The Indians have exercised Ubaldo Jimenez's option for 2013, the team announced. Cleveland also declined their options for Travis Hafner and Roberto Hernandez.
Jimenez, 28, will earn $5.75MM next season after pitching to a 5.40 ERA in 31 starts and 176 2/3 innings last year. Given his track record and age, it's a worthy gamble. The 35-year-old Hafner hit .228/.346/.438 in 263 plate appearances this year, and will receive a $2.75MM buyout instead of a $13MM salary. Hernandez, 32, allowed 15 runs in 14 1/3 innings across three starts this year. His option was worth $6MM.
It’d be interesting to see Hafner on a low one year deal in Tampa Bay. They have the depth to give him days off and he might be able to rebuild some value there.
Note: the Indians have almost no one signed beyond next year. Looks like a deck cleaning for the next owner if they can only find a buyer.
Getting Hafner out of Cleveland should be a priority. If he cared about the team, it didn’t show to me. Having him in the lineup blocked someone who could have helped.