2021 Spring Training Thread

[jup]

I for one will be taking in spring training once again, vaccinated or not. The rites of spring are just to strong in my blood.

Seems the year officially begins for me when they call for those pitchers and catchers.

 

[sportscoach]

Why would they add Hamilton unless they feel there are no other options and if there are no other options than Hamilton might that signal that we're F'd?

We trade Lindor and Cookie. We're told that due to Lindor's cost with only 1 yr remaining that he isn't worth much because prospects are so highly valued. So valued in fact, that we had to give Cookie away to get any value at all for Lindor. I've come to accept that. Having accepted that along with the knowledge that the farm system is loaded and headed for a roster crunch soon, why can't a need be addressed? I understand that Cleveland is unable to take on an expensive contract, but it's hard to imagine there isn't another team to work with that has a player that Cleveland can afford.

Mike Freeman isn't going to make a difference on the season's outcome, but he's a pretty good utility guy. If he can give us close to what he did in 2019 then he should probably win the job. He didn't perform as well in 2020, but I give little credence to that f'd up season.

If Hamilton makes the roster then they felt he was better than Zimmer is essentially what it is type of thing. You won't keep a young player as the last roster spot since he won't get everyday ABs.

 

[CATS44]

Since being sent down in early May 2018...2yrs and 9mos ago...Zimmer has had 110 total competitive at bats. He has struck out 67 times.

When asked, he refused to play winter ball.

Maybe the biggest indictment of our outfield situation is that he is still in this organization.

Samuel Beckett should rename his most famous play 'Waiting For Zimmer', except that he died three years before Zimmer was born.

For those unfamiliar, two men sit on a park bench, waiting for Godot. Godot is a no show. But word comes that Godot will arrive soon. He doesn't show. This goes on and on, until both men get up and leave. Although the play is full of hidden meaning, it is quite boring.

 

[sportscoach]

Since being sent down in early May 2018...2yrs and 9mos ago...Zimmer has had 110 total competitive at bats. He has struck out 67 times.

When asked, he refused to play winter ball.

Maybe the biggest indictment of our outfield situation is that he is still in this organization.

Samuel Beckett should rename his most famous play 'Waiting For Zimmer', except that he died three years before Zimmer was born.

For those unfamiliar, two men sit on a park bench, waiting for Godot. Godot is a no show. But word comes that Godot will arrive soon. He doesn't show. This goes on and on, until both men get up and leave. Although the play is full of hidden meaning, it is quite boring.

You have to take into account that Zimmer had injuries that limited his time so he spent a lot of time in rehab, so I don't 100% blame him for skipping winter ball since I think he really did need a mental break.

The biggest question is, can he mentally play anymore? I mean he didn't look like the same player last season to be honest.

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

Because Zimmer has barely played the last three seasons he should start in Columbus where he can play every day while Mercado and/or Johnson get a shot at center field in Cleveland. After a couple of months - reassess.

 

[Gson]

You have to take into account that Zimmer had injuries that limited his time so he spent a lot of time in rehab, so I don't 100% blame him for skipping winter ball since I think he really did need a mental break.

The biggest question is, can he mentally play anymore? I mean he didn't look like the same player last season to be honest.

Zimmer came into camp last year with the "swing changes" and "batteries recharged"... and promptly showed abilities he hadn't for as long as anyone could remember.. a truly positive aura existed that looked like there was something tehre.. Then, August hit.. and the chariot turned into a pumpkin.... 10 games later.. going O-Fer.. he was sent to the alternate site..never to be heard from again.. 2020 was truly a lost season for him..

He'll be back in Goodyear in three days... for what reason, IDK.. It doesn't appear that Van Burkleo or Rodriguez or anyone can figure out what to tell him.. it's time for him to move on.. his release.. is imminent..

imho....

 

[Juice is Loose]

I for one will be taking in spring training once again, vaccinated or not. The rites of spring are just to strong in my blood.

Seems the year officially begins for me when they call for those pitchers and catchers.

I’ll see you there. Should we party at Bottle Blonde beforehand?

 

[CDAV45]

If Hamilton makes the roster then they felt he was better than Zimmer is essentially what it is type of thing. You won't keep a young player as the last roster spot since he won't get everyday ABs.

The difference being that Zimmer has actually displayed some ability to hit the ball in his career even if the light has dimmed so much that it can barely be seen. Personally, I don't think either should be a factor at any point. If it's so far gone that you need to use Hamilton then I think that is experience a young player with potential should be getting in a lost season. Just my opinion and I clearly don't run things.

