Vent #4

 Conspiracy theories.  Oh my, aren't they fun!  Fluorides in the drinking water to rot our brains.   Immunizations so the CIA can track us.  

Well here is my Cleveland Indians version of a conspiracy theory:

Austin Hedges is a great catcher.   Maybe as good as Roberto Perez.   Austin Hedges  cost $3 million this year.   Let's say that arbitration says that a catcher with a .199 lifetime average is worth $3.5 million next year.  Letting Perez walk will save this team $1.5 million or more next year and roughly $3.5 million in 2022.  Lots of savings there.

Carlos Santana would make $17.5 million next year.   Assuming we are done with Jake Bauers, moving Naylor to first base to replace Santana saves us $16.5 million next year with buyouts.

Brad Hand is scheduled to make $10 million next year.   Sliding Quantrill into Karinchak's spot and sliding Karinchak to closer and not picking up Hand's option saves us $8.5 million with buyouts.

By my calculation that's a savings of $26.5 million if we just substitute the guys we got in trades for the veterans already here AND we get more players who are a lot cheaper for longer (actual situation rather than saying players with more years of control).

So, could it be that we got these three specific major leaguers targeting guys we plan not to re-sign this winter?