Cleveland Sports Forum

The organization and culture was built originally by Hank Peters. There has not been a real shakeup since then

In my opinion, at least the message is out there now. Cleveland can and will be serious about spending the money if the end means presents itself. If the window of opportunity is a short one, Cleveland would be willing to spend if it means a championship is at hand. This is the message I received when we signed Encarnacion. Now! Let's pony up a few more prospects and try to land Quintana

The Miller trade should have been adequate proof that the Dolans and their front office want to win. The EE signing reiterates that. Perhaps the Forum can stop bitching about the team's cheap approach: we all know that the team has 2 more years with the entire roster under control other than Santana who's FA after 2017. Then Miller and his underrated colleague Allen and some others become free agents. Some more long-term deals could secure the "window of opportunity" a little longer.

Don't worry about Yandy not being on the 40-man roster: he hasn't been in the system long enough to need to be protected from other team's depradations. He and Erik G should be seriously in the running for jobs in 2017, although not room for both of them unless Brantley is out again, hope not!, or someone else is swapper. If we get Davis back not sure we have room for either of them, although we will need someone as an IF utility guy.

The signing of EE really put the kibosh on any future Jesus Aguilar had with the Tribe.

Jason Kipnis
@TheJK_Kid
Thank you Santa! #EE @Indians
8:32 PM - 22 Dec 2016

Saw this in the Transactions folder on MLB.com.

Who are these guys?

December 12, 2016 Promoted Eric Binder to director of baseball operations, Paul Gillispie to senior director of international scouting and Victor Wang to director of pro scouting. Named James Harris director of player development.

Seagull!

Aguilar is still a very good defensive first baseman and a player that could be quite valuable coming off the bench in a pinch hitting roll. He would bring some positive attributes with him (power off the bench, a decent average, and defense.) What's to lose? He's cheap and won't add much to the payroll. I think being a role player would suit both Cleveland and Aguilar. We don't have any players on the bench that can provide what Aguilar can. I'm hoping for some big numbers from Aguilar this spring. If this doesn't fit for either Cleveland or Aguilar, I sure some team out there can use him.

Listening to Paul Kinzer, EE's agent on SiriusXM MLB radio.

First of all, credit Billy Beane with totally bringing this to a head last night. He came on strong and almost pulled it off. He was offering a Cespedes type deal with a higher annual value than $20 million per year with an opt out after the first year, like Cespedes.

Kinzer pointed to the fact that EE wanted to stay in the East, to be closer to the Dominican! It was the #1 factor according to Kinzer, along with the fact that the Indians were contenders. Also he has friends on the team, and Kinzer said that Tito calling him meant an awful lot to him. So it was actually NOT money, but comfort that led him to Cleveland.

Funny story was that this was all a shock to the agent last night. In fact, at the time he was at Six Flags with his grandchildren. OH, and he actually was ON A RIDE with the kids - had to step off to finish this deal off on the phone with Antonetti. And yes, it was Antonetti.

He then called Jon Daniels (Texas) and Beane to tell them the final decision. The agent said Antonetti offered some "sweeteners" that wouldn't necessarily show in the numbers.

But bottom line, EE wanted to be in Cleveland for reasons of location, contention, and comfort with the guys. (Apparently even during the playoffs he had some Indians over to his house in Toronto).

That's it for now.

yes, Aguilar has some positive attributes but at age 26 he has no future role with the Indians.
For that matter, they have drop one player from the 40 man roster to make room for EE. Austin Adams and Aguilar seem leading candidates. Or perhaps Dylan Baker, RHP, who has missed almost all of the past 3 seasons with injuries.

civ ollilavad wrote:The Miller trade should have been adequate proof that the Dolans and their front office want to win. The EE signing reiterates that. Perhaps the Forum can stop bitching about the team's cheap approach: we all know that the team has 2 more years with the entire roster under control other than Santana who's FA after 2017. Then Miller and his underrated colleague Allen and some others become free agents. Some more long-term deals could secure the "window of opportunity" a little longer.

Look, Dolan all along said they would spend when the team was ready to contend. DONE! And certainly the bounty from last years' run made it all the more logical.

Unless they trade Santana, Aguilar serves no purpose.

He gone.

Tribe recently added Colabello on a minor league contract. He's more versatile than Aguilar and doesn't take up a 40 man slot.

Jesus = Andy Marte

Yandy Diaz is far better player and hitter than Aguilar. Forget about that bum.