DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Indians 2019 Stretch Drive (#1)

Depends on what you mean by "Go for it". The Dolans have been pretty honest about the fact that they cannot "go for it" with high risk, $300 million deals. Maybe they try to get Frankie signed, but even that seems unlikely, given his refusal to talk about a new deal.

Will they have a $200 million payroll next season? Almost certainly not. Will they re-sign guys like Kipnis and Puig? Maybe, but only to reasonable deals. (which probably means they are heading elsewhere) They hit roughly $150 million in total salaries in 2018. They cut back some this past season. They will have salaries increase naturally on some players' contracts. (annual raises) I would think that $150 million would be the upper max. (JMHO, though, not anything I have seen yet)

This team has proven to have quality players in their Minor League system. They have already exercised their option on Corey Kluber. Their pitching staff should be upper level of MLB quality again. Hopefully they will have Frankie and Jose, healthy, from day 1. (along with guys like Perez, Santana, Mercado, Reyes, and others)

I think that this team can stay in contention up to the trade deadline, and then see what they can do to add useful pieces. They are not going to go sign the free agent with the highest potential salary though. (unless, perhaps, it's Frankie) That means no one the caliber of Bryce Harper or Manny Machado ..... and probably not a Michael Brantley (2 yr/$36 million) either. We'll probably be looking past the initial wave or 2 of free agency.

It was said of the Indians that they had one of the weaker Minor League systems, but they plugged a lot of guys in who produced this year. It's very possible that some of those guys (Chang, Luplow, Freeman, etc.) get early looks at a full time job. We'll see.

We contended this year because a lot of young players came up from the Minors and contributed. It will be interesting to see how the powers that be approach next season.

Indians' "window" is more than just one year, IMO. Even if we didn't keep Kluber, we'd still have a pretty good starting rotation for 4-5 years to come. If we're talking about Lindor possibly being in his last year here, I think there's reason to believe that they can still contend when he's gone. Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, and JD Martinez all signed mega deals last off-season and they're all watching the playoffs at home (probably on really, really large, high quality TVs). Or take Miguel Cabrera in Detroit - the Tigers owe him $124M over the next 4 years, and he can barely walk, much less run.

Frankie is here through the 2021 season. (at least according to the PD)

I know, but they will probably trade him next off-season, or maybe even next season at the trade deadline if the season doesn't go well. You could probably make a case that they would maximize his value by trading him this off-season because they would get a haul of talent in return.

wrong thread

j/c...

MLB needs a salary floor.

This is such a disgrace.

Sell the team, Larry!

Such a shame.

More details:

Source

Hope you enjoy that profit while fielding a joke of a team, Larry.

Sell this franchise, now.

Disgraceful

Do you dawgs really expect the we could afford a half-billion dollars to keep Frankie???

Are you really okay with an owner who tries to say how tough he has it while he remains one of the most profitable owners in the league?

j/c:

This was inevitable. With COVID affecting teams and the Indians' efforts to reduce salary, this was going to happen.

The Indians (Chris Antonetti in particular) have proven to rebound and develop these players. I hope he is right again.

I don't know a thing about these Mets prospects, but I'm disappointed if Jeff McNeil isn't one of the guys coming to the Indians. Oh well, bye Lindor.

Have you ever answered a question with an answer?

Of those names on that list, outside of Ramirez who is still on the team and Lindor, who would you want on next years roster?

https://www.prospects1500.com/nl-east/mets/new-york-mets-2020-top-50-prospects/

3. Andres Gimenez, SS
Age: 21
2019 Highest Level: AA
2019 Notable Statistics: .371/.413/.586 in 75 PA in the 2019 AFL

Another former top international signing, Gimenez landed with the Mets for $1.2 million in 2015. Most of Gimenez real value comes from his well-above-average defense. Gimenez should be able to play wherever the Mets need him on the infield. Additionally, there were rumors of the Mets trying Gimenez in center field, something with his plus speed and baseball IQ, he should be able to learn if needed. Gimenez’s bat has been inconsistent. Gimenez has more raw power than in-game power, leading some to think an approach leaning more heavily on fly balls, and away from his naturally level swing, would suit him. While Gimenez did increase his flyball rates, this did not lead to more success, with a 124 and 100 wRC+ in A+ and AA in 2018, and a 105 wRC+ in 2019. When the Mets sent him to the Arizona Fall League, however, Gimenez returned to a level swing, producing the impressive slash line above. With this swing and Gimenez’ other tools, a bat which produces 10-15 home runs and 20+ stolen bases, while playing an important up-the-middle defensive position will be an incredibly valuable real and fantasy player.

10. Josh Wolf, RHP
Age: 19
2019 Highest Level: GCL
2019 Notable Statistics: 8 IP – 12K – 1BB

Although he throws with a funky, violent motion, Wolf has not experienced any arm troubles thus far in his career. Wolf’s fastball and curveball project to be plus pitches, while he must work on his changeup to remain a starter. Wolf was a late riser in the draft process due to his newfound mid-to-low 90s velocity, known more for his athleticism and intangibles. Wolf possesses great upside if he can stay healthy and continue to improve his changeup and overall command.

Same link as above

Cannot find Ahmed Rosario in that link because he has made his big league debut and that link excludes those players from their prospects list.

I cannot find Isiaih Greene either. I imagine that means that he has made his big league debut but I don't know.

