Michael Brantley’s target return date is Opening Day
February 22, 2016NFL Rumors: Alex Mack expected to opt out; could re-sign with Browns
February 22, 2016While Juan Uribe, Rajai Davis and Mike Napoli are upgrades at positions of need, Fangraphs believes that the Cleveland Indians squandered a massive opportunity to capitalize on their strengths in pitching at defense. In their recent piece which graded the offseasons (thus far) of every MLB team, the Tribe comes in toward the bottom at No. 22 with a grade of C—assuming they sign Austin Jackson.
Here’s why:
On the one hand, I think I’m giving mental credit to the organization for something they haven’t done yet, which feels unfair and potentially like a sign of bias. But as we saw last week with the Juan Uribe signing, it seems like the Indians are still bargain shopping, and Austin Jackson is such an obvious fit for them that I’ll be pretty surprised if they don’t end up signing him in the next few weeks. If they don’t sign Jackson, then I’d probably push them down a few spots and say similar things to what I said about the Astros; this is a contender who might not have done enough to take advantage of their opportunity.
The pitching is very good, but Mike Napoli and Juan Uribe aren’t exactly the cavalry, and with Michael Brantley‘s health in question, I think a greater focus on adding to the outfield is in order. But if they land Jackson, they’ll have brought in a couple of solid regulars to help keep the team in contention, and that may be enough to justify the C grade. But they really need to sign Austin Jackson. Like tomorrow.
In a recent piece which outlined the best moves of the offseason, other AL Central foes were praised for retaining stars (Kansas City) and finding an everyday third baseman (Chicago). The White Sox were given the fourth-best offseason of the winter with the Justin Upton-acquiring Tigers (10), Royals (16) and Twins (20) filing behind. The Tribe, based on what was said above, could actually end up sliding back a few pegs in the event they do not sign Jackson, who was linked to the team as recent as this past weekend.
While the Tribe is pegged to be among the AL’s best this season, the gap may not be as close as many would have hoped. Among other projected playoffs teams, the Mets (No. 3) were given Kudos for re-signing right-handed slugger Yoenis Cespedes; the young Cubs (No. 1) were doubly praised for signing Ben Zobrist and Jason Heyward. Regardless of where they finish, being called a “contender who might not have done enough to take advantage of their opportunity” would be the most apt way to describe what the Indians have—or haven’t done—over the last few months of fine-tuning.
11 Comments
Did he mean “Like Yesterday” when he said “Like Tomorrow”?
I give them a B for boring. I would also like them to sign Jackson. He’s been a decent bit player for a while.
“we will spend when the time is right” – Paul Dolan December 2010.
apparently having argurbly the best starting pitching in baseball doesnt warrant spending on quality free agents. forced to a year of more re-treads and catching lightning in a bottle at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario.
How much should they be spending on payroll?
Antonetti says the same thing every year, that somehow these average players are going to have a sudden revelation and hit 30 homers and have a .310 batting average. Things don’t change unless you make things happen.We need Kansas City’s GM. He isn’t afraid to make changes and go get talent. Oh they are a small market team also.
They should be spending about $30 million more, which would have upgraded the roster SIGNIFICANTLY.
https://waitingfornextyear.com/2016/02/should-the-indians-spend-more-money-on-payroll/
Theres just too many assumptions made there for me to say for sure. The Indians (again supposedly) lost $16M in 2009 and had a few other years in the red. If so, that $80M baseline that was started from isn’t useful.
And of course, part of the time being right is the contract being right, as we’ve discussed. I wish it was as easy as looking back with 20-20 hindsight on the contracts signed, but it just doesnt work like that.
I’m not really trying to argue how much they should spend. I’m just not sure why the reaction to the team being the favorite to win the division is such negativity, pessimism, potshots, and hyperbole. The people who get paid to know these things say that the Indians have assembled the best team in the division on paper for $80M, and the first reaction is to whine they didnt spend $90M.
Yeah, there should not be negativity with a team capable of winning the division. But i think what people are angry about is that they are favorites here, and they haven’t gone all-in.
Now, maybe they’re waiting until July/August to do so, in which case we’ll all be forgiving them. But fans want to see a team capitalize on success, and the Tribe isn’t putting their money where there mouths are.
Even if the top free agents would not have signed here, there really isn’t an excuse for not trying. Or even just getting your PR person to pretend to the press like you are. Do you think Justin Upton would turn down more $$ from Cleveland instead of Detroit (note: I wouldn’t want him for 6/$135+)? It’s not like we are talking about Miami, LA or New York. At least the Indians could have said they offered 5 and $100million.
Because they are boring and don’t try.
hi SCOTT … looking at it now , wouldn’t trading one of your stud starting pitchers for todd frazier , or another A-type guy made more sense ? sure uribe , davis & napoli won’t cost an arm & a leg & may be able to help & add some veteran presence , but i’m not so sure how much. unless i’m mistaken , uribe is not the greatest fielder & i see a lot of whiffing from napoli.
then again , the brass will look like geniuses if the indians make the playoffs. they have the pitching to do it … not so sure about the offense.
Ajax can still play gold-glove caliber defense for you & still swipe a few bags.
GO TIGERS !!!
“Do you think Justin Upton would turn down more $$ from Cleveland instead of Detroit”
Yes. Upton has had a no-trade clause that specifically includes Cleveland since his time in Arizona. He’s never been interested in playing here.
“But i think what people are angry about is that they are favorites here, and they haven’t gone all-in.”
This is what I’m getting at, they’re the favorites, and people are seeking reasons to be angry. In just this thread, we have someone doubling down on the idea that a team starring Francisco Lindor is boring.
Maybe they should spend $100M, make it $200M. Why are we more concerned with Dolan’s wallet than the talent on the field, which by all accounts except the locals who want to complain about something, is pretty darn good?