Early 22 projected roster!

[sportscoach]

Since we keep debating on the 22 roster, let's get a thread to start discussing it....

EDIT: My early tentative 40 man roster is....

Pitchers

LHP Allen
RHP Mejia
LHP Hentges
LHP Moss
RHP Garza,
LHP Nelson,
LHP Perez,
RHP Bieber,
RHP Civale,
RHP Plesac,
RHP Quantrill,
RHP TMac,
RHP Morgan,
RHP Stephan,
RHP Clase,
RHP Karinchak,
RHP Sandlin,
LHP Chafin/veteran LHRP,
RHP Morris,
LHP Cantillo,

Position players

C Perez/veteran catcher,
C Hedges,
C Lavastida,
MIF Freeman,
MIF Rocchio,
2B/OF Palacios,
MIF Arias,
1B Bradley,
Util Clement,
1B/3B/RF Jones,
INF Gimenez,
Util Miller,
3B JRam,
1B/OF Canha/veteran 1B/OF guy,
LF/RF Gonzalez,
OF Kwan,
LF/RF Valera,
OF Mercado,
1B/LF/RF Naylor,
DH/LF/RF Reyes,
OF Straw,
OF Zimmer

Strikethroughs are like final cuts in my mind to get down to 40. I did my discussion down below while making this later... I don't think I left anyone out...

@DickyLeftridge @MadThinker88 my early projection is done! lol

 

[sportscoach]

@CATS44

Instead of the minor league thread, discuss your rule 5 list and whatnot here lol... We can discuss who is kept and who isn't...

 

[MadThinker88]

@sportscoach

Your a bit early & vague with this.
The CLE 40 man roster is going to be different from the time it gets set in mid-November 2021 and at the end of spring training in late March 2022.

 

[sportscoach]

@sportscoach

Your a bit early & vague with this.
The CLE 40 man roster is going to be different from the time it gets set in mid-November 2021 and at the end of spring training in late March 2022.

Its early and honestly I was working on my list for the projection lol. A lot of people though seem to be discussing it in like every single game thread, who is going to be playing on the roster in 22, so I was going to work on it now and get the discussion started...

 

[DickyLeftridge]

Its early and honestly I was working on my list for the projection lol. A lot of people though seem to be discussing it in like every single game thread, who is going to be playing on the roster in 22, so I was going to work on it now and get the discussion started...

Can’t start a thread wout a projected list bub. Come on let’s see it.

 

[sportscoach]

@DickyLeftridge the start of it!

Lets put this in a few discussion here, that way I dont make one super long list...

Pitching is first and foremost to the Indians, so lets start there! This is the current crew with projections for 22...

I believe Parker, Shaw, Hill, Young, Wittgren, are all off the 40 man roster... All 5 could be back in 22 on minor league invites, but I very much doubt any of the 5 are on the 40 man list... Vargas is injured for the start of 22, hard to say what they will do with him, I believe he will be on the 10 day IL/minors pretty much all season again...

Next I am looking at the bubble roster... Starters.... Allen, Meija, Hentges, Moss... I believe all will be back in 22 on paper, sinrpce most are lefties/all too soon for MLB stints anyways. Garza, Nelson and Perez are the relievers on the bubble and of them, Garza would have the shortest list cause of the fact it is way easier to get a right handed pitcher... Hard to believe though they won't be on the roster though...

Bieber, Civale, Plesac, Quantrill, TMac, Morgan, all are sure bet roster makes in 22 of course for starters and likely our starting 5 is from that list... Stephan gets switched to starter in 22, but we may not see him much barring injuries in 22... Clase, Karinchak and Sandlin are sure bets for the bullpen if health is good....

This leaves us a very young bullpen... I dont think we bring in a veteran SP unless we can get an Arrieta type on a minor league deal... I would put money on the Indians bringing in a veteran LH reliever like Chafin on a major league deal or maybe a Amed swap for a lefty RP ...

Then we have to look at the minor league talent... It would be very hard to believe Morris isnt added to the 40 man roster... So I think he is a must add... Joey Cantillo I know the team is high on, so its hard to believe he isn't added as well, even though he didn't really see any time this season... Outside of that, its hard to figure who else we would since we have a long list of guys who have some potential, but haven't proven a ton in the minors yet including, Broom, Pilkington, Hillman, Scott, Pinto, Krauth, Tully etc...

So if I am projecting the pitchers come November and the final 40 man before the rule 5...

