2020-21 Offseason Discussion

[jup]

Well, he learned from the master of speaking without saying anything, Mark Shapiro.

That is for sure.

 

[CDAV45]

Boy, where is the love for Antonetti that has had such a following for so long. Used to be TABOO to say such things about him. Heck you could get relegated to the dust bins of history for such comments a few years back.

I don't blame Antonetti for such an empty article. That falls on the publisher/writer to reread the interview and come to the conclusion that nothing is in it. How about an article reading "I called CA to ask if there was any new news and he said not at this time". There's your story, title, and ending all wrapped up in one sentence.

 

[sportscoach]

Bleacher Report's MLB 25 in '25: Predicting the Top 25 Catchers in 2025

Welcome to B/R's newest article series: the MLB 25 in '25 rankings! In the coming weeks, we'll take a crack at predicting who the 25 best players will be at each position in five years, during the 2025 season...

syndication.bleacherreport.com

This is an interesting read since its predicting the current top catchers in 2025. Though they don't have Bo Naylor up yet in the pros (i think he will be up in 23 since Perez is a free agent in a year or two.

 

[Kevalier]

Bleacher Report's MLB 25 in '25: Predicting the Top 25 Catchers in 2025

Welcome to B/R's newest article series: the MLB 25 in '25 rankings! In the coming weeks, we'll take a crack at predicting who the 25 best players will be at each position in five years, during the 2025 season...

syndication.bleacherreport.com

This is an interesting read since its predicting the current top catchers in 2025. Though they don't have Bo Naylor up yet in the pros (i think he will be up in 23 since Perez is a free agent in a year or two.

Yeah, their ETA is way off here. As you mentioned, Bo is projected to be up here no later than 2023 if he continues to develop on his current trajectory.

 

[CDAV45]

Mr. Chernoff this is my Christmas list:
1. Make sure Frazier is in the package for Lindor.
2. Sign Hunter Renfroe to a 2 yr deal for $5M and incentives.
3. If you intend to trade Ramirez in the future just do it now.
4. Let's have a heartfelt reunion with Joey Wendle and Jesus Aguilar.

Yes, this list is subject to change as many times as I deem necessary.

 

[DCTribefan]

Bo Naylor highly regarded by bleacher report.


A big part of this process was projecting prospects into future MLB roles. As such, it's only fair that we filled that void by predicting who will be the 10 best catching prospects in 2025:

• 1. Francisco Alvarez, New York Mets
• 2. Ivan Herrera, St. Louis Cardinals
• 3. Diego Cartaya, Los Angeles Dodgers
• 4. Tyler Soderstrom, Oakland Athletics
• 5. Henry Davis, University of Louisville (2021 draft prospect)
• 6. Bo Naylor, Cleveland Indians
• 7. Adrian Del Castillo, University of Miami (2021 draft prospect)
• 8. Gabriel Moreno, Toronto Blue Jays
• 9. Ian Moller, Wahlert High School, Iowa (2021 draft prospect)
• 10. Drew Romo, Colorado Rockies
• 
  
  

  Bleacher Report's MLB 25 in '25: Predicting the Top 25 Catchers in 2025

  Welcome to B/R's newest article series: the MLB 25 in '25 rankings! In the coming weeks, we'll take a crack at predicting who the 25 best players will be at each position in five years, during the 2025 season...

  syndication.bleacherreport.com

 

[sportscoach]

Bo Naylor highly regarded by bleacher report.


A big part of this process was projecting prospects into future MLB roles. As such, it's only fair that we filled that void by predicting who will be the 10 best catching prospects in 2025:

• 1. Francisco Alvarez, New York Mets
• 2. Ivan Herrera, St. Louis Cardinals
• 3. Diego Cartaya, Los Angeles Dodgers
• 4. Tyler Soderstrom, Oakland Athletics
• 5. Henry Davis, University of Louisville (2021 draft prospect)
• 6. Bo Naylor, Cleveland Indians
• 7. Adrian Del Castillo, University of Miami (2021 draft prospect)
• 8. Gabriel Moreno, Toronto Blue Jays
• 9. Ian Moller, Wahlert High School, Iowa (2021 draft prospect)
• 10. Drew Romo, Colorado Rockies
• 
  
  

  Bleacher Report's MLB 25 in '25: Predicting the Top 25 Catchers in 2025

  Welcome to B/R's newest article series: the MLB 25 in '25 rankings! In the coming weeks, we'll take a crack at predicting who the 25 best players will be at each position in five years, during the 2025 season...

  syndication.bleacherreport.com

This is in 25, he is still a prospect and I really doubt he would be hence why the response.

 

[Huber.]

