The last time we saw Nolan Jones playing 3B.. was before he started receiving the brilliant teachings of Johnny Mac.. Jones was less than stellar defensively.. but, that might also be due to the fact that he was learning a new position.. 3B.. He was, like so many young kids.. a shortstop prior to professional ball.. There is NO DOUBT, work ethic is a strong suit for young Mr Jones...I don't know which question is more relevant, will JRam convert to 2B or can Jones play a capable 3B? I honestly don't know how legitimate the concern that Jones cannot play 3B are. If Jones' bat is ready then I think the question is if Jones plays LF or 1B or rotates with Naylor. Thing is, Miller might be more ready than Jones and is more than capable of playing a fine 2B.
Where I get stumped is when I try to figure how all of Jones, Naylor, and Bauers get ample playing time. If I was being forced to predict what would happen, I'd say that Jones will probably start the year in Columbus while Bauers and Naylor cover 1B and LF, but that's just a guess because I have no f'n clue what they intend to do TBH.
Question on Jose Ramirez RE Nolan Jones’ position. Is it out of the question the Hosey moves back to 2B to open 3B for Jones? It’s being ruled out here but has Tito or the FO actually stated that this won’t happen? Hosey played 2B as recently as 2018 and just last off season they discussed with him the option of playing either 2B or 3B (but not both) depending on free agency (they obviously signed Hernandez and he stayed at 3B). Did I miss something? If it were an option last year why not next year?
Jose Ramirez’s willingness to change creates 2020 infield options for the Cleveland Indians
Where will Jose Ramirez play for the Indians in 2020? Will it be third or second base?www.cleveland.com
Antonetti already said Jose isn’t moving off 3B in his post season presser two weeks ago
He doesn't have "stuff" outside of a good change up. He's performed well and I like his pitchability, but it's unproven at the highest level where guys like him often struggle. He may very well get selected if not protected, but there is also a good chance that he doesn't stick and gets offered back. With the current SP depth, I'd take the chance of losing Morgan over a higher ceiling guy like Oviedo.
Thanks, I missed that. And that’s what I was looking for.Antonetti already said Jose isn’t moving off 3B in his post season presser two weeks ago
You're looking at this the wrong way. It's not about who has the higher ceiling, it's about who you're more likely to lose. I don't care about the pitching depth, you can never have enough. You don't want to lose a good pitcher for free.... especially a guy with plus command, plus-plus spin rate and a 70+ grade pitch (Morgan).
The Indians left Oviedo unprotected in the Rule 5 draft last year and he was passed over despite being a highly talked about piece in trade talks with other teams.
Why? Well, in his most recent season, the velocity was erratic from start to start.... sitting anywhere from mid 80's in some starts and up to 97 in others.... Yes, mid 80's with the FB. The command has been very erratic as well-- walks are way up and he's missing way fewer bats as well. There's also been some injury issues there too.
I mean, Oviedo was kinda bad last year. Yes, he has a higher ceiling than Morgan but he's waaaayyyy further away from being an MLB pitcher and thus very unlikely to be selected whereas Morgan is literally knocking on the door. The jump from A+ to AA is typically the biggest jump in baseball levels and Morgan handled that well enough to earn a trip to AAA.
I found this report on 20-80 baseball. It describes my sentiments toward Eli better than I could.
"This is a confounding type of pitching prospect. Given his track record of simply getting outs everywhere he goes, you’d kick yourself for writing him off if he has success. By the same token, it’s tough to think of any 5-foot-10 starting pitcher who hangs around long while pitching near the mid-80s. I’m still more of a skeptic than true believer, though Morgan’s excellent start to the year in Double-A makes it tougher to call him a low-minors mirage altogether. I don’t think he’s durable or dynamic enough to face modern Major Leauge lineups numerous times in a traditional starting role, but it’s clear he really excels at what he does do. A realistic ceiling for Morgan is a tricky middle reliever or longman/spot-starter who soaks up multiple innings at a time."
Your point about Oviedo already being exposed in last year's R5 is accurate. Not debating or arguing that.......
Oviedo was already exposed to the Rule 5 draft, didn't get selected and hasn't pitched since so I'm not sure why anyone would select him.
Your point about Oviedo already being exposed in last year's R5 is accurate. Not debating or arguing that.
