Cleveland Indians 2018-2019 Offseason Outlook

[NorthCoastBias]

Does not extending QO mean we would not get comp picks for the FAs who leave?

I believe that is correct. Compensation is given to teams whose prospective FAs were extended the QO but rejected it. The Indians should still get a competitive balance round pick, however.

 

[chuck0609]

View: https://twitter.com/buster_espn/status/1058421239704887299?s=21

They have pitching, so trading one of the starters isn't out of the question if it can land them a top prospect or an equal tier positional player. They will have at least three top line starters with some combination of who is left. Right now they are starter heavy with a weak bullpen and holes in the lineup.

Something has to give.

Brantley is still too injury prone to tie that type of money into.

 

[Derek]

He hasn't been right in two years. Allen is more likely to bounce back- isn't hurt, isn't old. Had a bad year.

I don't know why you're repeating yourself. We disagree, it's cool.

 

[Kevalier]

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25157907/cleveland-indians-listen-trade-offers-veteran-players

2:36 PM ET

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  Buster OlneyESPN Senior Writer

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The Cleveland Indians will listen to trade offers for some of their veteran players this winter as they face the sort of difficult choices that small-market teams must address, according to sources.

The Indians will hold on to shortstop Francisco Lindor and MVP candidate Jose Ramirez next season, but they have indicated to the industry that they are prepared to discuss other accomplished players, including 2017 Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber, pitcher Carlos Carrasco, catchers Yan Gomes and Roberto Perez, slugger Edwin Encarnacion and second baseman Jason Kipnis, among others.

The Indians did not tender qualifying offers to free agents Michael Brantley, Andrew Miller and Cody Allen because of their payroll concerns. The Indians ranked among the top half of teams in payroll last season and ran away with the AL Central, but their attendance dipped again and was among the worst in MLB. With Lindor, Ramirez and others due for raises, the Indians will be willing to move some salary in the right deals.

Kipnis is due to make $14.7 million next season, and Encarnacion is on the books for $21.67 million.

Kluber will make $17 million in 2019, and the Indians hold a club option on his deal for 2020 and 2021. Carrasco will make $7.1 million in 2019, and Cleveland has club options for 2020 and 2021 on his contract, as well.

With free agents like Nathan Eovaldi and Patrick Corbin expected to command pricey multi-year deals, Kluber and Carrasco could be attractive alternatives in the market because of their past success and because their contracts bear little risk.

It's no secret that they'll try like hell to move Kipnis and Encarnacion. I can understand the logic of exploring the Kluber trade market, especially if they believe that we've seen the best of him. However, I don't see them finding the proper match that can give them a worthy return while they're still in contention. Frankly, I have ZERO interest in trading Carrasco while this window is still open, and don't see how dealing Gomes and his reasonable salary makes them any better.

 

[Steve_424]

View: https://twitter.com/buster_espn/status/1058421239704887299?s=21

Important to note there's a big difference between what Buster said - that they'll listen - and what many seem to have heard - that they are shopping them/having a fire sale.

 

[JayDD1972]

Damn, we have reached the point where they will listen to offers for Kluber? Yes, we could get a nice haul for him, but if they would trade him we are basically saying, we had our shot, we tried, now its time to reload for another run in 5 years. Ah to be a small market team. These articles are not what i wanting to be reading right now, especially in the middle of the Cavs shitfest.

 

[Steve_424]

Damn, we have reached the point where they will listen to offers for Kluber? Yes, we could get a nice haul for him, but if they would trade him we are basically saying, we had our shot, we tried, now its time to reload for another run in 5 years. Ah to be a small market team. These articles are not what i wanting to be reading right now, especially in the middle of the Cavs shitfest.

Not necessarily. If there is something to his postseason - and that's a big if that we don't know - it might be more the Indians selling high, especially if they were able to fill multiple needs by doing it. Again, it said they'd listen. I read that as the Indians are willing to see what they can get for him, but not necessarily trying to move him.

 

[Kevalier]

Let's just say that the Indians do get into serious trade talks involving Kluber. Two teams in contention that could badly use starting pitching are the Braves and Cubs. The Braves would have to be willing to part with players like Ender Inciarte and Johan Camargo and be convinced that Kluber would close the gap enough between them and the other National League contenders. Both of those players are excellent defensively, but neither are projected to produce enormous numbers at the plate next season. The Cubs would need to offer a package like Kyle Schwarber, Ian Happ and one of their top relievers like Pedro Strop or Carl Edwards. I'm not sure that would be enough of a haul for the Tribe to pull the trigger, which is why it appears to be a long shot that they'll move Kluber this winter.

 

[Pjlea28]

Let's just say that the Indians do get into serious trade talks involving Kluber. Two teams in contention that could badly use starting pitching are the Braves and Cubs. The Braves would have to be willing to part with players like Ender Inciarte and Johan Camargo and be convinced that Kluber would close the gap enough between them and the other National League contenders. Both of those players are excellent defensively, but neither are projected to produce enormous numbers at the plate next season. The Cubs would need to offer a package like Kyle Schwarber, Ian Happ and one of their top relievers like Pedro Strop or Carl Edwards. I'm not sure that would be enough of a haul for the Tribe to pull the trigger, which is why it appears to be a long shot that they'll move Kluber this winter.

I'll take Schwarber/Happ/Almora & Edwards....all under control for some years.

 

[Real Deal]

Hope we don't trade Kluber and he goes postseason Justin Verlander on somebody. It's very possible because baseball.

 

[Kevalier]

I'll take Schwarber/Happ/Almora & Edwards....all under control for some years.

The Cubs would probably make that deal although I can see the Tribe wanting them to take on Kipnis as well. If they add Harper in free agency, the losses of Schwarber and Happ wouldn't be a great void. Plug Kipnis out there as well or put him at 2B if they don't re-sign Murphy and get rid of Russell.

 

[Kevalier]

Johan Camargo, Ender Inciarte and A.J. Minter for Kluber. Who says no?

 

[bushwick_bill]

Johan Camargo, Ender Inciarte and A.J. Minter for Kluber. Who says no?

Not me. I would definitely do that trade. Problem is when and if the Indians trade Kluber all the idiot fans will say this is why they won’t go to the games But continue to support the fucking Browns and Cavs...

 

[Stark]

Is Schwarber even that good? I know he lost weight before last season, but all I see is an all or nothing tubby power guy with a lower career OPS than Shin-Soo Choo who is an average fielder at best. If he was the centerpiece in a deal where we send out Kluber, I'd be disgusted.

 

[Soar]

Fuck Kyle Schwarber