Tribe Happenings: Lee would be a good fit for the Indians

Lee could be an Eddie Murray-like pickup

for a young Tribe lineup. (Photo: AP)

Some news, notes, and thoughts from my Indians notebook…

Indians should sign Derrek Lee

A lot of attention has been paid to the hole the Indians have in center field now that Grady Sizemore’s club option for 2012 has been declined and he is a free agent. It appears remote that the Indians will be able to bring him back as the talk around the league is that it appears he may get a one year deal close to the $9 million for 2012 that the Indians declined.

While the Indians continue to sift through the suitable alternatives via free agency or trade to fill their need in the outfield, another position which is just as important to fill is first base.

Last year the duo of Matt LaPorta (97 games) and Carlos Santana (66 games) played most of the games at first base for the Indians. LaPorta suffered through another disappointing season hitting just .247 with 11 homers, 53 RBI, and .711 OPS in 107 total games played. He also made several defensive miscues at first base which cost the Indians a few games. Santana eventually took over the majority of the first base duties near the tail end of the season when LaPorta was optioned out to Triple-A Columbus in August.

Santana played much more first base than originally expected going into the season, in part because of LaPorta’s struggles at the plate and because of Santana’s own struggles defensively behind the plate. Even with playing first base for the first time and having some unexpected defensive issues his performance at the plate was solid as he hit .239 with 27 homers, 79 RBI and .808 OPS in 155 games.

Santana’s .239 batting average was not very good, but he walked 97 times and got on base at a .351 clip and had 64 extra base hits which is very good at the catching position. The Indians are still committed to him as their everyday catcher because he is most valuable to the team as an elite offensive catcher. He is also a much better defender than he showed this past season as he has a very good arm but just got a little lazy with his receiving behind the plate.

With LaPorta relegated to a bench role or in Triple-A Columbus to start next season and Santana entrenched as the everyday catcher the Indians need to find an everyday first base option for at least next season. Santana will still play some first base to keep his bat in the lineup, but the Indians need a player who can be counted on both defensively and offensively and has a proven track record.

One such player is free agent Derek Lee.

The Indians have yet to be tied to Lee in the offseason rumor mill, but he is exactly the kind of player they target in free agency. A player who is in the twilight of their career who still has some value and can be had on a low risk one year deal. Last year in 113 combined games with the Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates he hit .267 with 19 homers, 59 RBI, and .771 OPS.

Yes, Lee is now 36 years old and his career is in decline and he is no longer the perennial MVP candidate he was three years ago. But the improvement to the Indians lineup would be seen not so much in the actual numbers that he would produce, but with his power, right-handed bat that helps balance such a left-handed heavy lineup. He is also an accomplished defender at first base having won three Gold Glove awards, so he would be a huge upgrade defensively for the Indians. Infield defense is something of huge importance to the team with their groundball heavy pitching staff.

There are certainly other free agent options out there at first base like Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, Michael Cuddyer, Carlos Pena, and even maybe Casey Kotchman. But Pujols and Fielder are way out of the Indians’ price range, Cuddyer looks destined for Philadelphia, and Kotchman and Pena are left-handed bats so may not be good fits. Without considering a trade, at the moment Lee looks like the best fit for the Indians.

Just like the Indians acquired right-handed pitcher Derek Lowe last week on an inexpensive one year deal for $5 million to stabilize and add a veteran presence to the starting rotation, a pickup of Lee may do the same thing for the lineup and defense.

Sabathia, Lee contracts

A little over a week ago left-handed pitcher C.C. Sabathia signed a contract extension with the New York Yankees instead of choosing free agency by opting out of his contract. His new deal adds an extra year and $30 million to his existing contract with the Yankees and will pay him a total of $122 million over the next five seasons, plus he has a vesting option for $30 million in 2017 that will kick in if he basically does not go on the disabled list for a left shoulder injury.

Sabathia originally signed a seven-year, $161 million deal with the Yankees three years ago, so if the option in 2017 vests he has a chance to make $216 million over nine seasons with the Yankees. That’s some big coin.

Last year around this time left-handed pitcher Cliff Lee signed a five-year, $120 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. The deal also included a club option for a sixth season in 2016 for $27.5 million with a $12.5 million buyout. If the option is picked up he will make $135 million over six seasons with the Phillies.

It is hard to believe that back at the beginning of the 2008 season both Lee and Sabathia were a part of the Indians starting rotation. They eventually traded Sabathia to the Brewers in July of 2008 and then Lee to the Phillies in July of 2009. When you look at the Indians decision to trade both players it is hard not to agree that they made the right choice.

