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Guardians CLE

201268–94 (0.420)
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President of baseball ops: Mark Shapiro · GM: Chris Antonetti

Overview

Ranks vs the 30 teams in 2012, or a custom range (defaults to every team-season since 1985, when our data starts).

to

Front Office

PoorAverageGreat
Value
Payroll $M
$72M
Surplus $M
-17
Win %
0.420
TAB
-9.1
WAB
-9.8
Roster composition
Roster fWAR
21.2
Dead money %
52%
Depth Players
5.0
Dead WAR
-5.5

Offense

PoorAverageGreat

Pitching & Defense

PoorAverageGreat

Roster

2012 depth chart — stacked by playing time

C

BCarlos Santana100
RLou Marson69
BLuke Carlin4
RVinny Rottino⇄1

1B

LCasey Kotchman137
BCarlos Santana21
RMatt LaPorta11
RBrent Lillibridge⇄10
RRuss Canzler8
LJack Hannahan2
RShelley Duncan1

2B

LJason Kipnis146
RJason Donald8
BCord Phelps5
RJose Lopez⇄4
RBrent Lillibridge⇄3

3B

LJack Hannahan96
LLonnie Chisenhall30
RJason Donald12
RBrent Lillibridge⇄8
BCord Phelps1

SS

BAsdrúbal Cabrera136
RJason Donald10
RBrent Lillibridge⇄9
LJack Hannahan7
BJuan Diaz5
BCord Phelps1

LF

RShelley Duncan57
LJohnny Damon56
RAaron Cunningham52
LEzequiel Carrera36
RVinny Rottino⇄13
RRuss Canzler11
RBrent Lillibridge⇄9
RThomas Neal6
RJason Donald5
BCarlos Santana1

CF

LMichael Brantley144
LEzequiel Carrera15
RAaron Cunningham11
RBrent Lillibridge⇄5
RJason Donald3

RF

LShin-Soo Choo154
RAaron Cunningham13
RShelley Duncan2
RThomas Neal2
LEzequiel Carrera1
RJose Lopez⇄1
RVinny Rottino⇄1

DH

LTravis Hafner61
BCarlos Santana27
RShelley Duncan17
RMatt LaPorta9
LLonnie Chisenhall9
BAsdrúbal Cabrera6
RRuss Canzler6
LJohnny Damon5
LJason Kipnis4
BCord Phelps4
RJason Donald4
LMichael Brantley3
RVinny Rottino⇄2
RAaron Cunningham1
RLou Marson1

Starters

RJustin Masterson2.8 WAR
RZach McAllister1.7 WAR
RDerek Lowe⇄1.2 WAR
RUbaldo Jimenez0.9 WAR
RCorey Kluber0.8 WAR
LChris Seddon0.4 WAR
RJosh Tomlin0.4 WAR
LDavid Huff0.2 WAR
RJeanmar Gomez-0.0 WAR
RRoberto Hernandez-0.3 WAR

Bullpen

★ RChris Perez39 sv
RVinnie Pestano36 h
RJoe Smith21 h
LTony Sipp12 h
REsmil Rogers⇄8 h
LNick Hagadone2 h
RCody Allen1 h
RJeremy Accardo⇄0 h

Each position shows its top 3 by games (top = starter) — click "+more" for the rest. The letter is bats/throws; ⇄ marks a player traded mid-season. Starters are ranked by WAR, bullpen by holds; ★ marks the closer (most save chances). MLB Stats API.

Key additions (new vs 2011)

PlayerfWAR
Derek Lowe1.2
Esmil Rogers0.9
Chris Seddon0.4
Cody Allen0.3
Scott Barnes0.2
Jeremy Accardo0.1

Key subtractions (gone from 2011)

Player2011 fWAR
Jim Thome0.5
Zach Putnam0.1
Travis Buck0.1
Trevor Crowe0.1
Mitch Talbot0.0
Justin Germano-0.0

Contract Value

WAR translated into tier-adjusted market value, then compared with what the player was paid by Guardians. Guaranteed contracts from the 2015-present contract-data period use the known contract period through 2012; everyone else is shown as a 2012 season snapshot.

