Best Contracts In Cleveland Indians History

Sep 24, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona (left) and designated hitter Yan Gomes (10) celebrate a 6-4 win over the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

New deals

Michael Brantley put up a seven win season in 2014 before signing that four year/$25 million deal. Hit over .300 and a 20-20 player for just over six million a year? Good luck finding that deal on the open market for a 27-year-old.

A 26-year-old catcher with 4.4 wins at just under four million for the next six years? I wouldn’t be surprised if the Indians renegotiate Yan Gomes‘ deal over the next few years if he remains that productive and the Indians win.

People love to hate Carlos Santana, but I can’t understand why. His five-year/$21 million deal with keep him in Cleveland through 2017 (with a $12 million team option for that year) and age 31. He’s averaged 23 homers a year since becoming a regular and posted a career low 3.1 WAR last season because of a lousy first half and trying to play third base. Over the last four years he’s been worth 17.6 win offensively. Now that he’s done playing catcher, won’t go near third base and has proven adequate at first base, the Indians could get more than their money’s worth from Santana.