I was asked who I would protect by sportscoach & I listed Eli Morgan in my group along with 2 of the following 3 arms (Oviedo/ Carlos Vargas/ Gregori Vasquez) but no one asked my reasoning for such a move.
Here is the reasoning: in a timeframe when ALL 30 clubs are looking for ways to reduce costs, finding a live "big" arm that can help in the bullpen for league minimum cost is a HUGE get..
We agree that not all big arms have the control to be effective at the major league level, but for minimal cost (call it a lottery ticket) a team might uncover the next Clase/ Brusdar Graterol to help out the bullpen.
As teams are in cost cutting mode, what might be more appealing: 50k on a lottery ticket to help the bullpen or 750k (or much more) on a retread like Dominic Leone/ Joe Smith/ Joe Biagini/ Aaron Sanchez?? Yes some teams will go after the experienced vet but I suspect more teams than normal will pick up a group of lottery tickets this off-season..
Already, the Yankees, Mets, Astros, and Cubs have stated their intention to be frugal this off-season, which would probably preclude adding Lindor’s likely $20 million arby-3 salary. Thus, I agree that cheap lotto tickets in Rule 5 will be very attractive to most if not all teams. The new MLB economics of few if any fans in the spring of 2021 will dictate very tight-fisted payroll management.Your point about Oviedo already being exposed in last year's R5 is accurate. Not debating or arguing that.
I was asked who I would protect by sportscoach & I listed Eli Morgan in my group along with 2 of the following 3 arms (Oviedo/ Carlos Vargas/ Gregori Vasquez) but no one asked my reasoning for such a move.
Here is the reasoning: in a timeframe when ALL 30 clubs are looking for ways to reduce costs, finding a live "big" arm that can help in the bullpen for league minimum cost is a HUGE get..
We agree that not all big arms have the control to be effective at the major league level, but for minimal cost (call it a lottery ticket) a team might uncover the next Clase/ Brusdar Graterol to help out the bullpen.
As teams are in cost cutting mode, what might be more appealing: 50k on a lottery ticket to help the bullpen or 750k (or much more) on a retread like Dominic Leone/ Joe Smith/ Joe Biagini/ Aaron Sanchez?? Yes some teams will go after the experienced vet but I suspect more teams than normal will pick up a group of lottery tickets this off-season..
Already, the Yankees, Mets and Cubs have stated their intention to be frugal this off-season, which would probably preclude adding Lindor’s likely $20 million arby-3 salary. Thus, I agree that cheap lotto tickets in Rule 5 will be very attractive to most if not all teams. The new MLB economics of few if any fans in the spring of 2021 will dictate very tight-fisted payroll management.
Your point about Oviedo already being exposed in last year's R5 is accurate. Not debating or arguing that.
I was asked who I would protect by sportscoach & I listed Eli Morgan in my group along with 2 of the following 3 arms (Oviedo/ Carlos Vargas/ Gregori Vasquez) but no one asked my reasoning for such a move.
Here is the reasoning: in a timeframe when ALL 30 clubs are looking for ways to reduce costs, finding a live "big" arm that can help in the bullpen for league minimum cost is a HUGE get..
We agree that not all big arms have the control to be effective at the major league level, but for minimal cost (call it a lottery ticket) a team might uncover the next Clase/ Brusdar Graterol to help out the bullpen.
As teams are in cost cutting mode, what might be more appealing: 50k on a lottery ticket to help the bullpen or 750k (or much more) on a retread like Dominic Leone/ Joe Smith/ Joe Biagini/ Aaron Sanchez?? Yes some teams will go after the experienced vet but I suspect more teams than normal will pick up a group of lottery tickets this off-season..
Your reasoning is always welcome........ who I would protect .......3 arms (Oviedo/ Carlos Vargas/ Gregori Vasquez)...
Here is the reasoning: ........
Already, the Yankees, Mets and Cubs have stated their intention to be frugal this off-season, which would probably preclude adding Lindor’s likely $20 million arby-3 salary. Thus, I agree that cheap lotto tickets in Rule 5 will be very attractive to most if not all teams. The new MLB economics of few if any fans in the spring of 2021 will dictate very tight-fisted payroll management.
Article in NY Post said new owner wanted to go heavy on analytics and be cautious on spending. I linked the article several weeks ago in the Lindor trade ideas thread.Where did you read that the Mets are planning on being frugal this offseason? I’ve read reports indicating the opposite.