Comments on: Again with the one-year contract…

By: Will McIlroy

Will McIlroy — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:25:49 +0000

Owning a sports franchise is not always a rational endeavor. How often do we see successful business people, shrewd and cutthroat in their field, turn to blithering idiots when they get the keys to a franchise?

Apparently normal rules do not apply and it becomes an ego/status point and tax writeoff. Which means Gilbert could be perfect.

Not sure I buy the conspiracy/sale theory but it presents an interesting coincidence. Failure to lock up Masterson, Cabrera, C. Perez and maybe Joe Smith would be a dangerous gamble. Choo is gone (free agency) and R. Perez may be as well (traded midseason) if Hagadone proves he’s ready.

By: medfest

medfest — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 13:59:11 +0000

It takes two people to sign a contract,if I’m advising most of these guys I’m not letting the Indian’s buy out any free agent years with a multi-year deal.

As far as the Dolans getting prepared to sell the team,who would buy a club who can only draw 2.2 million fans for seasons where they do win 90 games?

By: Susan Petrone

Susan Petrone — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:40:12 +0000

heh heh heh…

By: Joey Biz

Joey Biz — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:32:38 +0000

I bet these 1yr deals are hurting jersey sales.

By: Susan Petrone

Susan Petrone — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:04:36 +0000

There’s talk that they may try to work out a multi-year deal during Spring Training. Perhaps this one-year contract is a stopgap measure simply to avoid arbitration.

Interesting thought about the Dolans possibly cleaning house to prepare for a sale. It’s been my pleasure to meet the Dolans a couple of times, and they’re incredibly nice people who genuinely seem to love the game and the team and the city. However, they’re also up in age. Their son Paul is Chairman/CEO, so clearly they’ve given succession some serious thought. And I agree–you’d think a new owner would want some player continuity. Eh, it’s their team, so anything we say is speculation.

By: Will McIlroy

Will McIlroy — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:51:48 +0000

I think the Indians are not yet sure about which Cabrera they have– the aggressive and productive 2011 variety or not in shape 2010 model– especially after he did not play particularly well in winter ball.

Much may hinge on Spring Training perceptions about his motivation and conditioning. If they look good, there is probably a decent chance the Tribe revisits a multi-year year deal.

Mention has already been made (by conspiracy theorists) the club is cleaning the books after 2013 (ie, no guaranteed contracts) for a sale by the Dolans. This sounds interesting but wouldn’t a new owner understand there will be a certain payroll and want to have core players like Cabrera and Masterson locked up to provide continuity and marketing? Other views?