Ho! Ho! Ho! Carlos Santana finds $60 million under the tree, Cleveland Indians still searching

By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com phoynes@cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Right now the Indians are in a tough spot money wise regarding their roster. Tough as in they're not going to spend much more than they've already committed to it.

If they had traded Jason Kipnis earlier in the offseason - and make no doubt they're shopping their second baseman/outfielder - maybe they could have stopped Carlos Santana from going to Philadelphia on Thursday afternoon with the best Christmas present of his life - a three-year $60 million deal.

The Indians owe Kipnis just over $30 million for the next two years. That includes a $2.5 million buyout on his club option for 2020.

There is still a lot of winter left. Spring training as well. A lot of time between now and opening day to make a deal.

The Mets have shown interest in Kipnis. Manager Callaway, former Tribe pitching coach, knows him well.

Depending on how much of Kipnis' salary the Mets would be willing to take, it would give the Indians some financial flexibility to make a concerted run at Jay Bruce. When the Indians acquired Bruce from the Mets in August, he stabilized the outfield with his play in right and the lineup by protecting Edwin Encarnacion in the No. 5 spot.

The addition of Bruce allowed manager Terry Francona to move switch-hitter Jose Ramirez into the No. 3 spot where he did the kind of damage that helped him finish third in the AL MVP voting.


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If not Bruce or some other outfielder - forget about J.D. Martinez -- the Indians could definitely use the money to help fill Santana's vacancy at first base or Bryan Shaw and Joe Smith's spots in the bullpen.

Right now, the Indians, no matter if Kipnis stays or goes, need a hitter. It doesn't matter if it's at first base, third base or the outfield. They need somebody to replace the production they've lost with Santana and possibly Bruce and Austin Jackson, another free agent.

Terry Francona on Jason Kipnis and conversations
In the outfield, they have Michael Brantley trying to recover from right ankle surgery and Brandon Guyer rehabbing from left wrist surgery. It sounds like they'll both miss part of April. Bradley Zimmer has recovered from a broken left hand, but Lonnie Chisenhall watched his best offensive season get derailed by the most persistent calf injury since Keith Hernandez limped into retirement way back in 1990.

Then there are guys like Greg Allen, Tyler Naquin and Abraham Almonte. Where they fit is anybody's guess.

Is Yandy Diaz the answer at third base? What about first base? Encarnacion, Chisenhall and Brantley have been mentioned as Santana's internal replacements. Versatility is a good thing, but are the Indians really going to move Brantley from left field to first base to stay out of harm's way? Isn't there much more action/danger at first base than in the outfield?


There are a lot of first basemen still available. Except for Eric Hosmer, they should be in the Tribe's price range. They include Logan Morrison, Mike Napoli, Yonder Alonzo, Lucas Duda, Mitch Moreland, Chris Carter, John Jason, Adam Lind, Mark Reynolds and Matt Adams.

The Indians, perhaps, could use one of their catchers - Yan Gomes or Roberto Perez - to fill a hole in the bullpen. They have Francisco Mejia and Eric Haase waiting in the wings. Haase, by the way, came back from winter ball early because of illness.

Talented, but fragile Danny Salazar has drawn interest as well. Between 10 and 15 teams asked about the hard-throwing right-hander at the winter meetings. The Cubs were one of those teams and they have plenty of young hitters who interest the Indians.

If the Indians don't trade Kipnis, they could take the path of least resistance and put Kipnis back at second, Ramirez back at third and hope Brantley can stay in left field. They'd still need a first baseman and a couple of relievers, but it's a long winter.

And they need to take a moment and realize what they lost in Santana. The switch-hitter never played fewer than 152 games in the last five seasons. He caught and played third base before finding a home at first. The last few years, he worried more about the Indians winning than his own stats and in doing so his play improved.

Finding homes for guys like Kipnis and Salazar seems to make all kinds of sense for the Indians' next move.

I know Schwarber is flawed, but so is Salazar.

If the Cubs are talking Baez or Ian Happ, that deal should have been done yesterday, lol

I know Schwarber is flawed, but so is Salazar.

I'd prefer Happ, but this seems like a more logical exchange.

If I’m not mistaken Happ can play 3B.