PlayerPeriodfWARTier Market $MPaid $MSurplus $M$ / WARTierContract
Justin Masterson 2012 +2.8 +43.5 3.8 +39.7 $1.4M 1.96× –
Shin-Soo Choo 2012 +3.2 +41.0 4.9 +36.1 $1.5M 1.60× –
Michael Brantley 2012 +2.6 +32.9 0.5 +32.4 $0.2M 1.60× –
Jason Kipnis 2012 +3.4 +29.4 0.5 +28.9 $0.1M 1.07× –
Zach McAllister 2012 +1.7 +20.2 0.5 +19.7 $0.3M 1.49× –
Vinnie Pestano 2012 +1.4 +15.2 0.5 +14.7 $0.3M 1.34× –
Asdrúbal Cabrera 2012 +2.5 +17.8 4.5 +13.2 $1.8M 0.89× –
Chris Perez 2012 +1.1 +12.0 4.5 +7.5 $4.0M 1.34× –
Corey Kluber 2012 +0.8 +6.5 0.2 +6.3 $0.2M 1.02× –
Esmil Rogers↔ 2012 +0.9 +5.0 0.3 +4.7 $0.3M 0.67× –
Ubaldo Jiménez 2012 +0.9 +7.2 4.2 +3.0 $4.8M 1.02× –
Joe Smith 2012 +0.8 +4.5 1.8 +2.7 $2.1M 0.67× –
Josh Tomlin 2012 +0.4 +2.9 0.5 +2.4 $1.4M 1.02× –
Derek Lowe↔ 2012 +1.2 +10.0 8.3 +1.8 $6.7M 1.02× –
Chris Seddon 2012 +0.4 +2.2 0.5 +1.7 $1.2M 0.67× –
Ezequiel Carrera 2012 +0.3 +2.1 0.5 +1.6 $1.5M 0.83× –
Carlos Santana 2012 +0.5 +1.9 0.5 +1.4 $1.1M 0.52× Free Agent · 2026–2027 · $2.0M AAV
Cody Allen 2012 +0.3 +1.4 0.5 +0.9 $1.9M 0.67× –
Frank Herrmann 2012 +0.3 +1.4 0.5 +0.9 $1.8M 0.67× –
David Huff 2012 +0.2 +1.3 0.5 +0.8 $3.0M 1.02× –
Scott Barnes 2012 +0.2 +1.0 0.5 +0.5 $2.6M 0.67× –
Lonnie Chisenhall 2012 +0.2 +0.9 0.5 +0.4 $2.6M 0.58× –
Cord Phelps 2012 +0.0 +0.2 0.5 -0.3 $12.1M 0.56× –
Jairo Asencio↔ 2012 -0.0 -0.0 0.3 -0.3 – 0.67× –
Jeremy Accardo↔ 2012 +0.1 +0.6 0.9 -0.3 $7.7M 0.67× –
Nick Hagadone 2012 +0.0 +0.2 0.5 -0.3 $16.5M 0.67× –
Scott Maine↔ 2012 -0.0 -0.1 0.1 -0.3 – 0.67× –
Tony Sipp 2012 +0.0 +0.2 0.5 -0.3 $12.3M 0.67× –
Luke Carlin 2012 -0.0 -0.0 0.5 -0.5 – 0.52× –
Brent Lillibridge↔ 2012 -0.1 -0.5 0.2 -0.7 – 0.56× –
Jeanmar Gómez 2012 -0.0 -0.4 0.5 -0.8 – 1.02× –
Russ Canzler 2012 -0.1 -0.4 0.5 -0.9 – 0.83× –
Shelley Duncan 2012 -0.1 -0.4 0.5 -0.9 – 0.83× –
Matt LaPorta 2012 -0.1 -0.5 0.5 -1.0 – 0.56× –
Jack Hannahan 2012 +0.0 +0.1 1.1 -1.1 $67.3M 0.58× –
Vinny Rottino↔ 2012 -0.2 -1.1 0.2 -1.3 – 0.83× –
Juan Diaz 2012 -0.2 -1.1 0.5 -1.6 – 0.61× –
Jose Lopez↔ 2012 -0.2 -1.0 0.7 -1.7 – 0.56× –
Jason Donald 2012 -0.4 -1.7 0.5 -2.2 – 0.58× –
Rafael Perez 2012 -0.1 -0.3 2.0 -2.3 – 0.67× –
Dan Wheeler 2012 -0.3 -1.8 0.9 -2.7 – 0.67× –
Thomas Neal 2012 -0.3 -2.2 0.5 -2.7 – 0.83× –
Johnny Damon 2012 -0.3 -2.0 1.2 -3.3 – 0.83× –
Lou Marson 2012 -0.9 -3.5 0.5 -4.0 – 0.52× –
Aaron Cunningham 2012 -0.5 -3.6 0.5 -4.1 – 0.83× –
Roberto Hernandez 2012 -0.3 -2.1 3.0 -5.1 – 1.02× –
Casey Kotchman 2012 -1.4 -6.3 3.0 -9.3 – 0.56× –
Travis Hafner 2012 +0.5 +2.6 13.0 -10.4 $28.0M 0.69× –
Total—+21.2+235.272.1+162.9—

Trades

Every graded 2012 deal involving the Guardians — best expected value first. Surplus is realized value in $M; 6 total.