@CavsSimmy

Why baseball great Manny Ramirez is making Sydney his next project at the ripe old age of 48

One of the biggest stars in US baseball history is out of hotel quarantine and ready to be the new face of the Australian Baseball League.

www.smh.com.au

 

[CATS44]

What can you expect Antonetti to say?

There can't be definitive answers until there are definitive questions.

At the present time, even the Dolans do not know how much was lost, how many games will be played, how many fans...if any...will be allowed in the stands, will there even be season ticket holders, what will the market price be for the 200 free agents presently floating around, and even if there will be any minor league baseball? They also don't know if Latin players will be allowed back into the country.

And until all of those questions are defined and answered, there is no way to set a payroll for the FO to work with nor a total budget for the franchise.

Its easy for me and anyone else to create a wish list and set a price, but nobody knows what the price might be. Is a guy like Renfroe worth a 2/10 contract, or is he worth $2mil a year? Who knows?

On paper we could immediately turn the OF into something that looks like a tremendous plus...just sign Schwarber, Rosario, and Dahl.

Of course, nobody knows what that would cost. It might cost $30mil. It might cost $6mil. But even at $6mil, the Indians might not have the cash to do it .

While some of the names available are big, they may not be valuable...more bark than bite. Recent history has shown that big bats with limited defensive ability and low OBP have tanked on the open market. Looking at the recent non tendered list, there appears to be an over abundance of players with already tanked values.

 

[Gson]

The only cost certainty are guys already on the roster or under club control.. We've focused on the outfield.. What about the infield?.. We have JRam and Bebo.. otherwise.. we don't know.. this includes the belief that:

1. Frankie Lindor will be traded
2. Cesar Hernandez will be playing somewhere else
3. Carlos Santana can only return on a much more team friendly contract..otherwise who?
4. JRam is locked in at 3B... unless he's traded..
5. Roberto Perez is on board and ready to play... same with Austin Hedges, the back up..

So.. what are the options.. what would you do?

1B: Bring Carlos back on a team friendly deal.. something that won't be decided until late January.. Other options include Jake Bauers, Bobby Bradley and, possibly, Nolan Jones. Only Santana has a price tag..

2B: No one is currently listed on the depth chart.. IF (probably not) Lindor remains.. this spot can be filled by Yu Chang.. or.. as a "shock" promotion, how about.. Tyler Freeman?.. Owen Miller?

3B: JRam.. backing him up can be Nolan Jones.. bad glove and all.. and you can't believe how much whining can be generated by a poor glove hot corner guy.. ask Miguel Andujar!

SS: Is Frankie or Yu Chang.. if Yu Chang is at SS.. the 2B's uncertainty rises.. rapidly !

Thoughts?..

 

[sportscoach]

The only cost certainty are guys already on the roster or under club control.. We've focused on the outfield.. What about the infield?.. We have JRam and Bebo.. otherwise.. we don't know.. this includes the belief that:

1. Frankie Lindor will be traded
2. Cesar Hernandez will be playing somewhere else
3. Carlos Santana can only return on a much more team friendly contract..otherwise who?
4. JRam is locked in at 3B... unless he's traded..
5. Roberto Perez is on board and ready to play... same with Austin Hedges, the back up..

So.. what are the options.. what would you do?

1B: Bring Carlos back on a team friendly deal.. something that won't be decided until late January.. Other options include Jake Bauers, Bobby Bradley and, possibly, Nolan Jones. Only Santana has a price tag..

2B: No one is currently listed on the depth chart.. IF (probably not) Lindor remains.. this spot can be filled by Yu Chang.. or.. as a "shock" promotion, how about.. Tyler Freeman?.. Owen Miller?

3B: JRam.. backing him up can be Nolan Jones.. bad glove and all.. and you can't believe how much whining can be generated by a poor glove hot corner guy.. ask Miguel Andujar!

SS: Is Frankie or Yu Chang.. if Yu Chang is at SS.. the 2B's uncertainty rises.. rapidly !

Thoughts?..

Forgot about Clement in there, between 2B or SS he will get a chance. He seems to be liked by the organization so there is a possibility he could earn a 2B spot.

We currently have 3 open roster spots going into Rule 5 draft and Lindor trade. Rumors stated the Indians wanted at least 3 MLB or close to MLB ready players.

Miller and Freeman both have plus contact skills, which usually fares well for being able to adapt to the pros quicker and staying more consistent than some of their peers without it.

Chang also in my mind never got a fair shot at making the roster. He wouldn't have been up at the major league level last season if we had the minor leagues going. So hopefully, even though he didn't get ABs, that the time spent with the other guys helped him develop overall as a player.

