In this week’s Spin Cycle, we are going to take a closer look at the starting rotation, and in particular, which starter is going to take over that #5 slot in the rotation. Before we get there, let’s take a look at last week’s spin cycle, and the rather interesting results.
Last week, the Indians had yet to make any moves of significance after they had signed David Murphy in November. I decided to open up the spin cycle by giving the Indians Baseball Insiders’ readers a chance to make some moves of their own. Here’s a quick look at the top nine selections in this past week’s voting:
Sign a mid-level, free agent closer/reliever (Axford, Rodney, Crain, FRod) |
73 |
13.49% |
13.49% |
|
Sign what you have long-term: Justin Masterson |
69 |
12.75% |
12.75% |
|
Trade Asdrubal |
69 |
12.75% |
12.75% |
|
Trade Drew Stubbs |
52 |
9.61% |
9.61% |
|
Trade Michael Bourn |
38 |
7.02% |
7.02% |
|
Wait and hope for high price starter to drop in $ or years |
38 |
7.02% |
7.02% |
|
Sign a low-level, free agent starter (Hanson, Marcum, JWilliams) |
37 |
6.84% |
6.84% |
|
Sign a high priced, free agent starter (Ubaldo, Santana, Garza, Arroyo) |
30 |
5.55% |
5.55% |
|
Sign a mid-level, free agent starter (Maholm, Hammel) |
21 |
3.88% |
3.88% |
|
There wasn’t a majority, as will tend to happen with so many selections, but the top three choices by Cleveland Indians’ fans were very clear.
First, the Indians needed to sign a mid-level, free agent closer, with the ones I’ve listed being John Axford,Fernando Rodney, Jesse Crain and Francisco Rodriguez. The Indians didn’t waste any time viewing our poll, seeing what we wanted, and going out and making a deal.
On Monday, it was announced that the Indians were going to sign former Milwaukee Brewers’ and St. Louis Cardinals reliever, John Axford. Axford may not have been the top choice for many Indians’ fans, but he certainly was a much more cost-effective signing than some of the other choices out there. The question with Axford is really with regards to his upside, and if he truly has any.
None of the other players listed have signed yet, but it does appear that Fernando Rodney may be about to hit a gold-mine after Grant Balfour’s deal went into a garbage can after the Orioles didn’t like what they saw after his physical.
Rodriguez has had moderate interest thusfar in the offseason, but it’s clear that teams are waiting to see what the market makes available after the top names fall off the market.
Jesse Crain has reportedly had several offers that he’s mulling over, but his market has been relatively quiet up to this point.
My gut feeling here is that the Indians may not be finished signing bullpen arms. If they could get Crain or FRod to sign a one-year, low-cost deal, I think they would do it. Another interesting name out there is Joel Hanrahan, who missed most of the 2013 season thanks to Tommy John surgery. It’s unknown if Hanrahan will pitch in 2014, but I could see the Indians taking a low-cost flier on either Hanrahan or Crain, gambling on health at some point during the season.
Justin Masterson is clearly on everyone’s mind this offseason, as he has only one year left on his contract and will command big dollars once he becomes a free agent at the end of the 2014 season. Indians fans know this story all too well, as we’ve seen players come to this point several times, and have often seen them walk without a deal if the team performs well throughout the season, or get traded at the deadline if the team isn’t performing.
It’s clear that fans want Justin Masterson signed to a long-term deal.
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