He apparently plays all over the place. Tito likes flexibility. Schwaber is probably most capable as a DH or LF. I assume Happ would cost more. Can't see the Cubs interested in taking local boy Kipnis but if so, perhaps Danny and Jason could get us Happ

Doubt it. Because of guys like Addison Russell, Baez, Happ the Cubs have too many infielders already.

The only way Kipnis gets traded is the Tribe sends a whole lot of money with him.

or part of a package where we take back salary, too.

Don't forget the infamous Swisher and Bourne for Johnson [or was it Jackson] Deal of the Unwanted

Imagine the Cleveland baseball club in green

16 DECEMBER, 2017 NKENDALL 7 COMMENTS

As these things usually start, some disclaimers: this is a personal project. I have not discussed any of this with anyone remotely representing the Cleveland Indians nor any group advocating the removal of Chief Wahoo.

These are not official, sanctioned, &c &c.

Everyone talks about getting rid of Chief Wahoo but nobody does anything about it.

Well, that’s not totally true. As we’ve noted, Major League Baseball and the Indians are slowly doing something about it. But the thing they’re doing — a slow phase-out of Wahoo, hopefully in a manner no one really notices — is likely going to anger just as many as it pleases. Such is the nature of a compromise. Such is the nature of trying to do the right thing but being afraid to state the reason why they’re doing it.

A bold move would be a lot more interesting. Not just getting rid of the logo, but totally rebranding the Indians in a cool and exciting way that would inspire people to buy in to the new team identity as opposed to merely lament or accept the abandonment of the old one. To that end, a man named Nick Kendall came up with a super fun and super great-looking redesign and rebranding of the Indians over the weekend.

Kendall, who is not really a big baseball fan but who has spent a lot of time thinking about uniforms and design, went back to 1871 and Cleveland’s first professional baseball team, the Forest Citys (yes, that’s how it was spelled). He took their logo — an interlocked F and C — and built an entire set of uniforms out of it and some aesthetic choices of his own. The new color scheme is a dark green and white. He even includes two alternate, solid-jersey designs. All of it is done in a great looking mockup. Really, go check it out and tell me that’s not cool.

I like it for a couple of reasons. Mostly because the uniforms just look fantastic. I love the design and would love to see a team with that kind of look in the game. We have too many reds and blues. Green is woefully underused in Major League Baseball and it’d be good to see some more green around.

Also, as Kendall notes, and as soccer shows us, the “[city] [mascot]” name construction isn’t the only way to approach team names, and so the name — Forest Citys, or some derivation of it — would be unique in baseball. Maybe it’s be “The Cleveland Forest Citys/Cities.” Maybe “Forest City B.C.” would be a way to go? Maybe, as so often happened with baseball teams in the past — the Indians included — the nickname could develop over time. It’s certainly preferable to the option a lot of people point to — The Cleveland Spiders — which (a) evokes the worst baseball team in history’ and (b) sounds like something a 1990s NBA marketing team would come up with.

If the Indians are going to get rid of Chief Wahoo — and they are — why not do something fun and new and exciting?
In 1868 an amateur baseball team formed in Cleveland that, following the Cincinnati Red Stockings, joined the professional ranks in 1871. This team, which would only play two seasons at the professional level, were the Cleveland Forest Citys (note: not “cities”).

Good luck with that...

Free agent first base candidates for the Cleveland Indians following loss of Carlos Santana
Posted December 18, 2017 at 09:27 PM | Updated December 18, 2017 at 09:27 PM


CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Indians knew they could lose Carlos Santana to free agency and it happened Thursday when he signed a three-year $60 million deal with the Phillies.

In preparation for that they have been talking with other free agent first basemen since they were allowed to do so under the rules of free agency. Here are some of the candidates who could be playing first base for the Indians next season.

The list starts with Eric Hosmer, the Scott Boras client, who is said to be looking for a seven-year deal worth between $100 million and $200 million. Unless Hosmer is still twisting in the wind come mid-February, ala Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn, the Indians have no chance to sign him. But there’s nothing wrong with taking a look at the top of the market – even though some felt Santana was a better overall player.

Hosmer finds himself in free agency at the beneficial age of 28. He’s spent his entire big-league career in Kansas City. The 6-4, 225-pound left-handed hitter is a two-time All-Star who helped the Royals win the World Series in 2015.

