2019 MLB Trade Deadline

[Kevalier]

Was told the Indians are not buying as of right now.

So, the plan is to sell despite being 12 games over .500 and in a Wild Card spot as of today, or to remain idle and hope to eventually get Kluber and Cookie back in the rotation?

 

[AZ_]

So, the plan is to sell despite being 12 games over .500 and in a Wild Card spot as of today, or to remain idle and hope to eventually get Kluber and Cookie back in the rotation?

I think they’re at an impasse in the season. Guys like Bauers, Mercado and Naquin have been playing really well of late.

They almost need to ride with the young guys to avoid a scenario where you have to let them go and see them wind up having success elsewhere. That becomes more important when you see the wave of players behind them in Daniel Johnson, Nolan Jones, Bobby Bradley, Yu Chang and even Tyler Freeman who could be in Cleveland by next year.

I still don’t think they sell Bauer unless they get their socks knocked off.

Right now I think they stand pat completely and hope to heat up down the stretch.

 

[Coyote]

This is rather silly when you consider he has about 20 innings worth of a sample you're judging.

Absolutely no objective argument can be made about whether or not he's a "playoff" pitcher.

That's nonsense.

I never said it was an objective argument. The only objective element is the facticity of what he's done in the playoffs, and even that requires subjective interpretation. All I'm saying is that he hasn't proven himself to be rock-solid, Grade A, hot-shit #1 in the playoffs. If you look at all his appearances, I think the most objective view bears that out. Could he prove otherwise in the future? Sure.

But if we're talking about whether or not he should be traded before the end of the month, and what he might be worth, and if you want to use his regular season performances to sell me on his reliability in the postseason...that's a shaky argument. That's like me saying my car has run great except when I need it the most, except when I have to drive it really fast and hard. But "the most" has been a small sample size, so I'm sure it'll run great the next time you need it the most. Now pay me $20 million for it.

Playoff stats are kind of meaningless to me since it’s such a small sample size, but he has proven that he can be lights out in that setting as well.

Same deal. Potential is a wonderful thing. Playoff stats are kinda meaningless. Got it.

I sense myself drifting into a diatribe about the limitations of statistical analysis, but a baseball subforum is the wrong forum for that. Hey, look, I hope Bauer kicks ass in the playoffs. I'd love to change my mind. Go Tribe.

 

[Coyote]

They almost need to ride with the young guys to avoid a scenario where you have to let them go and see them wind up having success elsewhere. That becomes more important when you see the wave of players behind them in Daniel Johnson, Nolan Jones, Bobby Bradley, Yu Chang and even Tyler Freeman who could be in Cleveland by next year.

Like I've said, I feel like we're playing with house money this year. Nothing to lose, experience to gain for the young guys. Play it out, let's see what happens.

 

[JDailey23]

So, the plan is to sell despite being 12 games over .500 and in a Wild Card spot as of today, or to remain idle and hope to eventually get Kluber and Cookie back in the rotation?

Not sure how you got that they will be sellers, but this isn’t the team coming off a WS appearance. This is a team coming off getting smoked 2 years in a row in the playoffs. Missing 4 MAJOR components in Kluber, Carasco, EE and Bradley. This was a “let’s see what we have” season from day one.

 

[DJTJ]

I think they’re at an impasse in the season. Guys like Bauers, Mercado and Naquin have been playing really well of late.

They almost need to ride with the young guys to avoid a scenario where you have to let them go and see them wind up having success elsewhere. That becomes more important when you see the wave of players behind them in Daniel Johnson, Nolan Jones, Bobby Bradley, Yu Chang and even Tyler Freeman who could be in Cleveland by next year.

I still don’t think they sell Bauer unless they get their socks knocked off.

Right now I think they stand pat completely and hope to heat up down the stretch.

Makes me wet to think they’re going to value developing their own people.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

All I'm saying is that he hasn't proven himself to be rock-solid, Grade A, hot-shit #1 in the playoffs.

How many pitchers in all of baseball satisfy your statement here?

 

[Urban]

How many pitchers in all of baseball satisfy your statement here?

I'd say Lester, Bumgarner, and Wainwright

Looking at some of the dominant guys from the last like 5-8 years:

Scherzer, Kluber, Verlander, Kershaw, Greinke, Sale, Price have all been in a range of not quite their elite self, to inconsistent, to bad

 

[Derek]

I'd say Lester, Bumgarner, and Wainwright

Looking at some of the dominant guys from the last like 5-8 years:

Scherzer, Kluber, Verlander, Kershaw, Greinke, Sale, Price have all been in a range of not quite their elite self, to inconsistent, to bad

And of those three guys, Wainwright is washed, and while Lester is still solid, he’s not what he used to be.

 

[Urban]

And of those three guys, Wainwright is washed, and while Lester is still solid, he’s not what he used to be.

Right, basically saying even the best of the best have disappointing playoff numbers as a whole just because of the competition and sample size.

Even Lester, one of the best big game pitchers in recent memory, was abused by the Royals in 2015.

 

[sportscoach]

I do not agree not trading for a guy like Domingo Santana, Mancini etc who has some team control and hit from the right side. I would also like another bullpen arm that can help take the load off of Hand down the stretch.

That being said, with out current crop of players, is it possible to get at least a wild card right now? Yes, very possible, so I can see why you don't just trade to make a trade. I just would like to see another RH bat on this club.

 

[jack hammill]

I don't see anyone from the current MLB team that we don't want to keep per se, so it feels like they want to add a couple players to the mix, to help the guys, but regardless we still have to move a couple just because we do have a full 40 man roster. I think we are at a good place chemistry wise on this roster right now, and I felt last year donaldson addition on paper looked good, and he is a good guy, but it did hurt the chemistry of the team last season.

It wouldn't surprise me if we go for Santana of the Mariners and personally on paper I want Sam Dyson from San Fran to fill out the last bullpen spot. I do believe we will make a move this trade deadline, but it will be for guys who have some control available, so both Santana and Dyson fit that bill.

I just do not see Santana ... who goes in the outfield !? When you look at the platoon splits vs. recent Santana I would keep who we would sacrifice to the bench .... just do not see the gain

 

[Randolphkeys]

Was told the Indians are not buying as of right now.

That's a shame. Sometimes the right play in baseball is to grab onto a hot streak and ride the wave. I understand being unwilling to expose top young prospects just to get bounced in the wildcard, but the Tribe have looked really good lately.

The Giants are a team that doesn't have the depth in the minors they would like to have right now, but are willing to part with a few hot bats and steady relievers to replenish the minor league. I thought they could be a good match for the Tribe in a minor deal.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

That's a shame. Sometimes the right play in baseball is to grab onto a hot streak and ride the wave. I understand being unwilling to expose top young prospects just to get bounced in the wildcard, but the Tribe have looked really good lately.

The Giants are a team that doesn't have the depth in the minors they would like to have right now, but are willing to part with a few hot bats and steady relievers to replenish the minor league. I thought they could be a good match for the Tribe in a minor deal.

What position player from their team would you want?

 

[Randolphkeys]

What position player from their team would you want?

Of course the most attractive assets the Giants have are the MLB tested pitchers. Even a guy like Samardzija could be an asset if the Indians can convince the Giants to swallow most of the money owed on that bad contract.

For hitting, I'm sure they would attach Pablo Sandoval to a pitcher as a utility infielder and DH. The oft-injured Joe Panik is probably a available as defensive and offensive depth for an infield. Young OF Austin Slater changed his swing in the past year and has been on a tear since being promoted from the minors.