May 20, 2013

Why Missing Out on Victorino is a Good Thing

December 5, 2012 by 23 Comments

You should be happy this morning, Indians fans.

In case you missed it, veteran outfielder Shane Victorino chose the Boston Red Sox over the Tribe last night and signed a three-year, $39 million deal with the AL East beast. It had been widely reported that the Indians went to four years and $44 million on the man they call “The Flyin’ Hawaiian.” To me, the offer to Victorino has many layers to break down.

The notoriously cheap poor Dolan Family ownership just threw money at a big free agent. A year after refusing to give a third year for OF Josh Willingham and being burned by it, ownership signed off on a four year deal for Victorino. Like it or not (I didn’t), the front office is showing that they are serious about wanting to build a winner right now. Terry Francona is their trump card, and they are playing it. Tito was said to be putting on the full court recruiting press with Victorino in efforts to get him to Cleveland.  However in the end, the free agent chose a shorter deal at money money per year to play for a perennial contender. I can’t say I blame him.

But trust me when I tell you, this was a major dodged bullet for the Indians. [Read more...]

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MLB News: Victorino signs with Boston Red Sox over Indians

December 4, 2012 by 17 Comments

The Indians were one of at least two teams bidding for the services of outfielder Shane Victorino. The Red Sox have inked the 32 year old to a three-year, $39 million dollar contract.

“The Boston Red Sox reached a three-year, $39 million agreement with free-agent outfielder Shane Victorino on Tuesday, according to a source with direct knowledge of the negotiations.

The deal is pending a physical.

The terms of the agreement are exactly the same as the deal Boston reached with free-agent first baseman/catcher Mike Napoli on Monday.”

According to the Plain Dealer’s Paul Hoynes, the Indians offered Victorino a four year deal worth $44 million.

[Related: Indians prime suitors for Victorino]

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MLB Rumors: Indians “prime suitors” for Shane Victorino

December 4, 2012 by 12 Comments

The Cleveland Indians are reportedly “prime suitors” for veteran outfielder Shane Victorino.

In dire need of adding talent at a position of need, the Indians, per ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, have emerged as the likely landing spot for the long-time Philadelphia Phillies outfielder. Chris Antonetti has long been a fan of Victorino with interest dating back to last season. He’s joined by the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and New York Yankess in terms of interested parties.

Crasnick reports via Twitter that newly hired manager Terry Francona personally called Victorino earlier this offseason.

The 31-year-old outfielder is coming off of a disappointing 2012 season — in comparison to the 2009 and 2011 seasons wherein Victorino garnered MVP consideration — in which he hit .255/.321/.383 with 11 home runs, 55 runs batted in, 39 stolen bases and a career-worst OPS of .704.

Seeing that outfielders BJ Upton and Angel Pagan have signed long-term deals, it is believed that Victorino is seeking a contract in the 3-to-4-year range. It is believed that a deal, regardless of team, could get done before teams leave Nashville’s Winter Meetings.

[Related: Tribe At The Winter Meetings: Will They Add, Or Blow It Up?]

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MLB Rumors: Indians interested in Shane Victorino

November 11, 2012 by 6 Comments

According to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN, the Cleveland Indians are one of several teams interested in outfielder Shane Victorino. The Reds, Rangers and Red Sox are also said to have expressed interest in the veteran free agent.

The 31-year-old outfielder is coming off of a disappointing 2012 season — in comparison to the 2009 and 2011 seasons wherein Victorino garnered MVP consideration — in which he hit .255/.321/.383 with 11 home runs, 55 runs batted in, 39 stolen bases and a career-worst OPS of .704.
The Indians were said to have been interested in the past and continue to have a considerable hole in left field. Victorino has proven to be a plus-defender at all three outfield spots, and has postseason experience, so any team which puts in the winning bid will have to bank on the “Flyin’ Hawaiian” rebounding from an off year the plate.

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