Tag: indians

2021 Tribe Roster Version Two: Spring Training

On By Chris ElliottIn baseballLeave a comment

Camp is starting and the Indians actually signed a few new faces who will surely make the opening day roster. The whole country is going through a snow storm so it seems like a good time to update my roster prediction. Hopefully, this brings some hope for warmer weather soon.

I’m making a switch here. My first four is staying steady but I’m switching Plutko for Quantrill. It sounds like the tribe love him and he wants to start. I think he snags that 5th spot.

  1. Shane Bieber
  2. Zach Plesac
  3. Aaron Civale
  4. Triston McKenzie
  5. Cal Quantril

In the bullpen I’ll go with 8 arms. The Indians signed a bunch of veterans with camp invites. At least one will make the roster. Hembree is my pick. I think the tribe will help him bounce back and Carl Willis is familiar with him. I am keeping Gose and subbing out Cam Hill here. Plutko moves to the pen from the rotation too. Scott Moss, Logan Allen, and Kyle Nelson all have good shots at making this pen too. Please no Bryan Shaw.

  1. Emmanuel Clase
  2. James Karinchak
  3. Nick Wittgren
  4. Adam Plutko
  5. Phil Maton
  6. Anthony Gose
  7. Trevor Stephan
  8. Heath Hembree

The strength of this team: Catchers. No change here.

  1. Roberto Perez
  2. Austin Hedges

This next section has a lot of questions and I am making some changes here. A lot of guys here can play many positions which should give them roster flexibility. I am dropping Andres Gimenez. They are going to manipulate that service time. Obviously Rosario (Eddie) and Cesar Hernandez will now make the team. I also originally had Bobby Bradley and Bradley Zimmer on this team. I have changed my mind there. I think Jake Bauers will be kept up because he is out of options and can play some outfield. I also think Ben Gamel will make this roster. Lastly, as much as I don’t want him starting in AAA, I think Daniel Johnson will end up there. If Gamel, Luplow, or Bauers does not hit well quickly, expect DJ to get the quick call up. If Billy Hamilton makes it, then Tito is just trying to recreate the Austin Jackson/Rajai Davis magic that just isn’t there.

  1. Jose Ramirez
  2. Ahmed Rosario
  3. Cesar Hernandez
  4. Eddie Rosario
  5. Yu Chang
  6. Josh Naylor
  7. Franmil Reyes
  8. Oscar Mercado
  9. Ben Gamel
  10. Jordan Luplow
  11. Jake Bauers

2021 Tribe Roster Prediction

On By Chris ElliottIn baseballLeave a comment

It’s January, Cleveland pretty much does not see sun for months, and the Indians finally traded away their generational star talent at Shortstop and I have had time to process that loss. I feel like its a great time for an early 2021 Indians Roster Prediction.

There is still so much uncertainty with baseball for next year but I am going to operate under the assumption that there will a full season and they will play with a 26 man roster. The cloud of Lindor’s impending trade finally cleared and with his departure he took Carlos Carrasco with him. The payroll is just above the minimum possible level. There are a lot of names people are not super familiar with on this roster, but there is still some talent, especially in the rotation. Let’s get into it.

Let’s start with easiest piece, Starting Pitching. The Indians will live and die with the rotation. These guys are studs up and down the rotation except for maybe Plutko. The other options here are Cal Quantril, Scott Moss, & Logan Allen.

  1. Shane Bieber
  2. Zach Plesac
  3. Aaron Civale
  4. Triston McKenzie
  5. Adam Plutko

Next up, the Bullpen. Tito loves arms. I will carry 8 here, but I could easily see 7. Gose is my surprise pick here. If he can get his control in order, he could be electric. Scott Moss, Logan Allen, and Kyle Nelson all have good shots at making this pen too.

  1. Emmanuel Clase
  2. James Karinchak
  3. Nick Wittgren
  4. Cal Quantril
  5. Phil Maton
  6. Anthony Gose
  7. Trevor Stephan
  8. Can Hill

Another strength of this team: Catchers.

  1. Roberto Perez
  2. Austin Hedges

This next section has a lot of questions. They have a potential MVP candidate but also lost the franchise player here. Who plays first base is unknown. Additionally, I could see Tito carrying one less guy in the field here and having another pitcher up. A lot of guys here can play many positions which should give them roster flexibility. Do not be surprised if Jake Bauers somehow finds his way on this roster as he is out of options. Nolan Jones will be up once as the service time manipulation is done too.

