The 2014 Cleveland Indians

[Steve_424]

One thing to remember when discussing the bullpen/Perez is that Joe Smith will likely be elsewhere next season. He's a free agent, and someone else is likely to overpay for his services. Say you move Perez - what does the bullpen look like at that point?

Closer - Cody Allen
Setup - Vinnie Pestano
Rest of Bullpen - Bryan Shaw, Blake Wood, CC Lee, Mark Rzepczynski, Matt Langwell

Yeesh. And there's not much out there in free agency.

I think the Indians would love to move on from Perez, and that Perez would love to move on from Cleveland...I just don't see it happening just yet if the Indians are serious about contending in 2014.

 

[elcheato]

Chris Perez is not going to be the difference between contending and not.

 

[AZ_]

One thing to remember when discussing the bullpen/Perez is that Joe Smith will likely be elsewhere next season. He's a free agent, and someone else is likely to overpay for his services. Say you move Perez - what does the bullpen look like at that point?

Closer - Cody Allen
Setup - Vinnie Pestano
Rest of Bullpen - Bryan Shaw, Blake Wood, CC Lee, Mark Rzepczynski, Matt Langwell

Yeesh. And there's not much out there in free agency.

I think the Indians would love to move on from Perez, and that Perez would love to move on from Cleveland...I just don't see it happening just yet if the Indians are serious about contending in 2014.

There are ALWAYS relievers available in free agency.

 

[ajz20]

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.

You are 100 right. Swisher would be too much of a liability on a contending team in the outfield.
I also hope they can find a way to upgrade over Stubbs.
Gomes catching every day, should happen starting now. Let Santana get use to being a DH on a full time basis.

 

[AZ_]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Cuban superstar 1B Jose Abreu has left Cuba and will try to sign with an MLB team. Why this will be fascinating: <a href="http://t.co/OmzkX4k9WH">http://t.co/OmzkX4k9WH</a></p>&mdash; Ben Badler (@BenBadler) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenBadler/statuses/366783155681763328">August 12, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


This is an absolutely huge deal, will be very very interesting to see if the Indians get involved here. He would be an unbelievable fit in their lineup and addresses their biggest offensive need. Right-handed power and polished plate approach, this is exactly the type of guy Cleveland generally likes to have.

 

[ajz20]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Cuban superstar 1B Jose Abreu has left Cuba and will try to sign with an MLB team. Why this will be fascinating: <a href="http://t.co/OmzkX4k9WH">http://t.co/OmzkX4k9WH</a></p>— Ben Badler (@BenBadler) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenBadler/statuses/366783155681763328">August 12, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


This is an absolutely huge deal, will be very very interesting to see if the Indians get involved here. He would be an unbelievable fit in their lineup and addresses their biggest offensive need. Right-handed power and polished plate approach, this is exactly the type of guy Cleveland generally likes to have.

Thanks for sharing, Boobie. This is the type of move that would make the tribe a real contender next year. Any chance he would play the OF, or is he strictly 1st base?
Add Gomes every day, bring up Lindor sometime next year, and sign this guy and the every day lineup could be much more potent.
Also, can the Tribe afford this guy?

 

[DJTJ]

I would put a large amount of money on the Indians balking. Not a shot they try to spend big money.

 

[Huber.]

After this season and all the money they have lost I doubt they spend much in the offseason.

 

[The Oi]

Probably their only legitimate shot at getting a relatively young power bat that they are sorely lacking. I mean...they literally have zero of them.

How does Cuban competition compare to MLB? I'd think it's not even close, but not sure. I'm guessing right around college level pitching?

 

[Gunther]

Probably their only legitimate shot at getting a relatively young power bat that they are sorely lacking. I mean...they literally have zero of them.

How does Cuban competition compare to MLB? I'd think it's not even close, but not sure. I'm guessing right around college level pitching?

I'm no expert, but I'll make a guess: I would say an average Cuban team might be comparable to a AA team in the majors, and some of them at AAA level. The Cuban National Team is always very good in international play, and I think some even complain that the National Team is just a little too "professional" for their liking. So, I think it's reasonable to assume that someone dominating on one of the better Cuban teams would be just like a top ML prospect killing it in AAA.