 

[sportscoach]

The difference being that Zimmer has actually displayed some ability to hit the ball in his career even if the light has dimmed so much that it can barely be seen. Personally, I don't think either should be a factor at any point. If it's so far gone that you need to use Hamilton then I think that is experience a young player with potential should be getting in a lost season. Just my opinion and I clearly don't run things.

If you look at the batting numbers between the two players, they arent a whole lot different in a way. Zimmer strikeouts more, but has more power, while Hamilton is a stronger base stealer. Neither guy has proven they can hit at the big league level and thats honestly just final. Zimmer also has had a lot of injury issues, while Hamilton has been actually fairly healthy. If I am picking a 5th OF guy, I would rather pick who is the sure bet at the end of the day. Zimmer to me is done as an Indians and last season proved it. He just didn't look like the guy we first called up. The attitude and personality isnt there anymore and its not hard to see that from how he has been playing.

 

[Gson]

If you look at the batting numbers between the two players, they arent a whole lot different in a way. Zimmer strikeouts more, but has more power, while Hamilton is a stronger base stealer. Neither guy has proven they can hit at the big league level and thats honestly just final. Zimmer also has had a lot of injury issues, while Hamilton has been actually fairly healthy. If I am picking a 5th OF guy, I would rather pick who is the sure bet at the end of the day. Zimmer to me is done as an Indians and last season proved it. He just didn't look like the guy we first called up. The attitude and personality isnt there anymore and its not hard to see that from how he has been playing.

Agree with almost all of this..

Hamilton <== not much left in the tank here.. either make a deal or give Mercado the job..

 

[sportscoach]

Agree with almost all of this..

Hamilton <== not much left in the tank here.. either make a deal or give Mercado the job..

Im not looking at Hamilton as anything other than the last guy on the bench since he is a very fast OF, who can steal bases and run down the baseball out there. More of the defensive replacement/pinch runner type of guy. Rosario, Naylor, Bauers etc aren't exactly known for great defense in the OF, so he fits nicely helping us out.

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

It's tough for a 6'5" guy like Zimmer to hit a baseball. Huge strike zone and a long swing. Joe Mauer figured it out, but there are not many guys with NBA bodies who can hit. Aaron Judge is another.

His best asset is his speed but to utilize that he has to be on base. If I were him I would shorten my swing as much as possible to put the ball in play consistently. It's ridiculous for a guy that fast to be striking out 40% of the time. Let the slow guys either homer or strike out; Zimmer needs to be on base.

He should be shortening up his swing and going the other way as much as possible. That and bunting against lefties. Mauer sprayed the ball all over the place just going with the pitch.

Watching Zimmer score from first base on a double in the gap or into a corner is worth the price of a ticket. Same with watching him run down what looks like a double into the gap. Dude can fly. But at 28 it sure looks like his ship has sailed.

Rosario, Johnson, Naylor, Luplow, and Mercado. That's our outfield unless Bauers and Bradley flop so badly that they're forced to move Naylor to first.

 

[Gson]

1B <== Naylor's to lose.. Bradley/Bauers have to show they are relevant (both offensively and defensively) to take AB's away from him... imho.. Bradley has a puncher's chance.. Bauers is the mistake that keeps smacking the CLEFO on the forehead..

Even Franmill may end up with more AB's at 1B that either Bradley or Bauers..

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

I would think first base is the logical place for Naylor but somebody on this board claimed they heard an interview with Tito where he said Naylor is an outfielder and either Bauers or Bradley will play first base.

I'm thinking this will be a weeding out season. The huge drop in revenue gives the Indians cover to get rid of guys like Santana, Lindor, Carrasco, Naquin, DeShields, and Hand in order to find out once and for all who can play.

They have investments in some of these guys. Zimmer was a first round pick. Jake Bauers cost us Yandy Diaz. This is the year to find out if Mercado is a major league player or not. Same for Bauers. This has to be Zimmer's last shot. What about Bobby Bradley - is he ever going to amount to anything? Is he another Jesus Aguilar, just needing a chance to play every day?

This is the year to separate the wheat from the chaff so they can make some decisions moving forward.

 

[CDAV45]

1B <== Naylor's to lose.. Bradley/Bauers have to show they are relevant (both offensively and defensively) to take AB's away from him... imho.. Bradley has a puncher's chance.. Bauers is the mistake that keeps smacking the CLEFO on the forehead..

Even Franmill may end up with more AB's at 1B that either Bradley or Bauers..

And we should heed what you say over Tito and CA because..............