Quote: 3 years isn't a lot of risk in my opinion, especially a guy in his prime at 28. Bailey's deal is bad because of the years. If reports are true, and they offered him a 2 year deal for 25 million, that truly is an all time low for this organization.
That is actually insulting, if true.
If Masterson hits the open market, he'll bring $20 million/year. If the Indians can get him for $15 - $17 million/year, that would be a bargain.
No, he will not for 2 reasons.
(1) Masterson will have the QO tied to his name. That dampens the marketplace.
(2) He is not Price.
Now, I do think that he would do better than Santana/Ubaldo. He would likely command near the Homer deal despite the QO tag.
But, also realize that the 3 year thing is also because that will be when the new CBA will be there and the MLBPA is going to fight to the death to get rid of the QO. At that point, Masterson would be early 30s and up for one last big deal (and not have the QO over his head + have the new TV monies to all teams in full effect). Justin is the team representative to MLBPA. He knows what he is doing here.
I agree with you. I wanted to go to a game and watch him pitch this year. But losses are easy and way cheaper. Think of the money we will save! He will come back to haunt us. The nimrod thought process is something like this: We will win our share without him. Shameful.
"Every responsibility implies opportunity, and every opportunity implies responsibility." Otis Allen Glazebrook, 1880
Quote: Well to get away from the depression that is the Masterson contract ... there's this:
That was great!
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
SAN DIEGO -- The Indians haven’t confirmed it, but they have agreed with catcher Yan Gomes on a six-year extension worth an estimated $23 million with two club options. It’s believed they’ll wait until they return home later this week to announce it.
Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com first reported the news right after the Indians finished their final exhibition game of the season on Saturday against the Padres. Gomes had already signed a one-year deal in early March worth $513,000, just $13,000 above the major league minimum.
This deal, pending a physical,l should be a bit more lucrative.
The Indians open the regular season Monday against the A’s at O.co Coliseum. They open the home season Friday against the Twins at Progressive Field.
Gomes, 26, has only one year and 83 days in the big leagues. A six-year deal means the Indians would be purchasing all four of his arbitration years and one of his free agent years with club options for the next two.
In August, Gomes unseated Carlos Santana as the starting catcher. Not only did he call a good game, but he swung a hot bat, hitting .294 (86-for-293) with 18 doubles, two triples, 11 homers and 38 RBI in 88 games. He posted a .826 OPS -- .481 slugging percentage+ .345 onbase percentage.
The Indians like the way Gomes handles the pitching staff and controls the running game. Last year he threw out 38 percent (18-for-47) of the base stealers he faced.
Gomes is the second player the Indians have extended this spring. Just before camp opened, they signed outfielder Michael Brantley to a four-year $25 million extension. They failed to reach a contract extension with right-hander Justin Masterson this spring, but it’s believed they’re still talking to All-Star second baseman Jason Kipnis.
In 2012, the Indians signed Santana to a five-year, $21 million deal. Santana will make $3.5 million this year.
The Indians acquired Gomes and uitility man Mike Aviles in November of 2012 from Toronto for right-hander Esmil Rogers.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
I agree, good move. Now they need to find a way to extend Masterson and Kipnis. There's less urgency with Kipnis because you still control him for a couple years, but now is when you could extend him without breaking the bank. They have nearly $40M tied up in Swisher, Bourn, and Asdrubal. IMO, losing (trading) any one of them would be preferable to losing Masterson. Our division rival, the Tigers, just signed Miguel Cabrera for 10 years, $292M - it would be a shame if we lose our best pitcher for the lack of $3-4M per year over 4 years.
Masterson is gonzo. I'd bet Albert Belle signs a contract with the Indians before Masterson does.
I think the Indians model is smart. Try building a cheap team and that can sneak in the back door of the playoffs and steal a title. They can't really compete with the contracts that are being signed right now. However, the deal that Masterson's agent offered was "cheap".
I don't know the status of the farm system with young arms, maybe that has something to do with letting Masterson walk.
“...Iguodala to Curry, back to Iguodala, up for the layup! Oh! Blocked by James! LeBron James with the rejection!”