The return in the trades for Lee and Sabathia are very questionable as the players the Indians received have had varying levels of success but none of them have played to what was expected of them when they were acquired. But whether or not you agree or disagree with the talent the Indians obtained in those deals there is no question that they made the right move in trying to be proactive in acquiring talent for them rather than losing them in free agency and getting a couple of draft picks as compensation.

The Indians or clubs like them simply do not have the resources to pay any player well over $20 million a year for five or more years. Once again it is another example of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer as it is just not fair that more financially strapped teams like the Indians cannot afford to keep their stars – much less even attempt to try and keep them – whereas the big money teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers and so on can afford to sign them.

Déjà vu

Popular Indians designated hitter Jim Thome signed a one-year, $1.25 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies last weekend, thereby ending his short-lived reunion with the Indians. This is now the second time that he has left the Indians for the Phillies, though this time the parting was much more amicable than his initial departure in November of 2002 when he signed a 6-year, $85 million deal with the Phillies and left the Indians and their fans feeling betrayed.

Going into the offseason the 41-year old Thome was unsure if he would play another season. This past season seemed like a fitting way to end his career as he joined the 600 home run club and got to finish the season in Cleveland. But he still wants one last shot at that elusive World Series ring, which is why he signed with the Phillies to be a left-handed power bat off the bench.

How much interest Thome or the Indians had in carrying over their relationship for next year is unknown, but with a healthy Travis Hafner on the team there was just no fit for him to return to the Indians in 2012. Also, with the Indians having such a left-handed heavy starting lineup they need right-handed bats on the bench, so bringing him back as a bench player with no defensive versatility would not have made much sense.

Thome’s return this year was good PR for him and the Indians as it helped heal some of those wounds left by his exit nine years ago. It also gave the Indians an opportunity to commemorate him at the end of the season and announce they will be building a statue of him. He no doubt is one of the all time Indians’ greats, though had her never left he possibly would have been known as the greatest Indian of all time.

Hot commodity

Indians fans have loved Sandy Alomar Jr. for a long time. First as a catcher during his 11-year stay in Cleveland as a player from 1990 through 2000, and now as a coach since rejoining the organization as part of manager Manny Acta’s staff two years ago. The Indians recently promoted him to bench coach, which essentially puts him as the second in command to only Acta.

Alomar may not be sticking around for long as he has a chance to become the field general for a few different teams. Already this offseason the Chicago White Sox had interest in him as their manager before they settled on Robin Ventura, but now the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox are interested in him as a candidate to fill their manager openings as both clubs interviewed him this week. Last year the Toronto Blue Jays interviewed him for their managerial opening before settling on John Farrell for the job.

Some of the interest may be driven from Alomar being a minority candidate as all teams are required to interview at least one minority candidate before filling a manager vacancy. But the interest is real. With the Blue Jays, White Sox, Cubs and Red Sox all interested in him over the past year, it is clear that he is a popular up and coming coach that a lot of teams believe will be a manager someday. Maybe even this offseason.

International affairs

Soon-to-be free agent outfielder Yoennis Cespedes defected from Cuba over the summer and is currently working out for teams in the Dominican Republic. The hype machine went on overload this week as he became the buzz of the internet and social media world earlier this week when a 20-minute showcase video of him popped up on You Tube and went viral. The video showed all of his attributes – especially his power - and why some people consider him a rare five tool player.

The opinions vary on what Cespedes may ultimately be when he reaches the big leagues, but he is expected to land a record breaking international contract when he ultimately signs with a Major League team this offseason. Aroldis Chapman and his 105 MPH fastball got him a record six-year, $30.5 million deal two years ago, but Cespedes may end up topping that this offseason.

As for the Indians interest in Cespedes? They are mum on exactly how strong their interest is, but they like every other team are present for his workouts and are interested in signing him. The difference is how much a club is willing to pay to sign him, which is why the Indians and so many other teams are not expected to be in the final running for him.

There was also a report last weekend that the Indians signed 17 year old Venezuelan catcher Hector Lunar, though this is not official or a done deal. Terms have been agreed to, but he still has to pass through age and identity checks which can void a deal if something does not check out like it should. Several deals in the past have fallen through when these background checks came up with red flags.

Parting shots

The Indians resigned catcher Michael Hernandez to a minor league contract with an invite to big league camp this spring. He is a 33-year old minor league veteran with 14 years of experience and will likely be the backup catcher at either Triple-A Columbus or Double-A Akron. … Indians free agent outfielder Travis Buck signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros this week and will be a spring training invite to big league camp. … Former Indians minor league manager and player Torey Lovullo is a first base coach with the Toronto Blue Jays, but on Friday the Red Sox interviewed him for their manager opening.

