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The 2020 Cleveland Indians

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Very possible. I like both Civale & Plesac more than Plutko, but I am not in favor of dumping Plutko for a box of bats & baseballs either.
Plutko is functional/ acceptable. If a good trade presents itself and the Tribe pitchers are healthy & effective during Spring Training, make the deal to help the club in another area.

Since we have Plutko under control for a few years, and he has helped us eat a lot of innings as a 6th starter, can he be turned into a reliever to be used as a starter, if needed? Or would it be better for both of us to move on, even if we don't get much for him in return, based on being out of options and needing to be a starter?
 
Since we have Plutko under control for a few years, and he has helped us eat a lot of innings as a 6th starter, can he be turned into a reliever to be used as a starter, if needed? Or would it be better for both of us to move on, even if we don't get much for him in return, based on being out of options and needing to be a starter?
Make Plutko a mop up man if you want in the pen. With 26 guys, we can spare a spot for him, but penciling him into the rotation is a disservice to the entire organization.

We have at least 8 or 9 guys I'd rather have start a game for us than Plutko.
 

This is a good little tidbit to look at since they usually aren’t too far off in their numbers!
 

This is a good little tidbit to look at since they usually aren’t too far off in their numbers!
With Clevinger being first time arbitration eligible, this would be a great time to try and lock him down for a couple extra years of team control. Just extending him three extra years would keep him here through age 34.

They locked Kluber down for 7 years $66 million (worth up to $77M with escalators) before he even reached arbitration (that included two years of team options worth $37.5 million). I wonder if we could get something done with Clev in the range of 4 years $44 with a couple team options at the end?

Something like:
2020: $6.5M
2021: $9.5 M
2022: $12.5 M
2023: $15.5 M
2024: $17.5 M (Team option)
2025: $17.5 M (Team option)

I'd also be willing to break our own pre-arb extension record for Bieber. Take Kluber's deal, and bump it up.

In all honesty, making those two moves are more integral to the team's continued success than a Lindor extension is.
 
With Clevinger being first time arbitration eligible, this would be a great time to try and lock him down for a couple extra years of team control. Just extending him three extra years would keep him here through age 34.

They locked Kluber down for 7 years $66 million (worth up to $77M with escalators) before he even reached arbitration (that included two years of team options worth $37.5 million). I wonder if we could get something done with Clev in the range of 4 years $44 with a couple team options at the end?

Something like:
2020: $6.5M
2021: $9.5 M
2022: $12.5 M
2023: $15.5 M
2024: $17.5 M (Team option)
2025: $17.5 M (Team option)

I'd also be willing to break our own pre-arb extension record for Bieber. Take Kluber's deal, and bump it up.

In all honesty, making those two moves are more integral to the team's continued success than a Lindor extension is.

Why I put getting Clev an extension in my GM off season post. I feel getting Clev and Bieber extended would be a good idea in my mind as well.
 

No explanation included as to why he was pulled, but his slash line there wasn’t too robust. Nice to see some power flashed though.
 

No explanation included as to why he was pulled, but his slash line there wasn’t too robust. Nice to see some power flashed though.

Maybe he just needed a mental break in a sense? He seems to be going through a slump, so in theory maybe giving him a break will keep him away from bad habits and just get him rest in the off season. Also I am wondering how many lefties he faced since he still hasn't had good numbers against them in the minors.
 
Maybe he just needed a mental break in a sense? He seems to be going through a slump, so in theory maybe giving him a break will keep him away from bad habits and just get him rest in the off season. Also I am wondering how many lefties he faced since he still hasn't had good numbers against them in the minors.

.154 / .313 / .231 in 16 plate appearances
 
2-13 with a double and 3 walks is what that line equates to

Am I wrong for saying Jones could go the way of a Chisenhall type of player in a way? The 3B who ends up in the OF as a platoon player?
 
Am I wrong for saying Jones could go the way of a Chisenhall type of player in a way? The 3B who ends up in the OF as a platoon player?
I think it's a fool's errand to try and figure something like that out when a guy is only 21 years old
 
I think it's a fool's errand to try and figure something like that out when a guy is only 21 years old

True, but people still try to do anyways. With his numbers in some ways he just reminds me of Chisenhall since he isn’t a good 3B defensively yet and doesn’t hit lefties well but has potential to do way better than he is right now. Hence why I am a little higher on Freeman than Jones at the moment since Freeman looks like a better all around player in my mind. But like ya said it’s too early to project and I don’t think we will really see much of either guy in 2020 anyways.

To me I am more curious to see how they handle the bullpen in the off season and what they feel about Tom, Mathias etc who played way above projection but we don’t exactly know where they stand in the organizations eyes
 
Solid writeup brainstorming and discussing some of the Indians roster options for the infield along with some other offseason items worth consideration:

 
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Solid writeup brainstorming and discussing some of the Indians roster options for the infield along with some other offseason items worth consideration:

Interesting that she dismissed the idea of re-signing Kipnis so quickly. Not that I'm a huge proponent, but if you're going to a toss a cheap 1-year deal at a mediocre 2B, why not at least consider the one you know?
 
It would take a trade, but Jed Lowrie is an under the radar guy that could be a great stopgap.

He signed for 2 years $20 million prior to last season with the Mets but then missed the entire year with injuries. He was awesome for the A's in '17 and '18.
 

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Episode 3-13: "Backup Bash Brothers"

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Episode 3:11: "Clipping Bucks."
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