Indians aren’t making any cuts
By PAUL HOYNES
The Tribe has an estimated $57 million committed to 11 players next season.
CLEVELAND — Indians president Paul Dolan says there will be no “pull back” in the team’s big-league payroll for 2009 despite the country’s poor economy.
“As always, we will look to be opportunistic,” said Dolan. “We will not pull back from where we ended last season. When we see an opportunity to improve the club, we won’t be afraid to do it.
“We like the club we have right now. I’m sure we will add to it before spring training.”
The Indians’ 25-man payroll at the start of the 2008 season was an estimated $79 million. When the season ended, following the trades of veterans CC Sabathia, Casey Blake and Paul Byrd, it was an estimated $75 million. Just where it will be for the start of next season has yet to be determined, but the Indians have an estimated $57 million committed to 11 players.
Dolan attended the owners meetings in New York last week. Commissioner Bud Selig had Paul Volcker, former chairman of the Federal Reserve and a financial adviser to president-elect Barack Obama, talk to the owners about the economy.
The word recession is nothing new to Dolan or Cleveland. Dolan, however, knows the Indians will feel the latest economic crunch.
“The magnitude of what’s happening now is far greater than what we’ve had gone on in Cleveland and Northeastern Ohio for the last decade,” said Dolan. “It’s difficult, more severe. In many respects it’s more of a shock to other clubs than ours.”
It is GM Mark Shapiro’s job to make the Indians better than their 81-81 finish in 2008. He entered the off-season with three needs — an infielder at second, shortstop or third, a closer and a veteran starting pitcher.
It’s believed his focus is on finding a closer because the market is deeper than it is for infielders and starting pitchers.
That being said, Jhonny Peralta is playing third base for Aguilas in the Dominican Republic.
It could be a prelude to Peralta making a permanent move to third, while Shapiro signs a second baseman or shortstop with Asdrubal Cabrera filling the empty spot.
The Indians were interested in free agent second baseman Orlando Hudson and shortstop Rafael Furcal, but apparently have moved on. Furcal is said to be close to signing a four-year deal with Oakland.
“We decided at the end of the season to have Jhonny play third base in winter ball,” said Shapiro. “Right now there’s a high probability that he will be our shortstop next year, but we want him to play there in case we do add another infielder.”
If Peralta stays at short and Cabrera at second, it still leaves a hole at third. The Indians are actively negotiating with free agent Casey Blake. The Dodgers and Twins are talking to Blake as well.
Two other third-base candidates have apparently slipped on the Tribe’s most wanted list. Talks with the Rockies concerning Garrett Atkins have quieted, while free agent Joe Crede’s bad back remains a concern.
The picture of Garrett, a suspect defender, playing alongside the range-challenged Peralta, caused worry in the executive offices at Progressive Field.
It is one of the reasons the Indians have continued to pursue Blake. Jim McDowell, Blake’s agent, and the Tribe have exchanged ideas on a contract. Blake made $6.1 million on a one-year deal last season.
“I don’t think we surprised each other,” said McDowell.
The Dodgers retain a strong interest in Blake, who helped them reach the National League Championship Series.
There are other free-agent infielders available, including Orlando Cabrera, Edgar Renteria and David Eckstein, but the closer market probably offers Shapiro a bigger chance to improve the team. The big-dog free agents, Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes and Kerry Wood, have yet to sign, followed by veterans such as Trevor Hoffman and Jason Isringhausen.
Reportedly, Jose Valverde, J.J. Putz, George Sherrill, Matt Capps, Huston Street, Bobby Jenks and others could be available through trades.