The 2020 Cleveland Indians

[The Oi]

It was awful this year even though it looked to be very good on paper. Baseball is funny that way. All I know is that I no longer need to see DeShields, Naquin, Santana, and 3 catchers that can't hit a barn standing inside of it in the lineup. Mercado is very close to losing my support also. Luplow mashes LHP, but doesn't give me that warm, tingly feeling when the game is on the line. If it is, he probably isn't facing a LHP. This team needs some thump to go with Ramirez and Reyes. I think Naylor will be a good stick. I also think that Johnson has some real potential. Will Jones and Freeman get opportunities? Are they even ready after what was essentially a cancelled season for them? What will be added from a Lindor trade? Can any of Chang, Miller, T. Freeman lockdown 2B?


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To be fair I think that was Will Leitch’s analysis.

That said...he’s got 1/2 of his sweet 16 knocked out, 2 of his final four left and his champ is gone. Can’t do much worse.

 

[CBBI]

I don’t think they are going to rush him right to the bigs to start next season, but Nolan Jones isn’t *that* far away.

Once he’s up, it stands to reason Jose will be shifted to 2B, right?

 

[MadThinker88]

I don’t think they are going to rush him right to the bigs to start next season, but Nolan Jones isn’t *that* far away.

Once he’s up, it stands to reason Jose will be shifted to 2B, right?

Unlikely... Jose isnt the same player as when he came up to the bigs..
Not sure he could transition over & play another spot at a high level now...

Better chance part of the things Nolan did this season in Lake County was learn/ play other spots on the field like 1b/ outfield...

Bobby Bradley never getting a change this year (even on taxi squad for post-season) is telling....
Jake Bauers not getting a chance to help in the OF (when it was needed) is telling.....

I suspect both are cut from the 40 man roster this offseason creating space with others (Nolan/ Eli/ Gabriel Ariea/ Carlos Vargas/ etc)...

 

[sportscoach]

Unlikely... Jose isnt the same player as when he came up to the bigs..
Not sure he could transition over & play another spot at a high level now...

Better chance part of the things Nolan did this season in Lake County was learn/ play other spots on the field like 1b/ outfield...

Bobby Bradley never getting a change this year (even on taxi squad for post-season) is telling....
Jake Bauers not getting a chance to help in the OF (when it was needed) is telling.....

I suspect both are cut from the 40 man roster this offseason creating space with others (Nolan/ Eli/ Gabriel Ariea/ Carlos Vargas/ etc)...

From what I can tell, O. Perez, Leon, Hernandez are free agents, putting the 40 man to 38.

Then its a high probability guys like Santana and Hand will be off the roster as well. Making it 36 and then I would guess Cimber will be off the roster, making it 35. I dont think we will move Beau since we don't internally have a 3rd catcher. One of the OFs could be cut (DeShields, Zimmer etc) as well but it may not happen. Bauers and Bradley with Santana off the team, will get one more off season to win a spot. So I dont think either guy will be cut since age and the fact they have been blocked.

So if you had 5 to add to the 40 man which ones would you choose? I remember someone earlier stated some guys where Rule 5 eligible that weren't actually eligible so I would have to double check everyone who is actually Rule 5 eligible.

 

[CBBI]

Unlikely... Jose isnt the same player as when he came up to the bigs..
Not sure he could transition over & play another spot at a high level now...

Better chance part of the things Nolan did this season in Lake County was learn/ play other spots on the field like 1b/ outfield...

Jose played second base in the majors as recently as 2018. That isn't THAT long ago.

I don't see any reason why he couldn't transition there full time if Nolan Jones actually has the goods.

 

[avs2000]

Regarding untouchables, with all of the uncertainty within the sport and society as a whole at this time.... Is there even a 5% chance that Lindor is with the Tribe on Opening Day 2021.

Just seems like it would do so much to benefit the 'Culture of the Cleveland Indians' to run it back with Fankie and José one last season and let the cards fall where they may at the deadline (also could increase Lindor's value after a pedestrian season, especially re: RISP)

The claim is repeatedly made that we have traded away our best players in order to have prospects and financial flexibility into the future. Unfortunately neither of those things win games or put fans in the stands. Casual fans only show up for marquee names and playoff games.

Also, what does this do for the young talent who sees firsthand any time you reach great success as an Indian that your name will be rumored to be traded before you'd reach free agency?

