New York Yankees @ Bare Baseball - Baseball MLB Blog

11/25/2005
While the free-agent market is on the verge of blowing up around the fiscally responsible Indians, owner Larry Dolan and his son Paul are doing their best to level the playing field.How’s that, you ask? The Tribe might be on the verge of signing one of the half-dozen richest local television contracts in the big leagues.But don’t get giddy just yet. General Manager Mark Shapiro is not planning to prepare a mega-bid for Paul Konerko, Kevin Millwood, Billy Wagner and the entire injured list of the New England Patriots.The Indians’ new TV deal will be worth only a fraction of what the Yankees and Red Sox receive. On the other hand, it appears that the Tribe is close to an agreement that will bring in $30 million per year in rights fees. But from who?That still isn’t clear. On the one hand, word off the street is that FSN Ohio, which owns the current contract, has dropped out of the bidding. The new players are Ohio News Network, ONN to those who receive the statewide cable outlet, and WKYC-TV, Channel 3.Both entities appear to be bidding on the entire package, about 155 games. If Channel 3 wins out, it probably will air only a handful of games, maybe one a week, and sell the rest to ONN and maybe even to FSN.Why does a statewide cable network want to air Indians broadcasts to the rest of Ohio, much of which has only a minimal interest in the Tribe? Some say to increase the network’s penetration into various cable systems and satellite providers.At any rate, the Indians are expected to announce the winner of the sweepstakes soon.In the meantime, Shapiro is courting two players above all others: Brian Giles and B.J. Ryan.Ryan reportedly is anxious to play for the Tribe, which doesn’t mean his bags are packed. There’s still a minor detail: How much the Dolans are willing to pay.The pot of cash available for all of Cleveland’s free-agent acquisitions would appear to be about $20 million. But that seemingly princely sum doesn’t go as far as it used to.
Even so, the Tribe appears willing to pay Giles $30 million for three years to play right field. Giles, of course, spent the formative seasons of his career in Cleveland, before going off to Pittsburgh and then to San Diego, where he says he would like to stay. But he already has turned down $25.5 from the Padres, who offered a three-year deal.The Yankees, among others, are lurking in the background, though they seem to waver between intense interest and uncertainty, depending on the day of the week. On a day when New York operatives think that they must have Giles, word is the Bombers are willing to ante up $30 million for three seasons.Shapiro’s determination to land Ryan as a closer indicates that Bob Wickman represents a fall-back position at best (also, there’s been no official word that Wickman intends to play next year).Behind Wagner, Ryan might be the most sought-after closer among a good crop. If Ryan ends up elsewhere, Shapiro’s next choice seems to be Tom Gordon, who hasn’t been a closer for a while.By the way, Bob Howry, who asked Shapiro for $12 million on a three-year contract, could get as much as $15 million from the Cubs. Moreover, even though it s not official, Millwood surely won’t be back in Cleveland, what with his agent, Scott Boras, demanding $60 million for five years.Who would go for that deal? Allegedly, Millwood has three offers that meet Boras’ specifications, none from the Yankees.Tribe tidbitsTribe farm director John Farrell is on the short list to be the next general manager of the Red Sox.... Colorado has an interest in catcher Josh Bard, but it’s doubtful the Tribe would make a deal involving him, unless the Rockies were willing to part with first-base prospect Ryan Shealy, which is unlikely.... The World Series champion White Sox aren’t the only team that reaped a windfall ($324,000 per player) from the postseason. Even though they weren’t in the playoffs, the Indians received a share of the gate receipts as the No. 2 team in the Central Division. Tribe players divided their booty into 41 full shares worth $7,869.18. And yes, Juan Gonzalez received a full share.... Why ask why? Tribe radio ratings among women 18-34 were up 66 percent, more than in any group. In the key demographic of men and women 18-34, radio ratings improved by 33 percent. Television ratings increased 29 percent overall.... Tickets for opening weekend go on sale Friday on Indians.com, at Tribe Team Shops, the box office at Jacobs Field and at TicketMaster outlets.... Brad Snyder ranked sixth in hitting (.367) in the Arizona Fall League, while Ryan Garko was tied for fourth in RBI (27) and batted .314 with five home runs.

Source: http://www.starbeacon.com/