Assuming Tyler Freeman is our second baseman of the future and either Gimenez or Arias is the shortstop, where does that put Miller, who Tito raved about?
He uses the whole field, and he has a knack of being able to bring his hands in and keep the ball fair down the left field line. He’s just a really good hitter. - Tito on Owen Miller, 3/21/21
Miller is kind of stocky and looks more like a third baseman to me, which got me thinking about putting him at third and trading Hosey to save $26 million and bring it a boatload of blue chippers. Nolan Jones is another possibility as is Amed Rosario, but it looks like both of them are strictly outfielders going forward, although Tito did compliment Jones' defense at first base so that's something to keep in mind if Bradley can't cut it.
So with the addition of Jones and Amed Rosario to the outfield the logjam is shifting there as they join Naylor, Daniel Johnson, Mercado, Luplow, Harold Ramirez, and Zimmer. Which is why I think Eddie Rosario might be a one-and-done. If he doesn't have a great year the Indians can probably replace him with a much cheaper option. If he has a great season he'll price himself out of their market.
I suppose Miller could be our UIF next year (or this) if he can beat out Chang.
Miller isn't what I would call "stocky" he's 6' and 190lbs and he moves rather well. He has a bit more physical strength than Freeman which translates into a little more projectable power. Also, like I said before, for Freeman to get the ball over the fence a more frequently will require some changes to his swing. He's a gap to gap hitter and a damn good one so I wouldn't worry about it, but that's just me. If it ain't broke don't F with it. I also wouldn't assume that Freeman will keep Miller off of 2B. I really like both as prospects/players, but if I had to choose one of them right now it would be Miller.
No decisions need to be made hastily at this time, but it's coming. If they wanted to address a position of need via trade ask yourself what would be the best way to do so? If another team is going to give you a much better player/prospect for Freeman and you got Miller in your back pocket then it's a win win IMO. Don't take that as me advocating that Freeman be traded, but some tough choices are looming.
I'm waiting to see how Amed does with the CF transition. It's not going to happen overnight, but he's a good enough athlete to do it. Good Lord having a CF that could actually hit well would be nice wouldn't it?
If Arias continues on his current trend then Caddy bar the door, because he has the glove, arm, and body to be another Carlos Correa. He's potentially that dynamic. Will be interesting to see how they handle him going forward. Thing is, I really like Gimenez and obviously they do too.
I'd like to see some of this MIF depth converted/traded into more SP prospects, corner OF, and/or one more good C prospect. I feel all of our eggs are in Bo Naylor's basket in regards to C. Should injury or underperformance change his path then we're screwed.
Here's another "conundrum" for me. I see Jones as a 1B, and a damn good one that could give great offensive and defensive value. The problem could be Bobby Bradley as he is incapable of playing another position, but his offensive capabilities are through the roof. He's got 50 HR potential all day long. If he keeps Jones off of 1B then that means he is hitting well and that is a very good thing for us Cleveland fans. Hopefully Jones can make a successful transition to a corner OF spot should that be the case. If this happens then I agree that Eddie Rosario is a one and done. Josh Naylor has some influence on that as well, and I'm not sold on him like many here are. I wish I were and I want to be, but I'm not seeing it. I think he's solid, but unspectacular.