2017-18 Cleveland Indians Offseason

[Hurl Bruce]

View: https://twitter.com/cavs/status/922976404446351360

 

[Kevalier]

One player who is expected to be involved in plenty of rumors this offseason is Marcell Ozuna, who is coming off of a career year. He has two more years of arbitration will probably be shopped at a high price by Jeter and Company in Miami. Depending on how the Brantley situation shakes out, Ozuna could be a target of the Tribe’s front office. However, it would probably require a couple of their top prospects, which would likely cause the Tribe to balk. A name worth keeping an eye on though.

 

[macbdog]

Who is the guy sitting with Tito?

Also, how much differently would the Tribe's postseason have gone if they had signed Justin Turner instead of Edwin Encarnacion? Turner looking like a fantastic resign for the Dodgers and has been huge in the playoffs. Also two years younger than Edwin, who hits 35 in the offseason with a bad wheel now.

 

[sportscoach]

One player who is expected to be involved in plenty of rumors this offseason is Marcell Ozuna, who is coming off of a career year. He has two more years of arbitration will probably be shopped at a high price by Jeter and Company in Miami. Depending on how the Brantley situation shakes out, Ozuna could be a target of the Tribe’s front office. However, it would probably require a couple of their top prospects, which would likely cause the Tribe to balk. A name worth keeping an eye on though.

The question is who do we have to give up for Ozuna? With his stat line, he will demand top dollar overall and thats something I am not sure the Indians are willing to do. With an overall war of 5.8 last season and some years of control, he will demand a lot in a trade. I am not sure if we are willing to give up Kenzie, Mejia, Morimando, Beiber/Merryweather for him (if not more for him).

 

[Steve_424]

Who is the guy sitting with Tito?

Also, how much differently would the Tribe's postseason have gone if they had signed Justin Turner instead of Edwin Encarnacion? Turner looking like a fantastic resign for the Dodgers and has been huge in the playoffs. Also two years younger than Edwin, who hits 35 in the offseason with a bad wheel now.

I'm not sure it's fair to say that. Edwin had a freak injury early in Game 2 and clearly wasn't himself/at 100% when he returned. In the regular season Edwin's .881 OPS was 2nd best on the Indians (behind Ramirez) and within the top 30 in baseball. His injury should be a non-factor heading into 2018. It was a good signing last winter and remains a good signing moving forward.

 

[Steve_424]

I'd have interest in Jarrod Dyson as a platoon option. You can't use him much against LHP, but he holds his own against righties and could be used in a platoon similar to the way the club used Rajai in 2016.

I know I've mentioned this before, but I'm also wondering if it's possible the Indians-Blue Jays talk. Donaldson would be an ideal fit for the lineup and at 3B, and the Jays, looking more like a rebuilding team, might be willing to deal him.

 

[sportscoach]

I'd have interest in Jarrod Dyson as a platoon option. You can't use him much against LHP, but he holds his own against righties and could be used in a platoon similar to the way the club used Rajai in 2016.

I know I've mentioned this before, but I'm also wondering if it's possible the Indians-Blue Jays talk. Donaldson would be an ideal fit for the lineup and at 3B, and the Jays, looking more like a rebuilding team, might be willing to deal him.

3B is actually not a position of need on this roster. If we go out and rent Donaldson who are we giving up? He is under team control for one more season so it be very hard to give up a top prospect for someone we are renting and not resigning. There’s good probability he will get traded but I think the price may be a bit high for the Indians since he will be a rental that’s 18mil at least for next season. He is due more in theory than we could pay Santana for the QO (which I think he actually may take to stay here one more season)

 

[3 Ball...GOT IT]

Indians have until this coming Monday to extend any qualifying offer. Bruce or Santana the possible candidates

 

[Stark]

Definitely have to hit up Santana with that QO.

 

[sportscoach]

Indians have until this coming Monday to extend any qualifying offer. Bruce or Santana the possible candidates

Bruce is not a QO candidate because of the trade, so it would only be Santana honestly.

