2020 Off-Season Rumors/News

[Steve_424]

Taking a step back, could this be the 2023 Opening Day lineup?

C-Bo Naylor
1B-Josh Naylor
2B-Tyler Freeman
SS-Gabriel Arias
3B-Gabriel Rodriguez
LF-Daniel Johnson
CF-George Valera
RF-Nolan Jones
DH-Franmil Reyes

As frustrating as it is to see costs being cut, we do have some exciting youngsters on the way. And more talent could/should be coming in a Lindor trade.

 

[MadThinker88]

Taking a step back, could this be the 2023 Opening Day lineup?

C-Bo Naylor
1B-Josh Naylor
2B-Tyler Freeman
SS-Gabriel Arias
3B-Gabriel Rodriguez
LF-Daniel Johnson
CF-George Valera
RF-Nolan Jones
DH-Franmil Reyes

As frustrating as it is to see costs being cut, we do have some exciting youngsters on the way. And more talent could/should be coming in a Lindor trade.

And its not like these are the only names to be considered for position player spots..
Brayan Rocchio as a possible SS.
Aaron Bracho as a possible 2B or OF.
Alexfri Planez & Johnathan Rodriguez as possible corner OF.
Bryan Lavastida as another possible C
Jhonkensey Noel as a possible 1B
Angel Martinez/ Junior Sanquintin/ Jose Fermin/ Richard Palacios/ Raynel Delgado & others in the INF mix

This is where the system depth comes into play... Some guys will be used by the Tribe to fill out the rosters. Others will be used as trade fodder to get necessary pieces.

 

[dkbldev]

Taking a step back, could this be the 2023 Opening Day lineup?

C-Bo Naylor
1B-Josh Naylor
2B-Tyler Freeman
SS-Gabriel Arias
3B-Gabriel Rodriguez
LF-Daniel Johnson
CF-George Valera
RF-Nolan Jones
DH-Franmil Reyes

As frustrating as it is to see costs being cut, we do have some exciting youngsters on the way. And more talent could/should be coming in a Lindor trade.

Go further, who is our SP rotation?

 

[Steve_424]

Go further, who is our SP rotation?

So many options...number is parenthesis is what year they can reach FA:

Bieber (2025)
Plesac (2026)
Civale (2026)
McKenzie (2027)
Quantrill (2026)
L. Allen
Espino
Hankins
Burns
Cantillo
Moss

 

[Kevalier]

Taking a step back, could this be the 2023 Opening Day lineup?

C-Bo Naylor
1B-Josh Naylor
2B-Tyler Freeman
SS-Gabriel Arias
3B-Gabriel Rodriguez
LF-Daniel Johnson
CF-George Valera
RF-Nolan Jones
DH-Franmil Reyes

As frustrating as it is to see costs being cut, we do have some exciting youngsters on the way. And more talent could/should be coming in a Lindor trade.

Jose Ramirez is under contract through the 2023 season, so I would fully expect him to be at 3B for this team then.

 

[MadThinker88]

So many options...number is parenthesis is what year they can reach FA:

Bieber (2025)
Plesac (2026)
Civale (2026)
McKenzie (2027)
Quantrill (2026)
L. Allen
Espino
Hankins
Burns
Cantillo
Moss

A couple other names to file away (either as depth or replacement options) include:
Adam Scott (LHP)
Cody Morris (RHP)
Hunter Gaddis (RHP)

 

[jup]

2019 - Back injury
2020 - torn left meniscus, lost trust of his teammates, now Tommy John Surgery

Wish him the best, but it's almost like the Indians knew what they were doing...

Not really just Tommy John - the 2nd TJ. Remember, that is how the Tribe picked him up cheap out of the Angels org in the 1st place, he was rehabbing from TJ. And the success rate for 2nd time TJers drops off dramatically.

Not sure what San Diego is thinking with that 2 yr $11.5, but it is clear they are thinking they will get a full 2022 season out of him. But I wouldn't be holding my breath on that one. They may get the season but the quality of that season is likely not going to be very good.

 

[CDAV45]

Jose Ramirez is under contract through the 2023 season, so I would fully expect him to be at 3B for this team then.

I suspect that Ramirez will not be the 3B for this team past the 21 season, and he could be dealt before next season.

 

[Gson]

I suspect that Ramirez will not be the 3B for this team past the 21 season, and he could be dealt before next season.

