Comments on: What Do You Do with Grady Sizemore?

By: scott

scott — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 15:54:43 +0000

Having the advantage of writing after you posted the ‘what do we do with Pronk?’ post, i say we combine them, buy out Pronk’s 2012 and DH Grady next season. As a DH, Pronk’s whole value is what he does at the plate, and he hasn’t done much. I like Pronk but at some point you gotta let go. DHing Grady saves all the OF wear-and-tear on his knees and maybe by concentrating solely on hitting he can regain his batting eye. (remember, in his 1st stint off the DL back in May, he was ridiculous with extra-base hits) It’s a 1-year risk: if it doesn’t work out, his contract is up, goodbye Grady. Yes you risk $16.5M (8M Pronk buyout, 8.5M Grady salary), but these days when hitting is at a premium, what else will the Tribe do? There won’t be an available hitter who isn’t snatched up by NYY or Boston and Grady is an in-house option.

By: Reacass

Reacass — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 19:52:58 +0000

It is time to cut ties with Grady. If he can resurrect his career, more power to him. But he certainly has not been worth what the Indians have been paying him for the last couple of years and only a fool would bet $8M that he will be an excellent player next year. Take a look at what level player makes $8M a year and you will see how far away he is currently.

By: Stephanie Liscio

Stephanie Liscio — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 17:20:16 +0000

Drew, those are the same reasons that I never really complain about the Tribe not signing some big money free agent. Look at Adam Dunn and the salary he’s making this year – someone could make the league minimum and still (obviously) put up much better numbers.

I think those deals with incentives are always a good idea. I think Carl Pavano had a setup like that here in Cleveland…if you do well and stay healthy, you make your money. If not, you don’t.

By: Drew

Drew — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 14:05:55 +0000

But $8.5M is way too much money to spend on insurance against the possibility that he goes elsewhere in the division and becomes good again. $3.5-$4M may be about right but lets be honest, Jack Hannahan and Shelly Duncan have produced more than he has in 2011 and they make a combined $1M.
Can a player sign a contract in the MLB where if he performs he gets specific incentives? For example, if Sizemore signs a $8.5M extension in which $2.5M is guaranteed and if he plays 140 games he gets $2M, he strikes out less than 120 times he gets $2M. He hits over .280 he gets $2M?

By: Stephanie Liscio

Stephanie Liscio — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 07:26:29 +0000

You guys make great points…I think my willingness to keep him is directly connected to my fear that he’ll leave and have great success elsewhere. It really wouldn’t be the end of the world, as he’s been given ample opportunities over the past few seasons.

By: Jerry

Jerry — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 04:11:17 +0000

Agreed……too brittle…..Some folks simply cannot handle the everyday wear of MLB

By: Derrek in Utah

Derrek in Utah — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 02:41:53 +0000

Stephanie,

Firstly I wanted to say as the season is winding down, thanks for running the blog, as you can imagine the Tribe does not get much coverage out west. It is nice to have somewhere to go for an entertaining read on my team every day or so this season.

I am with you on the season being better than we could have hoped in February, but it is still a sting to be out after being in it for so long. I finally gave in swapped out my Cleveland Ringtone/wallpaper today for my football one. Good season all in all, still a bummer…

On Sizemore, I know there is always the fear that if you let him go he ends up somewhere in the division and is suddenly the 2007 version of himself, but I just don’t see how you can pay him $8+M based on his last 2 seasons. It is hard to get durable over night, and I just don’t see that happening. If we can renegotiate his deal for cheaper I say do it in a heartbeat, if not, best wishes.

By: Drew

Drew — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 23:54:02 +0000

I was at Sizemore’s last rehab start in Columbus and he had two strikeouts. In fact, in the first inning the Clippers batted around and Sizemore made two of three outs in the inning. One was a strikeout and the other was a hard line out to 2nd. The strikeout came with the bases load. If I remember correctly, he did that twice that night.

His defense, speed, and ability to come up with big hits was what made him an all-star. He strikes out so much that he is a rally-killer. His troubles are magnified on the 2011 Indians because it is SO difficult for the team to string together a series of hits.

I like Carrera, Choo, and Brantley in the OF for the Indians next season and on $8.5M for a 4th OF who also bats LH just doesn’t make sense. A change of scenery can revitalize a person and I think it would be best for both Grady and the Indians that the two seek excellence elsewhere.