SI_JonHeyman Jon Heyman

Hearing tony lacava very likely to get orioles gm job. Dipotos interview in baltimore likely caused quick angels call on dipoto

 

SI_JonHeyman Jon Heyman

in news everyone already basically knows, yankees and cashman have deal. waiting for WS to end to announce.

 

When did Mozeliak take over as GM?

When did Mozeliak take over as GM?

2007 after Jockety was fired.

Thanks. I thought it was more recent.

Thanks. I thought it was more recent.

It was after the 2007 season.

Anyone want to put together a prediction thread for free agents?

Anyone want to put together a prediction thread for free agents?

You just volunteered.

It was after the 2007 season.

 

I thought it was about 2010, honestly.

Anyone want to put together a prediction thread for free agents?

 

Pujols to STL

Fielder to Anaheim. Just guessing

Juan Pierre to the Marlins

How about top 10 batters and top 10 pitchers, and then any randoms anyone wants to throw in, like former Sox players or whatever.

How about top 10 batters and top 10 pitchers, and then any randoms anyone wants to throw in, like former Sox players or whatever.

Sounds good. I'll donate a prize.

Sounds good. I'll donate a prize.

 

Alright, I'll do it.

mlbtraderumors MLB Trade Rumors

Red Sox Pick Up Scutaro's 2012 Option

 

mlbtraderumors MLB Trade Rumors

Giants Exercise Affeldt's 2012 Option

 

mlbtraderumors MLB Trade Rumors

Cardinals To Pick Up Yadier Molina's Option

 

mlbtraderumors MLB Trade Rumors

Giants Re-Sign Javier Lopez

 

 

SI_JonHeyman Jon Heyman

Yankees announce they've exercised options of cano $14M and swisher $10.25M

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...rtnerId=rss_cle

 

Indians likely to decline Sizemore's option

Club is expected to exercise option of right-hander Carmona

By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com | 10/29/11 6:47 PM ET

 

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CLEVELAND -- Grady Sizemore pulled a pitch into right field at Progressive Field, where the ball bounced through the grass for a run-scoring hit. That seventh-inning single on Sept. 22 could go down as the center fielder's final act as a member of the Indians.

 

Barring a restructuring of Sizemore's contract, Cleveland appears on the verge of cutting ties with a player once considered the face of the franchise. It is expected that the Indians will decline the center fielder's club option for next season prior to Monday's deadline for a decision.

 

The Indians have not made anything official, but it is expected that the organization will also exercise Fausto Carmona's $7 million club option for 2012. Indians general manager Chris Antonetti declined comment in an email to MLB.com, except to say that the team would likely not have anything to announce until Monday.

 

Declining Sizemore's $9 million option would allow the center fielder to enter the free-agent market this offseason. With Sizemore's recent history of injury, Cleveland would likely only have interest in re-signing him to a lesser deal that includes a lower base salary with performance-based incentives.

 

Sizemore's contract includes a $500,000 buyout, meaning that the Indians -- after declining Sizemore's club option -- would have $8.5 million to re-allocate to other areas of need on the roster. That money could help pay the pile of raises that will be expected for the team's seven arbitration-eligible players.

 

Cleveland's list of arbitration eligible players includes: outfielder Shin-Soo Choo ($3.975 million salary in 2011); closer Chris Perez ($2.225); shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera ($2.025); relievers Rafael Perez ($1.33) and Joe Smith ($870,000); along with third baseman Jack Hannahan ($500,000) and starter Justin Masterson ($468,400).

 

Left-hander Tony Sipp did not qualify for arbitration via Super Two status.

 

The Indians operated on a payroll of around $49 million in 2011, and Antonetti noted that the budget will see an increase next season. The GM has remained mum about what type of payroll ceiling the Tribe will have for 2012, but declining Sizemore's option helps provide a bit of financial flexibility.

 

The Indians saw an 11-win improvement in 2011 and hope to make a push for the American League Central crown next season. That being the case, the Tribe will be looking to upgrade its roster through trades and free agency this winter.

 

This past season, the 29-year-old Sizemore returned from a 10-month rehab after undergoing microfracture surgery on his left knee, only to suffer a sports hernia and a right knee injury. Both ailments required surgery -- Sizemore's knee was operated on shortly after the season -- but the center field is expected to be ready for Spring Training.

 

Even so, there is no denying Sizemore's problematic health history. Since 2009, he has only appeared in 210 games, or an average of 70 per season. There are 334 players who have played in more games over the same span. From 2005-08, only Ichiro Suzuki (646) played in more games than Sizemore (639) did for the Tribe.

 

Sizemore -- a three-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner -- hit .224 with 10 homers, 21 doubles and 32 RBIs in 71 games for Cleveland this past season. His last full season came in 2008, when he hit .268 with 33 homers, 38 stolen bases, 90 RBIs and 101 runs scored.

 

It is difficult to know if Sizemore can be that type of player again.

 

"It's really hard to speculate on that," Antonetti said at the end of the season. "We even saw that this year when he came back from his microfracture surgery on his left knee. He was able to run and had a bunch of extra-base hits, had home runs, and really was a spark offensively for us when he returned. That's something we know."

 

Carmona, who will turn 28 in December, has remained healthy, but has been a kind of enigma on the mound for the Indians. This past season, the big sinkerballer went 7-15 with a 5.25 ERA, marking the second-highest ERA in a single season for a pitcher with at least 32 starts in Cleveland's 111-year franchise history.

 

One year earlier, Carmona went 13-14 with a 3.77 ERA, turning in a respectable campaign for a 93-loss Indians team. From 2008-09, the right-hander went 13-19 with a 5.89 ERA for the Tribe, but that stretch followed his breakout 19-win showing for the AL Central-champion Tribe club of 2007.

 

If his option were declined, Carmona would still be eligible for arbitration this winter with the Indians.

 

Carmona's durability is what makes his $7 million option seem relatively affordable, considering what similar pitchers can fetch on the open market, or in arbitration. The right-hander also gives the Indians an experienced layer of depth, which is important given that starter Carlos Carrasco will miss all of 2012 with a right elbow injury.

 

As things currently stand, Cleveland's rotation for next season would include Masterson, Josh Tomlin, Ubaldo Jimenez and Carmona. David Huff, Jeanmar Gomez and Zach McAllister are in the running for the fifth spot. The Indians will also be in the market for a starter or two this winter.

@BiertempfelTrib: No surprise, part 2: #Pirates just formally told SP Paul Maholm they will NOT pick up his option for 2012.

mlbtraderumors MLB Trade Rumors

Pirates announced they've declined options on Cedeno, Doumit, Snyder, Maholm.

 

jonmorosi Jon Morosi

#Braves pick up option on Eric Hinske, decline Nate McLouth.

 

mlbtraderumors MLB Trade Rumors

Red Sox Pick Up Scutaro's 2012 Option

 

mlbtraderumors MLB Trade Rumors

Giants Exercise Affeldt's 2012 Option

 

mlbtraderumors MLB Trade Rumors

Cardinals To Pick Up Yadier Molina's Option

 

mlbtraderumors MLB Trade Rumors

Giants Re-Sign Javier Lopez

 

Didn't even know he was still in baseball.

Elias rankings

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/10/offi..._medium=twitter

Elias rankings

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/10/offi..._medium=twitter

At least Frasor's on there as a type b.

 

Juan Pierre is too, anyone want to offer him arbitration?

At least Frasor's on there as a type b.

 

Juan Pierre is too, anyone want to offer him arbitration?

 

Again, if we don't pick up his option, we aren't offering arbitration.