Cleveland making pitch

[EvilJester99]

There's no hurry-up offense in baseball, but that's how the Indians are approaching the free-agent market this off-season.

 

They met with right-hander Matt Clement on Tuesday for several hours at Jacobs Field after signing closer Bob Wickman and meeting with Jon Lieber, another free agent right-handed starter, last week.

 

What the Indians want to do is score early. They'd like to sign Clement in the near future, while the big-market clubs are distracted with the likes of Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson and Carl Pavano.

 

"I think it's important for us to try and be aggressive and get the best option we can afford in our market," manager Eric Wedge said. "It's only to our advantage to be aggressive."

 

If the Indians don't get something done in the next couple of weeks, they know it will be harder to compete with big-market clubs should those teams not get the front-line pitchers they want.

 

Clement, Lieber, Brad Radke and Eric Milton are at the top of the Tribe's free-agent wish list.

 

They made an offer to Lieber last week, but it had a expiration date. General Manager Mark Shapiro does not want his offers shopped to other teams.

 

Wedge wouldn't say if the Indians made Clement an offer Tuesday, but agent Barry Axelrod, speaking Monday, expected one to be made. It would have a deadline as well.

 

"Right now, our focus is on Matt Clement," Wedge said.

 

The three-year, $22 million deal the Mets gave Kris Benson last week defined a portion of the landscape for free-agent starters. While the Indians like Lieber, it's believed they prefer Clement because he's younger and throws harder.

 

Along those lines, it's believed the Indians would give Clement a three-year deal where they might not make such a commitment to Lieber. The Yankees, who did not pick up Lieber's $8 million option for 2005, have made him a two-year, $12 million offer.

 

Rex Gary, Lieber's agent, says he expects to keep talking to the Indians.

 

"We've talked seriously with the Indians, and you can read into that what you want and you wouldn't be wrong," Gary said.

 

Texas, besides the Yankees, is one of several clubs interested in Lieber.

 

Shapiro said that just because an expiration date on one of his offers expires, it does not mean negotiations are over.

 

Clement (9-13, 3.68 ERA) made $6 million last year. He's 30 and has spent six years in the big leagues with a 69-75 career record.

 

He has done all his pitching in the National League, spending two seasons in San Diego, one in Florida and the last three with the Cubs.

 

Wedge called Clement a dependable starter "with great stuff, a great arm who has pitched in a championship atmosphere late in the season and in the postseason."

 

Until Shapiro signs a starter, it's unlikely he'll turn his attention to second baseman Ronnie Belliard. How much he spends on a starter will determine Belliard's fate in Cleveland.

 

Belliard is eligible for arbitration and may cost too much. Meanwhile, Belliard is being shopped. Houston, St. Louis and the Cubs are looking for a second baseman.

 

The Indians may have a hard time trading Belliard because he could be a free agent Dec. 20 if he's not offered a contract. But a source said the Indians would not be opposed to tendering Belliard a contract, going to arbitration with him and trading him sometime next season.

 

Link: http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/plaindealer...97119210291.xml

[LosMediasBlancas]

Man oh Man, if the tribe lands 1, or God forbid, 2 good arms we're looking up from 3rd or 4th place.

[Chisoxfn]

Supposedly the Sox and Tribe are looking at a lot of the same pitchers. When it comes to Clement the Sox would likely get him if they offered something close to what the tribe is.

 

The question is do they really want him or is it just a backup plan if they don't get the guy they really want. Cause I'm guessing Clement won't make it past Dec 7th, but either way I figure the Cubs offer him arb.