Sure, long-term contracts can turn around and bite you and on the (e.g., Travis Hafner, whom I love but wish we could reasonably unload). At the same, I guess I’d like to see us signing a few long-terms. The Tribe signed Shin-Soo Choo, Justin Masterson, Chris Perez, Joe Smith, Jack Hannahan, Rafael Perez and now Casey Kotchman to one-year deals. What does that mean for the future? It’s frustrating. Find ways to keep these guys and build a team. Small-market shouldn’t equate to Yankee and Red Sox farm team.

Which Cabrera would you be getting over the long term? Last year’s strong version with career highs in HRs and RBI or the out of shape, gets worn down, inconsistent version from the year before? Players always want to be paid based on one good year.

Also, we control him through 2013 but in 2 years Lindor may be about ready for his run at SS. If Kipnis and Chisenhall pan out, where do you move ACab at that point?

As you suggest, I’d like to see us keep some core players. Asdrubal took on a desperately needed leadership role last year and is part of the core. Hopefully a happy medium is reached (and with Masterson at some point; Choo is likely gone)..