Travis Hafner DH FA Sun 1/6/13 6:00 PM
Travis Hafner
DH FA
Indians GM Chris Antonetti said Travis Hafner is a possibility for their DH vacancy.
The Indians declined Hafner's $13 million option this offseason, but haven't ruled out bringing him back on a lesser contract. "He could be [an option], potentially," Antonetti said. "I think some of that is going to depend on other opportunities, as well as what we may have for him compared to other guys." If Hafner isn't re-signed, the Indians could go with a rotation at DH in 2013. Current in-house options include Mike Aviles, Tim Fedroff, and Rule 5 pick Chris McGuiness.
Travis Hafner DH FA Tue 11/27/12 2:29 PM
Travis Hafner
DH FA
Nick Camino of WTAM 1100 reports that several teams are interested in free agent Travis Hafner.
It's a good bet all of them are American League teams, as Hafner hasn't played the field since 2007. The 35-year-old batted .228/.346/.438 with 12 home runs and a .784 OPS in 66 games with the Indians this season while battling knee and back injuries.
Travis Hafner DH FA Wed 10/31/12 12:38 PM
Travis Hafner
DH FA
Indians declined DH Travis Hafner's $13 million club option for 2013.
No surprise here. Hafner will receive a $2.75 million buyout and hit free agency. The 35-year-old has averaged just 86 games over the past five seasons due to injury, so he will likely have to settle for an incentive-laden one-year deal this offseason. The Indians also declined Roberto Hernandez's $6 million club option for 2013.
Travis Hafner DH FA Fri 10/26/12 8:20 PM
Travis Hafner
DH FA
The Indians are expected to decline Travis Hafner's $13 million club option for the 2013 season.
They'll instead opt to pay his $2.75 million buyout. He's battled a wide array of injuries over the past five seasons, averaging just 85 games per season. In his 10-year tenure with the Tribe, Hafner slugged 200 homers while slashing .278/.382/.509.
Travis Hafner DH FA Tue 10/2/12 10:44 PM
Travis Hafner
DH FA
Travis Hafner slugged a pinch-hit, game-tying two-run homer off Jake Peavy in the ninth inning Tuesday, allowing the Indians to secure a 4-3 victory in the 12th.
The 35-year-old slugger has struggled through yet another injury plagued campaign, hitting .228/.347/.442 with 12 homers and 34 RBI in just 65 games. It appears as if he'll test out the free agent waters this offseason, though a return to the Indians still seems like the most plausible scenario.
Travis Hafner DH FA Tue 10/2/12 7:59 PM
Travis Hafner
DH FA
Jordan Bastian of MLB.com writes that "all signs seem to point" to Travis Hafner testing out free agency this winter.
The Indians will pay Pronk a $2.75 million buyout rather than exercise his 2013 option. Although Hafner said "it's a possibility" that he could return on a reduced deal, it sounds like the two sides will likely part ways. It's probably wise for the Tribe, as their previous extension with Hafner didn't work out, and neither did their one-year gamble this season on Grady Sizemore staying healthy and being productive.
Travis Hafner DH FA Wed 9/19/12 3:19 PM
Travis Hafner
DH FA
Indians activated DH Travis Hafner from the 15-day disabled list.
Hafner is batting sixth in the Indians' starting lineup Wednesday night against the Twins after missing over six weeks with a herniated disk in his lower back. The 35-year-old has posted a .239/.355/.453 batting line, 11 home runs and 32 RBI in 60 games played this season.
Travis Hafner DH FA Tue 9/18/12 5:29 PM
Travis Hafner
DH FA
Travis Hafner (back) is expected to rejoin the Indians within the next couple of days.
Hafner landed on the disabled list in early August with a herniated disk in his lower back. The veteran slugger has been taking regular batting practice for about a week without experiencing any lingering pain or discomfort, and could hold sneaky value in AL-only fantasy leagues down the stretch.
Travis Hafner DH FA Fri 9/14/12 5:03 PM
Travis Hafner
DH FA
Travis Hafner (back) hit indoors in the batting cages Friday.
Hafner was originally scheduled to take batting practice, but there was a change of plans due to inclement weather. Still, it was a step forward from hitting off the tee and soft toss. "The back feels good,'' said Hafner. "At this point, it's a matter of getting back in playing shape because I wasn't able to do anything for 3-4 weeks. It's getting cardio built up, getting swings built up." Hafner has been sidelined since early August with a herniated disk in his lower back, but still hopes to return before the end of the season.
Travis Hafner DH FA Wed 9/12/12 6:49 PM
Travis Hafner
DH FA
Travis Hafner (back) is expected to take batting practice with the Indians when they return home this weekend.
Hafner has been hitting and doing core/cardio work and is still hoping to make it back this month. He's been out since early August with lower back stiffness.