 

[Steve_424]

3B is actually not a position of need on this roster. If we go out and rent Donaldson who are we giving up? He is under team control for one more season so it be very hard to give up a top prospect for someone we are renting and not resigning. There’s good probability he will get traded but I think the price may be a bit high for the Indians since he will be a rental that’s 18mil at least for next season. He is due more in theory than we could pay Santana for the QO (which I think he actually may take to stay here one more season)

I'm not sure I agree that it couldn't be considered a need. Assuming the reports are true that Ramirez told the Indians he wants to play 2B, your current options are:

Yandy Diaz
Giovanny Urshela
Erik Gonzalez
Jason Kipnis
Francisco Mejia

I'm not sure Urshela and Gonzalez are more than utility/bench options. Kipnis has never played there. Mejia just started playing there and, despite his September callup, needs more seasoning in general. I like Yandy, but not enough where Josh Donaldson wouldn't intrigue me. I'm less worried about the cost of his contract (you could salary-dump Kipnis to offset it) than I am the prospects...I'm not sure what Toronto would ask for. But man, if you make that deal, pick up Brantley's option, and retain Santana:

S-SS-Lindor
R-3B-Donaldson
S-2B-Ramirez
R-DH-Encarnacion
L-LF-Brantley
S-1B-Santana
R-RF-Chisenhall
R-C-Gomes/Perez
L-CF-Zimmer

 

[sportscoach]

I'm not sure I agree that it couldn't be considered a need. Assuming the reports are true that Ramirez told the Indians he wants to play 2B, your current options are:

Yandy Diaz
Giovanny Urshela
Erik Gonzalez
Jason Kipnis
Francisco Mejia

I'm not sure Urshela and Gonzalez are more than utility/bench options. Kipnis has never played there. Mejia just started playing there and, despite his September callup, needs more seasoning in general. I like Yandy, but not enough where Josh Donaldson wouldn't intrigue me. I'm less worried about the cost of his contract (you could salary-dump Kipnis to offset it) than I am the prospects...I'm not sure what Toronto would ask for. But man, if you make that deal, pick up Brantley's option, and retain Santana:

S-SS-Lindor
R-3B-Donaldson
S-2B-Ramirez
R-DH-Encarnacion
L-LF-Brantley
S-1B-Santana
R-RF-Chisenhall
R-C-Gomes/Perez
L-CF-Zimmer

Don’t get me wrong I would like Donaldson, but I think the price will be too steep via trade and contract wise at the same time. I am not opposed to him at all, just not sure if he’s in our price range with both categories. Diaz and Urshela split time at 3rd with our win streak and Diaz batted over .300 after the call up. I think he will be stronger in 18 and I feel he deserves the chance to earn it.

The question is what do we do with Kipnis? His value will be down this offseason even with a fairly reasonable contract.

 

[Steve_424]

Don’t get me wrong I would like Donaldson, but I think the price will be too steep via trade and contract wise at the same time. I am not opposed to him at all, just not sure if he’s in our price range with both categories. Diaz and Urshela split time at 3rd with our win streak and Diaz batted over .300 after the call up. I think he will be stronger in 18 and I feel he deserves the chance to earn it.

The question is what do we do with Kipnis? His value will be down this offseason even with a fairly reasonable contract.

Kipnis is still a really good player when healthy. I just don't see a spot for him if Jose won't play 3B. His bat would fit in LF or RF but his arm would kill us.

 

[sportscoach]

Kipnis is still a really good player when healthy. I just don't see a spot for him if Jose won't play 3B. His bat would fit in LF or RF but his arm would kill us.

That’s the biggest question mark, is how to fit him in somewhere if we decide to keep him.

 

[chuck0609]

Who is the guy sitting with Tito?

Also, how much differently would the Tribe's postseason have gone if they had signed Justin Turner instead of Edwin Encarnacion? Turner looking like a fantastic resign for the Dodgers and has been huge in the playoffs. Also two years younger than Edwin, who hits 35 in the offseason with a bad wheel now.

the dude sprained his ankle on a freak play, and now has a bad wheel? WTF?
Youre assuming Turner would have put up EE numbers in CLE too. Way to much speculation and unwarranted criticism for a guy who was excellent for the tribe this year and is under contract for two more years.