Justin Masterson

The Indians and Justin Masterson have put any discussion about a multiyear deal on hold as they concentrate on reaching a one-year deal with or without arbitration.

(Thomas Ondrey/The Plain Dealer)

CLEVELAND, Ohio –It appears discussions about a multiyear deal for Justin Masterson have been shelved while the Indians and his agent, Randy Rowley, work toward a one-year deal with or without the arbitration process.

Masterson’s arbitration hearing is scheduled for Feb. 20 in St. Petersburg, Fla.

There is a $3.75 million difference between what Masterson is seeking for the 2014 season and what the Indians have offered. It's the biggest difference among any unsigned player who filed for arbitration this winter.

The 6-6, 250-pound Masterson filed at $11.8 million. The Indians countered at $8.05 million. The midpoint is $9.925 million.

Masterson led the Indians with 14 wins last season. The fact that he can be a free agent at the end of the upcoming season makes these negotiations, and any that could follow on a multiyear deal, more compelling. Both sides have said they are open to a multiyear deal, but it’s believed those talks have gained little, if any, traction.

Outfielder Michael Brantley and right-hander Vinnie Pestano and Josh Tomlin are eligible for arbitration as well. Brantley filed at $3.8 million and the Indians offered $2.7 million. Pestano filed at $1.145 million and the Indians offered $975,000. Tomlin, who pitched just two innings for the Tribe last year, filed at $975,000 and the Indians offered $800,000.

Tomlin's hearing is scheduled for Feb. 14 in St. Petersburg. The Indians have not gone to arbitration since 1991, but recently GM Chris Antonetti said there was a strong chance they could go this year.

Hearings begin Saturday.

22 and counting: Switch-hitting utility infielder Elliot Johnson is the latest player to agree to a minor league deal with a chance to make the Indians' big league club. Last season Johnson, 29, played for Atlanta and Kansas City. He was released by the Royals and claimed on waivers by the Braves on Aug. 21.

To date, the Indians have invited 22 non-roster players to camp.

Johnson, over the last eight weeks of the season, hit .261 (24-for-92) with five doubles, two triples, 10 RBI and eight steals as Atlanta's regular second baseman. On Aug. 27, Johnson, in the midst of a long slump, hit a two-run triple off Danny Salazar in the second inning as the Braves beat the Indians, 2-0, at Turner Field.

In the NL Division series against the Dodgers, Johnson started all four games at second base.

Johnson played parts of three seasons with Tampa Bay from 2008 through 2012. The Rays traded James Shields, Wade Davis and Johnson to Kansas City for outfielder Wil Myers before last season.

Last year Johnson hit .179 (26-for-162) with 14 steals in 14 attempts with Kansas City. For the year, he went 22-for-24 in steal attempts.

Here is a list of the Tribe’s non-roster invitees:

Pitchers (eight): David Aardsma, Scott Atchison, Travis Banwart, Matt Capps, Tyler Cloyd, Shaun Marcum, J.C. Ramirez and Mike Zagurski.

Catchers (five): Luke Carlin, Jake Lowery, Roberto Perez, Matt Treanor and Tony Wolters.

Infielders (five): Elliot Johnson, Jason Giambi, Francisco Lindor, Ryan Rohlinger and Joey Wendle.

Outfielders (four): Matt Carson, Jeff Francoeur, Nyjer Morgan and Tyler Naquin.

Too deep: The Indians made contact with Masahiro Tanaka's agent, Casey Close, but it's doubtful they made an offer on the Japanese right-hander.

Bidding reportedly began at five years and $100 million. Those waters are too deep for the Indians to swim in.

The Yankees signed Tanaka to a seven-year deal worth $155 million.

Man on the move: Terry Francona took a break from Tribe Fest on Saturday to fly to New York to receive his award as AL Manager of the Year from the Baseball Writers Association of America at the annual New York baseball awards dinner in Manhattan.

Antonetti and Derek Falvey, director of baseball operations, made the trip with him. They returned to Cleveland on Sunday.

Tribe Fest: Despite snow, cold and treacherous driving conditions, the Indians sold 7,000 tickets for Tribe Fest, their two-day start to the 2014 season.

Tickets sales for the weekend increased 25 percent over last year.

Winter wonders: The Indians began their winter development program Monday at Progressive Field.

Participating players include infielder Jesus Aguilar, right-hander Cody Anderson, right-hander Tyler Cloyd, right-hander Joseph Colon, left-hander Kyle Crockett, infielder Erik Gonzalez, left-hander Colt Hynes, catcher Jake Lowery, outfielder Bryson Myles, outfielder Tyler Naquin, infielder Jose Ramirez, right-hander Will Roberts, infielder Giovanny Urshela, infielder Jose Ramirez and infielder Joey Wendle.

Over the weekend at Tribe Fest, pitching coach Mickey Callaway was asked if there were any pitchers in the minors capable of a Cody-Allen-like ascent through the system.

Callaway pointed to Anderson and Crockett. Anderson won the Bob Feller award for 2013 as the Tribe's top minor league pitcher. Crockett struck out 32 batters in 24 2/3 innings at Class A Mahoning Valley, Class A Lake County and Class AA Akron.

The Indians drafted Crockett in the fourth round last year from the University of Virginia. He signed for $463,000.

Finally: Heard Scott Baker, former Twins and Cubs right-hander, is still a back-burner possibility for the Tribe.

