A Quick Look Ahead

If the Indians do not make a major move before the Trade Deadline then Plan B MUST be a serious re-tooling this offseason. Below is a quick look at roster status and payroll. The biggest point is half or more of the “savings” from FA departures will be taken up in arbitration raises to current players. We also need to extend Masterson (and maybe Perez/Choo) before he gets too close to the Promised Land.

Brantley, Masterson, CPerez, Choo and Smith are all likely to get substantial raises. As an Arb 3 player, we should extend (or trade) Smith or risk losing him. We still control Brantley and can deal with him 1-2 years hence.

Unless Hernandez tanks the next 2 months, I think it likely the Tribe keeps him next year to replace Lowe. It’s less likely they re-sign Hafner at a greatly reduced rate. If we still have Damon and Kotchman next year then the offseason was an unmitigated failure.

Trading Choo and/or Perez could add another $ 14-15 million in savings (less costs for the acquired players).

Free Agents After 2012                                                              Future Free Agents

Damon         $ 1.25                                                                     2014
Kotchman       3.0                                                                                 Choo
Lopez               .8                                                                                  Jimenez (player option)

Sizemore         5.0                                                                                  RPerez

Hafner             13.0    (club option)                                                        Smith

Hernandez                  (club option)                                                        Hernandez

Off the Books   $  22.30 Million                                                2015

    28.30 Million (if no Hernandez)                          Cabrera

               Hannahan

Arbitration Players

Brantley     Super 2        Hannahan    Arb 2           Choo       Arb 3
Duncan       Arb 1           Masterson    Arb 2          RPerez    Arb 3
LaPorta      Arb 1           CPerez         Arb 2          Smith      Arb 3
Marson       Arb 1
Sipp           Arb 1

Contracts 2013– Forward

Cabrera          6.5        10.0
Santana          .55          3.5       6.0       8.25        12.0 Option
Hafner           13.0   (option)

Hernandez      6.0  (option)
Jimenez          5.75     8.0   (option)

Payroll info from Indians Prospects Insider