Probably true, but it doesn't seem like they were THAT far apart. If reports were true, the Indians offered 12.5M per year for 3 years and Masterson wants 16-17M per year. I also read that talks were amicable, and that there might still be further discussions. So I'll just cross my fingers - until they trade him, that is.
Edit: Plus, I don't really see how they can have a 2014 marketing campaign called "Unfinished Business" and then trade their best pitcher in July. They might completely lose the fans with that move, especially if they are in contention when they do it.
Terry Francona goes to pitcher's mound to tell Blake Wood he's made Indians roster
David Brown By David Brown March 28, 2014 2:15 PM Big League Stew Blake Wood Makes the Indians . View photo (USA TODAY)
Blake Wood was going to find out he made the Cleveland Indians roster the next morning, but manager Terry Francona had heard about some players on the roster bubble feeling anxiety about their respective fates. So Francona brought his mobile phone to the dugout for the Indians' Cactus League game Monday in order to communicate with general manager Chris Antonetti. Having gotten the OK from the brass, Francona went to the mound during a pitching change in the seventh inning and told Wood right there and then: He was going north.
Fox Sports Ohio has more details:
"When I went to take him out, (catcher Luke) Carlin was coming and I told him to stay back there a little bit," Francona said. "I went out there and asked (Wood) if he ever made the team on the mound? He was like no. I go 'well, you just did.' After that we came and talked to him the dugout but you could tell he was pretty excited."
Wood making the team is another culmination of his comeback from Tommy John surgery on May 25, 2012. He compiled 94 strikeouts and a 4.25 ERA in 120 2/3 major-league innings, mostly with the Kansas City Royals, before he blew out his elbow. Wood logged 1 1/3 innings with the Indians late in the 2013 season, and that must have been a great feeling. But this feeling must be something different. He's always had a big fastball but iffy command, something on which he's still working, and Francona says it's coming along. Enough to make the club. But making the team is only one step in trying re-establish himself in the majors.
Wood (left) Joe Smith and Cody Allen celebrate the Indians clinching a spot in the playoffs in 2013. (AP) Francona did say that Wood is still erratic in the strike zone and struggles against the first hitter, but that he has bounced back in getting the rest of the order. Even though he was part of the team in September last year, Wood didn't truly feel like he was a part of it. With winning a spot in spring training, now it feels like he does.
"Knowing you are one of the 25 and not one of the 40 being called up, it makes you feel like you belong," he said. "It has been a long road but I'm here now. You don't know what is going to happen coming back from major surgery. With the Indians sticking with me and giving me a shot, I'm happy they did that." We don't really know these guys for the most part, but doesn't Terry Francona seem like the coolest dude? Not only does Wood get some of the best news of his career, it happens where all of the action happens for a pitcher. Better than some stuffy office, or on the phone or via email. The best news should always be delivered in person and, if possible, on a small hill in the middle of a baseball field.
Quote: 27 teams haven't played a game as of now but the Dodgers have played three already. Dumb.
The sooner Bud Selig is removed from baseball, the better. Talk about outdated. His sport is by far the most boring when you talk about watching as a league, and not just your own team. He still thinks baseball is the national pastime. Haha
Quote: 27 teams haven't played a game as of now but the Dodgers have played three already. Dumb.
The sooner Bud Selig is removed from baseball, the better. Talk about outdated. His sport is by far the most boring when you talk about watching as a league, and not just your own team. He still thinks baseball is the national pastime. Haha
Agreed.
Baseball is the one sport that I can't watch "any two teams" play.
I know some would be against it, but I would be all for shortening the season and expanding the playoffs, to allow a few more teams.
I'd also eliminate one-game playoffs. You play 162 games and then are told you have a ridiculous one game do or die just to make the actual playoffs? (sorry to go Kenny Lofton on all of you) That just doesn't seem right.
I think doing a 16 team format like the NHL and NBA is probably watering down things a bit (even though I love both of those playoffs), but I think getting to 12 like the NFL? Maybe?
I'd also add the World Series, but not every game. I only watch the Indians, and when it gets close to clinching the World Series. Usually I ignore games 1-3 at least.
