Early 22 GM Thread! (Trade Ideas here)

[Gson]

Reading between the lines...

It's.. only because Tito had these surgeries that he will return.. If he had not.. the wear & tear of a ML career along with the grind of being an old fat guy w/ serious pain issues and his large & charge view from the dugout would have hastened his decision to put out the "gone fishin" sign.. imho.. this is the path he's chosen to assure he'll be back in the dugout in the coming 2022 season.. and, perhaps beyond..

 

[CATS44]

Tito, Antonetti, and Chernoff are joined at the hip. They know what each is thinking.

Tito is in somewhat the same position as Naylor. If he can manage, he will. And like with Naylor, he and the FO have a time table and plans in place.

Neither side will leave the other hanging.

 

[CavsFanJapan]

Our rotation (barring injuries) is looking pretty sweet next year but with many of the pitchers we’ve had to call up this year, are there any concerns on messing up any of their options? Morgan and Allen come to mind. Thanks!

 

[Kevalier]

Our rotation (barring injuries) is looking pretty sweet next year but with many of the pitchers we’ve had to call up this year, are there any concerns on messing up any of their options? Morgan and Allen come to mind. Thanks!

Eli Morgan was added to the 40 man roster this season, so he has two option years after 2021.
Logan Allen, along with Sam Hentges and JC Mejia, are out of options after this season ends. Mejia seems like a long shot to stick around on the 40 man, while I could possibly see one of Hentges or Allen being in the bullpen to start next season.

 

[CDAV45]

I wouldn't expect any of Morgan, Mejia, or Allen to make an appearance in the major league rotation next year. Too many younger, better SP options are starting to surface and it begins with Cody Morris IMO. If/when there are injuries I expect any of Morris, Battenfield, or Pilkington to fill in. Hopefully they pitching staff remains healthier than it was this year.

 

[sportscoach]

I wouldn't expect any of Morgan, Mejia, or Allen to make an appearance in the major league rotation next year. Too many younger, better SP options are starting to surface and it begins with Cody Morris IMO. If/when there are injuries I expect any of Morris, Battenfield, or Pilkington to fill in. Hopefully they pitching staff remains healthier than it was this year.

If Morgan is healthy in 22, we will see him especially in double headers... I have him and Morris being 6-7 on the depth chart

 

[CDAV45]

If Morgan is healthy in 22, we will see him especially in double headers... I have him and Morris being 6-7 on the depth chart

Right now your 6-7 is accurate. 2 months into the 22 season will probably look a lot different and Morgan will continue to be pushed down the pecking order. The near ready talent is just too deep.

 

[Mott the Hoople]

Right now your 6-7 is accurate. 2 months into the 22 season will probably look a lot different and Morgan will continue to be pushed down the pecking order. The near ready talent is just too deep.

I have a strong feeling Morgan will be #5 next season. Pretty sure our #2 or #3 will be traded for a hard hitting outfielder.

 

[sportscoach]

Right now your 6-7 is accurate. 2 months into the 22 season will probably look a lot different and Morgan will continue to be pushed down the pecking order. The near ready talent is just too deep.

That being stated, you cant just keep shoving a proven MLB 5th starter down and down the pecking order either. If I am in the playoff race in 22, I am choosing Morgan over anyone but maybe Morris cause he has MLB experience and can eat innings. I mean he only got to 80 something pitches through 6 innings in his last start.

Also have to remember, if he find himself a 3rd pitch, he would be a legit BOR... right now he is a legit swingman stuff wise. Experience matters and I think in 22, he should improve...

 

[sportscoach]

I have a strong feeling Morgan will be #5 next season. Pretty sure our #2 or #3 will be traded for a hard hitting outfielder.

I dont think we are trading from our top 7 honestly unless its Plesac... Bieber, Civale and Quantril (depending on his Arb status) all could get some type of extension plus then we have TMac (who has been great since the last call up but I am not 100% sold on him for a full season) then we have Morgan (great BOR/Swingman but not a MOR) and Morris (no MLB experience though, talent is there).

If we can get a difference maker, Reynolds/Marte type then yeah I could think about moving Plesac, but I am not giving him up unless either we get an overpay or the legit MLB bat...

My trade scenario had us moving like a battenfield and with a Scott, so that's the way I would personally go in 22, not plesac

 

[Gson]

I have a strong feeling Morgan will be #5 next season. Pretty sure our #2 or #3 will be traded for a hard hitting outfielder.

Aaron Civale and Zach Plesac traded?..for "a" hard hitting OF'er? Perhaps you might clarify this comment?..

Perhaps there is a tie in to the CBA that makes this path more likely?.. IDK..

 

[CATS44]

I wouldn't call Morgan a proven 5th starter. I'd call him Adam Plutko.

Outside of two relief appearances, Plutkos first real look in Cleveland was 12 starts and 5 relief appearances totaling 76.1 IP. His ERA was 5.24. Morgan has made 16 starts over 77.2 IP. His ERA is 5.68. There ERAs at various levels in the minors were very similar.

Plutko got pushed down the ladder time after time.

I dont think there was ever a time that the Indians considered a trade that would have left Plutko as the 5th starter going into a season.

I highly doubt that the Guardians would do it this off season.

 

[CATS44]

We need to be realistic.

Scott is a borderline 40 man add. Battenfield was acquired in a trade for a platoon OF who was hurt at the time.

Expecting to get much in return for either/both of them is not realistic. Scott would be a throw in. At best, Battenfield would be a third piece in a major trade.

 

[LL3]

I don't want Eli as my 5th starter...which is not to say he cannot be useful in a support role. He is a man of literal and figurative options and that's great.
If he finds another pitch and becomes more effective, that is all the better...

 

[CDAV45]

That being stated, you cant just keep shoving a proven MLB 5th starter down and down the pecking order either. If I am in the playoff race in 22, I am choosing Morgan over anyone but maybe Morris cause he has MLB experience and can eat innings. I mean he only got to 80 something pitches through 6 innings in his last start.

Also have to remember, if he find himself a 3rd pitch, he would be a legit BOR... right now he is a legit swingman stuff wise. Experience matters and I think in 22, he should improve...

Morgan is anything but a "proven 5th starter", and I wouldn't choose him over anyone without seeing them pitch first. Eli can cut himself a role out with a major league club, but it probably won't be one with the SP depth like Cleveland has.

@CATS44 Battenfield was pitching well before being traded and has continued to do so after being traded. He's logged 103 innings this year, striking out 131 batters while walking 19. His ERA is 2.53 and his WHIP is .83. Pilkington has logged 100 innings this season, striking out 120 while walking 39. His ERA is 3.04 and his WHIP is .99. LT Allen has thrown 60 innings in Akron this season, striking out 76 batters while walking 13. His ERA is 2.85 and his WHIP is .88. After that there is all of Cantillo, Curry, and Burns that could see time in Cleveland's rotation before the end of the season if the opportunities present themselves(hopefully they do not).

That's not to say these guys are sure things by any stretch of the imagination, but they damn well have better stuff and bigger upsides than Morgan.

Edited to say that I don't think Plesac will be traded this offseason for a couple of reasons. 1. He can build a lot more value with some steady starts uninterrupted by a silly, self induced injury and 2. It gives the young guys I mentioned time to log some innings in Columbus.