Just pondering/sulking over this post-season "run." Many of us had wanted to see a Puig return citing how pitiful the forecast was for the outfield over the forseeable future. And others readily objected to such. So the question becomes, "When do we spend?"

Are we looking to win or is this entirely soley a business venture where success is secondary?

The dolans make no where close to the tv money that big market teams make. Period
This organization is run very well. Now we are rebuilding on the fly like a line change in hockey. Not interested in paying lindor 400 million a year for 110 rbis. Look for ramirez to be moved in a year or two. Keep building young depth Still love the clev trade

 

[Beanie4Heisman]

The dolans make no where close to the tv money that big market teams make. Period
This organization is run very well. Now we are rebuilding on the fly like a line change in hockey. Not interested in paying lindor 400 million a year for 110 rbis. Look for ramirez to be moved in a year or two. Keep building young depth Still love the clev trade

Lemme just gouge out my eyes and spill the contents of my stomach here right quick.

Will be done with the Tribe should this turn out true. Suppose we shall remain the AAAA farm team for World Series contenders if José is also dealt.

At least we sell high!

 

[sportscoach]

Lemme just gouge out my eyes and spill the contents of my stomach here right quick.

Will be done with the Tribe should this turn out true. Suppose we shall remain the AAAA farm team for World Series contenders if José is also dealt.

At least we sell high!

The only reason we would possibly sell JRam now is the fact we arent going to compete in 21 since he won't be extended/resigned, we will be strong again at the end of his contract.

 

[DCTribefan]

I don’t see how the Indians go into 2021 with both Perez ($5.5m) and Hedges ($3.5 arbitration estimate) as their backstops. That’s a lot of money for two catchers, neither of them who can hit.

 

[sportscoach]

I don’t see how the Indians go into 2021 with both Perez ($5.5m) and Hedges ($3.5 arbitration estimate) as their backstops. That’s a lot of money for two catchers, neither of them who can hit.

Indians organization values defense from the catcher position over offense. Id be very surprised if both guys weren't back on the roster

 

[daddywags]

I don’t see how the Indians go into 2021 with both Perez ($5.5m) and Hedges ($3.5 arbitration estimate) as their backstops. That’s a lot of money for two catchers, neither of them who can hit.

I'm thinking the same thing. Could be that one of the reasons they wanted Hedges is because Perez will be too expensive for what he brings. Hedges can give us GG caliber defense with no bat other than an occasional home run. But I sure hope they can flip Perez (or Hedges) for a decent, say B-type, prospect.

 

[CDAV45]

The only reason we would possibly sell JRam now is the fact we arent going to compete in 21 since he won't be extended/resigned, we will be strong again at the end of his contract.

We arent' going to compete in 21? How do we know this for certain? The pitching staff remains fully intact. The BP should be even better with the Clase and Gose additions. Certainly we can expect any one of Jones, Johnson, Miller, or Freeman to contribute. We will have Naylor from the get go. They will have relieved themselves of almost $50M in salary. While they certainly will not spend all of that, I'd guess something like $15-20M will be reinvested. We haven't seen the return from the Lindor trade. There is way too many unknown factors to say that they will not compete next season. The pitching staff alone gives us a puncher's chance.

 

[CDAV45]

I don’t see how the Indians go into 2021 with both Perez ($5.5m) and Hedges ($3.5 arbitration estimate) as their backstops. That’s a lot of money for two catchers, neither of them who can hit.

I don't see it either DC. Maybe it's Lindor and Perez to Yankees like someone mentioned some time ago. They could go with Hedges and Leon and what would they have lost?

 

[sportscoach]

I don't see it either DC. Maybe it's Lindor and Perez to Yankees like someone mentioned some time ago. They could go with Hedges and Leon and what would they have lost?

Leon is a free agent, Hedges has team control just like Perez does. If you are a heavy pitching roster then you need very good defensive catchers

 

[CBBI]

Leon is a free agent, Hedges has team control just like Perez does. If you are a heavy pitching roster then you need very good defensive catchers

Not saying they will or should, but I'm very curious if the Indians target a high-end catching prospect in a potential Lindor trade.

2021 is almost certainly going to be Perez's last year in an Indians uniform if they don't move on from him this offseason and Bo Naylor, while highly regarded, is realistically 2-3 years away.