Any trade involving Francisco Lindor & Carlos Carrasco is painful – Indians Scribbles, Terry Pluto

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Scribbles in my notebook after the Indians traded Carlos Carrasco and Francisco Lindor to the Mets for four players: Amed Rosario, Andres Gimenez, Josh Wolf and Isaiah Greene.

1. Most Tribe fans had to know this was coming. But it still hurts to see Lindor and Carrasco traded to the Mets for players who are not known to most fans. And it hurts because it’s because the Indians couldn’t find a way to sign Lindor to a long-term contract.

2. Tribe President Chris Antonetti said “This trade is really hard to make, but it’s the right thing for us.” The Indians didn’t want to let Lindor play out the season in the final year of his contract and then leave via free agency. The longer they kept Lindor, the more his trade value dropped.

3. Trades such as this are so hard to evaluate. I don’t know what else was offered. I don’t know much about the four players coming to Cleveland. Lindor is a superstar shortstop and Carrasco one of the better starting pitchers in the Majors. We know them well. The four guys from the Mets are strangers.

4. The Indians would rather make a deal like this and add four young players than allow Lindor to leave after the 2021 and receive only a draft pick in return. In Rosario and Gimenez, the Indians received two young infielders who can possibly start at second and shortstop.

5. The 21-year-old Gimenez has defense “as his calling card” at short, according to Antonetti. Gimenez skipped over the Class AAA level and batted .263 (.732 OPS) for the Mets. He was 8-of-9 in stolen bases. Gimenez made only one error in 22 games at short. He also played 19 at second base, 10 games at third base.

6. Rosario is only 25. He’s been in the Majors for the last four seasons, batting .268 (.705 OPS). His best year was 2019, hitting .287 (.755 OPS) with 15 HR and 72 RBI. He has played exclusively short in the Majors.

7. Tribe GM Mike Chernoff said the team likes the combination of having two big-league ready infielders (Gimenez and Rosario), “immediate value” as he called it, along with two prospects. Those are Wolf an Greene.

8. The prospects are low-minor leaguers. Wolf was the Mets second-round pick in 2019 and pitched only eight innings in rookie ball that season. Because of no minor leagues in 2020, he didn’t play. The right-hander has a 96 mph fastball, according to Antonetti.

9. Greene is only 19, an outfielder who was the Mets second-round pick in 2020. This will be his first pro season. When it comes to Wolf and Greene, who knows? Lots of patience is required.

10. Why was Carrasco in the deal? Carrasco has two years $27 million left on his contract. So money was a factor. The Indians have depth of starting pitching, and believed they could afford to deal Carrasco. Carrasco will be 34 on March 21. He had a good season (3-4, 2.91 ERA) in 2020. He bounced back from leukemia in 2019.

11. The Mets wanted Carrasco not only as a member of their rotation, but also because he is under a multi-year deal. They didn’t want to trade four promising players and have Lindor leave after a year. Carrasco gives them some long-term protection, something to show for the deal in case Lindor leaves New York. I had heard Lindor didn’t want to play in New York. That was in spring training. Who knows where things stand now.

12. MLB’s lack of a salary cap combined with the pandemic financially crushed teams such as the Tribe. Tampa Bay didn’t pick up the $15 million option on Charlie Morton and traded Blake Snell to San Diego. Finances led the the Rays parting with their two top starters after going to the World Series.

13. Antonetti said: “The reality is the system we have, and our responsibility is to build the best team we can under the system.”

14. The Indians want to avoid a massive rebuild. That is why they have been trading some of their expensive veterans over the last few years. But dealing Lindor will be devastating to the fan base.

15. Antonetti did say the deals to cut payroll are over. The Indians will save about $30 million on this trade, and Antonetti stressed the team would “reinvest” at least some of that in future moves. They still need outfielders and a big bat. I tend to trust the Tribe’s front office on these deals because their track record is strong.

https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/2021/01/...erry-pluto.html

Trevor Bauer
Carlos Carrasco
Mike Clevinger
Corey Kluber
Andrew Miller

Mike Napoli
Carlos Santana
Michael Brantley

j/c:

I knew Lindor was gone, obviously. The one that stings a bit is Carrasco. He's been with the team what feels like forever, his family made their home here, and he's dealt with quite a bit health-wise and the organization supported him. It sucks to see him go. That said...look at our starting pitcher options:

- Beiber
- Civale
- Plesac
- McKenzie
- Plutko (bottom of the rotation guy, really)
- Quantrill (I'm assuming they traded for him to start)

CC is 33 years old making $12-$14 annually over the next three years. I'm guessing the team wants to further develop the above guys and Cookie was the odd man out. It sucks but the upside on these guys outweighs Cookie.

Why MLB needs a salary floor.

Bauer and Cookie I will give you but none of those pitchers show up in the picture you posted (at least when I pull it up).

Clevinger is injured
Kluber and Miller haven't been good for years
Napoli retired over a year ago
Santana is wicked over the hill

Brantley? Okay you can have that one.

The article basically states that the floor would increase wages and make things more fair for dudes that play a game and get paid up to a half billion to do so.

If MLB had a salary CAP, teams like the Indians wouldn't have to lose every star, year after year, shed salary to retool, and fight every season to try to compete with teams that can hand out blank checks to the best talent on the planet.

Lack of a salary cap has RUINED the game and you're crying because these filthy-rich athletes are getting screwed out of more money... seems about right.

j/c: