not the bank-breakers, but maybe something other than fourth outfielders and recently operated upon pitchers, guys with a little something in the tank that want a shot at the playoffs?
– If Brantley and Gomes keep raking, might they start feeling hosed when the ink on their contracts are barely dry? Nah, doubt it with this team. It’s good that Lindor will be able to play with Kipnis, Gomes and Brantley and imagine himself signing very long term. There’s been no role models for tribe longevity since Hafner.
– agree with Scott’s “this is what players cost.” Begs the question “why Kip, and why not Masty at fewer years.” Which maybe begs the answer: Competent scouting and development has created a line behind Masty of other potential front of rotation pitchers. There’s no such line behind any position player other than shortstop.
– With Francona and much of a decent core locked up, might it start being easier to attract better FAs? Obviously not the bank-breakers, but maybe something other than fourth outfielders and recently operated upon pitchers, guys with a little something in the tank that want a shot at the playoffs?
– If Brantley and Gomes keep raking, might they start feeling hosed when the ink on their contracts are barely dry? Nah, doubt it with this team. It’s good that Lindor will be able to play with Kipnis, Gomes and Brantley and imagine himself signing very long term. There’s been no role models for tribe longevity since Hafner.
Awesome. There is something to be said for consistency and job security. I’m psyched. If some of these young pitchers finally blossom, the contention window should be wide open.
Awesome. There is something to be said for consistency and job security. I’m psyched. If some of these young pitchers finally blossom, the contention window should be wide open.
With $20ish million coming off the books for Cabrera & Masterson (unless they do get something done soon) – I think the Tribe is primed to make a run at some pitching this offseason. It may be why they are reluctant to part with those dollars for Masterson as they may see some better bets to place their money next year.
I’m thrilled about the moves the Tribe’s made, too. Seeing the presser today with Kipnis, Gomes, and Brantley sitting up there makes me feel pretty dang good about the future of the club (even though I’d feel better if Masterson was up there with them).
One thing to keep in mind about whether this deal seems too big is that baseball salaries are just going to keep going up, up, up. So even though the final years of the deal might be a bit high as of today, by the time we actually get to those years, this may look like a great deal for the Indians. In other words, by 2020, Kip might be both the best 2B in baseball AND severely underpaid. Of course, it’s all contingent upon his continued development, but I’ve seen nothing out of him that makes me think he’s either 1) a flash in the pan or 2) a guy who’s going to fall apart like Grady did.
Robinson Cano signed a 10yr $240mil contract that takes him until he is 41yo. That averages out to $24mil/year and there is no way that a 41yo Cano is worth that money.
But, just taking that on the surface, the average per year is less than the most Kipnis gets in this deal ($15mil). I understand that it isn’t a 1:1 comparison due to the arbitration years, but we are buying out that FA year at an extreme discount due to the guaranteed money that we are offering. This contract seems like a good bet and well worth the risk.
12 Comments
Amen Scott 110% agree!
Y’all said everything that needed to be said, so let’s just take a look at our position players and how long they are locked up including the team option year:
1B: Swisher – through 2017 season
2B: Kipnis – 2020
SS: Lindor – 2021? (that’s right)
3B: Santana – 2017
C: Gomes – 2019
LF: Brantley – 2017
CF: Bourn – 2017
RF: ?rotating platoon guys forever?
DH: ?Lonnie – 2017?
So, 7 of the 9 slots are locked in for the forseeable future. For a small budget club that is a thing of beauty. All we have to do now is focus on finding pitching every year.
– agree with Scott’s “this is what players cost.” Begs the question “why Kip, and why not Masty at fewer years.” Which maybe begs the answer: Competent scouting and development has created a line behind Masty of other potential front of rotation pitchers. There’s no such line behind any position player other than shortstop.
– With Francona and much of a decent core locked up, might it start being easier to attract better FAs? Obviously not the bank-breakers, but maybe something other than fourth outfielders and recently operated upon pitchers, guys with a little something in the tank that want a shot at the playoffs?
– If Brantley and Gomes keep raking, might they start feeling hosed when the ink on their contracts are barely dry? Nah, doubt it with this team. It’s good that Lindor will be able to play with Kipnis, Gomes and Brantley and imagine himself signing very long term. There’s been no role models for tribe longevity since Hafner.
– agree with Scott’s “this is what players cost.” Begs the question “why Kip, and why not Masty at fewer years.” Which maybe begs the answer: Competent scouting and development has created a line behind Masty of other potential front of rotation pitchers. There’s no such line behind any position player other than shortstop.
– With Francona and much of a decent core locked up, might it start being easier to attract better FAs? Obviously not the bank-breakers, but maybe something other than fourth outfielders and recently operated upon pitchers, guys with a little something in the tank that want a shot at the playoffs?
– If Brantley and Gomes keep raking, might they start feeling hosed when the ink on their contracts are barely dry? Nah, doubt it with this team. It’s good that Lindor will be able to play with Kipnis, Gomes and Brantley and imagine himself signing very long term. There’s been no role models for tribe longevity since Hafner.
Awesome. There is something to be said for consistency and job security. I’m psyched. If some of these young pitchers finally blossom, the contention window should be wide open.
Awesome. There is something to be said for consistency and job security. I’m psyched. If some of these young pitchers finally blossom, the contention window should be wide open.
With $20ish million coming off the books for Cabrera & Masterson (unless they do get something done soon) – I think the Tribe is primed to make a run at some pitching this offseason. It may be why they are reluctant to part with those dollars for Masterson as they may see some better bets to place their money next year.
I’m thrilled about the moves the Tribe’s made, too. Seeing the presser today with Kipnis, Gomes, and Brantley sitting up there makes me feel pretty dang good about the future of the club (even though I’d feel better if Masterson was up there with them).
One thing to keep in mind about whether this deal seems too big is that baseball salaries are just going to keep going up, up, up. So even though the final years of the deal might be a bit high as of today, by the time we actually get to those years, this may look like a great deal for the Indians. In other words, by 2020, Kip might be both the best 2B in baseball AND severely underpaid. Of course, it’s all contingent upon his continued development, but I’ve seen nothing out of him that makes me think he’s either 1) a flash in the pan or 2) a guy who’s going to fall apart like Grady did.
Robinson Cano signed a 10yr $240mil contract that takes him until he is 41yo. That averages out to $24mil/year and there is no way that a 41yo Cano is worth that money.
But, just taking that on the surface, the average per year is less than the most Kipnis gets in this deal ($15mil). I understand that it isn’t a 1:1 comparison due to the arbitration years, but we are buying out that FA year at an extreme discount due to the guaranteed money that we are offering. This contract seems like a good bet and well worth the risk.
yes.
Most of it will get eaten up by raises to current players. I’d guess $15-18M
They still need a legitimate power hitter too.