 

[The Oi]

I'm no expert, but I'll make a guess: I would say an average Cuban team might be comparable to a AA team in the majors, and some of them at AAA level. The Cuban National Team is always very good in international play, and I think some even complain that the National Team is just a little too "professional" for their liking. So, I think it's reasonable to assume that someone dominating on one of the better Cuban teams would be just like a top ML prospect killing it in AAA.

If that were the case and I was the Indians, I'd do my damnedest to get him. Granted, AA is generally where the future superstars make their bones...but AAA isn't exactly filled with slouches.

 

[AZ_]

The competition in Cuba is tough to compare to the US.

I'd say it's closer to AAA, a bunch of veteran players who are good, but most of them lack the necessary skill-set to succeed at a level like MLB.

As far as Abreu goes, he's considered a superstar in Cuba. Basically MVP caliber production year-to-year at the age of 23-25.

Closest MLB comp I can think of is Miguel Cabrera. He's obviously not as polished, as Cabrera has grown into his approach and understands much more about HOW to attack pitchers.

Abreu's power to right-center reminds me so much of Cabrera, just natural raw power with very little effort in his swing. He's strictly a 1B/DH type, and his body looks much better now than it did a few years ago so I think he'll end up staying in the field and not strictly DH.


Needless to say, the spending for this guy is going to be huge. On a team-by-team basis, it becomes a bit more interesting to think about:

Dodgers - Not involved, tied to A-Gon.
Angels - Not involved, tied to Pujols/Trumbo
Phillies - Not involved, tied to Howard

The Yankees are the interesting team to watch here, as they're financially tied to Tex for the long-term. However, there is a possibility they'll free up $25 million per season after cutting ties with A-Rod when he loses his appeal this fall. That could put them in the drivers seat in terms of bidding.

The other team who will certainly be in on Abreu is the Red Sox, who lack a pure 1B and lose Mike Napoli at season's end. They'll have the money, no question IMO.

 

[bubba52782]

Hypothetically...

Say a trade goes down in the offseason for Cabrera and Adams being the main pieces. Adams as mentioned projects as a DH long term. We all want Gomes to take over as the everyday catcher as his defense has been proven to be superior to Santana. If Gomes' bat can continue to progress, there is no doubt he should be the everyday catcher. Swisher can play right field when in a pinch but his age and speed at this point project him at 1st or DH for the remainder of his contract.

So if this hypothetical trade goes down this offseason we have Adams at DH, Aviles (short term)/ Lindor (long term) at short, Swisher at first, and Santana floating aimlessly and with Stubbs (preferably a perfect fourth outfielder) in right.

What would everyone think of the idea of trading Santana for a long term power option in right field. Not sure it would work and it would probably tick off the fan base but curious as to what everyone thinks of the possibility. Also what everyone would think of the type of player we could get in return for a proven major league hitter with slightly above average power and no real position on this hypothetical 2014 team.

 

[AZ_]

Hypothetically...

Say a trade goes down in the offseason for Cabrera and Adams being the main pieces. Adams as mentioned projects as a DH long term. We all want Gomes to take over as the everyday catcher as his defense has been proven to be superior to Santana. If Gomes' bat can continue to progress, there is no doubt he should be the everyday catcher. Swisher can play right field when in a pinch but his age and speed at this point project him at 1st or DH for the remainder of his contract.

So if this hypothetical trade goes down this offseason we have Adams at DH, Aviles (short term)/ Lindor (long term) at short, Swisher at first, and Santana floating aimlessly and with Stubbs (preferably a perfect fourth outfielder) in right.

What would everyone think of the idea of trading Santana for a long term power option in right field. Not sure it would work and it would probably tick off the fan base but curious as to what everyone thinks of the possibility. Also what everyone would think of the type of player we could get in return for a proven major league hitter with slightly above average power and no real position on this hypothetical 2014 team.

I'd much rather work on Santana's defense and have him continue to be the second best offensive catcher in the AL who is passable defensively. That seems like the ideal scenario here. I like Gomes, but I highly doubt that offensive output is sustainable long-term.

 

[B Mac]

Would there be a posting auction for this guy in order for a team to get the right to sign him, or since he is coming over from Cuba is that different?

I cant see the Indians being able to top the bids of other teams AND then have enough to give him a big contract like he is surely looking to get.

Who knows, maybe they think he's the final piece to get them over the top and they'll go all in. Making the playoffs this year would definitely go a long way in providing some extra revenue for them.