Indians Offseason Target: Scott Sizemore

Indians Should Target Infielder Scott Sizemore

Last winter the Tribe traded reliever Esmil Rogers for shortstop Mike Aviles and catcher Yan Gomes.

They traded away a pending free agent outfielder Shin-Soo Choo to acquire relievers Matt Albers and Bryan Shaw, starting pitcher Trevor Bauer, and outfielder Drew Stubbs. 

Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

They  signed big-ticket free agent outfielders Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher.

They also reached into what I like to call the ugly list and found pitcher Scott Kazmir, utility INF/OF Ryan Raburn, and designated hitter Jason Giambi -all signed to minor league deals.

Over the winter I will focus on all types of players from the Sexy List (top-tier free agents who may fall to the Indians price range) to the Ruggedly Handsome list (players who multiple teams will be targeting) to the Ugly List (players with easy to spot warts).

Today I’ll look at the snakebit Scott Sizemore formerly of the Detroit Tigers and more recently the Oakland Athletics.

Scott Sizemore tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) early in the 2012 season and re-injured it early in 2013.  He been released by the Oakland Athletics and Cleveland would be a great landing spot for the once promising Detroit Tigers prospect.

List: Ugly

2013 Salary/Contact Status:

Major league minimum.

Last 3 Seasons:

Scott Sizemore began the 2011 season with the Tigers Triple A affiliate Toledo Mud Hens before joining the Tigers on May 2nd. He struggled in his initial call up and at the end of May the Tigers dealt him to the Oakland Athletics for relief pitcher David Purcey.

He reported to the Oakland Athletics Triple A affiliate Sacremento River Cats playing in 9 games before reporting to the A’s. Over the remainder of the season he finished the year posting a slash line of .249/.345/.433 hitting 11 home runs and driving in 52 in just 93 games (355 plate appearances). Defensively he started 88 games at third base and a pair at second base.

Unfortunately, Scott Sizemore’s 2012 and 2013 seasons were both wiped out by ACL injuries.

Why Cleveland?

The Indians are going to give Lonnie Chisenhall the lions share of opportunity at third base early in the season but if he struggles the organization will not hesitate to make a switch. After not playing for the past two seasons Scott Sizemore will be looking to get consistent playing time, most likely in the minor leagues to start the season.

The Indians Triple A affiliate Columbus Clippers have few options for the hot corner.  Most likely Jose Ramirez will get some time at  the position and possibly defensive specialist Giovanny Urshela starts the year there but the Indians would most likely prefer he start with their Double A affiliate Akron Rubberducks and work on his bat.

Sizemore also would fit the Indians budget long-term as he is only arbitration eligible this season. Depending on how much time he spends in the minor leagues this season whichever team signs him will control him for the next three and possibly four seasons.

Type of Contract:

The Indians should offer Scott Sziemore a minor league contract.

Ugly List Members:

Ryan Roberts – Previewed Here – as vertical depth at Columbus in the event of injuries to infielders.

Jordan Norberto – Previewed Here – left-handed reliever who will spend most of year rehabbing from TJ surgery but would be under team control for three seasons.

Rafael Perez – Previewed Here – Left-handed reliever and former Tribe set-up man. Perez got through 2013 healthy and could be close to returning to his previous form.

Minor League Free Agents – Previewed Here – Technically, these options are worse than ugly and not at all ruggedly handsome. Evan Vogel details which minor league free agents could be major steals for the Indians in 2014.

Ruggedly Handsome List Memebers:

Justin Morneau – Previewed Here – good defense, ability to hit right-handed pitching, cleanup hitter, and will free front office to shop Drew Stubbs or Asdrubal Cabrera or both.

Roy Halladay – Previewed Here – Add value and character to Indians and if he rebounds from last seasons shoulder issues he could be a big boost to the rotation.

Rafael Furcal – Previewed Here – Could allow Indians to trade Asdrubal Cabrera while having a stop-gap 1-year shortstop while Francisco Lindor finishes his development in the minors.

Tim Hudson – Previewed Here – Despite his age and ugly ankle injury last season the wily vet has been consistent his whole career. He’d be a nice addition to soften the blow of losing Ubaldo Jimenez and/or Scott Kazmir.  Signed with San Francisco Giants

Dan Haren – Previewed Here – Although he has fallen off the last two years he is still a very good back of the rotation pitcher who could step up in 2014 and regain his earlier form.

Bartolo Colon – Previewed Here – The Tribe’s former ace is coming off a dominant season. However at 40-years-old with a PED history the market for Colon is rather cool. Is this an opportunity for the Indians to bring back Colon on a one-year deal? Buster Olney discusses the options available for Bartolo Colon in a video posted on ESPN and featured here.

Francisco Rodriguez – Previewed Here – Could K-Rod be an option at closer in 2014 for the Indians? Possibly. If Rodriguez is looking to get back into a closer role, Cleveland might be the location for that to happen.

Josh Johnson – Previewed Here – Could Josh Johnson be the next reclamation project for Terry Francona and Mickey Callaway? The former Marlins ace is in desperate need of a career reboot and Cleveland could be just the place. Signed with San Diego Padres

Brian Wilson and Fernando Rodney – Previewed Here – Might opposing hitters have to “fear the beard” in Cleveland in 2014? What about Tampa’s former closer, Fernando Rodney? The Indians brass is set to sit down with their agent about a possible union.

Phil Hughes – Previewed Here – Hughes, a former top draft pick, is in desperate need of a change of scenery. After having his ups and downs in a huge New York market, could some time in Cleveland serve him well?