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January 26, 2016Cleveland’s Little Cowboy just got a lot richer. Avoiding arbitration for this year and beyond, Indians starting pitcher Josh Tomlin has agreed to a two-year, $5.5 million deal that could earn the veteran upwards of $11 million over three seasons. The 31-year-old Tomlin agreed to a deal on January 15 ($2.25 million for one season) that avoided salary arbitration; this new deal, according to the Associated Press, adds a $2.5 million salary for 2017 and gives the Indians a $3 million club option for 2018 with a $750,000 buyout.1
Returning late last season from shoulder surgery, Tomlin was masterful at times, going 7-2 with an ERA just over three runs. He began the season on the disabled list, was activated in July, made one start with Triple-A Columbus and was fast-tracked to the big league squad where he provided long relief in the bullpen. When needed to start, Tomlin went 3-1 in five starts in September, pitching two complete games, earning himself a ballad here at WFNY.
According to Indians GM Mike Chernoff, Tomlin will play a “meaningful role” with the team and the plan is for him to anchor the back end of a rotation that features a Cy Young winner (Corey Kluber), two Cy Young-potential starters (Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar), and a high-ceiling starter in Trevor Bauer. Though ffending off injuries for a good chunk of his career, Tomlin’s performance bonuses, according to the report, call for $250,000 each for 20 and 25 starts—and 160 and 180 innings—and $500,000 apiece for 30 starts and 200 innings.
The Indians drafted Tomlin in the 19th round of the 2006 MLB Draft. He is 36-30 with a 4.65 ERA since making his first start for Cleveland in 2010.
- Tomlin can make another $2 million annually in performance bonuses based innings and starts in 2017 and, if the option is exercised, in 2018. [↩]
6 Comments
Always need pitching and he was really doing well. It will be interesting to see if he has a spot and if so where.
But can he hit for power from the right side?
That’s a strong rotation. Can the offense please not waste it?
So much for the “Battle for the No. 5 starter spot” storyline this Spring Training :). A 2-year deal with an option for a third year pretty much makes Tomlin a sure thing for the rotation. If anything, maybe it’s Trevor Bauer who should be worried about Cody Anderson and Mike Clevinger in Goodyear.
In a world where Zack Greinke is making $31 million annually, 2 years and $5.5M for Josh Tomlin looks like a steal. I know he’s had his travails at the major league level in 2012-14, but when he finally came back healthy in the second half of last year, he was pitching out of his mind. It’s almost impossible to see a downside to this deal and should our younger starters really emerge in Columbus, Tomlin will have incredible trade value with that contract.
Agree. We spend that much on maybes. There is not one quality guy that can be had for that price!
All I want from the Little Cowboy is consistency.