Bobby BradGOAT

[BimboColesHair]

I assume, in addition to a Jose extension, they would look to spend/trade for at least one outfielder and catcher then? If that's the case, hopefully they could sign a high-impact outfielder like Starling Marte then instead of a marginal upgrade out there.

Going to be a lot focused internally.

And don't get me wrong, I believe they'll bring in a minor league vet with an invite to camp at 1B. They have no depth at 1B. And I fully expect to see Reyes, Chang, and Miller to still see reps there (if all 3 are on the roster still).

I know there is some frustration in the FO on the state of the OF sans Straw who they are head over heels about.

 

[CDAV45]

There will be 1B upgrade opportunities externally this winter that won’t require a ton in either money or prospect capital. I also don’t buy the idea that the organization views Bradley as some sort of core player. He got a cup of coffee here in 2019, didn’t see action in the abbreviated 2020 season and then was in Columbus for the first two months of this season before getting an opportunity after they cut bait with Jake Bauers. Additional plate appearances should be earned not just handed to because of one brilliant month in the big leagues.

Kev, I'm not saying you're right or wrong here. Only that we don't have all the information on Bradley and there isn't another option at this time. Those 2 items cannot be rationally debated. Myself and a few others have stated that while Bobby should be given a legitimate opportunity there should also be a backup plan. If they can significantly improve 1B over Bradley at an acceptable cost then they very well may do that, but how do you know it's a "significant improvement" if you haven't seen Bradley's best yet? While the information you're using isn't pointless, it is inconclusive at this point.

Edited to say that my disappointment doesn't lie with Bradley's performance. It lies with the fact that Jake Fucking Bauers was a waste of time and took AB away from Bradley and probably kept them from a minor league signing. Bauers was a waste of time and space.

 

[DickyLeftridge]

BRADGOAT

 

[Gson]

BRADGOAT

....just crushed it.. moon shot that just carried and carried..

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

....just crushed it.. moon shot that just carried and carried..

Yeah, he didn't get all of it but still got it out. His power is impressive.

But I will be more impressed when I see him slapping more outside pitches into left field to beat the shift, especially with two strikes. And when I see him laying off the high fastballs, especially with two strikes.

Bradley is hitting .110 with two strikes. He needs to be more aggressive early in the count and try to put the ball in play before he has two strikes on him. Failing that, he needs to be more selective with two strikes and also wait longer on the pitch and go oppo. He has to get the BA up and the K-rate down even if that means he hits 30 HR's instead of 40.

 

[CalBuckeyeRob]

The 2021 Bradley stat line certainly falls short of being a long term solution. Internally the team has to decide if they believe his work with the coaches and more experience will cause those numbers to improve enough that he can be the answer.

 

[BimboColesHair]

Yeah, he didn't get all of it but still got it out. His power is impressive.

But I will be more impressed when I see him slapping more outside pitches into left field to beat the shift, especially with two strikes. And when I see him laying off the high fastballs, especially with two strikes.

Bradley is hitting .110 with two strikes. He needs to be more aggressive early in the count and try to put the ball in play before he has two strikes on him. Failing that, he needs to be more selective with two strikes and also wait longer on the pitch and go oppo. He has to get the BA up and the K-rate down even if that means he hits 30 HR's instead of 40.

I get the 2 strike hitting concern and it would be nice obviously if he was producing more in that situation, but it’s not like .110 has a lot of room to grow to get to league average. League average for batting average in 2 strike counts is floating right around .160 this year. He has 140 ABs with 2 strikes and 15 hits. 7-8 hits is all that separates him from being “league average” in 2 strike counts.

I don’t think Bradley will ever, consistently, be an above average hitter for average in 2 strike counts. 7-8 extra hits aren’t make or breaking his season right now either.

But there are some good signs in 2 strike situations. 9 of those previously mentioned 15 hits have gone for extra bases, including 6 HRs. If he isn’t going to hit for average in 2 strike counts he still needs to hit for power and produce runs, and he has when he puts the ball in play.

