Michael Bourn to the Indians per Jon Heyman and Ken Rosenthal

[WhiteSox5187]

Jon Heyman and Ken Rosenthal on Twitter report that the Indians and Michael Bourn agree to a four year $48 million with a vesting option for $12 million for a fifth if he gets 550 plate appearances in the last year.

[blandman]

Originally Posted by WhiteSox5187

Jon Heyman and Ken Rosenthal on Twitter report that the Indians and Michael Bourn agree to a four year $48 million with a vesting option for $12 million for a fifth if he gets 550 plate appearances in the last year.

Not that I think the Indians are better than us (they're not), anything that makes a division opponent harder makes that wild card option less and less likely.

We could have REALLY used him. The contract is downright robbery.

[Domeshot17]

Originally Posted by blandman

Not that I think the Indians are better than us (they're not), anything that makes a division opponent harder makes that wild card option less and less likely.

We could have REALLY used him. The contract is downright robbery.

I dont know, I like Bourn, but I dont think hes worth 12 mil per. I mean, thats about what Rios makes and Rios > Bourn. He will make the Indians better.

[blandman]

Originally Posted by Domeshot17

I dont know, I like Bourn, but I dont think hes worth 12 mil per. I mean, thats about what Rios makes and Rios > Bourn. He will make the Indians better.

I don't think Rios is better than Bourne. Rios had some better seasons, but he's inconsistent. And Bourn's a different player. One of the best leadoff guys in the game, and a defensive wizard in center.

I'd probably rather have Bourn. But having one and not the other isn't what I meant either. I'd love to have Bourn in center and Rios in right with a platoon in left. That's an outfield that would have went a long way to helping us compete. I'm not sure there's a guy out there now that'll realistically put us in the equation.

[Domeshot17]

Originally Posted by blandman

I don't think Rios is better than Bourne. Rios had some better seasons, but he's inconsistent. And Bourn's a different player. One of the best leadoff guys in the game, and a defensive wizard in center.

I'd probably rather have Bourn. But having one and not the other isn't what I meant either. I'd love to have Bourn in center and Rios in right with a platoon in left. That's an outfield that would have went a long way to helping us compete. I'm not sure there's a guy out there now that'll realistically put us in the equation.

I think we can compete, but its the same formula we always have. Last year we built a 75 win team and it maxed out and won 84 games, I dont think that team could possibly have won 88, they far over achieved. Now we are starting with a base team that would win 82-85 games, so winning 90 is unlikely but possible. IF we do that and something happens in Detroit, we could compete.

[kittle42]

You guys would want another guy in the lineup striking out 140+ times a season? We'd never hear the end of it.

[blandman]

Originally Posted by Domeshot17

I think we can compete, but its the same formula we always have. Last year we built a 75 win team and it maxed out and won 84 games, I dont think that team could possibly have won 88, they far over achieved. Now we are starting with a base team that would win 82-85 games, so winning 90 is unlikely but possible. IF we do that and something happens in Detroit, we could compete.

I don't share your opinion that the base of this team is that good, if for no other reason than games within our division are going to be a lot harder to win this year.

[102605]

I think the Indians are a sleeper AL Central team. I would not be surprised if they beat the White Sox for 2nd place..

[blandman]

Originally Posted by 102605

I think the Indians are a sleeper AL Central team. I would not be surprised if they beat the White Sox for 2nd place..

They don't have the pitching. They've made a few curious signings (Bourn, Swisher) that you'd expect a contending team only to make. They must share your opinion.

[mahagga73]

Originally Posted by 102605

I think the Indians are a sleeper AL Central team. I would not be surprised if they beat the White Sox for 2nd place..

The only thing that would surprise me is if the Tigers don't win the division. I think the Sox could win as many games as last year and finish 3rd in the standings possibly.

[asindc]

Originally Posted by 102605

I think the Indians are a sleeper AL Central team. I would not be surprised if they beat the White Sox for 2nd place..

Nah. They replaced Choo with Swisher and Sizemore with Bourn. This just puts them in a better position to compete with the Sox.

[doublem23]

Originally Posted by asindc

Nah. They replaced Choo with Swisher and Sizemore with Bourn. This just puts them in a better position to compete with the Sox.

They're going to score a lot of runs but their pitching is just brutal. Shades of the Late 90's and Early 00's Sox.

[Foulke You]

Originally Posted by 102605

I think the Indians are a sleeper AL Central team. I would not be surprised if they beat the White Sox for 2nd place..

I think both the White Sox and Royals have better pitching than the Tribe. Ubaldo Jimenez, Justin Masterson, Bauer, Brett Myers, and Zack McCallister is the Indians rotation. There really isn't a true #1 in that rotation or even a #2 for that matter. Ubaldo has regressed mightily since his Rockies days and is not really an ace anymore. I don't see their "big 3" hanging with Verlander/Scherzer/Sanchez or Sale/Peavy/Danks or even Shields/Santana/Guthrie.

Also, as a previous poster pointed out, Swisher and Bourn are going to replace the lost production from the recently departed Choo, Sizemore, and Hafner. Will the Tribe be improved in 2013? Probably. However, I still have them penciled in at fourth place.

[PaleHoser]

Speed guy with no power on the wrong side of 30 for 4/$48M? I'd pass.

[doublem23]

Originally Posted by 102605

I think the Indians are a sleeper AL Central team. I would not be surprised if they beat the White Sox for 2nd place..

Right now I think Detroit is destined for October and Minnesota for the cellar, but the other three could finish in any order and I would not be surprised.