Indians make no offers to pending free agents

“I think that was a big part of it,” president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said. “Ultimately, the first week of the offseason, as we looked at our path ahead, it wasn’t the best decision to potentially allocate ($17.9) million dollars right now.”

The Indians and their potential free agents can still negotiate long-term deals to stay in Cleveland. Friday’s deadline was solely to determine which players receive qualifying offers.

Allen and Miller are, in some ways, in similar situations as relievers who should receive lucrative deals. Both, though, are coming off down seasons, either because of an extended slump (Allen) or a slew of injuries (Miller). The trade for All-Star closer Brad Hand, along with reliever Adam Cimber, wasn’t only to bolster the bullpen for 2018. It was also completed with an eye on 2019 and beyond to give the bullpen some insurance if both Allen and Miller left in free agency.

Brantley, meanwhile, enjoyed a healthy, All-Star-caliber season and, despite his lengthy injury history in the past, did well for himself entering free agency. In all three cases, the door is still open for a new deal. The interest is certainly there with Brantley, considering the Indians’ outfield outlook heading into 2019 is murky at best.

“I talked to Michael this morning and reiterated that. The interest is undoubtable,” Antonetti said. “We could not have any more respect for any individual than we have for Michael. ... What we will have to work through is can we make the pieces fit? How, with the balance of our roster and all the other decisions we have to make? And Michael will have to assess how we fit within what his market might be.”