2016-2017 Indians Off-Season Thread

[BimboColesHair]

Well I just can't merit seeing Michael Martinez in the lineup again. Id rather have a 38 year old Utley.

Michael Martinez has no shot at making this team...even without Utley.

He doesn't matter in this conversation. Your focus should be on Gonzalez/Diaz...

 

[Soar]

Well I just can't merit seeing Michael Martinez in the lineup again. Id rather have a 38 year old Utley.

You won't. Erik Gonzalez is the guy that will make the roster, imo, if things stay as they are.

Utley would replace him and it would be dependent on him playing 3B.

Might also help us bring Brantley along slower too. Just have Utley play some 3B and Ramirez play LF.

But if he can't play 3B, it just doesn't work, as others have noted.

 

[sportscoach]

Well I just can't merit seeing Michael Martinez in the lineup again. Id rather have a 38 year old Utley.

I cannot say I disagree with ya there, but Utley just doesn't make sense to me to have on this roster. The only reason why we have Martinez was the fact we didn't have Brantley healthy and Francona likes the guy.

Michael Martinez has no shot at making this team...even without Utley.

He doesn't matter in this conversation. Your focus should be on Gonzalez/Diaz...

If Gonzalez has a major injury we will see Martinez again sadly. Whether you like it or not, he will be on the roster. Now we may make a move for another utility guy at the trade deadline, but right now we will not see Martinez luckily. He isn't a horrible player, but I don't trust his bat at all.

 

[BimboColesHair]

Just spitballing here on why they are probably intrigued...

Days Lindor needs a rest:

1B EE, 2B Kipnis, SS Ramirez, 3B Utley

Days Brantley needs a rest:

1B EE, 2B Kipnis, SS Lindor, 3B Utley, LF Ramirez

Days Kipnis needs a rest:

1B EE, 2B Utley, SS Lindor, 3B Ramirez

This is where Ramirez and his defensive flexibility makes a weird fit work, since he can act as the utility player instead of Utley, even though he is firmly entrenched as an every day guy for us right now.

It also fits into what Heyman said earlier in the offseason...that the Indians could target a 3B because they like Ramirez and his ability to move to a bunch of different positions.

Guess the real question is, does Utley want to go somewhere where he can play a lot of 2B and probably get paid a bit more, which there are still a few openings available, albeit on lesser teams...or does he want one more crack at another ring at age 38 while playing a lesser role for less money?

 

[sportscoach]

Just spitballing here on why they are probably intrigued...

Days Lindor needs a rest:

1B EE, 2B Kipnis, SS Ramirez, 3B Utley

Days Brantley needs a rest:

1B EE, 2B Kipnis, SS Lindor, 3B Utley, LF Ramirez

Days Kipnis needs a rest:

1B EE, 2B Utley, SS Lindor, 3B Ramirez

This is where Ramirez and his defensive flexibility makes a weird fit work, since he can act as the utility player instead of Utley, even though he is firmly entrenched as an every day guy for us right now.

It also fits into what Heyman said earlier in the offseason...that the Indians could target a 3B because they like Ramirez and his ability to move to a bunch of different positions.

Guess the real question is, does Utley want to go somewhere where he can play a lot of 2B and probably get paid a bit more, which there are still a few openings available, albeit on lesser teams...or does he want one more crack at another ring at age 38 while playing a lesser role for less money?

Now it looks like to me, from looking at Utley's info, he has been playing 1st and 3rd while playing second as well. So with that being said he could be actually pretty useful for that since we need a guy who can be solid defensively at 1st.

Now my issue is I cannot merit having Utley on the team over Gonzalez since we would have to release him because I am pretty sure he is out of options. Do you think we can merit sending down Almonte and having Guyer as the backup CF and platoon in CF with Naquin? It would make Gonzalez our back up RF. Would you guys be okay with this setup?

So our depth chart would be
LF Brantley, Ramirez, Guyer (Gonzalez)
CF Naquin, Guyer, Brantley
RF Chisenhall, Gonzalez, Guyer (Ramirez/Brantley)
3B Ramirez, Gonzalez, Utley (Chisenhall)
SS Lindor, Gonzalez, Ramirez
2B Kipnis, Utley, Gonzalez (Ramirez)
1B Santana, EE, Utley (Gomes)
C Gomes, Perez (Santana)
(Means can play but likely won't)

What do you guys think of something like that? We could run a full RH hitting lineup against a Lefty starting pitcher, and have some solid pinch hitters at all times lol

 

[BimboColesHair]

Now it looks like to me, from looking at Utley's info, he has been playing 1st and 3rd while playing second as well. So with that being said he could be actually pretty useful for that since we need a guy who can be solid defensively at 1st.

Now my issue is I cannot merit having Utley on the team over Gonzalez since we would have to release him because I am pretty sure he is out of options. Do you think we can merit sending down Almonte and having Guyer as the backup CF and platoon in CF with Naquin? It would make Gonzalez our back up RF. Would you guys be okay with this setup?

Erik Gonzalez has 1 option remaining.

Right now, as constructed, the bench is Perez, Guyer, Gonzalez, whoever wins out between Almonte and Austin Jackson. 0% chance they don't head into the season with 5 OFs.

 

[sportscoach]

Erik Gonzalez has 1 option remaining.

Right now, as constructed, the bench is Perez, Guyer, Gonzalez, whoever wins out between Almonte and Austin Jackson. 0% chance they don't head into the season with 5 OFs.