He’s a four-time Gold Glove winner, but has never hit more than 25 homers in a season. He topped 100 RBI once, driving in 104 runs in 2016.

The first base market has been slow to move, but the Santana signing may have helped get it rolling. The Red Sox, on Monday, announced that they’d signed Mitch Moreland to a two-year deal worth $13 million.

The Indians liked Moreland, but not on a two-year deal. Still, it’s something they may have to consider to get the player they want.



Logan Morrison

Morrison, 30, is a left-handed hitter who started 119 games at first base for the Rays last season. He hit .246 (126-for-512) with a career-high 38 homers and 85 RBI. He struck out 149 times, but drew 81 walks and posted a .868 OPS.

He did most of his damage against right-handers, hitting 32 homers and 69 RBI. Morrison, who had left wrist surgery in 2016, made $2.5 million last season. He’s due for quite a raise this winter. Before last season Morrison had never hit more than 23 homers nor driven in more than 72 runs in a season.

Yonder Alonzo

Alonso, 30, is a left-handed hitter who started 121 games at first base for Oakland and Seattle last year. He hit a career high 28 homers and 67 RBI in 451 at-bats. Alonso had never hit more than nine homers in a season until this year.

Like so many other hitters last seaspn, Alonso changed his swing path and tried to hit the ball in the air more. Alonso has a reputation as a good defender, but he committed 10 errors last year at first base. He posted a -9 in runs saved on Fangraphs.com.

Alonso, who made $4 million last season, was much more effective against righties than lefties. He hit .282 with 23 homers and 57 RBI against right-handers. Like Morrison, he could be a good platoon partner with Edwin Encarnacion.

Mike Napoli

The Indians know the right-handed hitting Napoli well. He helped them win the AL pennant in 2016 and reach the World Series.

Napoli, 35, hit .193 (82-for-423) with 29 homers and 66 RBI last season for the Rangers. He played only 142 games because of an injury to his right hand and ankle. He underwent surgery on his right hand to mend a torn tendon in December.

The .193 batting average was the lowest in Napoli’s career, but the 29 homers were the third most he’s hit in one season. Napoli, who made $6 million last season, started 90 games at first base.

Will the Indians Party at Napoli’s again? We’ll have to wait and see.

Mark Reynolds

At the end of the 2016 season, Reynolds appeared to be fading into the sunset of his career. The only way the Rockies brought him to spring training in 2017 was on a minor-league deal worth $1.5 million.

All Reynolds, 34, did was hit .267 (139-for-526) with 30 homers and 97 RBI. He played 148 games, the most games he’s played in one season since 2011, and staked claim to first base after the Rockies spent $70 million on free agent Ian Desmond with the idea of giving him the job. Reynolds, who played for the Tribe in 2013, will be looking for a pay raise.

Andrian Gonzalez

The Braves, on Monday night, officially released Gonzalez. The trade was a salary dump by the Dodgers and Braves.

Gonzalez, 35, played just 71 games with the Dodgers this year He missed two months with a herniated disc in his back did not make the postseason roster. He had a great season in 2011 for Tribe manager Terry Francona in Boston, but that was a long time ago.

The Indians could bring him to camp on a minor league deal, but that's a long shot.

Chris Carter

Carter, 31, is a 6-4, 245-pound right-handed hitter. He started last season with the Yankees, but was released on July 10. The Yankees paid him $3.5 million and he hit .201 (37-for-184) with eight homers, 26 RBI and 76 strikeouts. Carter ended the season with Oakland’s Class AAA Nashville season.

In his most memorable season, Carter led the NL with 41 homers in 2016 for Milwaukee. He added 94 RBI and a NL-high 206 strikeouts. The Brewers were so impressed that they non-tendered him at the end of the season. The Tribe had a chance to sign him last winter and passed.
Adam Lind

Lind, 34, is a 6-2, 195-pound left-handed hitter. He played 116 games with Washington last season, including 39 at first base. He also played in left field. In 2016, Lind played 101 games at first base for Seattle.

Last season Lind faced mostly right-handed pitching, hitting .303 (72-for-238) with 14 homers and 52 RBI. The Nationals signed him for $1 million with a club option for 2018 that they didn’t exercise. If the Indians are interested, he would seem to be another platoon candidate.