Follow Tony and the Indians Prospect Insider on Twitter @TonyIPI. Also, his latest book the 2011 Cleveland Indians Top 100 Prospects & More is available for purchase for $20.95 to customers in the US (shipping and handling extra).

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No apologies for Ubaldo Jimenez

Ubaldo Jimenez (Photo: AP)

You have to love the "facts."

Ubaldo Jimenez is now a member of the Cleveland Indians.

Ubaldo Jimenez is a staff ace, even if he has been about normal since last August.

Ubaldo Jimenez throws six, maybe seven quality pitches.

Ubaldo Jimenez is worth the price of Drew Pomeranz and Alex White, because he can be an impact player now, while Pomeranz is a ways away, and White has to worry about his finger turning into Adam Miller.

Ubaldo Jimenez is under contract during the "Indians window" from 2011-2013, while Pomeranz and White likely won't make an impact until 2012.

It all sounds familiar, doesn't it? Whenever anyone mentions the Ubaldo Jimenez deal, it was likely in combination with one or more of the previous comments.

We all know Jimenez's numbers. The big righty wen't 19-8 last season, with a 2.88 ERA. He pitched an early no-hitter, and went on to start the All-Star game. Entering the all-star break, Jimenez was an incredible 15-1, with two complete games and a 2.20 ERA. He was clearly the best pitcher in the game at the time, and was having an incredibly special season.

While the wheels didn't fall off of Jimenez's cart, they certainly got a bit more wobbly during the second half of the season. Jimenez made 15 starts in the second half, going 4-7 with a 3.80 ERA. While the 3.80 is nothing to scoff at, clearly he was a different pitcher then the one that dominated the National League during the first half.

In 2011, things started off much worse for the Rockies ace. After making his first start of the season, he went on the DL for the first time in his career with, of all things, a cracked cuticle on his pitching thumb. During that initial start, Jimenez had given up five earned runs in six innings pitched, and was complaining of "grip problems" during the start. When he returned, he wasn't much better, if not worse. He gave up 28 earned runs in his next eight starts, only making it past the six inning mark in four of those starts. His ERA ballooned to 6.67 at it's highest, and was sitting at 5.86 as he entered June.

The trade rumors began to swirl, as Jimenez's velocity had dropped three MPH since 2010. Jimenez was also closing in on the 1,000 inning mark in Colorado, and the term "arm trouble" began to circulate throughout major league circles.

But Jimenez immediately began pitching better. On June 1, he pitched his first complete game, a seven K, four hit shut-out against the Dodgers, dropping his ERA nearly a point, to 4.98. It was his first win of the season...on June 1st.

He would end the month of June with two more wins, and in his six starts, four of them were of seven innings or more. His ERA dropped to 4.35, and the velocity began to pick up once again. He would continue his brilliant pitching into July, garnering three more wins, and at one point dropping his ERA to 4.00.

Enter the Indians and their massive offer to acquire Jimenez.

It was an interesting deal for the Indians since Jimenez was clearly the best starter on the market, and with the Indians seemingly in a hunt for a right-handed, power-hitting outfielder. While the Indians could have used a starter, it didn't seem to be at the top of the needs list. Still, when a pitcher like Jimenez goes on the market, you have to make that phone call.

Jimenez has a contract that clearly fits within the confines of the Indians' money saving strategy. In 2012, Jimenez makes a paltry $4.2 million, and it only goes up slightly in 2013, with a team option at $5.75 million. Jimenez does have another club option in 2014 at $8 million, but a clause in his contract allows him to opt out of the option if he was traded. He was, and he will.

With Jimenez signed through 2013 at a club friendly price, he is the perfect "ace" to trade for, since the Indians' front office sees the club's playoff window as 2012-2013. Of course, with the Indians only two-and-a-half games out of first now, the 2011 season enters the window as well.

I'm on board with the Indians' reasoning for making the deal, since Jimenez clearly has the stuff that aces are made of. I even say that with the firm belief that barring injury, Alex White and Drew Pomeranz will be top-of-the-rotation starters for Colorado starting this year (with White returning to the majors and making his Rockies' debut last night, and Rockies' brass believing that Pomeranz has a chance to enter the rotation next year).

His four starts with the Indians have been a mixed bag of bad, with a quality start in the middle. His first start was a struggle in Texas, as he went five innings, giving up five earned runs, seven hits and three walks, while striking out seven. He couldn't locate any of his seven wonder-pitches, and made 108 total pitches during the five-inning stint.

He rebounded nicely in his next start, giving up three runs (none earned) in an eight inning start against the Tigers, giving up five hits and a walk, while striking out six. He made 117 pitches, and showed signs of that "ace status" that the Indians gave up so much for.

