The Cleveland Indians are likely to be outbid by other teams for each of the squad's free agent pitchers, reports the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Indians unlikely to re-sign free agent pitchers
Scott Kazmir, Ubaldo Jimenez, Scott Albers and Joe Smith are all likely to sign elsewhere this offseason.
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Primarily, the Indians have starters Ubaldo Jimenez and Scott Kazmir and relievers Joe Smith and Matt Albers all hitting the open market. Former closer Chris Perez is also a free agent, but given the fact that Cleveland released him, it can already be assumed he will not be rejoining the team.
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The Indians are expected to make an attempt to sign each of the first four. Some negotiations have already occurred, but little to no progress has been made on a new deal for any of those players. A qualifying offer was made to Jimenez, but he is expected to deny it and seek a multi-year deal that will almost assuredly come.
Kazmir and Smith are both seeking longer contracts than what the Indians have so far felt comfortable offering. Cleveland wants another one-year deal with Kazmir and are willing to go to two with Smith, but both want more. Albers is perhaps the most likely to stay with Cleveland after a season in which he finished the second-most games on the team and posted a 3.14 ERA.
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