I went to a Marlins game last year when the Indians were in town (it was the same weekend that I moved so timing was perfect). I might try and go to another game this year with some awesome seats. No-one wants to go to the games so tickets could be found on Stub Hub for dirt cheap (for instance I was in the front row right next to the Indians Bullpen last year for about $12 a ticket). I might spring for some seats to a random game that are awesome or pay the $15 to get into the Clevelander bar which is field level in the outfield.
But I feel like because of pitching, a shortened season would hurt the game.
Say you shorten the season to 82 games -- You have two options...
1. 82 games in a shortened time period, so your pitchers are still on a normal schedule. But then your starters are only making like 16 starts a year.
2. 82 games but you spread them out over the current April-early October -- But then teams are going to be able to be bult with a 3 man starting rotation.
I don't know, I feel like because of starting pitching, shortening the season just isn't a realistic option.
But I feel like because of pitching, a shortened season would hurt the game.
Say you shorten the season to 82 games -- You have two options...
1. 82 games in a shortened time period, so your pitchers are still on a normal schedule. But then your starters are only making like 16 starts a year.
2. 82 games but you spread them out over the current April-early October -- But then teams are going to be able to be bult with a 3 man starting rotation.
I don't know, I feel like because of starting pitching, shortening the season just isn't a realistic option.
I don't mean shorten it drastically, just enough to make time for extra playoff games, that way you don't drag the world series into mid-November...
You finish up the season by the middle of September, and start the playoffs soon after.
I thought it might be good to drop the number of games to 154, I believe it's what a season use to be, and then play a few more doubleheaders scattered throughout the year. The season would finish about 2 weeks earlier leaving more time for 3-game wildcard play-in series or a more robust expanded playoffs.
I may be the only one that actually likes baseball for what it is and used to be. I'll bring the girls to a Sox game on a random Tuesday night and enjoy a ballpark dinner. I don't care if the Sox are playing the Royals and both of them stink. It's fun getting outside and eating stadium food. And Sox games aren't too bad as far as price goes (the Cubs are a different story).
And I like the "every day" aspect of the season. No rest, there's always tomorrow, who's the next starter and watching the ebb and flow in the standings. I don't get too worked up over MLB player or team salaries, it is what it is. I still really enjoy the game on TV or in person. It's not my favorite game, but it's right up there. Also, the commericals fit within the framework of the game, unlike football or basketball.
It's funny, I work with a lot of people from Argentina, Spain, Phillipines and India...it's hard to describe how baseball is played to someone that hasn't grown up watching it. Think about it, decribe football or basketball or even hockey, it's not that bad. And then think about baseball. It''s about as foreign concept as you can imagine.
“...Iguodala to Curry, back to Iguodala, up for the layup! Oh! Blocked by James! LeBron James with the rejection!”
I would be for that, because like you said -- Late October, early November ... That's late to play baseball.
But, Shortening from 162 to 140 or whatever likey wouldn't do much to increase interest in the game.
See, I think it would, if there were a few more playoff spots up for grabs.
The NFL has 12, which I think is good. I wouldn't be overly mad if they expanded from there, but if you ask me, I like the way it is now. I think you get the perfect mix of true contender and then a few teams who probably don't belong. Anything more and you are adding closer to mediocre teams, and nobody wants that. Plus there is always the chance that a super mediocre team gets hot and makes a run, and I don't think that's fair, and also probably not in the best interest of the league. The Cardinals making it a few years ago as a 9-7 team (in a bad division) is probably where you would draw the line.
MLB will never have the immediate impact that a regular season NFL game has, where a team wins or loses a game and the fan bases of the respective teams go crazy. It's just not set up like that. But the day-to-day grind that baseball fans have is something they should hang their hat on, while still keeping fans involved. Too many fan bases are almost forced to give up before the All Star Game because their teams are just so far behind.
Quote: His sport is by far the most boring when you talk about watching as a league, and not just your own team.
Because nothing beats the pure excitement of a 1-0 hockey game.
Different strokes for different folks. Give me a random ballgame between San Diego and Miami anytime over any hockey or basketball game.
You almost never see 1-0 hockey games anymore...
And if you see one now, it's not because the offenses are struggling. Hockey is more about scoring chances and pace of play.
