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

j/c...

Rosario is a solid FA addition to the line up, as was Hernandez. I hope he hits against the Twins as well as he has vs the Indians. He absolutely owned Indians' pitching over the years.

No, no, and no. That thing is a whole lot of no.

I don't know the Braves prospects like you do, but with 3 years remaining on Jose's time with the Indians, I don't think that's a good enough package to pry him away. Maybe in 2 years, but not now. I also think the Indians are just as high on their 3B prospect, Nolan Jones, as they would be on most other 3B prospects with one or two possible exceptions. Local media thinks Jones will be with the big club some time this summer, as he has been working out in LF and 1B to make him more useful while Ramirez is still here. Then there's the recent signing of Eddie Rosario to a 1 year contract, so LF is solidified in the short term. I'm guessing we'll see some combination of Oscar Mercado, Josh Naylor, Bradley Zimmer, and Jordan Luplow in CF/RF. Its not optimal, but its viable.

Haha. After reading what I responded ...it sounded arrogant. My apologies.

Things to consider for the Tribe:
40 man roster - that is a lot of major league pieces to add
Our outfield roster as of now (with adding Eddie R.)
Our Front Offices thought process...they’ve said they want to re-load while keep contending.

My opinion ....to have a conversation about your question.

Waters looks great reading about him. Having Eddie in left, Waters in CF and Josh T in right looks nice. Waters could move to a corner spot the year after.

Nolan Jones would be the 3B (this is also projecting he doesn’t slump)

We have like 30 outfielders (yes, I am exaggerating lol) Eddie, Josh, Mercado, Lup, Bauers, Johnson, Zimmer and Reyes (who probably will try 1B or DH).

This is all guess work, I assume Zimmer would be released for Waters. Two or so of them would be moved to the minors depending on their options. What I am getting at there would be so much movement with the other two OFs you mentioned.

If Cleveland would do some trade like u asked it...I would expect it to be Waters...that player that’s major league ready, one-two prospects that are around Single A with potential , and maybe a bullpen guy

Dave, I agree.

At least they (FO) has said they want to contend while doing all these moves, Having a known potential AL MVP (with a team friendly contract) is the way to go at this time while getting Nolan Jones time to acclimate to the Majors.

I see they are supposedly having talks with teams about Rosiaro. I actually like what they’ve done so far..at least on paper.

Picking up Eddie was the one FA I was hoping we would get and re-signing Hernandez.

I hope they keep exploring additions. But I am happy if we stand pat.

Isn’t Pache a much better prospect than Waters? (Yes). Or are you not including him because he’s already been in the majors?

I forgot about Daniel Johnson being in the OF mix. He shows promise. But I don't see Jake Bauers as an outfielder; he's more a 1B IMO, with serious doubts whether he'll hit enough to merit time at a corner infield position. You need production from 1B. I'm hoping Bobby Bradley wins that job this spring.

Yes I agree, I am hoping Bradley does too. That would be huge. I really don’t want to see a platoon of Bradley/Reyes/Naylor and possibly Bauers at first.

“ I think for Cleveland it is always about money. If you can can replace someone for less and get production that is their model.”

I agree with this.

Anything is possible and you could be right.

I just think it is too much major league ready players after just doing the Frankie trade. That would be a major infusion of “potential” into the line up instead of known player like Jose.

Ramirez has been a top 3 MVP vote getter in 3 of the last 4 seasons, winning 3 Silver Slugger awards in that same period. His contract is not a burden for a team whose payroll sits at around $50M after being around $120M a couple years ago. Even the Indians know that you have to have someone fans will want to pay to see. Riley and Waters may go on to fine careers, but I'm concerned with Rileys career (MLB) OPS of .736 (.750 being "average"), .232 BA, and that Baseball Reference projects him to strike out nearly 200 times in a full season. Waters appears to be a good prospect with only limited time spent above AA, but I'm not sure where the "power potential" comes from since he has 20 HR in 1200 AB in minor league ball. Call us in late 2022, or the off season following 2022, because right now - IMO - that is not enough.

Good talking "hot stove" baseball with you guys today. The first Sunday without football always leaves me with this empty feeling of "what the hell am I gonna do today?". So we'll have football next Sunday and then stugots until late March, most likely. Of course that's if you're not a basketball fan, which I am not. Yikes.

Same here Dave. There’s always a gap between football season and the NCAA tournament/Masters and start of baseball that is pretty tough to endure.

February is not a fun month for sports

Yeah, we need to get the Draft Forum up, even if I have to read through 500 posters' mock drafts. IIRC, free agency should start around March 10, so that'll be something. I have always marked the gap between football and baseball with reports that the equipment truck left Cleveland for spring training, and then pitchers and catchers report, then other players a week later. Local sports talk shows used to send on-air shows to spring training, and soon after, we'd hear Tom Hamilton calling exhibition games from spring training ... and it was on. Now? Who knows. Dammit.