Also we likely will bring in some type of veteran free agent to the ball club. Not sure if it will be the Mike Freeman/Jack Hannahan type or Cesar Hernandez type, but someone would be in the mix as well.

I am not against bringing back Santana, but do we have the budget to?

 

[sportscoach]

Rule 5 is this Thursday and the Indians have three open roster spots at the current moment.

MLB Rule 5 Draft: 17 names to know, including pair of Yankees prospects and a former top-five pick

www.cbssports.com

Another random post with guys who could go and there are some lefty arms available.

Ha-Seong Kim, who plays SS normally with some time at 3B and should translate well to 2B, has been posted and honestly, I wouldn't be against the Indians going to go get him. We dont sign very many from overseas, but if his price doesn't go to high, we need to at least check him out.

 

[Gson]

Rule 5 is this Thursday and the Indians have three open roster spots at the current moment.

MLB Rule 5 Draft: 17 names to know, including pair of Yankees prospects and a former top-five pick

www.cbssports.com

Another random post with guys who could go and there are some lefty arms available.

Ha-Seong Kim, who plays SS normally with some time at 3B and should translate well to 2B, has been posted and honestly, I wouldn't be against the Indians going to go get him. We dont sign very many from overseas, but if his price doesn't go to high, we need to at least check him out.

W/R to the Ha-Seong Kim Posting.. there is a fee associated with signing him.. I believe $ 5 MM, followed by $ 4 MM followed by $ 3 MM based on a sliding scale of total dollar value for signing him up to and through $ 50 MM. So, roughly, 1/4 of his salary in addition to his salary for a $ 50 MM salary.. It is the total dollar value that these fees are paid on.. More than "probably a pass" for the Indians..

W/R to the 17 names Yankee Prospects.. article.. none of the NYY's guys have more than passing (emphasis on PASS) interest. The Rockies kid.. Ever Moya.. could be interesting.. He's a phyically mature lefty with one and possibly a second plus pitch. He's never going to be a starter.. but as an RP.. he could fit a role rather nicely if he can do a better job of command and control.. Has anyone seen this guy?..

 

[Gson]

Forgot about Clement in there, between 2B or SS he will get a chance. He seems to be liked by the organization so there is a possibility he could earn a 2B spot.

We currently have 3 open roster spots going into Rule 5 draft and Lindor trade. Rumors stated the Indians wanted at least 3 MLB or close to MLB ready players.

Miller and Freeman both have plus contact skills, which usually fares well for being able to adapt to the pros quicker and staying more consistent than some of their peers without it.

Chang also in my mind never got a fair shot at making the roster. He wouldn't have been up at the major league level last season if we had the minor leagues going. So hopefully, even though he didn't get ABs, that the time spent with the other guys helped him develop overall as a player.

Also we likely will bring in some type of veteran free agent to the ball club. Not sure if it will be the Mike Freeman/Jack Hannahan type or Cesar Hernandez type, but someone would be in the mix as well.

I am not against bringing back Santana, but do we have the budget to?

W/R to Clement.. he's a AAAA type guy, imho.. Not a bad player, mind you.. just not a "winning" player.. He's a roster spot holder.. no more.. If Clement gets a starting nod.. it will only be to facilitate an alternative motive.. e.g. super 2 contract manipulation, as an example..

IDK what the budget is.. but all indications from the snippets of information coming from CLEFO is a simple NO..

On that subject.. statements from CLEFO regarding trades/signings.. The idea that the CLEFO has stated they WILL trade Lindor is also questionable.. I know most of the postings have indicated that CLEFO has stated they WILL trade Frankie.. but.. there is no such quoted statement by an Indians front office official anywhere . While I"m not saying the CLEFO won't trade him.. there is no direct statement from anyone in the FO that supports or is credited with that statement. It doesn't do the player any good.. it certainly doesn't help the CLEFO with a lack of leverage regarding that statement.. It would not surprise me IF the Indians hold onto Frankie going into the 2021 season unless they get the value they require to move him.. Not a dime less..

Thoughts?..

 

[jup]

On that subject.. statements from CLEFO regarding trades/signings.. The idea that the CLEFO has stated they WILL trade Lindor is also questionable.. I know most of the postings have indicated that CLEFO has stated they WILL trade Frankie.. but.. there is no such quoted statement by an Indians front office official anywhere . While I"m not saying the CLEFO won't trade him.. there is no direct statement from anyone in the FO that supports or is credited with that statement. It doesn't do the player any good.. it certainly doesn't help the CLEFO with a lack of leverage regarding that statement.. It would not surprise me IF the Indians hold onto Frankie going into the 2021 season unless they get the value they require to move him.. Not a dime less..

Thoughts?..

NO CHANCE !!!!!