Allen, Mejia, Hentges, Moss, Garza, Nelson, Perez, Bieber, Civale, Plesac, Quantrill, TMac, Morgan, Stephan, Clase, Karinchak, Sandlin, Chafin/veteran LHRP, Morris, Cantillo... With a pretty high possibility of Pilkington getting added...

 

[sportscoach]

Next gotta do position players....

When it comes to catcher, it is hard to say... Perez had a bad year, but I am still sure he is a favorite in the clubhouse, but the 7 million is a bit much for him... I am guessing we either restructure/resign Perez or we replace Perez with another veteran like a Gomes or resign Ramos instead.. Hedges without a doubt is on the roster, but either way we will have two veterans as the starting Catchers... Lavastida is likely added to the 40 man as the 3rd catcher. He has a good bat profile and seems to be doing well as a receiver. I think he will do well to have a spring with the veteran catchers and Sandy around. Indians will likely do more signings of like a Rene Rivera for AAA since I am not sure who we can trust there honestly from our current group. Either way going into the season with 3 catchers on the 40 man... There is an off chance we do try for a pre 21 Stephenson type of catching prospect, one as AAA who is MLB ready, but I am really doubting it, but I cannot 100% rule it out.

Now when it comes to our INF... Adding Freeman is a must, then we have Palacios (who is in the OF conversation as well) and Rocchio, who are likely being added as well since both are rule 5 and one is highly rated prospect, Rocchio, who reached AA, while Palacios has gotten to AAA and had a good AA season after coming back from injuries... Hard to believe a team like the Pirates, Orioles etc won't give him a tryout... Then you have guys like Bracho, Tena, and Noel, who have good potential but havent played above A ball, adding or not adding them to the 40 man is a tie, so it could be either way with them. I am leaning towards them not being added since they havent played above A ball. Then I don't doubt to see Brooks at least in a spring training camp somewhere at 1B and OF. These guys get added to the current crew of Arias, Bradley, Chang, Clement, Gimenez, Jones (who is an OF as well), Miller, JRam and Rosario (also in OF as well), then cannot 100% rule out Naylor at 1B but I think hes likely OF when he gets back...We cannot go into the season with 12 guys listed in the INF, so someone has to go to add these guys... I am leaning towards both Chang and Rosario will be gone at the start of 22... Chang because of the numbers crunch, but I think he will take a step forward and become an everyday player in 22 for a new team and Rosario, I like, but he doesn't have the MIF skills of the other guys, and doesnt have the experience nor bat you expect from an OF. I think he's gone in 22. He should have some value, so maybe a swap for a veteran LHRP (Brian Giles for Rincon type of trade). 1B is likely Bradley's spot to lose, JRam we all know is at 3B, 2B will be an open competition as will be SS... Who gets it, I cannot say now, but its going to be in house...

Now I am going to add something here, I am thinking the Indians will look at a guy like Canha, who can play LF/RF/1B, may even swing a trade for like a Mancini type as well, just one that hits from the right side and can play different positions to help this young roster of hitters.

Now when it comes to OF, I have mentioned Palacios has been mentioned and will be mentioned here as well for the OF, then the other names I would have to mention are Oscar Gonzalez, Steven Kwan and George Valera, since they have a good chance of being added to the 40 man roster on paper... Then other names to keep an eye in the OF are Brooks and Call who will likely be in a spring training for someone, then you have Benson, and the athlete Holmes... I dont think either will be taken in the rule 5 since they havent proven anything in the minors, but we never know... Now these guys will be considered with Rosario (who I think will be moved) Jones, Johnson, Mercado, HRam, Naylor, Reyes, Straw, Zimmer. We know Reyes will focus on DH'ing with OF mixed in. Straw is the CF, without a doubt in 22, Naylor is coming back from that injury, we don't know when he will be ready. I personally cannot see us keeping all of them and I am thinking Johnson and HRam will be moved... I actually kind of like having Mercado and Zimmer as the 4th OF type... Not sure who gets LF/RF yet, but very possible to see a mix and match out there...

A tentative position lineup on the 40 man would be, Perez/veteran catcher, Hedges, Lavastida, Freeman, Rocchio, Palacios, Arias, Bradley, Clement, Jones, Gimenez, Miller, JRam, Canha/veteran 1B/OF guy, Gonzalez, Kwan, Valera, Mercado, Naylor, Reyes, Straw, Zimmer...

 

[MadThinker88]

LHP Konnor Pilkington will be on 40 man at the R5 roster deadline.. That puts your list at 21 (of 40 already).

I highly doubt they have a Chafin/ vet LHRP signed by mid November.. Or for that matter vet corner 1B/OF guy or a replacement to Perez if not protected.
Your position group is at 22 bodies.
So you are still at 43 total.. Who are your final cuts??

