The 2015 Cleveland Indians

[Steve_424]

Not trading a top prospect for a 35 year old Adrian Beltre who just now experienced a significant decline in power, in the most hitter friendly park in the country.

I'd do it. Excellent defense, still a very good hitter (despite the drop in HR)...you have to strike while the window is open.

 

[EdMonix11]

I'd do it. Excellent defense, still a very good hitter (despite the drop in HR)...you have to strike while the window is open.

Yeah, Jeff Ellis is off his fuckin' rocker.

I don't know how a low-budget team like the Indians could justify trading the #5 overall pick in the 2013 draft for ANY 35 year old.

I agree that you need to go all in when the window is open, but Beltre isn't the guy I'd make that move for. Find me someone in that 25-31 "peak" and then we'll talk. I'd exhaust all trade options with Naquin, Ramsey, Urshela, Aguilar, Gonzalez, etc. before moving Frazier. As for Anderson, the only MiLB pitchers I wouldn't move are: Lugo, Brown, and Sheffield.

I would make the trade if I wanted to get fired..... Frazier had a down year but they're developing him into a hitter, not just a dead-red HR hitter.

 

[Steve_424]

For all of the decline talk with Beltre, here's a few of his MLB ranks this season:

WAR: 3rd
AVG: 3rd
OBP: 6th
OPS: 11th

If the Indians moved Kipnis to RF, they'd arguably have one of the best infield defenses in baseball with Beltre/Lindor/Ramirez/Santana.

L-CF-Bourn
S-2B-Ramirez
L-LF-Brantley
R-3B-Beltre
S-1B-Santana
R-C-Gomes
L-RF-Kipnis
S-DH-Swisher
S-SS-Lindor

Bench - C-Perez, IF-Aviles, 3B-Chisenhall, OF-Murphy


That looks pretty damn good on paper.

 

[AZ_]

I absolutely trade Clint Frazier, just not sure Beltre is the right fit.

 

[killerkev369]

I absolutely trade Clint Frazier, just not sure Beltre is the right fit.

Who do you think Frazier could garner if we were to package him with someone?

 

[AZ_]

Who do you think Frazier could garner if we were to package him with someone?

I think he's definitely capable of landing a Beltre-type player.

I just believe the organization is committed to Chisenhall long-term, choosing to look elsewhere for an offensive upgrade. The problem is, the Indians don't have much flexibility in terms of positions to upgrade while Swisher is still under contract.

 

[MoFlo]

I think he's definitely capable of landing a Beltre-type player.

I just believe the organization is committed to Chisenhall long-term, choosing to look elsewhere for an offensive upgrade. The problem is, the Indians don't have much flexibility in terms of positions to upgrade while Swisher is still under contract.

That's kinda scary, considering he only had a good first 2 1/2 months. Since 6/6, he's at .220/.290/.330/.620 6 HR 27 RBI in 83 games (291 AB)

 

[AZ_]

That's kinda scary, considering he only had a good first 2 1/2 months. Since 6/6, he's at .220/.290/.330/.620 6 HR 27 RBI in 83 games (291 AB)

In fairness, he finished out June .311/.364/.556

He's also improved at 3B defensively and will still only be 26 through next season. I'll roll with that, even if I have to sub him for the occasional matchup.

 

[MoFlo]

In fairness, he finished out June .311/.364/.556

He's also improved at 3B defensively and will still only be 26 through next season. I'll roll with that, even if I have to sub him for the occasional matchup.

I'll give you that, but he finished June 10-52 (I believe.. I did the math earlier & forgot the exact #, but it was somewhere around there) from June 13-30..

He may have improved defensively, but his throws still scare the hell out of me, especially if he has to move for the ball and/or throw while on the run

 

[Stark]

The cool thing about Lonnie is that he is still 1-2 years before the start of his prime. I think he'll eventually be able to moderate these hot and cold streaks and become a very solid two way player.

 

[MoFlo]

The cool thing about Lonnie is that he is still 1-2 years before the start of his prime. I think he'll eventually be able to moderate these hot and cold streaks and become a very solid two way player.

I do agree, it'd just scare me if they were committed to him long term to the point where we wouldn't look to upgrade if we had the opportunity to.

 

[Steve_424]

You have to upgrade somewhere. Your best players play LF, C, and 1B. I don't see Bourn being moved, so CF is set. They have Ramirez and Lindor at SS, so that's set. It appears Kipnis will be the 2B, so that's set. You can't count on Swisher in RF, so DH is set.

That leaves 3B and RF. You have to upgrade at least one of those spots. You have Alex Rios, Torii Hunter, and Michael Cuddyer as options in RF, with Pablo Sandoval, Aramis Ramirez (possibly), Hanley Ramirez, and Chase Headley at 3B. Are any of those free agent options better (taking contract into consideration as well) than acquiring Beltre? Possibly, but I think he's the best that is out there. I like Lonnie, I really do, but if you can grab Beltre in a trade I'd give Lonnie ABs backing up at 3B, 1B, and DH, or start working him out in RF.

You have to upgrade somewhere if you're serious about contending, and that somewhere looks like it has to be 3B or RF.

 

[MoFlo]

Asked Lastoria about his thoughts:

 

[Steve_424]

The Indians have a starting rotation good enough to win a World Series title. Seriously. But they need at least 1-2 IMPACT bats and another reliable bullpen arm to get there.

 

[Huber.]

You guys see any major management shake ups going to happen this offseason? Shapiro and Antonetti fired? Callaway given a manager spot?