#contract extension

Alright, so it is clear that A LOT of you have fallen for Justin Masterson and his agent’s PR campaign. I am an Indians fan and I did not.

Masterson is a good guy but he is playing everyone for the same reason so many athletes always do, which is to get a fat paycheck for throwing a ball. For all his talk (and  a great Spring Training), he has forgotten that contract negotiations are exactly that, an exchange. Here is an equation that he seems to think works:

I make an offer = accept my offer because I am a good guy…or I walk.

Well, we saw this with Jim Thome and I LOVED that guy. But no one is going to build a statue for Justin Masterson.  

…Quite frankly this formula of presenting a compromise which is in fact an ultimatum does not work. Get that? IT DOES NOT WORK! 

But before I make a villain out of him (or praise the Tribe’s front office, which I am not doing), I suggest that as Indians fans we take a deep breath and focus on this year. I want a World Series Title. You want a  World Series Title. All these contract rumors be damned. 

I mean, in the end, if we sign Masterson and still lose, I ask you, was it worth all the complaining? 

Obviously not. 

As of today there have been many reports about contract extensions talks between the Indians and ace Justin Masterson being put on hold. Along these reports, lots of reporters are asking why this is the case, with a heavy emphasis on the Tribe being unfair. Well, the reason for their trepidation should be obvious.

First of all, with not a single criticism of Masterson, the contract proposal (around a 3-4 year deal, roughly averaging 17mil to start), is indeed a discount as far as years but not dollars. If you consider the relative worth of draft pick compensation and the financial package associated with it, that’s still a lot if money for a small or mid level team…and he is still one pitcher who starts once a week.

Ignore that if you want. It is easy to argue the Tribe’s frugal nature…lots of examples there…especially when considering the former greats CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee. I will note however that both those players won the Cy Young while with the Indians and therefore had a very solid foundation to request longer and more lucrative contracts.

But consider this…how many important pitchers this Spring alone have had to undergo Tommy John Surgery? I’ve lost count so let’s say at least six. The Indians simply cannot afford to tie up the kind if money in a type of player who doesn’t play every day and might well get injured (despite his stellar health so far). Frankly a 2-3 year deal (what was reported was the Indians’ counter offer) makes sense and I sincerely hope Masterson will consider it.

Because of the smaller market limitations of the Indians, long term decisions must be by necessity very strategic. If given the choice, I would rather that kind of commitment be handed to Jason Kipnis…and those talks are happening. After all, Kipnis plays every day and just keeps getting better. Not a household name yet but he will be.

For all of his high talk regarding the Indians and Terry Francona, Masterson committed a fairly significant mistake by trying to paint the Indians ownership as the bad guys…well, only bad if they refuse his proposal. Negotiations are exactly that…an exchange of dollars and years, a back and forth process. Masterson violated this concept, at least as far as how the Indians conduct business…which is outside the public eye. The talks surrounding Kipnis, however, have been very quiet and from what I gather respectful.

As an Indians fan, I want them to keep Masterson and Kipnis, but if I had to choose, I want the gritty guy who works his ass off on the field and at the plate every day for 9 innings.

So where does that leave Masterson? Same place it should. If he wants to stay, work with the Indians on their terms, at least publicly. And if he signs, he signs, if not, well, we’ve been there before and I believe the Tribe will get along just fine one way or the other.