The 2014 Cleveland Indians

[bushwick_bill]

Three things I feel pretty strongly about:

1. Chris Perez will not be on the team next season. I think the Indians FO are beginning to see him as a cancer and they certainly will not want to pay him in the $8-10M range next season, which is likely what it will cost to avoid arb. Definate off-season trade bait.

2. Carlos Carasco should be in the starting rotation. Unless the Indians are able to trade up in the off-season, I strongly believe he will have a good season being two years removed from TJ surgery.

3. Ubaldo should be gone as a FA, probably on his own choosing, but I think it will be a unanimous decision on that Mutual Option.

I like our young core and I hope they try to find one more bat to fill the power void. Frankly, our high-end players have not performed to expectations this season (Swisher, Droobs, and Bourn top the list IMO). It is unlikely that we see Lindor before the end of next season, and maybe not even then, so if they keep Droobs I would understand why, but I would be willing to trade him for anything that helps out.

I would be shocked a team giving up something of value for a reliever that is making, 9-10 million like Perez is set to make. He is on this team until the trade deadline...

 

[AZ_]

I have no problem believing this team wants to free up money by unloading Perez, the question simply becomes "who would take him" and give them realistic value?

 

[Stark]

I'd like to upgrade right field. Stubbs is a solid ballplayer, but I just think he should be a fourth outfielder.

 

[Steve_424]

I am going to predict something gets done centered around Cabrera/Adams. Here's how I think 2014's team will look:

L-CF-Michael Bourn
S-RF-Nick Swisher
L-2B-Jason Kipnis
S-1B-Carlos Santana
L-DH-Matt Adams
L-LF-Michael Brantley
R-C-Yan Gomes
R-SS-Mike Aviles
L-3B-Lonnie Chisenhall

BN-Ryan Raburn
BN-Drew Stubbs
BN-Free Agent
BN-Free Agent

SP-Justin Masterson
SP-Corey Kluber
SP-Zack McCallister
SP-Danny Salazar
SP-Carlos Carrasco

Closer-Chris Perez
Setup-Vinnie Pestano (I think an offseason to regroup will do him well)
7th-Cody Allen
Others-Bryan Shaw, CC Lee, Marc Rzepczynski, Free Agent

 

[Gunther]

Not saying I disagree, but who is going to close?

Also, I'd argue that Bourn has provided close to what is to be expected. His 2013 numbers project to be pretty similar to his 2012 when you factor in the time he missed with his hand injury (he played 155 games for Atlanta last season).

My quick answer is Vinny Pestano, asuming he is not injured and is pitching healthy. Otherwise, I'm not sure. But I don't feel the Indians are anxious to retain Perez's services at the price he will be getting.

Quick note from Paul Hoynes Hey Hoynsie today:

Hey, Hoynsie: Given the trials and tribulations of Chris Perez this season, what do you think the chances are that the Indians would sign him as their closer again for next year? -- Joseph Ladd, Cleveland.

Hey, Joe: The Indians have Perez under control for one more year, but I have a strong feeling he'll be pitching elsewhere in 2014, much to the relief of all involved.

LINK

Regarding Bourn, I agree that other than his stolen base numbers, he's been pretty consistant to years past. And I like him as a player. But next season his salary rises from $7M to $13.5M, or roughly the difference of Brett Myers' salary this season. I'll expect more next year, especially in the stolen base department.

 

[Stark]

I am going to predict something gets done centered around Cabrera/Adams. Here's how I think 2014's team will look:

L-CF-Michael Bourn
S-RF-Nick Swisher
L-2B-Jason Kipnis
S-1B-Carlos Santana
L-DH-Matt Adams
L-LF-Michael Brantley
R-C-Yan Gomes
R-SS-Mike Aviles
L-3B-Lonnie Chisenhall

BN-Ryan Raburn
BN-Drew Stubbs
BN-Free Agent
BN-Free Agent

SP-Justin Masterson
SP-Corey Kluber
SP-Zack McCallister
SP-Danny Salazar
SP-Carlos Carrasco

Closer-Chris Perez
Setup-Vinnie Pestano (I think an offseason to regroup will do him well)
7th-Cody Allen
Others-Bryan Shaw, CC Lee, Marc Rzepczynski, Free Agent

Hate to pick just one little thing out but Swisher is going to be 34 next year and his outfield play has been unspectacular this year. I think he should be a strict 1B/DH next year if possible.

