Series #16 Indians Vs Oakland

Indians did a great job of contending through this window. They have made great moves building farm system and the type of FA moves they can given the small market status. I’ve been very pleased.

Fans have also shown consistent interest by turning up big tv ratings throughout the process.

The Oi said:

Indians did a great job of contending through this window. They have made great moves building farm system and the type of FA moves they can given the small market status. I’ve been very pleased.

Fans have also shown consistent interest by turning up big tv ratings throughout the process.

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Can never tell if you're being sarcastic or not. If you're serious, totally agree . . .

Phil Mixtape said:

Can never tell if you're being sarcastic or not. If you're serious, totally agree . . .

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100% serious.

FO, which is now one of the best in baseball, did its job in spades and the players couldn’t get it done. They couldn’t get it done largely due to injuries and because they went up against a couple buzz-saws in the Yanks and Astros.

The fans don’t get credit for supporting the shit out of the team with television numbers bc everyone is so focused on ballpark attendance.

Everyone has done their job here as the window closes. Given the depth of the farm system it’ll open back up again in 2 years, and hopefully at least one of the Yankes, Astros and Sox aren’t quite as good.

Given that Lindor will be gone and Ramirez’s performance in the playoffs throughout his career and recently has been poor...whether the Tribe will have any stars to carry them during that window is a concern.

The Oi said:

100% serious.

FO, which is now one of the best in baseball, did its job in spades and the players couldn’t get it done. They couldn’t get it done largely due to injuries and because they went up against a couple buzz-saws in the Yanks and Astros.

The fans don’t get credit for supporting the shit out of the team with television numbers bc everyone is so focused on ballpark attendance.

Everyone has done their job here as the window closes. Given the depth of the farm system it’ll open back up again in 2 years, and hopefully at least one of the Yankes, Astros and Sox aren’t quite as good.

Given that Lindor will be gone and Ramirez’s performance in the playoffs throughout his career and recently has been poor...whether the Tribe will have any stars to carry them during that window is a concern.

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Only silver lining is that the massive ratings will probably help their new TV contract negotiations and get them more money.

The Oi said:

Indians did a great job of contending through this window. They have made great moves building farm system and the type of FA moves they can given the small market status. I’ve been very pleased.

Fans have also shown consistent interest by turning up big tv ratings throughout the process.

Click to expand...

Still hard not to be extremely disappointed with the way this offseason went. Obviously there was an exodus of formerly very reliable players that we were never going to be able to afford, but it seems like they gave up on trying to field a competitive lineup and put all their eggs in the basket that Lindor and Jose would carry them again.

Urban said:

Still hard not to be extremely disappointed with the way this offseason went. Obviously there was an exodus of formerly very reliable players that we were never going to be able to afford, but it seems like they gave up on trying to field a competitive lineup and put all their eggs in the basket that Lindor and Jose would carry them again.

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Possible they also saw that the window had closed.

There was no beating the Astros, Yankees and Sox with what they had even before letting those guys go.

The Oi said:

Possible they also saw that the window had closed.

There was no beating the Astros, Yankees and Sox with what they had even before letting those guys go.

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Which makes sense if they were fielding offers for Kluber.

The Oi said:

Possible they also saw that the window had closed.

There was no beating the Astros, Yankees and Sox with what they had even before letting those guys go.

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I guess agree to disagree on that. The only major player we lost was Brantley. I think EE and Santana even themselves out. Miller and Allen were bad last year and the bullpen actually looks like a point of strength again. What is killing us is Ramirez went from MVP caliber production to replacement level and the rotation is missing 2 key starters.

In "another world" imagine the season ends today but the following is true: the rotation is healthy and coming off another excellent season. Ramirez and Lindor finish the season in the Top 5 of MVP voting again for the 3rd year in a row. The bullpen ranks Top 10 in most statistical categories. There is some life in the outfield because the Indians spent a bit of money in the offseason and made a move at the deadline. So while they may not be the favorites vs. the Astros, Yankees, or Red Sox, do you really see those teams as unbeatable?

MattyFos. said:

Which makes sense if they were fielding offers for Kluber.

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Fielding offers for Kluber and Bauer was always trading from a point of strength to get better elsewhere. I don't think it was ever seen as a giving up.

Urban said:

Fielding offers for Kluber and Bauer was always trading from a point of strength to get better elsewhere. I don't think it was ever seen as a giving up.

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They refused to go after team friendly 1 year big league players and instead opted for trotting out one of the worst OF's in baseball on minor league deals. If that's not giving up then I'm not sure what is.

Huber. said:

They refused to go after team friendly 1 year big league players and instead opted for trotting out one of the worst OF's in baseball. If that's not giving up then I'm not sure what is.

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We will likely never know the offers they turned down.

So not tading a x2 Cy Young winner with 3 years of control for unproven prospects = giving up? People said the exact opposite when it was announced they were shopping him, so which is it?

Huber. said:

They refused to go after team friendly 1 year big league players and instead opted for trotting out one of the worst OF's in baseball on minor league deals. If that's not giving up then I'm not sure what is.

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The Opening Day outfield in 2016 was Colin Cowgill, Rajai Davis and Marlon Byrd.

Who knew they were giving up that season, too?

AZ_ said:

The Opening Day outfield in 2016 was Colin Cowgill, Rajai Davis and Marlon Byrd.

Who knew they were giving up that season, too?

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False Equivalence.

Huber. said:

False Equivalence.

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How?

In 2016, they refused to go after team friendly 1-year big league players and instead opted for trotting out one of the worst OF's in baseball on minor league deals.

If that's not giving up, I don't know what is.

Huber. said:

False Equivalence.

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The Oi said:

Possible they also saw that the window had closed.

There was no beating the Astros, Yankees and Sox with what they had even before letting those guys go.

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We had a worse team in 16, yet we made it to the World Series, we still have the talent and ability to get there. We are also a second half team so I think we will do well then once we get Clev back, and go get some veterans in a trade. I actually wouldn't be surprised if we can net Adam Eaton and EE in a couple trades to bolster this lineup.

A lineup of Lindor, Eaton, Santana, EE, Ramirez... then likely Kipnis, Naquin/Luplow, Martin, Perez/Plawecki.

looks like a good first 5 and if that takes up all the extra money so be it, since we can cut both Eaton and EE if we wish to for next season. I think we can turn it around with the right moves especially since we still haven't seen the full potential of our starting staff.

I think you are going to be very disappointed expecting the Indians to spend that much- in prospects or cash- with where they currently are in the standings. 13 of their next 17 games are vs. current AL playoff teams. Truly a make or break 2 weeks.