In his third start, he reverted back to the guy in the first start, struggling from the start to locate anything, and only making it to the middle of the fifth inning. In 4 2/3 IP, he gave up nine hits and four earned runs, walking only one, but striking out five. The patient White Sox hitters waited for him to groove fastballs, and Jimenez went deep into many counts, throwing 105 pitches through 4 2/3 innings.

His last start was once again against the Tigers, the third game of a series in which the Indians had lost the first two, dropping them precariously close to inconsequence with the regular season drawing towards it's final month of baseball. This was what he was traded for...to be a stopper during a stretch run. To reclaim a bit of the Cliff Lee and CC Sabathia magic that had been missing since 2009. After three up-and-down starts, it was his chance to put the naysayers like me to rest.

Except it didn't happen.

Jimenez melted down, giving up eight earned runs in 3 1/3 innings. The Indians would make a run before finally losing 8-7, but the damage had been done.

That's not good enough.

In three of his Tribe starts, he went five innings or less, and he's given up four or more runs in those same three games.

Yeah, I get it, you can't judge a book by a four-game cover...can you? We, as Indians' fans, have to look at the big picture. I mean, we have him for two whole years! And, we have him for a nice, cheap price! And, we have to give him a chance, it's only been four starts! And, he's still getting used to the American League hitting! And his mechanics are shot! And next year, he could win 20, and you'll forget about this year. And two years from now, he'll win 20 more!

Many have used that idiotic thinking to make his three shoddy performances acceptable. I've heard it all, from small sample sizes, to getting his bearings straight, to how emotional he must be to leave the organization that he's been with since day one of his career, to how cruddy his mechanics are.

Sorry, it's the stretch drive, and the Indians are (or at least were) a player to win the division.

The Indians payed an extremely high price to acquire Jimenez, giving up two potential aces to nab an "ace." Therefore, don't you think that he should pitch like one?  Sorry, it's not okay to just toss away 2011.

Remember another "ace" pitcher who was dealt when he was 27.  Remember CC Sabathia? Clearly, Sabathia had a bit more substance backing his career. He won the Cy Young in 2007, going 19-7 (Jimenez was 19-8) with a 3.21 ERA (Jimenez had a 2.88). CC was a lefty, likely making him a bit more valuable, but there are certainly major similarities between the two, especially considering the struggles that Sabathia went through to start the 2008 season, going 3-8 through June 5th, before a late June surge.  He then went to Milwaukee and promptly went 9-0 in his first 11 starts, with six complete games. Overall, he went 11-2, and carried the Brew-Crew to the playoffs on his back.

Or how about another "ace" pitcher who was dealt during the 2009 season after another Cy Young award win. Cliff Lee was 2-6 heading into June, but was hurt thanks to no run production. Still, things picked up for the Tribe ace in June and July, as he went 5-3 with a sub 3.00 ERA. He was traded to the Phillies at the deadline, and simply went off, rolling out four wins in his first four starts, all quality starts. Overall, he would go 7-4, and he did taper off a bit in September, but his 3.39 ERA, two complete games, and six quality starts stand out.

Jimenez may not have the Sabathia pedigree, and may not have been "in the groove" as Lee was with regards to throwing strikes, but he certainly would fit in the equation with what those two players were expected to give their team. Jimenez is currently 1-0, with the Indians losing two of his three starts. He certainly has a chance to make a big impact in 2011. With nine-to-ten starts likely ahead of him, the time to start making that impact is now.

The Indians signed him to be a stopper, plain and simple. While Justin Masterson deserves to be in the Cy Young talk, and while Josh Tomlin has been an impressive surprise, and while Fausto has looked a bit like the 2007 version of himself lately, Jimenez has the stuff to absolutely blow players away.

That's why Ubaldo Jimenez is now a member of the Cleveland Indians.

That's what can make Ubaldo Jimenez the staff ace the Tribe needs, if he stops being just kinda pretty good since last August.

That's what will make his six, or possibly seven pitches so impressive (and not just a conversation piece about throwing too many pitches).

And that's what makes Ubaldo Jimenez worth the price of Drew Pomeranz and Alex White...because he can be an impact player now. While Pomeranz may be close, and White even closer, there are still many...many questions until they actually do it.

I don't care about Ubaldo Jimenez being under contract during the "Indians window" in 2012 and 2013 in 2011. What I do care about is Jimenez making an impact this year. In case you didn't notice, the Tribe is making a run (well...more like a double-limp at this point) to the playoffs. The Indians don't have time to allow him a few starts to figure out the American League. In this race, one game could make the difference.

So stop apologizing for Ubaldo Jimenez. The farm was given up for him to win games THIS YEAR, not just the next two.

Now, if we can just figure out a way for him to hit...

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