  1. Jose Ramirez
  2. Ahmed Rosario
  3. Andres Gimenez
  4. Yu Chang
  5. Bobbie Bradley
  6. Josh Naylor
  7. Franmil Reyes
  8. Oscar Mercado
  9. Daniel Johnson
  10. Jordan Luplow
  11. Bradley Zimmer

I love Boston (despite Tom Brady)

On By Chris ElliottIn Alcohol, baseball, Brewery, Football, History, Restaurants, Trips, vacationsLeave a comment

As I sit here on the stationary bike, trying to burn off the 7.3 lbs I gained this weekend and sweat out my disappointment that tribe playoff baseball doesn’t exist this year, it is a challenge to describe how awesome Boston is. Cleveland will always have my heart but Boston has so much to offer. Easy to get around, clean, a lot to do no matter your interest. It’s New York without all the terrible aspects of New York. Only downside is they allow Tom Brady to live there.

Now, I have been to Boston before but this time I visited a bunch of new places and walked the whole freedom trail. Drinking a beer in the Green Dragon Tavern evokes a sensation knowing that some of the most important decisions and conversations in American history were had there.

And have I mentioned that Boston has such good beer. I’ve wanted to go to Trillium for years and finally made it. The variety of sours they have is splendid. The Sour Cherry Soak was my favorite there. Just around the corner from there was Hopsters. Another cool Boston brewery right in Seaport.

My favorite beer of the trip though was a can I had at Bell in Hand Tavern. Another revolutionary era bar. The 617 Title Town Hazy IPA from Lord Hobo Brewing Co. was so delicious. Perfect New England style IPA. I just wish it had a different name in stead of honoring all those damn championships. Have I mentioned I hate Tom Brady?

On the last day, we also visited the Fenway area. Boston Beerworks has a good IPA as well and the area was full of energy as the Pats played and the last Red Sox game of the year was about to start. To finish her off we grabbed food and drinks in the Bleacher Bar. This is a bar like no other as it’s located under the stadium and literally looks out to the field. During warmups the players can look right into the bar in outfield. I can only imagine a guy like Manny Ramirez slamming a beer out there. It’s an experience like no other and Boston is a town like no other (despite Tom Brady).

Look out Twins, the Tribe Have Turned it Around!!

On By Chris ElliottIn baseballLeave a comment

Things were looking ugly for the Tribe there. While things aren’t perfect yet, the last month or so makes it seem like this team is primed for a run.  However, to sneak into the playoffs the Cleveland Indians still need to make some adjustments.

First, please do not trade Trevor Bauer. Dude is a workhorse despite his weird tendencies. We need him on this roster without knowing what Kluber and Cookie can provide the rest of the way.

Next, we need another shutdown reliever. I like Brad Hand, but he makes me more nervous than a middle school boy at his first dance. It seems like every time he gets up there he lets base runners on. Maybe he just likes extra pressure (stop it Brad). We never seem to have a 3 up, 3 down inning with him. Some of this help may be on its way in the form of Danny Salazar. If he comes up and is the electric arm he can be, great! Regardless, I want them to go get someone. One more guy such as Kirby Yates or Shane Greene would be ideal but knowing the tribe it would probably be a slightly lesser known player.

Next, we need one more bat on this team. This is a young team in many spots and while guys are starting to get it together, I would really like to see us add some power somewhere. There have been a lot of names thrown out there from Charlie Blackmon (not happening) to Adam Jones to Domingo Santana. Regardless, of the decision one more bat could push this team over the edge.

With the deadline coming up, the Indians are in the perfect position to be buyers after all year looking like sellers. Let’s enjoy it while we can, right Dolan?

Chief Wahoo’s 2019 Roster

On By Chris ElliottIn baseballLeave a comment

I’m going to refer to the Cleveland Indians as the Wahoos as much as possible this year to honor the greatest mascot there ever was. Long live the Chief.

Spring training is here and the Wahoos have as many people in camp as mainland China has residents. It feels like every player who was without a contract that has seen MLB service time in the last decade got a minor league deal with an invite to camp from the Wahoos. I have heard Roger Clemens still has some life on his fastball. The front office should check to see if he wants to give it another go.

Trying to figure out who will make this team out of camp is pretty crazy. Lindor’s injury added another twist to it, but for this I’m going to assume he makes it out of camp healthy because even if he does not, it won’t be long before he is back.