 

[AZ_]

Cody Allen is most likely to take over the closers role in the absence of Perez, IMO.

I think it's obvious the organization is very high on him and has given him the opportunity this season when Perez is unavailable.

 

[Gunther]

Cody Allen is most likely to take over the closers role in the absence of Perez, IMO.

I think it's obvious the organization is very high on him and has given him the opportunity this season when Perez is unavailable.

I almost said this, but wasn't sure where he stood with the FO from a youth/experience standpoint. I could see him as an 8th inning setup guy to Vinnie, if Vinnie is healthy. But, hey, if he's ready to take over, all the better.

 

[MoFlo]

People who pretend to know the demeanor of the locker room, calling people a cancer based on the fact you're mad that he's slumping terribly. Cracks me up.

Needless to say, I don't think anyone respects the notion that you have a finger on the pulse of the team.


He is fat though, so there's that.

I don't think he's a cancer, but on the flip side, if they sent Pestano down, then it's obvious they feel the clubhouse is strong enough to overcome any popular guy not being there.

He really has nothing positive going for him right now.

 

[RealKingofCleve]

I am going to predict something gets done centered around Cabrera/Adams. Here's how I think 2014's team will look:

L-CF-Michael Bourn
S-RF-Nick Swisher
L-2B-Jason Kipnis
S-1B-Carlos Santana
L-DH-Matt Adams
L-LF-Michael Brantley
R-C-Yan Gomes
R-SS-Mike Aviles
L-3B-Lonnie Chisenhall

BN-Ryan Raburn
BN-Drew Stubbs
BN-Free Agent
BN-Free Agent

SP-Justin Masterson
SP-Corey Kluber
SP-Zack McCallister
SP-Danny Salazar
SP-Carlos Carrasco

Closer-Chris Perez
Setup-Vinnie Pestano (I think an offseason to regroup will do him well)
7th-Cody Allen
Others-Bryan Shaw, CC Lee, Marc Rzepczynski, Free Agent

I don't think Lonnie is the answer at 3rd base. I think it could be a realistic option to move Cabrera to third and sign a solid veteran DH.

 

[AZ_]

I don't think Lonnie is the answer at 3rd base. I think it could be a realistic option to move Cabrera to third and sign a solid veteran DH.

They aren't going to give up on him at 24, more likely that will be a move they make next season if he continues to struggle and Lindor is closer to the bigs.

 

[RealKingofCleve]

They aren't going to give up on him at 24, more likely that will be a move they make next season if he continues to struggle and Lindor is closer to the bigs.

They aren't going to play him full time. He can't hit lefties at all. I don't think Lonnie has even shown glimpses he can be an everyday player. The best they can hope for is a platoon player.

 

[AZ_]

They aren't going to play him full time. He can't hit lefties at all. I don't think Lonnie has even shown glimpses he can be an everyday player. The best they can hope for is a platoon player.

Many don't at his age.

A .741 OPS at the age of 23 in the big leagues is a decent glimpse.

Young kids take time, he might not be the answer but they'd be idiots to give up on him.

 

[RealKingofCleve]

Many don't at his age.

A .741 OPS at the age of 23 in the big leagues is a decent glimpse.

Young kids take time, he might not be the answer but they'd be idiots to give up on him.

What is his OPS against lefties?

 

[AZ_]

What is his OPS against lefties?

.601 career

If they have to platoon him, so be it. That's the benefit of having a guy like Mike Aviles under contract.