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2020 Lineup Discussion

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Derek

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Depending on where you think Reyes gets most of his reps this year, and how much you think Luplow plays against righties; it seems like most of the lineup is locked down.

In parentheses are their projections for this upcoming season.
Hernandez (.277/.355/.399)
Ramirez (.277/.362/.523)
Lindor (.289/.354/.531)
Santana (.260/.375/.482)
Reyes (.260/.329/.517)
Luplow (.250/.333/.448)
Perez (.219/.303/.399)
Mercado (.256/.313/.402)

Those guys all seem like locks to at least be in the lineup most day right now. They could give somebody a few platoon ABs against righties to partner with Luplow, but I do think he should have an opportunity early to just seize the everyday job.

That leaves a final OF/DH spot (depending on where you slot Reyes most days) with Bauers, Zimmer, Allen, Johnson, Bradley, and DeShields vying for playing time.

I'm pretty pleased with the eight guys I consider locks and expect average to above-average production at the plate (for their position, see Perez), and I'm hopeful that they can find something for that final spot. There is quite a bit of talent in the mix for that final spot. The real question is, who will put it all together.
 
Depending on where you think Reyes gets most of his reps this year, and how much you think Luplow plays against righties; it seems like most of the lineup is locked down.

In parentheses are their projections for this upcoming season.
Hernandez (.277/.355/.399)
Ramirez (.277/.362/.523)
Lindor (.289/.354/.531)
Santana (.260/.375/.482)
Reyes (.260/.329/.517)
Luplow (.250/.333/.448)
Perez (.219/.303/.399)
Mercado (.256/.313/.402)

Those guys all seem like locks to at least be in the lineup most day right now. They could give somebody a few platoon ABs against righties to partner with Luplow, but I do think he should have an opportunity early to just seize the everyday job.

That leaves a final OF/DH spot (depending on where you slot Reyes most days) with Bauers, Zimmer, Allen, Johnson, Bradley, and DeShields vying for playing time.

I'm pretty pleased with the eight guys I consider locks and expect average to above-average production at the plate (for their position, see Perez), and I'm hopeful that they can find something for that final spot. There is quite a bit of talent in the mix for that final spot. The real question is, who will put it all together.

Reyes should be a 100% DH, who just so happens to be able to play an OF spot in a pinch. Sort of like how we stuck Santana or Kipnis in the OF when absolutely necessary.

You've got your entire infield and DH locked in with Reyes, Perez, Santana, Hernandez, Jose, Lindor.

The question is with Luplow/Bauers locked into one spot, and Mercado locked into the other, what do you do until Zimmer's ready (if he's ever ready again)? I still think the best eventual OF alignment is Mercado in a corner, with Zimmer in center. I'd be fine with Mercado in CF, Bauers in one corner, and a Luplow-headed platoon in the other to start the year. You either let Bauers prove himself with everyday at bats, or you know what position you're looking to upgrade at the trade deadline with another Bruce/Puig/etc.

This should be the best lineup we've had since the 90's-era Indians. Reyes, Frankie, Jose, Santana is one of the best foursomes in the league.
 
Reyes should be a 100% DH, who just so happens to be able to play an OF spot in a pinch. Sort of like how we stuck Santana or Kipnis in the OF when absolutely necessary.

You've got your entire infield and DH locked in with Reyes, Perez, Santana, Hernandez, Jose, Lindor.

The question is with Luplow/Bauers locked into one spot, and Mercado locked into the other, what do you do until Zimmer's ready (if he's ever ready again)? I still think the best eventual OF alignment is Mercado in a corner, with Zimmer in center. I'd be fine with Mercado in CF, Bauers in one corner, and a Luplow-headed platoon in the other to start the year. You either let Bauers prove himself with everyday at bats, or you know what position you're looking to upgrade at the trade deadline with another Bruce/Puig/etc.

This should be the best lineup we've had since the 90's-era Indians. Reyes, Frankie, Jose, Santana is one of the best foursomes in the league.

Think it has to be the 2018 playoff lineup, even though they were blown away by Verlander and Cole

Lindor
Brantley
Ramirez
Encarnacion
Donaldson
Alonso
Gomes
M Cabrera
Kipnis

Next would be the 2017 playoff lineup:

Lindor
Kipnis
Ramirez
Encarnacion
Bruce
Santana
Chisenhall
Perez
Urshela
 
Reyes should be a 100% DH, who just so happens to be able to play an OF spot in a pinch. Sort of like how we stuck Santana or Kipnis in the OF when absolutely necessary.

You've got your entire infield and DH locked in with Reyes, Perez, Santana, Hernandez, Jose, Lindor.

The question is with Luplow/Bauers locked into one spot, and Mercado locked into the other, what do you do until Zimmer's ready (if he's ever ready again)? I still think the best eventual OF alignment is Mercado in a corner, with Zimmer in center. I'd be fine with Mercado in CF, Bauers in one corner, and a Luplow-headed platoon in the other to start the year. You either let Bauers prove himself with everyday at bats, or you know what position you're looking to upgrade at the trade deadline with another Bruce/Puig/etc.

This should be the best lineup we've had since the 90's-era Indians. Reyes, Frankie, Jose, Santana is one of the best foursomes in the league.
I agree, but we keep hearing Reyes is going to at least get some time out there.

I'm also not so sure that Luplow will be platooning. He hit well enough last year against mostly lefties to earn a shot at more than just the lesser end of a platoon timeshare.

Also, Zimmer is ready to go, it is just a matter of whether or not he can produce well enough to stick.
 