Some things I see:
I assume by Allen you mean Logan S Allen...
I disagree that all of Logan S Allen/ JC Mejia/ Sam Hentges make the mid-November roster as all 3 are out of options after this year. I could 'see' 2 maybe, but they are mainly placeholders for easy release as others do finally get signed (at winter meetings or after)..

Bobby Bradley, Bradley Zimmer & Oscar Mercado are 3 more another out of options guys on your list..

Moss & Kyle Nelson are also on shaky ground & I could see both waived to open roster space.

Jose Tena will be on the final protection list (left off of yours) and I suspect Will Benson will be protected b4 Oscar Gonzalez..

TBH I believe Oscar will be a minor league Free Agent (& likely unsigned) if not on the 40 man roster at the deadline. It would be in his interest (unless getting a major league deal) to NOT sign until after the R5 is completed. There are examples where a minor league FA signs at a place they feel is a good fit for them & then get taken by another team in a R5 phase and then they are stuck with the selecting team. Martin Cervanka (sp?) is an example that jumps from my memory.

As for my full prediction list: it will be added in late Sept/ early Oct (after all the CLE seasons in majors & minors are completed)..

 

[sportscoach]

LHP Konnor Pilkington will be on 40 man at the R5 roster deadline.. That puts your list at 21 (of 40 already).

I highly doubt they have a Chafin/ vet LHRP signed by mid November.. Or for that matter vet corner 1B/OF guy or a replacement to Perez if not protected.
Your position group is at 22 bodies.
So you are still at 43 total.. Who are your final cuts??

Some things I see:
I assume by Allen you mean Logan S Allen...
I disagree that all of Logan S Allen/ JC Mejia/ Sam Hentges make the mid-November roster as all 3 are out of options after this year. I could 'see' 2 maybe, but they are mainly placeholders for easy release as others do finally get signed (at winter meetings or after)..

Bobby Bradley, Bradley Zimmer & Oscar Mercado are 3 more another out of options guys on your list..

Moss & Kyle Nelson are also on shaky ground & I could see both waived to open roster space.

Jose Tena will be on the final protection list (left off of yours) and I suspect Will Benson will be protected b4 Oscar Gonzalez..

TBH I believe Oscar will be a minor league Free Agent (& likely unsigned) if not on the 40 man roster at the deadline. It would be in his interest (unless getting a major league deal) to NOT sign until after the R5 is completed. There are examples where a minor league FA signs at a place they feel is a good fit for them & then get taken by another team in a R5 phase and then they are stuck with the selected team. Martin Cervanka (sp?) is an example that jumps from my memory.

As for my full prediction list: it will be added in late Sept/ early Oct (after all the CLE seasons in majors & minors are completed)..

I am not sure what to do with Pilkington yet, hence why I said hes borderline to me, but it wouldn't surprise me if he's added, just who exactly we cut for him?

You probably are right about not having a veteran LHRP nor a Canha type added to the 40 man then... I actually had 42, I decided not to go with the veteran in Canha and to cut Garza...

You are correct on the Allen, since the other Allen doesn't have to be protected anytime soon, I just cannot see us just cutting Allen, Mejia or Hentges, and its likely Allen in my mind is the first cut of the three. I think Mejia and Hentges were in the pros too early and its likely Hentges will be a reliever not a starter anyways...

I am actually projecting Bradley, Zimmer and Mercado to open the season with the team in 22...

Tena may get some AA playing time, but its hard to believe he is ready for the pros... Don't get me wrong I would like to keep him, but his SO numbers arent going to be friendly as he faces AA pitching. With our logjam in the 2B/SS/3B type of players, I left him on the outside looking in...

At the current moment I'd rather have Oscar Gonzalez than HRam longterm since Oscar actually isnt a problem on defense as much as HRam is...

 

[Criznit]

I'm away from my puter so too much work from the cell, but I think you have to start with a cut list.

Wittgren, Perez (on current contract), seem like fairly easy cuts. Cam Hill, Shaw as well. Harold? I'd say yup. Mercado and Johnson thumb wrestle for a spot. Chang might get cut. Nelson is another iffy one, especially if you commit to Hentges or L.Allen Sr. to the pen.

Edit. Parker and Young both removed but Parker has been good enough you never know. And then there is Ramos's current spot...

Another edit. Scott Moss is another cut target.