2012 · CIN / CLE / ARI
CIN · Walt Jocketty +$88.8M
Shin-Soo Choo, Jason Donald
CLE · Mark Shapiro +$76.8M
Trevor Bauer, Matt Albers, Bryan Shaw, Drew Stubbs
ARI · Kevin Towers −$165.6M
Didi Gregorius, Tony Sipp, Lars Anderson
CIN came out ahead by $88.8M 3-team
2012 · CLE / BOS
CLE · Mark Shapiro +$0.8M
Brent Lillibridge
BOS · Ben Cherington −$0.8M
José De La Torre
CLE came out ahead by $0.8M
2012 · CLE / BAL
CLE · Mark Shapiro +$1.6M
Carlos Rojas
BAL · Dan Duquette −$1.6M
J. C. Romero
CLE came out ahead by $1.6M
2012 · CLE / COL
CLE · Mark Shapiro +$0.8M
Kevin Slowey
COL · Daniel O'Dowd −$0.8M
Zach Putnam
CLE came out ahead by $0.8M
2012 · BOS / CLE
BOS · Ben Cherington +$14.4M
Steven Wright
CLE · Mark Shapiro −$14.4M
Lars Anderson
BOS came out ahead by $14.4M
2012 · CLE / TOR
CLE · Mark Shapiro +$71.2M
Mike Aviles, Yan Gomes
TOR · Alex Anthopoulos −$71.2M
Esmil Rogers
CLE came out ahead by $71.2M

Current & Historical Payroll

2012 payroll
$71.8M

What the front office was committed to as of 2012, 2012–2018. Pre-2015 has no contract-terms data — forward italic $ are realized actuals (hindsight, not commitments known then). Control labels (ARB/FA) are point-in-time.

current $ guaranteed $ actual $ (hindsight) arbitration (proj) pre-arb (proj) free agent

Guaranteed / signed (6)

PlayerAgeSvc2012201320142015201620172018
Travis Hafner359.009$13.0MFREE AGENT
Derek Lowe3914.100$8.3MFREE AGENT
Casey Kotchman296.144$3.0MFREE AGENT
Johnny Damon3816.051$1.2MFREE AGENT
Dan Wheeler349.047$900kFREE AGENT
Jose Lopez288.000$652kFREE AGENT

Arbitration-eligible (13)

PlayerAgeSvc2012201320142015201620172018
Shin-Soo Choo294.119$4.9MARB 3FREE AGENT
Asdrúbal Cabrera264.027$4.5MARB 3FREE AGENT
Chris Perez263.136$4.5MARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Ubaldo Jiménez284.087$4.2MARB 3FREE AGENT
Justin Masterson273.108$3.8MARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Roberto Hernandez315.125$3.0MFREE AGENT
Rafael Perez304.157$2.0MARB 3FREE AGENT
Joe Smith284.091$1.8MARB 3FREE AGENT
Jack Hannahan323.065$1.1MARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Jeremy Accardo304.128$867kARB 3FREE AGENT
Aaron Cunningham264.000$482kARB 3FREE AGENT
Nick Hagadone263.056$480kARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Brent Lillibridge284.000$211kARB 3FREE AGENT

Pre-arbitration (29)

PlayerAgeSvc2012201320142015201620172018
Tony Sipp282.138$505kARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Carlos Santana261.115$502kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Shelley Duncan322.099$500kARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Michael Brantley251.131$495kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Josh Tomlin271.069$494kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Lou Marson262.036$492kARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Vinnie Pestano271.011$491kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
David Huff271.117$486kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Jason Donald271.158$484kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Jeanmar Gómez240.117$483kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Jason Kipnis250.069$482kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Chris Seddon280.109$480kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Thomas Neal24–$480k
Russ Canzler260.051$480kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Zach McAllister240.011$480kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Lonnie Chisenhall230.094$480kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Frank Herrmann282.147$480kARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Juan Diaz230.012$480kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Matt LaPorta272.063$480kARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Luke Carlin312.019$480kARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Ezequiel Carrera250.082$480kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Scott Barnes240.000$480kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Cord Phelps250.095$480kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Cody Allen230.000$480kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Esmil Rogers261.135$316kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Jairo Asencio290.049$288kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Vinny Rottino320.112$240kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Corey Kluber260.011$165kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Scott Maine270.165$144kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT

Graphs

How each 2012 acquisition stacked onto Guardians's playoff-odds curve. The side table is ranked by PPA.

Rosternomics — front-office performance, roster value, and transaction history. Follow @rosternomics on X.
Decision-maker records extend to 1933; resource-controlled WAR and payroll metrics cover 1985–2026. Data sources include FanGraphs, Baseball-Reference, the Chadwick Bureau register, the Lahman Database, prospect rankings from Baseball America, MLB Pipeline, and FanGraphs, and public payroll records. Transaction and trade data was obtained free of charge from and is copyrighted by Retrosheet. Executive birth/death data via Wikidata (CC0).
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