He just needs experience. It’s nice that he has been up long enough and produced enough to be pitched to differently over the course of a season, like most hitters get to experience, because it will give him things to work on over the winter. You don’t get to experience that in 15 games like his first cup of coffee with the team. Big growing chance for him this winter/spring, which coupled with his above average power numbers and him quietly playing above league average defense at 1B leads me to not understanding why people want to give up on him.

 

[Derek]

Going to be a lot focused internally.

And don't get me wrong, I believe they'll bring in a minor league vet with an invite to camp at 1B. They have no depth at 1B. And I fully expect to see Reyes, Chang, and Miller to still see reps there (if all 3 are on the roster still).

I know there is some frustration in the FO on the state of the OF sans Straw who they are head over heels about.

People don’t seem to realize that the team’s payroll is going to increase through extensions, not by the FO suddenly breaking character and getting involved in chasing free agents.

This is especially true under the current circumstances with the organization having internal talent to whom they can give those opportunities.

 

[Mott the Hoople]

People don’t seem to realize that the team’s payroll is going to increase through extensions, not by the FO suddenly breaking character and getting involved in chasing free agents.

This is especially true under the current circumstances with the organization having internal talent to whom they can give those opportunities.

The payroll will increase, and possibly I can see 1extension. But I don't see Bieber getting one until the team gets a more extended sample size after his injury. I do think they will trade for a salary that is higher than they are usually comfortable with.

 

[sportscoach]

People don’t seem to realize that the team’s payroll is going to increase through extensions, not by the FO suddenly breaking character and getting involved in chasing free agents.

This is especially true under the current circumstances with the organization having internal talent to whom they can give those opportunities.

They will have room in the 22 budget cause of so many pre-arb guys to do a Hernandez-Eddie Rosario type of signings the question in my mind, is there anyone worth signing that will actually improve us. Hence why I felt we will make a trade to improve a corner OF spot rather than a signing..

 

[sportscoach]

The payroll will increase, and possibly I can see 1extension. But I don't see Bieber getting one until the team gets a more extended sample size after his injury. I do think they will trade for a salary that is higher than they are usually comfortable with.

I disagree with the Bieber not getting an extension, the reason why is the fact he is due Arbitration in 22, and the Indians like to sign guys to extensions before they actually get the first year of Arbitration signed. Bieber will be offered more the first couple seasons in Arb than a player normally would get while getting a little less in the normal FA years...

 

[Derek]

The payroll will increase, and possibly I can see 1extension. But I don't see Bieber getting one until the team gets a more extended sample size after his injury. I do think they will trade for a salary that is higher than they are usually comfortable with.

I don’t see them bringing in anybody significant from outside the organization.

As I’ve said before, maybe an NRI, somebody on a 1 year deal, like Cesar in 2020, or a reliever. I also think this is the correct strategy.

If you’re expecting more, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.

The salary increase will come when we inevitably extend Jose, Biebs, Straw, and Civale.

 

[Kevalier]

People don’t seem to realize that the team’s payroll is going to increase through extensions, not by the FO suddenly breaking character and getting involved in chasing free agents.

This is especially true under the current circumstances with the organization having internal talent to whom they can give those opportunities.

In recent years, this front office has signed three separate FA 1B/DH:

Mike Napoli
Edwin Encarnacion
Yonder Alonso

Napoli was signed after the 2015 season when the team finished the season with 81 wins, which this team can do as well if they win today and tomorrow.

 

[Derek]

In recent years, this front office has signed three separate FA 1B/DH:

Mike Napoli
Edwin Encarnacion
Yonder Alonso

Napoli was signed after the 2015 season when the team finished the season with 81 wins, which this team can do as well if they win today and tomorrow.

I don’t think our current situation is anything like the ones that led to the signing of those players.

 

[sportscoach]

I don’t see them bringing in anybody significant from outside the organization.

As I’ve said before, maybe an NRI, somebody on a 1 year deal, like Cesar in 2020, or a reliever. I also think this is the correct strategy.

If you’re expecting more, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.

The salary increase will come when we inevitably extend Jose, Biebs, Straw, and Civale.

I think the FO will have some money set aside for FAs/veterans acquired via trade, but I don't expect them to use that money though...

That being said, it is the first year of the Guardians name, so they may decide to put some money/assets into a bigger named player than we would normally expect since they wanna make the PR splash...