So, it seems like every article you read these days that talks about the Indians near future says that Kelly Shoppach is a likely candidate to be non-tendered this off season.  Is a catcher one year removed from a break-out 21-bombs in 112 games, .865 OPS season really not worth offering an arbitration salary to?

The recently talked about Bill James projections have him playing 113 games for someone this year at .249 BA / .333 OBP / .465 SLG / .798 OPS and 19 HR.

The payroll is pretty low already.  Would Shoppach's contract make that big a dent - so big it's not worth the value he brings as a free swinging, slugging catcher? The Indians don't plan to compete this season.  Santana is the obvious future.  But what about 2010?  Is there not value in a player like this for the coming season?

Being that it's August 10th in a lost season, it's about time to start thinking about something the Indians do some of pretty much every year.  Fausto, being the most recent example.  That is to lock up young talent to long term deals, buying out the player's arbitration years and some of their first free agent seasons.  It's part of the blueprint that has pretty well stood the test of time.  Even if those players don't stay through the whole contract.  The risk/reward usually works out for both the player and the team.  Seems to me the strategy is to keep paying a guy at the minimum until he's done enough at the big league level to convince you he's a guy to hang on to.  But not to wait too long, and get too close to arbitration.  So a LaPorta probably wouldn't be a candidate just yet, where an Asdrubal seemingly would be.  Perusing the 40-man roster, there really only seems like a few guys that come close to fitting that mold.  Who do you think the Indians will and/or should sign to long-term contracts soon?