TFIR:

I just wanted to make sure Ken knew the exact number. A person could have read Hoynsies initial report and thought, wow, that could pay for Encarnacion or Trumbo's contract for 2 or 3 years. Sign somone already! ... When in fact it wouldn't even cover year 1 of a large contract.

I do hope the Indians do something outside their comfort zone here though. We have a window open for next few years with all our young great players signed. Adding a big bat in middle of lineup would almost seem to be the final piece of puzzle to making a legit run for a few years.

But at the same time I know how disappointing it is to follow the Indians in the winter. We'll probably end up with Napoli or Carter. Some guy who hits just over his weight and strikes out at their weight.

Bob Nightengale @bnightengale
Unless there's a surprise entrant, slugger Edwin Encarnacion's finalists appear to be the #BlueJays and #Indians.

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That is pretty good news, cause Jays already signed a couple bats and were thought to be out on EE.

He's already dropped his demands from 4 yrs at 20 down to 3 at 20. Little more waiting time who knows, may enter our ballpark. Literally.

I think you underestimate Salazar's value.

With his contract, Salazar alone would be almost worth Sale. You would hardly have to add anything.

The Tribe wouldn't do that trade. For the upgrade in talent, they'd be taking on a much worse contract.

Where the White Sox are, they don't want that either. They want guys just starting out who are can't miss. That way it's a good 6 years before they are free agents. Unlike Salazar. And they don't care about contending this year anyways, or next for that matter.

The Cubs and Astros totally rebuilt, sucked, they ascended quickly with good young kids. That's the model now.

Teams not sold on Encarnacion

When Edwin Encarnacion turned down the Blue Jays’ four-year, $80-million contract offer, it was expected there would be plenty of teams lining up to sign the 33-year-old. Not only has the big contract offer failed to arrive, but apparently the dollar figures are shrinking, fast.

Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports reports that teams are not willing to offer Encarnacion $60 million over three years, 25 per cent less than the original offer he received from Toronto. Several teams had been seriously interested in pursuing the designated hitter and first baseman who hit 42 home runs last season, but evidently, they aren't willing to wait around.

Passan also detailed that a GM told him "teams shouldn't overplay their hands with him, either. He's too good for the price to go much lower."

The Houston Astros signed Carlos Beltran, New York Yankees went with Matt Holliday, and the Boston Red Sox recently signed Mitch Moreland to somewhat fill the David Ortiz void.

Latest reports have the Texas Rangers and Cleveland Indians in contact with the slugger, but whether they have the money to get a deal done remains in question -- a recurring theme in the Encarnacion free agent market.

PS - Adam Eaton to the Nats for Lucas Giolito to Chicago - again a very young pitcher with little service time.

BTW, after all is said and done at this point, all the teams that (allegedly) wanted 1B type sluggers (Toronto went with Kendrys Morales, Rockies went with Ian Desmond. Yankees went with Matt Holiday, see the above post for other teams examples like Houston got Beltran, Red Sox got Moreland) have filled their gaps. Texas may still want a 1B.

Still out there are Napoli, Trumbo, Encarnacion - you can bet your bottom dollar the Tribe will be getting one of those guys.

The glut of hitters, and the Tribe waiting them out again this year, means a bargain will fall to them.

Jon Heyman ‏@JonHeyman 13 minutes ago
Indians tried 1-year offers to Napoli, Saunders and Holliday (now a yank). Curious what they're offering for encarnacion

Yeah I think it'll have to be 2 years for Nap. You HB?

We know how HB feels about Napoli.
I'm not as down on him as he is, but I'd prefer Encarnacion. Nap is too streaky, and I fear a falloff in his hot streaks next season.

For sure Encarnacion is the far better hitter and anyone would prefer him.

Seems Texas is the inside favorite for him.

With Napoli, I actually think he ran out of gas last year. A look at his year and September really affected the final totals.

The guy wasn't used to that kind of workload, lol!

That said, I have to agree with the overall totals still being an optimistic total going forward.

Napoli literally rose from the ashes to have a good regular season for the Tribe but returned to the ways that got him dumped by two teams in 2015, during the playoffs.

Tribe can live without him.

I like Salazar. just am not sure we are as powerful with 5 RH starters. Meritt needs to be given a chance.

With injuries, he sure will.

In an earlier post I stated I wouldn't mind seeing Bauer traded. What I have seen the past few days is that young pitchers with Bauer's contract AND numbers are worth quite a bit on the market.

TFIR, rumor is a couple teams have made one year offers to Napoli but he wants at least two.

The new CBA has an increase in luxury tax and has slowed the spending a bit. I do wonder if we may not have a better option drop into our lap. Not expecting it but wouldn't be shocked.

Encarnacion has already dropped a year from his asking price. Bautista and Trumbo still searching for love. Hopefully we can do bette than Carter or Napoli.