I do find it funny that a baseball fan would rip a hockey fan about a 1-0 game, then turn around and talk about how epic the "pitching duel" was for a 1-0, baseball game. Glass houses, my friend.
I love baseball. I love the Tribe. I love random games on MLB.TV. I love that I can watch or listen to baseball almost non-stop from now until the end of September. I coach both of my sons LL teams and we will watch or listen to random games when we are stuck between games or on the way home or eating ice cream after the games. The constant nature of it is so much fun.
The one thing I hate: Living in Austin means the Astros are blacked out on MLB.TV (secondary market). But, not one television station in Austin has Astros games (their station is barely in Houston at this point let alone here). Ridiculous and they are losing a generation of potential fans because of it (my boys love their hats and they love the train in MinuteMaid which is enough even with as bad as they are but they cannot watch so no attachment).
I'm not ripping a 1-0 hockey game or calling a 1-0 baseball game "epic", was just replying to your "most boring" comment about MLB. Sure it's boring to you - just like hockey is to me. Hence my different strokes for different folks comment. Other people love NASCAR - I'd rather take my car up to ramming speed and find a bridge abutment than watch almost any race.
J/C...
The playoff format for baseball is perfect IMO but I'd shorten the season to 154 games if I were the commish and eliminate multiple off days between series... keep it moving - finish in October (preferrably not Halloween). Also, I can't remember the details, but half the league was not eliminated by the All-Star break. Those two WC spots kept everybody but the bottom teams in it until almost the end of the season.
"If it weren't for my horse, I wouldn't have spent that year in college" GO ROCKETS
Quote: I'm not ripping a 1-0 hockey game or calling a 1-0 baseball game "epic", was just replying to your "most boring" comment about MLB. Sure it's boring to you - just like hockey is to me. Hence my different strokes for different folks comment. Other people love NASCAR - I'd rather take my car up to ramming speed and find a bridge abutment than watch almost any race.
Ageed, and I'm also giving those fans enough respect to stay out of their thread and not tell them their sport is boring.
Quote: I'm not ripping a 1-0 hockey game or calling a 1-0 baseball game "epic", was just replying to your "most boring" comment about MLB. Sure it's boring to you - just like hockey is to me. Hence my different strokes for different folks comment. Other people love NASCAR - I'd rather take my car up to ramming speed and find a bridge abutment than watch almost any race.
Ageed, and I'm also giving those fans enough respect to stay out of their thread and not tell them their sport is boring.
i didn't just come in here and say baseball is boring, and then run off. I said the league has dwindled over the years to the point where I don't care about the rest of the league if it weren't my own team... It was relevant to the conversation that was already going on in this thread.
Tribe starts out 1-0 with a 2 run 9th inning to win 2-0.
We're on our way to 162-0. lol
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
Very boring game...baserunning killed both teams. Pitching was great, bullpen was meh. We still need a few bats, our middle of lineup sucks
Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday. -John Wayne
I don't know. Kipnis & Santana are the guys that killed a couple of those innings. Not our middle of the order guys. We were 1 hit from blowing that game open and eventually won it. I'll take that for a first game.
Also, Oakland had to start their Salazar (Gray) as the opening day guy and has Kazmir in the SP2 spot tonight. That makes me feel much better about our own rotation.
I don't think santana and kipnis in the middle is where terry wants them to end up, santana has probably the best eye of anyone on team and makes pitchers work, i think once bourne comes back we will see it shuffle a bit, but guys like swisher, murphy, gomes, and raburn are going to have to step it up. We are missing a 30+ HR guy in the middle of our lineup, so its going to have to be by committee. I really really want to like swish and i want him to do well because he really likes it here and an ohio boy, but man he might have been one of the worst FA signings when considering money vs production. I'm hoping he picks it up this year. Yesterday wasn't hopeful..alot of really bad at bats by he and gomes, swinging at stuff A ball players wouldn't. Its the first game I'm not too worried, but i wish we still had a big bat in the middle, i think santana and co would be that much more effective and get better pitches being protected by a big bat
Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday. -John Wayne
I think we'll find ours in our farm system. We have some really good hitters waiting to come up.
Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday. -John Wayne
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lol
