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Cleveland Indians 2018-2019 Offseason Outlook
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Stark
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I think you have to try to move Encarnacion and Kipnis to try to get their money off the books. Kipnis had a solid year all things considered, but he's making too much money.
Edwin had his lowest OPS since 2011 and will be 36 next season, and is also making a lot of money. If you can move the two of those to try to free up a bit of money, try to do whatever you can to retain both Brantley and Donaldson.
3B - Donaldson
SS - Lindor
2B - Ramirez
1B - Alonso
C - Gomes
DH - Diaz
Outfield needs some help. Brantley needs to be back, but outside of him, I'm not sure who you really count on next year between Melky (if we even resign him), Chisenhall, Naquin, Allen, Zimmer, Guyer, etc. Maybe you try to swing a decent starting caliber OFer in the Kipnis/Edwin deal.
Rotation should be set in stone: Kluber, Bauer, Carrasco, Clevinger, Bieber should be one of the best staffs in the game again next year.
Bullpen is trash. I don't even know the contract status on any of those stiffs. I'd let Miller and Allen walk - I think they're both cooked and not worth the money. Hand and Cimber will be back, and are two solid arms in my opinion. If Salazar can ever move his arm again, I'd try to mold him into a bullpen guy, because he has no place in the rotation anymore. Oliver Perez was a solid lefty that I wouldn't mind back, but the rest of them: Otero, Ramirez, Olson, Edwards, Goody... who fucking cares. Blow it up.
Edwin had his lowest OPS since 2011 and will be 36 next season, and is also making a lot of money. If you can move the two of those to try to free up a bit of money, try to do whatever you can to retain both Brantley and Donaldson.
3B - Donaldson
SS - Lindor
2B - Ramirez
1B - Alonso
C - Gomes
DH - Diaz
Outfield needs some help. Brantley needs to be back, but outside of him, I'm not sure who you really count on next year between Melky (if we even resign him), Chisenhall, Naquin, Allen, Zimmer, Guyer, etc. Maybe you try to swing a decent starting caliber OFer in the Kipnis/Edwin deal.
Rotation should be set in stone: Kluber, Bauer, Carrasco, Clevinger, Bieber should be one of the best staffs in the game again next year.
Bullpen is trash. I don't even know the contract status on any of those stiffs. I'd let Miller and Allen walk - I think they're both cooked and not worth the money. Hand and Cimber will be back, and are two solid arms in my opinion. If Salazar can ever move his arm again, I'd try to mold him into a bullpen guy, because he has no place in the rotation anymore. Oliver Perez was a solid lefty that I wouldn't mind back, but the rest of them: Otero, Ramirez, Olson, Edwards, Goody... who fucking cares. Blow it up.
ticon12389
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I’m not sure the Indians could trade Kipnis right now even if they ate half his salary. Guy is terrible.
Real Deal
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One of the most important needs that never gets talked about is how the Indians could use a leadoff hitter and move Lindor down a spot or 2. Last i checked we made it really far with Lindor batting in the 3 hole. That's because he's very consistent and will produce with runners on.
I don't care that Lindor had 129 runs batting leadoff in a sleepwalk of a season. We need a table setter going forward. Find me a decent player that can hit for some average and steal some bags.
Batting your best offensive performer leadoff in a suspect lineup is a recipe for disaster.
I don't care that Lindor had 129 runs batting leadoff in a sleepwalk of a season. We need a table setter going forward. Find me a decent player that can hit for some average and steal some bags.
Batting your best offensive performer leadoff in a suspect lineup is a recipe for disaster.
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Phil Mixtape
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Speaking of him, what's his story? Can't remember if we signed him for a few years?
Seiklis
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Here next year under arbitration. Free agent after that I believe
Stark
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Leonys is not a good guy to have bat leadoff.
Career .248 hitter, .303 OBP. He's a good guy to have hit ninth as a second leadoff man, but having him try to get on base for Lindor/Ramirez doesn't sound like a great idea.
Honestly wouldn't mind trying Brantley as a leadoff man. He gets on base at a good clip (.364 OBP this year) and he stole 12 bases. Assuming we bring him back, I wouldn't mind trying something like:
1) Brantley
2) Yandy?
3) Lindor
4) Ramirez
5) Encarnacion
Career .248 hitter, .303 OBP. He's a good guy to have hit ninth as a second leadoff man, but having him try to get on base for Lindor/Ramirez doesn't sound like a great idea.
Honestly wouldn't mind trying Brantley as a leadoff man. He gets on base at a good clip (.364 OBP this year) and he stole 12 bases. Assuming we bring him back, I wouldn't mind trying something like:
1) Brantley
2) Yandy?
3) Lindor
4) Ramirez
5) Encarnacion
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EdMonix11
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Rely on Salazar at your own risk.
People can say he's been unlucky with injuries and all but I believe people make their own luck through a strong work ethic and good habits....
Real Deal
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I can live with some contact/tough out guys like Brantley and Yandy ahead of our top guns. We really need one of our younger guys take a huge step though. I thought Zimmer was going to be that stud blending in with Lindor and Jose... But we know that story.
Stark
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Yep, we really need one of Allen, Naquin, or Zimmer to turn into a legitimate MLB starter next season for us to have much of a chance at anything.
- Melky is 34, a potential free agent, and a putrid defender.
- Guyer will be 33 and is only playable against lefties.
- Chisenhall can't stay healthy to save his life.
- Who honestly knows what we are going to get out of Martin next season?
- Rajai is probably going to retire if I had to guess.
Have to resign Brantley, and we really need one (or two) of the Allen/Naquin/Zimmer group to turn into something. Naquin and Chisenhall were both having solid seasons on both sides of the ball before their injuries, but again, who knows what we are going to get out of them next year.
I think Greg Allen is the true darkhorse - if you go look at his numbers, they were actually kind of surprising. Put up 20+ steals as well, so if he could round himself into a .270-.280 hitter, he'd be a great leadoff guy and a nice defender out in center.
Might need to look to the free agent market or go make a move to get somebody stable in here besides Brantley.
Phil Mixtape
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To me Greg Allen has all the tools to be an awesome leadoff guy. He's already fast as hell and great in the field, just needs to keep working on his hitting.
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Obviously, it would be great to get rid of Kipnis and Edwin, but I doubt that's going to happen.
I would be willing to move a starter for a big bat. I'm not saying for some guy who is OPSing 750 or anything, I'm talkin like a Yellich or Stanton. We need a need someone like that in this order.
I also echo those who say we need a legit lead off guy. One of the things that I think this team is missing right now is a pure hitter. I love advanced stats and OBP, but I think we need someone that can put the ball in play, to all areas of the field. One of the biggest problems was not getting any consistent offense in the playoffs these past few years.
Not sure if any of this is realistic, but it should be an eventful offseason, unlike last year. Two years in a row, I'm not sure Antonetti and crew will be happy to take it easy this offseason.
I would be willing to move a starter for a big bat. I'm not saying for some guy who is OPSing 750 or anything, I'm talkin like a Yellich or Stanton. We need a need someone like that in this order.
I also echo those who say we need a legit lead off guy. One of the things that I think this team is missing right now is a pure hitter. I love advanced stats and OBP, but I think we need someone that can put the ball in play, to all areas of the field. One of the biggest problems was not getting any consistent offense in the playoffs these past few years.
Not sure if any of this is realistic, but it should be an eventful offseason, unlike last year. Two years in a row, I'm not sure Antonetti and crew will be happy to take it easy this offseason.