• Write a “Thank You” note to the Pirates for signing Andy Marte. Because now he’s for sure never coming back to the Indians, and I’ll no longer have a reason to write about him.
• Kick the tires on some of the stopgap third basemen out there. Oh, I know  you just signed Jack Hannahan, but something tells me he’s no sure shot to take the job. Yes, the names are enticing. Edwin Encarnacion. Nick Punto. Maybe even flirt with Adrian Beltre. But don’t sign any of them. Why waste the money if it isn’t going to be a clear upgrade? Let Jayson Nix fumble away until Jared Goedert or Lonnie Chisenhall are ready. Don’t get locked into something stupid.
• Call Cliff Lee. Just to say “hi!” and just for a minute,because he’s got a big call coming in soon.
• Play stupid trivia games. Like, “Who are the only Indians remaining from the 2007 division champion team?”
• Offer spring invites to scrap-heap arms. John Maine, Manny Delcarmen and Zach Miner are some of the more, um, interesting names out there. Try and lure one out to Goodyear, because that rotation and bullpen are definitely not set.
• Sign Shin-Soo Choo to a contract extension. Please, I know you don’t have a lot of money to spend on Christmas gifts this year, Indians. But can you do the fanbase a favor, and get something done with Choo and his agent, Scott Boras? Even if it only locks him up through arbitration, it’s better than nothing and it keeps his salary from spiraling out of control. Of course, since we’ve been so good this season and suffered through so much crap, maybe you could wrap up one of his free agent years as well. It doesn’t hurt to ask.

• While none of the adds were a shock, I was surprised to see Goedert added, since I had figured the Indians had dismissed him as an option as the third base starter since he did not receive a September call-up. However the Indians must feel that Goedert still has value as a utility player, or they felt he would surely be selected in the Rule 5 draft. I’m not arguing with the selection, I’m just surprised the Indians had a change of heart.
• McAllister was another mild surprise. I figured he’d be on the 40-man sometime this season, but seeing as he projects as a back-end starter, I was a little surprised they decided to protect him now. On the other hand, he’s close to big-league ready, and some team might see him as a young, cheap arm they could snag and use.
• Kluber was an easy call, as he’s 24 and was the player the Indians received from the Padres in the three team deal that sent Jake Westbrook to the Cardinals. Kluber strikes out a lot of guys, 157 Ks in 149 IP at Double-A (split between San Antonio and Akron), and he projects as a middle of the rotation starter.
• You might recall that I was asking for Hagadone to be called up in September. He’s another one of the guys acquired in the Victor Martinez deal, and although he seems to be destined to be a reliever (much like another pitcher the Indians acquired in that deal…) he’s got good stuff and could be a factor this season.
• Finally, Judy was an absolute no-brainer, as he was almost called up in September. He’ll get a shot to make the big-league pen in 2011, and could end up being a dominant back end of the pen-type guy. And yes, he’s going to replace Andy Marte as Deep Left Field’s new poster child. I mean, how can you not root for a 34th round pick (2007)?
• Perhaps the only surprise non-roster was RHP Adam Miller. Yeah, the former top prospect who was going to be an ace starter, and then a stud closer. He’s recovering from his finger injury and even though he hasn’t thrown an inning in two years he remains an intriguing player, if no longer a prospect. If a team determines he’s healthy (a big if) then I could see him getting claimed, but keep in mind that whatever team claimed him would have to keep him on the big league roster for the entire season, or sell him back to the Indians. He’s not a sure thing to be selected. If I were the Indians, I probably would have made the same decision.

These aren’t surprising moves. Ambriz wasn’t going to be a factor this year after undergoing Tommy John surgery this offseason. Reyes would have been arbitration-eligible had he remained on the roster (and you know the Indians couldn’t let that happen). And Gimenez just kind of sucks.

But the Indians have to get the 40-man roster set by Nov. 20th for the Rule 5 draft. And they still need to add Grady Sizemore and Carlos Santana, both on the 60-day DL. The 40-man roster currently sits at 39 (not including Sizemore or Santana).

Tony at Indians Prospect Insider has an excellent breakdown of some of the “at risk” guys on the 40-man roster. And there are some interesting names that might need to be protected, such as Nick Hagadone, Matt McBride, Jared Goedert and Rob Bryson. The Indians are going to have to make some decisions in the upcoming days, and it will be intriguing to see what direction the team goes in.