2021 Series #30 | Rays @ Indians | July 22-25

Kevalier said:

It's about next season. If we didn't hold the rights for him in 2022, I would trade him without hesitation at the deadline. But again, the team holds a club option for him next season at only $6 million.

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Don’t you think that bolsters his value for a deal now? Even if none of the 6 (and I’d include Amed to make 7) shows they could handle the spot for the first half of next season, this is part of the problem when you have so many resources tied up into MIF prospects.

Kevalier said:

I'll repeat what I said in a separate post.

Gimenez and Arias are both shortstops, so they can compete for the starting SS position if Amed moves to CF.

Tyler Freeman projects to be the 2B of the future, but he won't be on the Opening Day roster next season.

Owen Miller struck out 48% in 50 plate appearances and had zero barrels. Small sample size for sure, but not sure how he can be penciled in to start every day at 2B since this team still plans to contend next season.

Ernie Clement is the prototypical utility player.

Yu Chang won't be on the 40 man roster next season.

Who else do you have in mind?

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I don't want to wait until next season, which should be one that we are battling for the division title, to find out if Miller can "cut the mustard" or not. The kid has hit at every level extremely well minus his short stint in the majors this season.

I think we're selling Freeman a little short here TBH. He's in Akron and slashing 320/379/446/825. There is no doubt in my mind that he couldn't come up and hit well right now. Yes, he could struggle like Miller did and I'm not suggesting they call him up this season. That would be silly, but next season might be his time.

An option at 2B that hasn't been mentioned is Amed. I'd argue that he could be a real good 2B if needed. I'd call Gimenez up and slide Amed over.

The Big Ern might deserve a shot at 2B, but we need a UIFer and he's doing a helluva job.

I think most of us have moved past Chang, but it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest to see him excel after leaving Cleveland should that come to pass.

Out of the Rafters at the Q said:

I don't know. I think we could be, but I think figuring things out this year, like Amed in the OF, can be a big help rather than trying them next year.

I agree with you on Freeman and Cesar.

I don't think the difference between Cesar and Miller/Clement/Whoever translates into a significant difference in the win column over that short time frame.

While I was fighting against everyone anointing Owen Miller as a God for having a high batting average over a short sample size of minor league games this year, I also will push back against anyone who thinks his short stint in the majors this year is the complete book on what he can be.

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Absolutely, and I definitely don't want to write him off as a failed prospect. But, it was clear in his brief stint here that he was outmatched and still needs further development at Triple-A.

CDAV45 said:

I don't want to wait until next season, which should be one that we are battling for the division title, to find out if Miller can "cut the mustard" or not. The kid has hit at every level extremely well minus his short stint in the majors this season.

I think we're selling Freeman a little short here TBH. He's in Akron and slashing 320/379/446/825. There is no doubt in my mind that he couldn't come up and hit well right now. Yes, he could struggle like Miller did and I'm not suggesting they call him up this season. That would be silly, but next season might be his time.

An option at 2B that hasn't been mentioned is Amed. I'd argue that he could be a real good 2B if needed. I'd call Gimenez up and slide Amed over.

The Big Ern might deserve a shot at 2B, but we need a UIFer and he's doing a helluva job.

I think most of us have moved past Chang, but it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest to see him excel after leaving Cleveland should that come to pass.

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And, what are you basing this on, exactly?

Amed is pulling off the ball more recently. Hope he gets back in his groove.

Kevalier said:

Absolutely, and I definitely don't want to write him off as a failed prospect. But, it was clear in his brief stint here that he was outmatched and still needs further development at Triple-A.

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I think I'd rather just give him an extended period of time at this level. It might sink him, but with all the other prospects charging up his rear (we aren't doing phrasing, right?) I think this is the only time we could give him that long period of time--just like we're doing with Bradley.

Kevalier said:

And, what are you basing this on, exactly?

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He has a good swing and real good power for an infielder. Defensively he is sound and versitile. He's a good athlete and intelligent. A fresh start will probably be good for him and he's not going to get it with Cleveland.

Kevalier said:

Cesar with a base hit to lead off the bottom of the first. Trade his ass now, so that Owen Miller or Yu Chang can show us that neither of them are the answer at 2B!

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Another Richie Palacios fan is in the house!!

CDAV45 said:

Amed is pulling off the ball more recently. Hope he gets back in his groove.

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His groove is so shallow its more of a ridge.

The Franimal!

Why do people intentionally walk a struggling Jose in order to get to an on fire Reyes?

Make them pay, Franmil!

Kevalier said:

I'll repeat what I said in a separate post.

Gimenez and Arias are both shortstops, so they can compete for the starting SS position if Amed moves to CF.

Tyler Freeman projects to be the 2B of the future, but he won't be on the Opening Day roster next season.

Owen Miller struck out 48% in 50 plate appearances and had zero barrels. Small sample size for sure, but not sure how he can be penciled in to start every day at 2B since this team still plans to contend next season.

Ernie Clement is the prototypical utility player.

Yu Chang won't be on the 40 man roster next season.

Who else do you have in mind?

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One thing you have to get about Miller, he will be in contention for the roster as a 2B and as a Zobrist type of player... Francona has been wanting a Zobrist type for awhile, and Miller fits that style of player pretty well.

Also I am not sure if Chang is going anywhere... He is out of options I am pretty sure next season. Not sure if he has any value left though, but he still has all the tools there. I wouldn't be surprised if he started the season on the roster for 22...

Quantrill needs to never pitch from the windup again.

While many have written off this season, apparently the team hasn't.

We just split six games out west vs two of the four/five best teams in the league. At the moment we are ahead of one of the others. This is the stretch where most felt that the team would plunge into baseball oblivion.

Many may not care about 2021, but I do. A season of contention is never a sure thing, and one should never be wasted.