The adage holds.. it's always better for a team to trade a guy a year too early than a year too late.. 2022 would be the "just right" year for Jose Ramirez.. From your earlier comments on this and other threads.. it would not surprise you (or me) if the Indians, in the midst of the distraction that trading Francisco Lindor is and will become, will entertain a trade proposal or two regarding Jose.

After the projected $ 21 MM for Francisco Lindor, the Indians have only three players with contracts that amount to significant dollars past the 2021 season.. This gives the Indians a relatively clean financial slate for future extensions (Bieber?) or continuing to thread the needle of both fiscal restraint and being competitive. With the youngsters coming from the minor league system (bullpen pieces seem to be the only area not being 'listed' names like Vargas & Hentges as bull pen stalwarts) and the youth of the core talent.. the Indians should be relevant for the foreseeable four to six years.. As early as 2022 but more likely in 2023 through 2026, the Indians should be poised to offer the first REAL chance at being more than playoff participants, imho..

2021 should be a GOOD team.. if the Tribes gets a little good fortune to shine on them during this gloomy time.. they could be more.....

Thoughts?

 

[CalBuckeyeRob]

I suspect that Ramirez will not be the 3B for this team past the 21 season, and he could be dealt before next season.

I think they keep him at least to start 2021, but if by mid-season it looks bad I would not be surprised to see them deal him. To get a very good return in trading guys pre-free agency you need to give the receiving team 2+ years of time with the player. Tampa has mastered the process of playing effectively on a budget which means trading the players once their salary becomes high.

 

[Steve_424]

Jose Ramirez is under contract through the 2023 season, so I would fully expect him to be at 3B for this team then.

With how the Indians have operated, I think that's far from a sure thing (but hope you're correct).

 

[CDAV45]

I think they keep him at least to start 2021, but if by mid-season it looks bad I would not be surprised to see them deal him. To get a very good return in trading guys pre-free agency you need to give the receiving team 2+ years of time with the player. Tampa has mastered the process of playing effectively on a budget which means trading the players once their salary becomes high.

They waited a year too late for both Kluber and Lindor. They'll still get a good return for Lindor, but had they dealt him last year we would be in a different circumstance.

Let me start by saying that I love JRam. I actually like him more than Lindor. The beauty with JRam is that he is on an extremely team friendly deal so it is by no means urgent to deal him. Having said that, if a team like the Dodgers makes an offer like I mentioned then they would be crazy not to make that deal considering the current situation.

What would be better for garnering fan support, trading a fan favorite every season or having a 3-5 yr run with a group?

 

[Kevalier]

They waited a year too late for both Kluber and Lindor. They'll still get a good return for Lindor, but had they dealt him last year we would be in a different circumstance.

Let me start by saying that I love JRam. I actually like him more than Lindor. The beauty with JRam is that he is on an extremely team friendly deal so it is by no means urgent to deal him. Having said that, if a team like the Dodgers makes an offer like I mentioned then they would be crazy not to make that deal considering the current situation.

What would be better for garnering fan support, trading a fan favorite every season or having a 3-5 yr run with a group?

The Kluber and Lindor situations are completely different from Jose. The Indians were in a position of strength in the rotation when they first started shopping him in the winter of 2018, and he had begun to show signs of decline. Lindor is only being traded because the team has failed to reach an extension with him over the years. Jose is coming off of an MVP season and under an insanely team friendly deal for three more seasons, while being literally the only consistent hitter in the lineup once Lindor is dealt.

 

[MadThinker88]

I know a number of people will be pleased with this news update...
From overnight (thanks to Indians Prospective twitter account)

@indiansPro

#Indians have re-signed 30yr old LHP Anthony Gose to a minor league contract for the 2021 season w/ an invite to spring training. Gose a former OF w/ 372 MLB games under his belt before making transition to pitcher after the 2016 season. He has upper 90's fastball touches 100mph.

 

[CDAV45]

The Kluber and Lindor situations are completely different from Jose. The Indians were in a position of strength in the rotation when they first started shopping him in the winter of 2018, and he had begun to show signs of decline. Lindor is only being traded because the team has failed to reach an extension with him over the years. Jose is coming off of an MVP season and under an insanely team friendly deal for three more seasons, while being literally the only consistent hitter in the lineup once Lindor is dealt.

Not completely accurate. While they had/have adequate SP depth that enabled them to trade Kluber, picking up his $17M option would have severely hamstringed them financially.

Lindor is being traded because they cannot afford to pay him in arbitration and/or extend him. They knew that last year and chose not to act on that fact until this offseason.

A Ramirez trade would be made to capitalize on his value while retooling the roster. There is no other reason to trade him really.