2020-21 Offseason Discussion

[Steve_424]

I would be operating under the assumption that the Indians won't be signing any free agents this winter. Perhaps they surprise us, and re-sign Cesar Hernandez or sign someone else to replace him at 2B. Other than that, I wouldn't hold your breath on them spending any money in the offseason.

I think they'll play the long game and jump on vets who can't get more than a minor league deal in spring training. 2B is flooded with options - Cesar, Wong, LeMathieu, Villar, LaStella, Schoop, Kipnis, Hernandez, Strange-Gordon, Peraza, etc. In this market it's hard to see them all getting ML deals somewhere.

Would a Kipnis/Chang platoon work? Chang hit LH a little better in the minors and Kip hit RH well this year.

 

[LL3]

Think they missed an opportunity to cash in a bit on Hand at the trade deadline, even more so with this being the plan with him and his buyout all along.

Solid reliever with a cheap buyout would have been perfect to send to another contender. Hand wasn't going to make or break a playoff run for the Indians. Very rare shortsighted move by this front office.

I have no problem keeping him for what they hoped would be a playoff run, though I understand your point from a business standpoint.
I am somewhat surprised that they felt there was no trade market for Hand at 10m....the proverbial lottery ticket would looks worlds better than the present optics. Is the appetite to take on salary that small in the league? We'll see, I guess...

 

[Huber.]

I have no problem keeping him for what they hoped would be a playoff run, though I understand your point from a business standpoint.
I am somewhat surprised that they felt there was no trade market for Hand at 10m....the proverbial lottery ticket would looks worlds better than the present optics. Is the appetite to take on salary that small in the league? We'll see, I guess...

Too risky to pick up the options when the league was in the red over 8 billion last year and some teams can't even afford to pay their everyday employees.

 

[LL3]

Too risky to pick up the options when the league was in the red over 8 billion last year and some teams can't even afford to pay their everyday employees.

I was referencing potential trade discussions before this moment in time....I understand why the Tribe declined to pick it up, and had wondered how bad the environment for other teams might be. The answer may be coming more clear.
*Had* no problem with them not trading him at previous deadline.

 

[Real Deal]

Guys, can we put a zipper on the back and forth sniping about trolling, etc.? If you don't like what someone says, sometimes just ignoring it and moving on is better for everyone involved.

That's how it goes around here, Indians are held to some kind of standard that no fan can rant about. Baseball, the game of "just getting in" probably won't see a winner in a lifetime.

 

[DerekG123]

Too risky to pick up the options when the league was in the red over 8 billion last year and some teams can't even afford to pay their everyday employees.

As much as I wanted to see Hand moved for something, I agree. I expect to see a dirt cheap roster next year. I think the notable salaries will be Carrasco (maybe until the deadline), Ramirez, Perez (also a deadline candidate) and then just all pre-arb or 1 million dollar deal type of players. They will slash salaries like the Walmart yellow dot.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

That's how it goes around here, Indians are held to some kind of standard that no fan can rant about. Baseball, the game of "just getting in" probably won't see a winner in a lifetime.

I don't care if people rant -- that's part of being a fan. But when a couple of posters start having a "quit trolling" battle, I don't think anyone actually enjoys that, including the guys involved. I'm not giving out warnings or anything...just trying to remind guys to try to keep it, if not friendly, at least civil.

 

[Urban]

I would expect him to be claimed since 1 yr $10m for a reliever of Hand's caliber is pretty good value, but with the 2020 losses we'll have to wait and see. This could be a good barometer of what to expect coming up in free agency if he does not get claimed.

Disappointing we couldn't get any sort of asset for him.

 

[Gson]

I would expect him to be claimed since 1 yr $10m for a reliever of Hand's caliber is pretty good value, but with the 2020 losses we'll have to wait and see. This could be a good barometer of what to expect coming up in free agency if he does not get claimed.

Disappointing we couldn't get any sort of asset for him.

Couple the league/team losses with a $ 10 MM addition for an RP and additional prospect / player currency going back to Cleveland.. and CLEFO decided that the salary coming back with whoever traded for Hand and/or the prospects would better serve Brad Hand by not asking or receiving any. It may not be the best move for the Indians.. but it does take them out from under a $ 10 MM contract if Brad Hand is claimed for the price the Indians would have paid if they kept him for future trades..

thoughts?..

 

[Gson]

Tony La Russa joining the CWSox as their manager is NOT good news for the Indians.. not good at all..

 

[NorthCoastBias]

Tony La Russa joining the CWSox as their manager is NOT good news for the Indians.. not good at all..

How do you figure?

 

[EdMonix11]

Yikes. If the Indians don't want to pay the $1M buyout to Hand, I don't think there's any chance they would take back an MLB salary above pre-arb in a Lindor deal. I figured that was the case all along but this pretty much confirms it.

 

[Huber.]

Tony La Russa joining the CWSox as their manager is NOT good news for the Indians.. not good at all..

Can I ask how old you are? Their fans seem to hate it.

 

[DCTribefan]

Can I ask how old you are? Their fans seem to hate it.

I think Gson was around for the 1920 World Series championship.

 

[Gson]

Can I ask how old you are? Their fans seem to hate it.

I'm as old as my gums and slightly older than my teeth (..a line from a movie from just before I was around) Can you name the movie?..