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Cleveland Indians 2018-2019 Offseason Outlook

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Does Bradley Zimmer play 15 games next season?
 
I was a big proponent of claiming/trading for McCutchen, and I think he'd be a good fit next year. Good veteran leader, gets on base, solid defense, and can leadoff and push Lindor down in the order.

Some other early names I'm interested in:

Mike Moustakas - You want a guy who shows up in October? Look no further than Moose.

AJ Pollock - Been a fan of his for awhile. Maybe his past injuries prevent teams from spending big bucks on him?

Nick Markakis - an All-Star this year for the Braves, he'd solidify RF short-term

Brian Dozier - he had a poor 2018, but he may sign a 1 year-prove-it type of deal with someone before trying to get to a bigger payday.

Daniel Murphy - some off-field and injury concerns, and you'd have to move Edwin or Alonso first, but he's a good bat with a solid postseason record.

Jose Martinez/Marcell Ozuna - St. Louis may look to move one or both. Martinez would be a fit at DH if they dumped Edwin. Ozuna had a bit of a down year in 18, but heated up towards the end.

Now my dream target...

Paul Goldschmidt.

Arizona will probably lose Pollock and Corbin this winter, making a team that was far away already even further behind. They don't have much minor league talent close to the bigs. Goldy is signed one more season.

It'd take a huge haul, but imagine what he'd do for this lineup.
 
Is next year Edwins team option and if we cut him it only costs 5 million? I'd honestly just cut him and let Yandy DH
 
Is next year Edwins team option and if we cut him it only costs 5 million? I'd honestly just cut him and let Yandy DH

I'm not sure you can just dump Edwin unless you have a pretty strong addition to the roster, especially if Brantley leaves. EE was one of our better offensive players - 32 HR, 107 RBI, .810 OPS.
 
I'm not sure you can just dump Edwin unless you have a pretty strong addition to the roster, especially if Brantley leaves. EE was one of our better offensive players - 32 HR, 107 RBI, .810 OPS.

I don't think we just dump him, but if we can get a solid return for him it would be smart to do long term since we want to extend a Lindor/spend money elsewhere. I don't though exactly like our upper minors though batting wise, so if we keep him then we couldn't get a return worth losing his numbers.

Bobby Bradley played much better in the second half of the season, so he could impress, but I don't think he is ready for the pros yet (but I do want him around a guy like EE all of next spring in some ways since that could help him develop).

Outside of Bradley really you only have Mercado, Chang, possibly Calica, Marabell and Krieger who could make the roster from spring training (if given a chance to) and none of those guys will produce the numbers of a EE. I was hoping Nellie would develop at AAA, but when given a chance, he has proven he cannot hit AAA pitching. Papi never developed so far either.

Now Diaz can hit, and will hit in the pros, but he is an OBP% guy, but I doubt he will ever hit for a ton of power, so he can produce, but not at the same level. Allen is a guy who will take a step forward next season if given the chance as an everyday player. So maybe we change the way the lineup is?
 
I was a big proponent of claiming/trading for McCutchen, and I think he'd be a good fit next year. Good veteran leader, gets on base, solid defense, and can leadoff and push Lindor down in the order.

Some other early names I'm interested in:

Mike Moustakas - You want a guy who shows up in October? Look no further than Moose.

AJ Pollock - Been a fan of his for awhile. Maybe his past injuries prevent teams from spending big bucks on him?

Nick Markakis - an All-Star this year for the Braves, he'd solidify RF short-term

Brian Dozier - he had a poor 2018, but he may sign a 1 year-prove-it type of deal with someone before trying to get to a bigger payday.

Daniel Murphy - some off-field and injury concerns, and you'd have to move Edwin or Alonso first, but he's a good bat with a solid postseason record.

Jose Martinez/Marcell Ozuna - St. Louis may look to move one or both. Martinez would be a fit at DH if they dumped Edwin. Ozuna had a bit of a down year in 18, but heated up towards the end.

Now my dream target...

Paul Goldschmidt.

Arizona will probably lose Pollock and Corbin this winter, making a team that was far away already even further behind. They don't have much minor league talent close to the bigs. Goldy is signed one more season.

It'd take a huge haul, but imagine what he'd do for this lineup.

They aren't going to be afraid to trade Goldschmidt, but what would be the point of trading a huge haul, when it will be very unlikely we keep him past the end of his contract. Personally I want to setup 19 as we get younger so we have players moving forward and for a small market team to make that kind of deal, I am afraid that would hurt us way to much in the long run.

I think next season we end up moving guys like EE, Kipnis and Maybe Carrasco (ton of value since two years of team control left at a good price) and develop Diaz, Allen, Bieber etc, while using who we get from trading a Carrasco to fill in the other holes we have. I am okay with stop gaps next season, but I wouldn't mind long term answers if possible as well.

I would almost rather resign Brantley then sign a Marwin Gonzalez (switch hitter who can play a bunch of different positions). Move EE, Kipnis, maybe Alonso and Perez, then maybe a Carrasco (if we get a haul). Put Diaz at 1st/3rd, maybe move Brantley to 1st (if hes willing to). Have the guys like Zimmer, Allen, Mercado etc battle it out for the OF spots with Gonzalez (who is also your backup in the infield). I have no qualms with Pollock either, but his numbers haven't been as strong since he got hurt a couple seasons ago, so he is a bit of a risk.
 
Any rumblings of Francona hanging it up?
 
I think the FO has to get rid of Kipnis at all costs, even if it means attaching a meaningful prospect to him. He accounts for nearly 10% of our payroll, which is absolutely laughable. The team could plug 2-3 holes with his money alone.

I would let both Miller and Allen walk. I think both are done.....Allen mentally, Miller physically. You're likely better off talking Salazar in to bullpen work as his career path forward and seeking mid dollar guys to round out the pen.

I agree that the offensive priority is moving Lindor down. He is the avenue to more run production for the middle of the order. I don't love the 2019 options but I think there are a few 2020 guys the Indians could target in trades. If the Nats lose Harper and go fire sale, I'd kick the tires on Eaton......or if they are gutting the team, Turner.

Donaldson should be someone we stretch finances for, especially if we dump Kipnis. If he's open to staying, he may be amendable to a short deal at slightly higher per year dollars to stick around. I saw enough out of him (in the field and squaring up baseballs) to think that he should have a big bounce back year and be worth what the Indians would / will pay for him.

It's a tough off-season......I feel like the Indians are in a very similar position as the 2017 Cavs (pre Irving trade). Where they have an incredibly talented team but not one that is likely to win a World Series. Roadblocked by organizations with superior talent (Houston, Boston, NYY etc.) and in the latter two, financial resources.

I'm not advocating blowing it up but I do think the Indians are caught in the middle to a large degree. Too good for their division but not good enough to compete in October.
 
Have you guys forgotten about Eric Wedge and Manny Acta? :puke:
 
No doubt.

We'd crumble without Tito.
This is now a vet group that's been to the playoffs 3 years in a row and earned a winning record 6 years in a row. If he decides to retire I don't think they will crumble.
 
This is now a vet group that's been to the playoffs 3 years in a row and earned a winning record 6 years in a row. If he decides to retire I don't think they will crumble.

It all depends who the replacement would be, but they would have gigantic shoes to fill.
 

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