Sorry, Uncle - Michael Bourn signs with Indians

[LegallyMinded]

Ken Rosenthal:
Bourn will lead off for the Indians and play center field. Swisher will be in right and Michael Brantley in left, leaving Drew Stubbs as a likely fourth outfielder.

I'd go with Swisher at first, Reynolds at DH and Brantley, Bourn and Stubbs in the OF-- basically, anything to get Reynolds off the field.

[blumj]

I think the plan was Mark Reynolds at 1B and Chisenhall at 3B.

Yep, forgot Reynolds, the combination gives them some depth and flexibility, anyway.

[VR]

Has to be tough for Drew to see someone with Bourn's skillset get such a contract like this...especially when it's moving him down the depth chart.

[Gallen5862]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

Indians To Sign Michael Bourn

Bourn is the second four-year deal that the Indians have given out this offseason, as the team also agreed to a four-year, $56MM contract with Nick Swisher in early January. Cleveland forfeited its second-round pick in order to sign Swisher, and the Bourn signing will cost them their competitive-balance pick, which would have been No. 69 overall according to Baseball America's Jim Callis (on Twitter). Bourn's former team, the Braves, will now receive the No. 31 pick in this year's draft as compensation for their loss, Callis adds.

[Blitz Dorsey]

Haha. Even the Indians are convinced Stubbs sucks. (And they are right.)

[Blitz Dorsey]

I'd go with Swisher at first, Reynolds at DH and Brantley, Bourn and Stubbs in the OF-- basically, anything to get Reynolds off the field.

Mark Reynolds > Drew Stubbs.

[Kc61]

Not sure about all the plans on this thread as to how the Indians now will use Stubbs.

Stubbs is very likely to be moved by the Tribe IMO. Guy hit .213, his main value is as a defender in CF, don't see them paying him almost three million now that they have signed Bourn long term. Already seen internet rumors going both ways on this, but I'd guess Tribe will shop Stubbs.

If I were a Stubbs fan looking forward to seeing him at Goodyear, I'd go early in the spring.

[757690]

I would like him as a fifth outfielder, backup CF for the Reds. A good bat against lefties, and a very good glove in CF. Not sure what the Tribe would want for him, though.

[Kc61]

I would like him as a fifth outfielder, backup CF for the Reds. A good bat against lefties, and a very good glove in CF. Not sure what the Tribe would want for him, though.

It's late at night, I won't write a long essay, just mark me down as one who thinks the Reds should try it without Mr. Stubbs for awhile. I know he hits lefties better than righties, but perhaps we can try someone else at this point. And I doubt Walt wants to add $2.825 million to the payroll for this particular player.

[camisadelgolf]

Mark Reynolds > Drew Stubbs.

Only as a DH.

[GAC]

That news is really gonna pee off my buddy who is an ATL fan. LOL

[mth123]

I would like him as a fifth outfielder, backup CF for the Reds. A good bat against lefties, and a very good glove in CF. Not sure what the Tribe would want for him, though.

I'd pass. Makes too much money and really isn't the defender he's made out to be. The best thing about his game is his speed on the bases and he's good against LHP. I guess if the tribe would take Masset off our hands to make the swap salary neutral, he'd be OK, or if they'd take Ondrusek and send a couple a million bucks with him, otherwise, I'd pass.

[sdwagers]

I think Stubbs will be dealt. probably here...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0rl4_lBOP4

they need all the help they can get.

[chicoruiz]

This morning's Baseball Prospectus speculates that the Indians may now look into flipping Stubbs to the Mets, who were the runners-up in the Bourne derby. The Mets' current CF, Kirk N*****, (I'm not going to attempt to spell it), bats lefty, so Drew might make an appealing platoon partner.

[Nasty_Boy]

I would think the Brantley and Stubbs would make an excellent platoon in LF.