Whenever a move is made in sports, it’s always put under a microscope. Who made out with the better haul, what grade should each team receive, and which team is better set for the future. The Cleveland Indians decision to let Carlos Santana walk in free agency then replace him with the much cheaper Yonder Alonso wasn’t an actual player for player trade.
But the Indians did have a choice. They were allowed to match the three-year, $60 million contract offered by the Phillies. But Cleveland let Santana walk and set their sights on a replacement.