hmm...
Palacios is one of those guys I refer as an a-lister.. he's got skills.. no doubt.. he's got the pedigree.. he just needs a chance to show what he can do at the highest level. If he doesn't get there this year.. the guys coming behind him are going to steam roll him right out of the organization.. For this reason (and the skills) he needs an opportunity sooner rather than never. He'd slot in nicely in the two hole (if Amed is moved) or at the bottom of the order creating a pair of bat on ball, speed merchants rounding the bottom of the order into the top.. Cleveland.. doesn't do a lot of emergency/shock promotions.. This could hurt Palacios' chances more than anything..
Kwan presents as a AAAA player reaching prime age and skills.. this he has on his side.. He has to prove himself at every stop.. including instructs, fall, winter and spring training.. Even if he does well at every stop, it's not guarantee he gets the shot.. It's a cruel business telling someone who's dreamed of being a big leaguer.. that they won't be.. or won't be for long, a MUCH more difficult thing to do..
Arias is like a lot of the young studly studs currently vying for attention as the best pound for pound player in the show. There isn't anything Arias can't do and do well right now and always.. That is, unless he lets what's between his ears get in the way of what he does best: Play baseball.. w/r to breaking camp & heading north to face the Royals.. his inclusion would be about service manipulation, I'm afraid.. The CBA that defines free agency by age... would dramatically improve the CleFO rosterbation tactics and strategy if that was to come to pass..
Cody Morris made my top ten last year for ability reasons.. (9th, I think.. ) FB/SL-CB/CH are all thrown for strikes.. good velo and separation.. He throws them all for strikes in any count and any handedness of hitter. His 2021 was a microcosm of his career.. If he can stay out of the trainers room.. he can be an important part of the future.. perhaps starting.. perhaps as a middle reliever.. perhaps as part of an opener/multiple inning reliever paired with another arm.. Breaking with the parent club at the outset of the 2022 season.. will depend greatly on the status of guys like Sandlin Stephan and Vargas.. with Morris currently behind Sandlin & Stephan.. but ahead of Vargas.. Vargas has better stuff.. and could pass him if he can work out his above the neck issues..
Bryan Lavastida, right now, has a very small chance of breaking with the parent club.. even with only one C on the current active roster.. He's between an Austin Hedges and a Gary Sanchez, defensively.. and light years ahead of Hedgie with the lumber.. A WHOLE LOTTA DEFENSIVE IMPROVEMENT will be needed this winter to make that happen.. I just don't see it..
Nolan Jones is fast approaching a make it or break it point in his career.. he's fortunate to be with an organization that rewards being a hard worker.. Rewards are fleeting if performance doesn't follow.. With the ankle surgery and expected recovery time.. his winter will be spent rehabbing. It will take a miracle and two trades for him to make the opening day roster.. imho..
Thoughts?..