That's at least 6 spots and closer to 10

 

[MadThinker88]

Oscar G & Harold Ramirez are both DHs that put a glove on their hand & trot into the field.
Will Benson is far ahead of each DEFENSIVELY & being a 1st round pick might get him the nod over Oscar.

Another missing name from your list is Amed Rosario. While I am unsure his role in 2022 I can't see a trade completed with him b4 the deadline or him not being tendered a contract/ DFA'd as the roster is adjusted. Could he be dealt away? Yes Just think you have jumped the gun on it.

 

[sportscoach]

Oscar G & Harold Ramirez are both DHs that put a glove on their hand & trot into the field.
Will Benson is far ahead of each DEFENSIVELY & being a 1st round pick might get him the nod over Oscar.

Another missing name from your list is Amed Rosario. While I am unsure his role in 2022 I can't see a trade completed with him b4 the deadline or him not being tendered a contract/ DFA'd as the roster is adjusted. Could he be dealt away? Yes Just think you have jumped the gun on it.

Oscar is better than HRam out there... And I dont think I jumped the gun with Amed, I think he could be gone so we can create another spot on the roster... I also did say he could be flipped for a left handed bullpen arm as well to help the team...

Benson in my mind, hasnt shown enough of a bat to merit adding to the 40 man roster. We have guys who can field, but we need hitters...

I'm away from my puter so too much work from the cell, but I think you have to start with a cut list.

Wittgren, Perez (on current contract), seem like fairly easy cuts. Cam Hill, Shaw as well. Harold? I'd say yup. Mercado and Johnson thumb wrestle for a spot. Chang might get cut. Nelson is another iffy one, especially if you commit to Hentges or L.Allen Sr. to the pen.

Edit. Parker and Young both removed but Parker has been good enough you never know. And then there is Ramos's current spot...

Another edit. Scott Moss is another cut target.

That's at least 6 spots and closer to 10

My original Cut/traded list... Ramos (the maybe readded), Wittgren, Parker, Hill, Young, Shaw, Johnson, HRam, Chang, Amed, Roberto Perez (either cut or resigned to a different contract),

Guys on bubble in my mind would be Garza, Nelson, Allen, Mejia, Hentges, Zimmer, Mercado, F. Perez,

Bubble on adding to the roster Palacios, Pilkington, Tena, Benson, Oscar Gonzalez, Kwan...

 

[DickyLeftridge]

Why would we cut Amed? He's produced well this year, was a major piece in a major org trade. He's young. No way. Traded? Maybe.

They've bungled the Amed/Gimenez thing this year. Let's cut to the chase, they bungled insisting or trading for both as the Lindor return. It was perplexing at the time given what we already had in the high majors in the MIF. It's no less perplexing after how they've mishandled both this year.

But they're not cutting Amed. He's hit well enough. I'm a couple weeks away from saying that I've seen enough of Gimenez for now and that it's time to see Arias instead. And I really don't care if no one agrees or wants to hear that.

 

[DickyLeftridge]

I'll leave the 40 man stuff to the people who follow that more closely. As to the 25, I'll trot out who seems to be definites and work from there.

BieGOAT
Civale
Plesac
Quail Cantrill
TMac
Clase
Karinchak
Sandman

JoseGOAT
FranGOAT
BradGOAT
SteadyHedges
Straw (yawn, but yes)

TBD but IMO Likely:
Clement - really earned his way on. Like this kid as the best UTIL option thus far among Chang/Miller
Zimmer - would be my 4th OF
Amed - think likely but could be traded
BERTO - IDK what you guys are talking about, maybe they re-work his deal, but he's a key part of the org's nucleus for a few reasons
Shaw - perhaps they bring him back on a vet deal, but he's petered out here towards the 2nd half
Gimenez - underwhelming to say the most
Garza - settled into a nice role in the pen. Proved himself well this year.
Morgan - valuable 6th starter IMO.

See You Later:
Stephan (have to wonder how a Hentges or Logan Allen Sr. would have flourished in a defined role like this guy was given)
Wittgren
Mercado
Daniel Johnson
Chang
Blake Parker
Ramos

Minors and Presumably 40 Man:
Nolan
Arias
TBD

 

[CDAV45]

I'd like to see these added to JRam and Reyes lines:
264/333/479/812 with 21 HR 82 RBI 119 OPS+
262/370/502/872 with 19 HR 63 RBI 123 OPS+
256/313/485/798 with 21 HR 69 RBI 111 OPS+
JRam 252/340/525/865 with 25 HR 69 RBI 130 OPS+
Reyes 258/320/539/859 with 20 HR 54 RBI 127 OPS+

I'll worry about the details after.