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/64071502/

Gonzalez cannot have an option left unless they found a loophole in the system, he has been optioned three times since he was added to the 40 man roster before the 2014 season, making him being optioned in 14, 15 and 16, just like Adams and Aguilar were. He was drafted/signed in 2009 so he doesn't fit in the within a certain amount of years like Crockett did. So if somehow he has an option left I want to see a legit source because he was never on the 60 day DL nor had an except to have an addition year. So he either makes the roster via the official rules for options or he will have to be released.

Either way we would have to go to 4 OFs if we want to sign Utley, and have Ramirez and Gonzalez play the corner OF spots.

 

[BimboColesHair]

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/64071502/

Gonzalez cannot have an option left unless they found a loophole in the system, he has been optioned three times since he was added to the 40 man roster before the 2014 season, making him being optioned in 14, 15 and 16, just like Adams and Aguilar were. He was drafted/signed in 2009 so he doesn't fit in the within a certain amount of years like Crockett did. So if somehow he has an option left I want to see a legit source because he was never on the 60 day DL nor had an except to have an addition year. So he either makes the roster via the official rules for options or he will have to be released.

Either way we would have to go to 4 OFs if we want to sign Utley, and have Ramirez and Gonzalez play the corner OF spots.

We've done this before...I've given you the source, and you still won't believe it...so here it is again.

http://www.rosterresource.com/mlb-cleveland-indians/

Notice the 1 in the column next to his name labeled options...this source has yet to fail me, so why should I stop believing it now...

And if Utley is signed, Gonzalez is in AAA...again, there is no way they don't have 5 OFs on roster to open the season.

 

[sportscoach]

We've done this before...I've given you the source, and you still won't believe it...so here it is again.

http://www.rosterresource.com/mlb-cleveland-indians/

Notice the 1 in the column next to his name labeled options...this source has yet to fail me, so why should I stop believing it now...

And if Utley is signed, Gonzalez is in AAA...again, there is no way they don't have 5 OFs on roster to open the season.

I know that source isn't right, plain and simple. I will admit when I am wrong and I don't get how Gonzalez, who was optioned three times, 14, 15 and in 2016 would have an option. Do you have another source that shows option years, cause if he has one, I want an explanation why because at the moment if he had an option left what loophole did the Indians use?

http://www.scout.com/mlb/indians/story/1602617-indians-remaining-options-chart-for-2016

They have Erik Gonzalez only having one option left just like Adams and Aguilar and that was before last seasons start. Adams and Aguilar would have one option left if Gonzalez did. Unless you can tell me how he got a fourth option?

 

[BimboColesHair]

I know that source isn't right, plain and simple. I will admit when I am wrong and I don't get how Gonzalez, who was optioned three times, 14, 15 and in 2016 would have an option. Do you have another source that shows option years, cause if he has one, I want an explanation why because at the moment if he had an option left what loophole did the Indians use?

View: https://twitter.com/MLBastian/status/806280921724940293


Good enough, or are we going to have to go through this again next month?

 

[sportscoach]

View: https://twitter.com/MLBastian/status/806280921724940293


Good enough?

Yupp! That's what I needed to see since he would be out of options via normal rules. Now we have a lot more options as well getting him another season and makes a signing of Utley possible. Also you never posted that last time to prove it

Now do we give Utley a major league contract with incentives or try to get him on a minor league on? Would you rather have Gonzalez or Utley on the roster if we keep 5 OFs?

 

[BimboColesHair]

Yupp! That's what I needed to see since he would be out of options via normal rules. Now we have a lot more options as well getting him another season and makes a signing of Utley possible.

Now do we give Utley a major league contract with incentives or try to get him on a minor league on? Would you rather have Gonzalez or Utley on the roster if we keep 5 OFs?

If Utley is signed to a MLB deal here, Gonzalez is in AAA playing SS everyday. He has no bearing on the OF situation.

Still think they would be wise to move him in the first place.

 

[sportscoach]

If Utley is signed to a MLB deal here, Gonzalez is in AAA playing SS everyday. He has no bearing on the OF situation.

Still think they would be wise to move him in the first place.

I know he has no bearing, but we cannot sign Utley and keep Gonzalez on the 25 man roster if we keep 5 OFs. Honestly I do not see us getting Utley, but I am not opposed to it since I would like a veteran like Utley on the roster. I don't think though we have ever given Gonzalez a legit chance in the pros, since he has hit well at AAA the last few seasons. I wanna see him in spring training, but unless we get a guy like an Utley, Gonzalez has the spot on the roster and likely no competition for the spot.

 

[BimboColesHair]

I know he has no bearing, but we cannot sign Utley and keep Gonzalez on the 25 man roster if we keep 5 OFs. Honestly I do not see us getting Utley, but I am not opposed to it since I would like a veteran like Utley on the roster. I don't think though we have ever given Gonzalez a legit chance in the pros, since he has hit well at AAA the last few seasons. I wanna see him in spring training, but unless we get a guy like an Utley, Gonzalez has the spot on the roster and likely no competition for the spot.

Like I said..."if"...key word here.

Gonzalez is going to be blocked at his natural position for a long, long time in this organization. There are also better utility guys coming up the pipeline fairly quickly.

SS's who play good defense and can hit for some power are very valuable right now. If...if...if they bring in a vet to take over the bench IF role, like Utley, I hope they send him to AAA, let him produce and boost his value, then look to move him at the deadline for MLB help.

I think a major factor in the "intrigue" in Utley is that they'd rather have someone a bit more proven than a guy with upside in a year where they seem to be throwing every chip they have into the middle of the pot in order to win a World Series.

 

[AZ_]

Glad Bimbo was finally able to prove his credibility around here.