2021 Minor League Thread

[CATS44]

I would be really surprised if Tom didn't make the A's roster. He has crushed the ball, albeit vs low level competition in ST.

And somewhat like the Bauers situation, not naming him to the roster is an irreversible decision.

 

[AZ_]

I’d offer another player to the A’s if it meant getting Tom back.

I think at this point, it’s clear that isn’t going to happen.

He’s almost certainly earned a spot on their roster.

 

[CATS44]

Before getting carried away with Tom's spring training, consider this....

He is a 27 yr old who has faced AA level pitching this spring.

He SHOULD hammer that. While it is interesting, it doesnt indicate that he can hit MLB pitching.

To put Tom's numbers in to perspective...

Chang at age 25 has done the same thing against better pitching. Freeman at age 22 has done so, too.

 

[CDAV45]

It's sad that the OF is still in such shape that Kai Tom being on another team is regretful. This issue should resolve itself by next season should Amed settle in CF and Jones or Johnson push their way in.

 

[petes999]

For those interested, recent blogs for final roster decisions of Tom and Oviedo.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Final Opening Day Roster Prediction

With the start of the 2021 MLB season less than a week away it's time to take one last stab at predicting the Opening Day roster for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

rumbunter.com

A’s outfield competition heating up

Ka’ai Tom and Seth Brown both making strong cases for Opening Day

www.athleticsnation.com

Long story short
Oviedo makes 9-man pen for now but still a 2 or 3 pitcher battle for 9th spot.
Tom makes it over Brown due to Rule 5 issue, yet they also have a few guys that just need some AAA at bats.

So, we probably loose both until they hit a skid a team needs to decide if it’s worth holding onto them. And, after his hot first 3 or 4 starts, Tom is 2 for 10 in last few games.... while Brown has gotten better. Again, ST stats are somewhat meaningless.

 

[CATS44]

I'm not that unhappy that Tom isn't on our 40 man, esp with the next wave looking like a tsunami.

 

[sportscoach]

I'm not that unhappy that Tom isn't on our 40 man, esp with the next wave looking like a tsunami.

I wonder if we could just officially trade Tom to the As and get some type of A ball/rookie ball prospect ball? Same with Oviedo to the pirates, if we could get young prospects back that we don't have to protect in 22/23 then maybe we should just move on since we have a ton of arm talent in the system and no need for an older OF.

 

[sportscoach]

@CATS44

Maybe we should do some OOTP/MLB the Show type of defensive lineups and see what happens... Lol

Let's see Zimmer at 1B, Bradley LF, Miller CF, Jones RF, HRam 2B, Mercado 3B, Johnson SS lol since oddball, let's put Clement at C lol

What ya think of that?

(Aka mostly just messing but Mercado did play SS, HRam looks like a 2B, since the flip of OF to INF theme Johnson's gotta head to SS, Bradley did lose weight, so maybe he can play something outside of 1B, let's see if Miller can be a Ben Zobrist, and see if Jones can play the OF)

 

[CATS44]

Actually, I've been hoping for a Zobrist/Blake player for years.

 

[Gson]

I wonder if we could just officially trade Tom to the As and get some type of A ball/rookie ball prospect ball? Same with Oviedo to the pirates, if we could get young prospects back that we don't have to protect in 22/23 then maybe we should just move on since we have a ton of arm talent in the system and no need for an older OF.

The way this works is not entirely straight forward.. three steps...

example: Ka'ai Tom...

-if the A's decide to keep him on the ML roster for the year or a year's equivalence, then there is nothing the Tribe can do..

-if the A's decide not to keep Ka'ai on the ML roster..he is exposed to waivers where he can be claimed by any team (not the Indians) where the same Rule 5 rules exist..

-if then, Ka'ai is not selected by any other organization, then he must be offered back to the Indians, who, if they accept the return, would appear as if the Rule 5 acquisition never took place. However, if at that time, the Indians and A's decide to make a deal whereby Ka'ai Tom is traded to the A's for a return to the Indians, that can take place like any other deal... The return.. based on the performance of Ka'ai being so well done, could be perhaps someone like Wandisson Charles..

btw.. if it was the Pirates and Oviedo... a return of Alexander Mojica or Endy Rodriguez might be considered the "bees knees"...

Thoughts?

 

[Kevalier]

@BimboColesHair How would you rank the following starting pitchers scheduled to begin the season in Columbus in terms of future value? I expect at least one of them to make their debut in Cleveland at some point this season.

Eli Morgan
Scott Moss
Jean Carlos-Mejia

 

[BimboColesHair]

@BimboColesHair How would you rank the following starting pitchers scheduled to begin the season in Columbus in terms of future value? I expect at least one of them to make their debut in Cleveland at some point this season.

Eli Morgan
Scott Moss
Jean Carlos-Mejia

The order you have them.

I don't think there's much of a difference between the 3.

 

[sportscoach]

The order you have them.

I don't think there's much of a difference between the 3.

How do you have the AA and AAA starting staffs looking? I am not sure especially since we lost a season who is considered to be where, at least this early in the season.

 

[MadThinker88]

@BimboColesHair How would you rank the following starting pitchers scheduled to begin the season in Columbus in terms of future value? I expect at least one of them to make their debut in Cleveland at some point this season.

Eli Morgan
Scott Moss
Jean Carlos-Mejia

Let me be clear: I am a fan of JC Mejia.
That said I don't think Mejia will be opening the season in AAA Columbus. To this point he hasn't even pitched at the AA level.

So I suspect he starts in Akron & moves up to Columbus during the season. He might even get some time in Cleveland during the season (if he shows he is ready & there is a need).

 

[BimboColesHair]

Wouldn’t surprise me to see Owen Miller get the Ben Zobrist treatment in AAA.

They need to find a way to get him into the lineup everyday moving forward, at all levels. Him and Freeman are machines, 2 of the best pure hitters that have come through the Indians farm in a while.