2018 Spring Training Thread

[CBBI]

Let's assume Guyer, Brantley and Salazar all open the year on the DL.

Feels like you’re looking at four roster battles.

Backup INF: Gonzalez v. Urshela

Starting LF and Backup OF: Upton v. Davis v. Almonte v. Naquin v. Allen

7th pen spot: Belisle v. Merritt v. Ogando v. Torres v. Ramirez

 

[thestatman]

I think the final pen spot comes down to either Belisle, Ogando, Merritt or Claiborne. When Salazar comes off the DL, there will be a problem. This team has an absolutely loaded pitching staff and should have 4 starters make the All Star team. Nobody s going to think 2 seconds now that Brian Shaw is gone.

Been following the tribe since 1960 and this is far and away the best staff ever assembled. They could have 4 20 game winners matching the Orioles incredible feat of 1970.

 

[AZ_]

They won’t have four 20 game winners.

 

[thestatman]

Don't want Davis or Upton on this team. If Brantley is not ready, then keep Naquin or Allen. No need to keep washed up veterans.

 

[thestatman]

They won’t have four 20 game winners.

I didn't say they would, I said they could. They will have 4 All star starters if healthy.

 

[AZ_]

I didn't say they would, I said they could. They will have 4 All star starters if healthy.

Oh, well in that case...

Still nope.

 

[thestatman]

Still a ways to go, but so far Urshella is outhitting Gonzalez. Tito says batting average doesn't matter. Tito can be a clown sometimes.

I'm actually pulling for Gonzo....don't want Gio on the team. But if he earns it, he earns it. The guy with the best numbers should win the job. That's how it should work.

 

[thestatman]

Oh, well in that case...

Still nope.

What a bold retort. It's only been done twice in the history of baseball.

 

[JDailey23]

I didn't say they would, I said they could. They will have 4 All star starters if healthy.

2 if we’re lucky. Hell, 1 if we’re lucky to be honest.

 

[thestatman]

Early returns show I was wrong on Kipnis. Wanted to dump his salary to free up money. Maybe Kip will make the All Star team for the third time. Imagine that. 3 or 4 All Star infielders and that does not include EE.

 

[thestatman]

2 if we’re lucky. Hell, 1 if we’re lucky to be honest.

Oh I agree. My suggestion is a long shot given the nature of baseball today. I get a little testy when the national pundits slobbernob over the Yankee staff. They have nothing close to what the tribe has. Not sure if Sonny Gray would even make this team.

 

[AZ_]

He would. Easily.

 

[Urban]

Interesting excerpt from Meisel's recently column:

Clevinger thrived — as many pitchers would — when dealing from ahead in the count last season, and his numbers suffered when he fell behind. That isn’t rocket science, but the stark contrast in his splits speaks to how pivotal it is for Clevinger to throw strikes.

A reminder:

Clevinger, when ahead in the count last year: .370 opponent OPS
Clevinger, with an even count last year: .399 opponent OPS
Clevinger, when behind in the count last year: 1.193 opponent OPS

Clevinger believes he’s in a better position to identify his mechanical slip-ups because of his offseason training, which focused on posture and body awareness.

 

[JDailey23]

Oh I agree. My suggestion is a long shot given the nature of baseball today. I get a little testy when the national pundits slobbernob over the Yankee staff. They have nothing close to what the tribe has. Not sure if Sonny Gray would even make this team.

That’s funny

 

[Stark]

Sonny Gray would easily make this team.

Kluber
Carracco
Gray
Bauer
Clevinger

That would be a fun rotation.