Well this is what I do best, make predictions!!! so let's get this road started, my 2020 GM moves!!
First off we need to deal with the 40 man roster...
Clippard, Puig, Flaherty are free agents and all three likely will be gone. Clippard and Flaherty I would both offer a minor league deal with incentives, an opt out clause with an invite to spring training. Puig will walk and get at least a 3 year/45 mil somewhere next off season. I think both Clippard and Flaherty will be on another club next season.
Anderson and Salazar will both be non-tendered and essentially released. Both will be offered by the Indians a minor league deal with incentives and an invite to spring training. Salazar I don't see taking the deal but Anderson probably would.
Otero's and Kipnis's option will both be declined. Otero will have a minor league option with incentives on the table from the Indians. He could earn the same amount if he makes it out of camp with the roster. Kipnis will get an offer from the Indians for 2020 but at a reduced rate. My hunch is he will sign elsewhere. Of Otero isn't offered a major league deal, he will take the Indians incentive based offer.
Cole, Olson, Hoyt and Maton will be roster causalities as well since we will try to outright all 4 to AAA. All of them will be offered minor league deals with an invite to spring training if they decide to take the assignment/do not get picked up via waivers.
Leaves us with 4 spots on the 40 man roster, so Moss, McKenzie, Tom and Johnson will be added to the 40 man roster.
hmmm... This next move will be awkward as heck and kind of out there...plus I need to do something creative since the Indians FO is good at this lol
Indians trade Adam Plutko/Plesac, Bobby Bradley and Jean Meija ( plus maybe another low prospects) for RHP Ty Buttrey and like SS Livan Soto
Cleveland does this because it creates two open 40 man spots and gives us a long term potential late inning guy. Angels do it cause Plutko is a reliable starter, plus they get a potential future starter in Mejia and I think Bradley around a Pujols would be a good thing for him.
Next I sign Jedd Gyorko to a 1 year like 3 mil range MLB contract. It's a bit of a gamble, but with being able to keep 26 guys, he can compete for Kipnis's spot on the roster or end up being a bench guy. Injuries got to him last season and he is looking to fix his career. He is from West Virginia so this would be closer to home for him as well.
Next is the extension time Lindor.... sadly doesn't sign long term, but... Clev does! So get Clev to sign an extension this off season!
Then we have one open spot to either protect a guy like Oviedo or get someone in the Rule 5 draft. Then in the off season Naquin will be moved to the 60 Day DL, giving a guy like Nelson the chance to make the roster. I will keep position players that we have on the roster and not really make anymore significant moves right now and leave it up to mid season to spend really anymore money. Though I would sign a AAAA style player that can play 1B for our AAA team and be an insurance as well that way. I don't 100% like moving Bradley this season, but I want Buttrey and open spots on the 40 man roster.
Next let Gyroko, Chang and Arroyo compete for the roster spot. All three I think are better at 3rd than 2B, so Ramirez moves to 2B in my mind. Chang I think wins out the roster spot.
My 26 man roster!
Catchers- Perez, Plawecki
INF- Santana, Ramirez, Lindor, Chang, Freeman, Gyorko
OF- Bauers, Reyes, Mercado, Zimmer, Luplow
Pitchers:
SP- Clev, Bieber, Kluber, Carrasco, Civale
RP- Hand, Buttrey, Karinchak, Nelson, Wittgren, O. Perez, Cimber/Goody/Wood/Sandlin
Then my lineup
VS Right/Vs Left
1. SS Lindor/SS Lindor
2. CF Zimmer/LF Luplow
3. 1B Santana/1B Santana
4. DH Reyes/RF Reyes
5. 2B Ramirez/2B Ramirez
6. RF Mercado/CF Mercado
7. LF Bauers/DH Bauers
8. 3B Chang/3B Chang
9. C Perez/C Perez
Then vs Right handers it would be Luplow, Gyorko, Plawecki and Freeman normally on the bench and against lefties, Zimmer, Gyorko, Plawecki and Freeman on the bench. I know Zimmer/Luplow in the 2 spot is an oddball move, so thats a gamble and so is putting Bauers out there against lefties, I just felt that is the best roster right now to put out. Who knows if ill be right, I actually don't worry about Luplow in the 2 hole since he takes pitches and can really hit lefties, its Zimmer who I worry about, but I think if he takes pitches and works on getting base instead of being super aggressive with his swing, I think he could really fit in well there with his speed.
Honestly even though we have a ton of bullpen arm talent coming through the system right now, I believe we will go and get a young controllable arm like Buttrey in the offseason. No clue if that trade works in a sense for the Angels, but I think someone like him will be brought in to compete for the setup spot with Karinchak to help give hand more support. With Buttrey having a full season under his belt and good guys around him for pitching, i think this would be a good opportunity for him as well.