Cleveland Indians to sign Jose Bautista this offseason
The Indians need about 5,000 more season ticket holders, which could increase revenue by $40 million. If they get rid of Travis Hafner’s salary ($18 million) and don’t take the option on Grady Sizemore ($8 million), and add a player who can fill the seats, they’ll have $66 million in disposable income in 2012 to invest in one or more players. premiere.
Prince Fielder will be a $20 million man. He certainly could add 5,000 season tickets. From a profit standpoint, the Cleveland Indians could sign him for $20 million, cut $26 million and increase revenue by $40 million for a net profit of $46 million.
Of course, unless the Yankees want an $18 million left-handed DH or pinch hitter, no one will want Hafner’s salary, so if the Indians trade him, they won’t get anyone of value in return, plus they’ll have to pay someone. $10 million at least. So let’s forget about Hafner and trust what we know: The Indians won’t accept Grady Sizemore’s contract and save $8 million in 2012.
Under this scenario, assuming they bring in a star who can sell 5,000 seats, the Indians will have $48 million more to spend on the team. Maybe they go to $22 million or even more for Prince Fielder? The risk is not high, since the young man has been a class person and a constant actor. Plus, the Indians’ infield’s only weakness is first base. The fit would be perfect from the Indian’s point of view.
Unfortunately, the Indians probably aren’t close enough to win it all to make Prince’s list. But, since the Yankees and Red Sox only have DH spots for him, if Prince doesn’t want to be a DH, the Indians might be his best option. But don’t bet on it. The Los Angeles Dodgers will soon have a new owner, and they may need to make a big splash to win back fans.
But, there’s someone else who’s a free agent who could help sell 5,000 season tickets a year, and that’s Jose Bautista. Cleveland is in the same league as the Toronto Blue Jays, so they will be facing the same pitchers Bautista has been playing with in recent years. Also, the Indians are very weak at home runs. An outfielder who can hit 40 to 50 home runs could mean 15 to 20 more wins for the Indians, who lost too many one-run games this year. Plus, Bautista could put enough people in the seats to more than cover his salary.
Interestingly, if Hafner can be moved for a sub-$8 million payout to the other team, adding Fielder at first base and Bautista in the outfield would fix two of the Indians’ biggest weaknesses, plus they could certainly generate at least $40 million. in income to cover their salaries and make an incremental profit to boot. Plus, with that kind of firepower, the Indians’ pitching, who did a decent job this year, would give the Tribe a shot at being in the 100-win bracket.
So, look for the Tribe to go after both Fielder and Bautista seriously, but look for them to only succeed with Bautista.