One thing for certain is the rotation is set.

1. Kluber

2. Carrasco

3. Bauer

4. Clevinger

5. Bieber

The infield will consist of Roberto Perez, Carlos Santana, Jason Kipnis, Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez. That’s ten spots gone right off the bat. Then we get Brad Hand as our closer. You’ll probably see the Indians carry 7-8 relief pitchers. My guess is Dan Otero, Nick Goody, Adam Cimber and Oliver Perez all make it. I think Nick Wittgren makes it as does Tyler Clippard. Giving us 7 relief pitchers. I know I am righty heavy but this team needs lots of bat diversity. The extra spot is needed in the outfield.

8 spots to go and we still need an outfield. Really we need an outfield. Anyone else want a camp invite from the Wahoos? Well how about that backup catcher spot first. I think that goes to Kevin Plawecki. Sorry to Haase and Navarro. 7 spots.

Leonys Martin, Tyler Naquin, Jordan Luplow, Greg Allen, Jake Bauers and Matt Joyce. It’s a lot of outfield bats but Bauers can play first as well. Leaving one utility infield spot. This will be Ryan Flaherty. The veteran beats out the young Max Moroff. There you go. The opening day Cleveland Indians. No way Hanley Ramirez’s fat ass makes this team.

Farewell Erik Gonzalez: Tribe Trade Update

On By Chris ElliottIn baseballLeave a comment

The tribe traded Erik Gonzalez yesterday. Gonzalez has been a pretty good utility infielder the last couple years. He has shown potential with the bat, a good glove at multiple positions and the ability to swipe some bases. All in all, he has been a solid backup for the tribe. Side note, Erik Gonzalez looks like he has not eaten in 3-5 weeks. One of the skinniest human beings I have ever seen play a professional sport. Get that kid a sandwich.

Yesterday, the Indians sent him off to Pittsburgh along with two minor leaguers that struggle in Rookie Ball. Both those guys will be selling insurance or laying bricks in two years. No loss there. (Watch, one of them will become a stud and this post will come back to bite me in the ass. Oh well)

In exchange for this, the tribe got outfielder Jordan Luplow and infielder Max Moroff. I’m not going to pretend I know a great deal about either of these guys. Both are probably backups at best (though it does seem Luplow is believed to have some legit starter potential), and more likely 4A players. Never quite good enough to consistently cut it in the show but good enough at triple A to keep getting that shot. I have to assume the Indians felt Moroff and Gonzalez are interchangeable and Luplow is a solid enough outfielder to provide some system depth with options available. Small move for the tribe, but I do not think they are done yet this offseason.

A Bit too Early Tribe Playoff Roster Prediction.

On By Chris ElliottIn baseballLeave a comment

IMG_4402Pending the biggest collapse ever, the Tribe is in the playoffs. So why not get a jump start on predicting their playoff roster?

First, I am going to assume Andrew Miller, Trevor Bauer, and Josh Donaldson will be back from injury. The playoff roster is 25 guys. In 2016 in the World Series, he carried 12 guys and in 2017 in he brought 11 pitchers along to face the Yankees. In 2013, Tito carried 11 pitchers into a wild card game. A 1 game playoff  and Tito still felt he needed 11 pitchers. Safe to say the breakdown will be 11 pitchers and 14 batters.

Here are the easy ones.

Pitchers:

  1. Kluber
  2. Carrasco
  3. Bauer
  4. Clevinger
  5. Hand
  6. Cimber
  7. Allen
  8. Miller
  9. Perez

Position Players:

  1. Gomes
  2. Alonso
  3. Ramirez
  4. Lindor
  5. Donaldson
  6. Perez
  7. Kipnis
  8. Brantley
  9. Cabrera
  10. Allen
  11. Edwin

That leaves two and three spots respectively. For pitchers, it comes down to the following guys.

  1. Shane Bieber
  2. Adam Plutko
  3. Neil Ramirez
  4. Josh Tomlin
  5. Dan Otero
  6. Tyler Olson

For the hitters you have:

  1. Rajai Davis
  2. Brandon Guyer
  3. Erik Gonzalez
  4. Yandy Diaz

Tito is loyal as they come but there is just no way Josh Tomlin makes this roster. Tyler Olson is out too. Bieber is in. He has earned this spot. That give the final spot to either Neil Ramirez, Dan Otero or Adam Plutko. Neil Ramirez has been trash of late. Dan Otero has been pretty shitty all year. Adam Plutko makes most sense but Tito is loyal (see above). Dan Otero makes this roster.