Think it has to be the 2018 playoff lineup, even though they were blown away by Verlander and Cole

Lindor
Brantley
Ramirez
Encarnacion
Donaldson
Alonso
Gomes
M Cabrera
Kipnis

Next would be the 2017 playoff lineup:

Lindor
Kipnis
Ramirez
Encarnacion
Bruce
Santana
Chisenhall
Perez
Urshela
That's a good point--I forgot about Donaldson. But, with him being not really in game shape, I'm not sure he counts as full Donaldson.

I'd still take this lineup over 2017. I'm not even sure it's close when you factor in the anchor that Gio was, and the improvement of players over time--but I hold Franmil in high regard. Assuming we're in contention and make a trade near the deadline for another outfield bat a la Bruce/Puig/etc, I think we're head and shoulders better at the plate.
 
That's a good point--I forgot about Donaldson. But, with him being not really in game shape, I'm not sure he counts as full Donaldson.

I'd still take this lineup over 2017. I'm not even sure it's close when you factor in the anchor that Gio was, and the improvement of players over time--but I hold Franmil in high regard. Assuming we're in contention and make a trade near the deadline for another outfield bat a la Bruce/Puig/etc, I think we're head and shoulders better at the plate.

I'm high on Reyes as well. With that said, if he has the same year as Edwin did in 2017, I think we'd all be thrilled. 130 wRC+ with a 38 HR. Edwin's walk rate in that year was nearly double of what Reyes has produced as a major leaguer so far. 2017 Bruce and 2017 Chisenhall would be corner OF starters on this team. I think it's forgotten how good Chisenhall was in '17 and '18 before losing so many games to injury. He wasn't the same when he returned in '17. In a series that was so close, his health could've been a difference maker.
 

Maybe the plan is for Reyes to play RF and Bradley DH. Bradley could really give the lineup a jolt if he’s able to hit.

Zimmer CF
Jose 3B
Lindor SS
Carlos 1B
Reyes RF
Mercado LF
Bradley DH
Hernandez 2B
Perez C
 
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Maybe the plan is for Reyes to play RF and Bradley DH. Bradley could really give the lineup a jolt if he’s able to hit.

Zimmer CF
Jose 3B
Lindor SS
Carlos 1B
Reyes RF
Mercado LF
Bradley DH
Hernandez 2B
Perez C
I would hope that Zimmer won't be anywhere near the top unless he makes massive improvements. If Hernandez can bounce back a tad to a .350+ OBP% guy, he could be the perfect guy to place up there.
 
If we don't sign anybody else this offseason and have to roll with what we've got now, give me this lineup on opening day:

vs. RHP
  1. Hernandez, 2B
  2. Ramirez, 3B
  3. Lindor, SS
  4. Santana, 1B
  5. Reyes, DH
  6. Bauers, LF
  7. Perez, C
  8. Mercado, RF
  9. Zimmer, CF
vs. LHP
  1. Hernandez, 2B
  2. Ramirez, 3B
  3. Lindor, SS
  4. Santana, 1B
  5. Reyes, DH
  6. Luplow, LF
  7. Perez, C
  8. Mercado, RF
  9. DeShields, CF
DeShields had an OPS of almost .800 versus lefties last season, but was only at .609 versus righties. I wouldn't mind starting him against left handers so that Zimmer isn't playing every day right away.
 
If we don't sign anybody else this offseason and have to roll with what we've got now, give me this lineup on opening day:

vs. RHP
  1. Hernandez, 2B
  2. Ramirez, 3B
  3. Lindor, SS
  4. Santana, 1B
  5. Reyes, DH
  6. Bauers, LF
  7. Perez, C
  8. Mercado, RF
  9. Zimmer, CF
vs. LHP
  1. Hernandez, 2B
  2. Ramirez, 3B
  3. Lindor, SS
  4. Santana, 1B
  5. Reyes, DH
  6. Luplow, LF
  7. Perez, C
  8. Mercado, RF
  9. DeShields, CF
DeShields had an OPS of almost .800 versus lefties last season, but was only at .609 versus righties. I wouldn't mind starting him against left handers so that Zimmer isn't playing every day right away.

To me it sounds like Zimmer is starting the season in the minors unless he has a very good spring and a guy like Allen flops completely. So outside of that I don’t disagree with your logic, but I feel it might be Allen platooning with DeShields and Luplow and Bauer platooning in a sense. Then it’s Mercado as the other OF. I mean defensively it should be a good crew (outside of Bauer) either way.

Most of us though agree on like 90% of what the roster will look like so let’s see who gets the final spot (aka to me DeShields, Luplow, Mercado are pretty much locks, so the last two spots are up for grabs, seems like most agree on Bauers getting the first shot at one.

Though there is a notion from stats Velazquez also has a shot to make the roster and play some OF as well. He has been playing every position but 1B and C so he is more in the mix than some people would think lol
 
Give Puig 2 years at 15$ mil per and call it a day. Keep Big Papi slotted at DH.

It's worth it Mr. Dolan.
 
Inspired by Reyes's weight loss and @AZ_'s post

vs RHP

C - Perez
1B - Santana
2B - Hernandez
3B - Ramirez
SS - Lindor
LF - Reyes
CF - Mercado
RF - Luplow
DH - Bradley


vs LHP

C - Perez
1B - Santana
2B - Hernandez
3B - Ramirez
SS - Lindor
LF - DeShields
CF - Mercado
RF - Luplow
DH - Reyes


Use Zimmer or Allen as a late-inning defensive replacement/pinch-runner
 
I know that LF is the easier position in Cleveland, but in his minors/majors career Reyes has played nearly 5900 innings in RF vs 183 in LF. And almost all of those LF innings came in rookie ball
 
I know that LF is the easier position in Cleveland, but in his minors/majors career Reyes has played nearly 5900 innings in RF vs 183 in LF. And almost all of those LF innings came in rookie ball
Then flip him and Luplow if that makes you feel better. I don't really care.
 

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