One by one, the starting pitching options for the Cleveland Indians disappear. Just this week, free agent hurlers Jon Garland and Ben Sheets signed contracts with the San Diego Padres and Oakland A’s, respectively. Note that neither pitcher signed with big market teams.
Sheets received $10 million per year from Oakland, an outrageous amount considering he didn’t pitch at all in 2009, and is coming of flexor tendon surgery in his right elbow. It is surprising that the former Brewer received a guaranteed deal instead of an incentive laden one.
Garland signed for around $5 million for this season, reportedly. It says here he would have been a perfect option for the Indians, seeing that he is a proven innings eater, a reliable starting pitcher, something the Tribe really doesn’t have on their roster, no matter what they tell you.
Were the Indians interested in either pitcher? We know that they did not actively scout Sheets when we worked out for most of the other major league teams. As for Garland, there was no buzz involving Cleveland’s interest in him, as well as Jarrod Washburn and Eric Bedard, the other quality starters on the market.
Over the weekend, SportsTime Ohio’s Al Pawlowski was asked about his reaction to an article by ESPN’s Buster Olney saying the Indians were cheap. Pawlowski took the company line and said the Tribe may be active closer to spring training when some bargains may be available. The only two possible bargains that are worth anything are the aforementioned Washburn and Bedard, so it doesn’t look good for that type of signing.
Again, we are not saying the Indians should have a $150 million payroll. This market doesn’t support that. However, having a payroll in the $45-$55 million range is being cheap. It is projected that the Indians’ 2010 players’ salaries will be around $54 million. That’s in the Pittsburgh Pirate territory. At that amount, the Tribe will have a lower payroll than any other team in the division, and outside of the White Sox, there are no major markets to compete against.
Also, it is understood that Cleveland is rebuilding, but is it necessary in this division? With some added starting pitching, the Dolan family could find itself in the middle of a divisional pennant race. However, it appears they are more interested in saving money.
Maybe Indian fans can root for a profit? Instead of cheering for players like Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez, the team could display their financial statement on the jumbotron, the crowd could go wild. Instead of following the daily standings, fans can follow the financial pages. We understand that it’s a business, but it’s also a sport, in which supporters of the team want to see victories.
The Indians have taken that aspect away from the fans. That’s what the Dolan ownership is all about. That’s why the fan base has been eroded.
MW
Cleveland Sports Perspective 