The 2020 Cleveland Indians

[CATS44]

Thanks, guys, for all the discussion of Mercado.

With the exception of posts from one infamous troll, it's fun to talk some relevant baseball again.

It's obvious that some of you folks know your stuff and do some research, and as a newbie, I'm loving it.

 

[sportscoach]

Simulation is the new wave prediction machine, works 100% of the time to fit any narrative I seek. I'm going with it. Tom2020

@The Human Q-Tip, I think this helps answer some things.

 

[DCTribefan]

And there it is - the king of Trolls..... RD aka DowntownTF... letting everyone know he is lurking the boards again....

Ban him quickly like as we all know how he ruined the 24-7 Indians forum.

 

[CATS44]

I wish my fellow emigres from 247 would message me to let me know who you are. It's good to have so many of you join this forum.

That includes you jup...lol.

 

[CATS44]

Back to baseball..

One advantage the Tribe may have, esp early on when expanded rosters may include extra guys in the pen, is that Tito will be running out four switch hitters in the regular lineup.

It eliminates the ability for opposing managers to match up against nearly half the lineup, and the new three batter rule will make it even more difficult.

 

[Lee]

Back to baseball..

One advantage the Tribe may have, esp early on when expanded rosters may include extra guys in the pen, is that Tito will be running out four switch hitters in the regular lineup.

It eliminates the ability for opposing managers to match up against nearly half the lineup, and the new three batter rule will make it even more difficult.

I think this is going to have a bigger effect than we think, especially in the American league. Having to pitch to 4 batters unless you end the inning is huge.

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

If they have a Naquin/Luplow platoon it will be like having five switch hitters. If they bring in a lefty to face Naquin we pinch hit Luplow and vice versa.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

@The Human Q-Tip, I think this helps answer some things.

It may...but I have zero idea what that means.

 

[TFIR]

Ron Darling: "If you want to be the best version of yourself as a team this year, your best players are going to have to be on the field the most."

Common sense. So your best starting pitchers, your best relievers and your best hitters. Darling called this season a "no rest zone".

 

[LL3]

Ron Darling: "If you want to be the best version of yourself as a team this year, your best players are going to have to be on the field the most."

Common sense. So your best starting pitchers, your best relievers and your best hitters. Darling called this season a "no rest zone".

I know it seems obvious, but once this 5k race (rather than the typical marathon) begins, there will be little room for exploration or experimentation -- we'll be sending our hypothetical best guys out there as much as possible, hoping to get contributions from others when the front line guys need a break, or injury/illness removes them. There is room to occasionally stumble in this schedule, but then it is right back to running with plenty of pace. If the situation allows, this should be a very interesting, very unique baseball season to watch.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

Ban him quickly like as we all know how he ruined the 24-7 Indians forum.

If anyone has an issue with a particular poster, it is much better to PM me directly than to clutter up the thread with a bunch of non-baseball posts. As anyone who PM's me know, I'll always listen and respond to any concerns you have.

 

[CATS44]

Darling is right, and his point is kinda obvious.

If in a regular season every team was tied at the end of July, there would be almost no days off for the regulars, and almost no skipping of turns in the rotations. And that's after already playing 100 games.

No using kids called up for a look-see.

This year it is less likely that younger players with little MLB experience will be plugged in to replace a slumping vet with a solid track record.

The leash on aging vets looking to reestablish themselves is likely to be much shorter. No team can afford to give an inexperienced youngster or older vet a month to get his act together. No Hanley Ramirez or Cargo types. These type of question marks will have to show production from day one.

This is gonna make it more difficult for players like Bauers, Zimmer, and Chang to get any kind of real look. Track record will trump promise more so than usual.

IMO, given the situation, there arent nearly the amount of battles for PT as would usually be expected..We know who will man the inf, who the catcher will be, and that Mercado and Reyes are gonna play every day. And IMO the org will go with known quantities in Naquin/Luplow and Deshields.

The only real question is Domingo.

 

[LL3]

Darling is right, and his point is kinda obvious.

If in a regular season every team was tied at the end of July, there would be almost no days off for the regulars, and almost no skipping of turns in the rotations. And that's after already playing 100 games.

No using kids called up for a look-see.

This year it is less likely that younger players with little MLB experience will be plugged in to replace a slumping vet with a solid track record.

The leash on aging vets looking to reestablish themselves is likely to be much shorter. No team can afford to give an inexperienced youngster or older vet a month to get his act together. No Hanley Ramirez or Cargo types. These type of question marks will have to show production from day one.

This is gonna make it more difficult for players like Bauers, Zimmer, and Chang to get any kind of real look. Track record will trump promise more so than usual.

IMO, given the situation, there arent nearly the amount of battles for PT as would usually be expected..We know who will man the inf, who the catcher will be, and that Mercado and Reyes are gonna play every day. And IMO the org will go with known quantities in Naquin/Luplow and Deshields.

The only real question is Domingo.

I agree that the amount of Domingo Santana AB's will be interesting to track...perhaps complicated by Luplow, as he may be getting the opportunity to play more than as a platoon guy. Early success will be key.
I am sure DeShields will draw an occasional start, but I am hoping he is primarily a later inning sub.

 

[ncinthenext3]

I agree that the amount of Domingo Santana AB's will be interesting to track...perhaps complicated by Luplow, as he may be getting the opportunity to play more than as a platoon guy. Early success will be key.
I am sure DeShields will draw an occasional start, but I am hoping he is primarily a later inning sub.

....as a pinch runner

 

[LL3]

....as a pinch runner

...and perhaps defensively, too.