Danny Valencia

Valencia, 33, is 6-2, 210-pound right-handed hitter. He played first, third and right field for the Mariners last season. But he concentrated on first base, playing 118 games there. It was by far the most time he’s spent at the position in his career.

He hit .256 (115-for-456) with 15 homers and 66 RBI in 130 games. Valencia, who struck out 122 times, showed better power numbers against righties. He hit .252 with 10 homers and 40 RBI against right-handers.

Valencia made $5.5 million last season.


Internal options

The Indians, with Santana gone, almost assuredly will acquire a first baseman. If not, their options on the roster include Encarnacion, Lonnie Chisenhall and, perhaps, Michael Brantley.

Encarnacion made just 23 starts at first base last season as Santana did the heavy lifting. That was fine with Francona because he wanted Encarnacion to be fresh so he could keep his bat in the lineup. Encarnacion and Santana were the only players to start games at first base last year.

Chisenhall would be a platoon, or late-inning, option at first base. Brantley played first base in the minors with Milwaukee. The Indians could move him to first from left field following two injury-shortened seasons, but that seems doubtful.

First base prospect Bobby Bradley may be able to help in an emergency, but he has yet to play about Class AA Akron.

Fans have asked if Jason Kipnis will get a look at first base. Francona said he thought Kipnis could play there, but it was easy to see it was not his first choice for Kipnis.

I am certainly not looking for return engagements for Napoli and Reynolds [how did he possibly learn how to make contact suddenly in 2016?]

Coors effect

Starting to see the Tribe influence in Twins front office. Their AAA team.

ROCHESTER, NY - The Minnesota Twins announced today that Joel Skinner will manage the Rochester Red Wings in 2018. Hitting Coach Chad Allen, Pitching Coach Stu Cliburn and Strength & Conditioning Coach Tyler Burks will return while Mike McCarthy joins the staff as Bullpen Coach and Chris Johnson will be the new Athletic Trainer.

Skinner, 56, has managed 12 minor league seasons since 1995, combining to go 860-777, and also served as interim manager of the Indians in 2002, leading Cleveland to a 35-41 record after Charlie Manuel was fired on July 11. He was away from baseball in 2017 but spent the previous five seasons managing in the White Sox organization with Single-A Winston-Salem (2016) and Triple-A Charlotte (2012-15). Skinner was named Minor League Manager of the Year by Baseball America and The Sporting News while leading Triple-A Buffalo to the International League Governors' Cup Finals in 2000 and by USA Today Baseball Weekly in 1998 with Double-A Akron. He won the 1995 New York-Penn League Championship with Short-A Watertown, earning Manager of the Year that season and in 1997 with Single-A Kinston of the Carolina League. Skinner also managed Team USA at the All-Star Futures Game (2000), Double-A Akron (2010, 1998-99) and Single-A Columbus (1996). He was on Cleveland's staff as Bench Coach (2006), Third Base Coach (2001-02, 03-05, 07-09) and Catching Instructor (1994) and also served as Oakland's Bench Coach in 2011.

Skinner takes over for Mike Quade, who managed Rochester to a 238-192 record over three seasons.

The new Rochester skipper enjoyed a 15-year professional career from 1983-91, playing 564 MLB games with the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians. Skinner was selected in the 37th round of the 1979 June Amateur Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates out of Mission Bay High School (San Diego, CA).

Skinner's father, Bob, managed the Philadelphia Phillies from 1968-69 and the San Diego Padres in 1977. The two are the second father-son tandem to manage in the major leagues, joining Red Wing and Baseball Hall of Famer George Sisler (St. Louis Browns, 1924-26) and his son, Dick (Cincinnati Reds, 1964-65).

McCarthy is a former 14th-round selection by the Boston Red Sox in 2011 out of California State-Bakersfield. He pitched six seasons in the organization, reaching as high as Triple-A Pawtucket in 2016. McCarthy studied pre-med at Bakersfield.

Johnson will be in his 13th season in the Twins organization and has spent the past five years working as Athletic Trainer with the Double-A affiliate in Chattanooga (2015-17) and New Britain (2013-14). He joined the organization as a spring training intern in 2005.

Allen returns for his third season with the Red Wings while Cliburn is set for a third consecutive season and sixth overall with Rochester. Burks will be in his second season with the team.

Carlos = Class Act!

http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ss ... ot_de.html