MLB Rumors: Justin Masterson, Cleveland Indians open to multiyear contract

The Cleveland Indians let Scott Kazmir walk in free agency and are likely to do the same with Ubaldo Jimenez, creating a few holes in the starting rotation.

Thankfully, they’re holes that can be patched but the Indians certainly don’t want to lose ace Justin Masterson in the future as replacing the 28-year-old ace won’t be nearly as easy.

Knowing this, the Indians are reportedly open to the idea of extending a multiyear contract offer to Materson, something he’s willing to look at though maybe not in the immediate future as his agent wants the pitching market to set itself first.

"Both sides seem receptive to at least talk about a multiyear deal for Masterson. I get the feeling from Randy Rowley, Masterson’s agent, that he wants to let the free agent market unfold a little more before getting deep into the discussion. As for money, I think the TV millions that will be coming the Indians’ way over the next eight years, along with the rights fees from their new local TV deal with Fox, would be more than enough to get a deal done with Masterson."

While some bigger name free agent pitchers have signed, a lot of players like the aforementioned Jimenez, Matt Garza and more have yet to put their name on the dotted line and Rowley wants to see what type of deals they command first before committing to a long term Masterson deal.