Footprints in the Snow is FanHouse's look at the paths to be forged by MLB teams this winter as they look ahead to 2010.The baseball season ended in a way that Cleveland Indians fans had been dreaming it would for a few years. There starting in a World Series game were CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee. The only problem was neither was wearing a Cleveland Indians uniform.
Needless to say the 2009 season was not kind to the Indians.
Last winter they hit the free-agent market to bring in guys like Mark DeRosa, Carl Pavano and Kerry Wood. By the time the season had ended, only Wood remained on the team, and he wasn't used very often since Cleveland didn't have much use for a closer.
Now they enter the winter with a brand new manager and some talented players, but if you're hoping for some kind of turnaround in Cleveland next season, then you should probably see a doctor because your dementia has taken a severe turn for the worse.
Who Might Leave
Jamey Carroll, 2B
Shopping List
After reading that list of players who might be leaving via free agency this winter, you're probably thinking that it isn't much. You're right, it isn't, but that's only because the team traded everybody else away last summer. Since we're calling this section the "Shopping List" the best way I can think of to describe Cleveland's plan this winter is to go back to the grocery store and try and return everything they bought on their last visit. Then, using whatever store credit they can get, they'll go to the produce section and buy some fruit that hasn't ripened yet in hopes that one day it'll taste really good.
It's hard to come up with a list of what the Indians need and might go after since they need so many different things, and don't really have the money to buy everything they need. Odds are they'll be spending a lot of their winter trying to sell off any large contract they have that doesn't belong to Grady Sizemore to decrease a payroll that was $81 million to start last season.
Money Matters
Considering the Indians finished 26th in attendance last season and aren't likely to boost those numbers in 2010, that number is going to be coming down.If they can somehow find a team that would be willing to take on Jake Westbrook's $11 million contract for a prospect or two, general manager Mark Shapiro will jump at the chance. Same story for Travis Hafner's albatross, though you'd have better luck finding the fountain of youth than a team willing to take on the three years and $37.5 million -- best extension ever -- left on that contract.
They might be able to find somebody to take Kerry Wood off of their hands though.
As crazy as it would have been to say it only a year ago at this time, don't be shocked at all if the Indians try and move Grady Sizemore next summer for a number of prospects if they're out of the race. Considering Sizemore's age, talent and contract (only $21.6 million through 2012) he is by far the team's best trade chip, and considering the rebuilding process that needs to take place in Cleveland, they're going to have to pull that trigger at some point.
Offseason Goals
The Indians won't be able to do too much on the open market this winter, so odds are that any move they make won't be one that makes national news. They're going to be shopping for some pitching help in the bargain bin, but really the biggest goal the team should be have is trying to win back a fanbase that has seen the organization trade away two Cy Young winners in the last two seasons. That's a goal that's not likely to be achieved until the team starts winning again, which could be a few years away.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
To think this team was close to a world series 2 years ago is amazing. They really didn't have that much talent then. They should go back to the Hart times. 2nd base is an offensive position. They need a corner outfielder with some pop. They need a third baseman and a first baseman and a catcher. Offense brings in the crowds. Start there and then we'll work on pitching.