Now for them hitters. One of Guyer and Rajai makes this roster at the very least. I’ll get back to that. Yandy is hitting too well to keep off of here. He is in. 2 spots left. I think Erik Gonzalez is needed too. So we have one spot left. I can’t really believe Guyer or Rajai will be left off but spots are limited. Rajai is great for speed and defense. Guyer hits lefties and plays ok defense. This is difficult to do but I think Guyer makes it for his ability to hit lefties and Rajai is left off. Tough call and could be either but that’s how I see it falling. Personally, I’d rather Tito go with 10 pitchers, leave Otero off and bring Rajai around. We need his 2016 Magic.

Projected Playoff Roster

  1. Kluber
  2. Carrasco
  3. Bauer
  4. Clevinger
  5. Hand
  6. Cimber
  7. Allen
  8. Miller
  9. Perez
  10. Gomes
  11. Alonso
  12. Ramirez
  13. Lindor
  14. Donaldson
  15. Perez
  16. Kipnis
  17. Brantley
  18. Cabrera
  19. Allen
  20. Edwin
  21. Shane Bieber
  22. Dan Otero
  23. Brandon Guyer
  24. Erik Gonzalez
  25. Yandy Diaz

Is Naquin for Real?

On By Chris ElliottIn baseball1 Comment

Tyler Naquin is off to a pretty good start for a guy that for all intensive purposes lost his MLB job a year ago and struggled to get it back. And if it was not for an injury to Lonnie Chisenhall, he would not have received this opportunity. Naquin is taking advantage of it though. As of 5/7/18, Naquin is batting .319 and playing pretty good defense. Right field seems to be a good spot for him. His on base is solid as well though his slugging percentage could improve.

If Naquin is just a line drive singles hitter who plays solid defense, I can live with that.  The thing that concerns me though is his batting average on balls in play. He is hitting over 400 on balls in play. That is not sustainable. Naquin is due to come down to earth. I think we will see him settle in to being a .270 hitter. That though is pretty good coming from him. I think Naquin understands himself now. Naquin can be a solid piece for the Indians the remainder of the year and for the next few seasons to come. Another example of the Indians developing talent.

Fix the Pen

On By Chris ElliottIn baseballLeave a comment

It’s become pretty clear the Indians bullpen is in shambles right now. Between the injuries and the home runs, the Tribe pen needs some work. However, I don’t think it is far off. Some guys are just in the wrong role.

Cody Allen will be fine. I’m not worried there. Andrew Miller will come back from injury. The top two guys will still be shutdown pitchers this year. After that, is where it gets interesting.

They need a third guy. Nick Goody can be a good 4th. Dan Otero needs to be your 5th guy. Tyler Olson should only face left handed batters. I think McAllister’s time in Cleveland will be ending soon. Tomlin will stay in the rotation. I do not see that changing. The remaining guys of Ogando, Marshall, and newcomer Oliver Drake will have to battle it out. The real help though I believe does come from outside the organization. A guy I think they could target is Raisel Iglesias. He is 28, under contract for two years after this season and is only 28. I think the struggling Reds would be willing to trade him. The Indians farm system is not loaded with Talent but I think the Indians could make something work without mortgaging the house. Hopefully they figure something out soon. 

2018 Tribe Roster

On By Chris ElliottIn baseballLeave a comment

It’s almost time for pitchers and catchers to report. So why not get a jump start on predicting the Cleveland Indians 25 man roster. Most of the roster is pretty much set, but there are a few key battles that will play out. While I think a trade could still happen, you never know if someone will get hurt or a free agent will be signed, I’ll assume none of those things will happen, except for one prior injury you’ll see below.

1. Two starting rotation spots

2. One to two bullpen spots

3. 1-2 backup infield spots

4. 1-2 outfield spots

Let’s review the players that will make the roster without question.

Rotation: Trevor Bauer, Carlos Carrasco, Corey Kluber.

Relievers: Cody Allen, Andrew Miller, Nick Goody, Zach McAllister, Tyler Olson, Dan Otero.

Catchers: Yan Gomes, Roberto Perez

Infielders: Francisco Lindor, Jose Ramirez, Jason Kipnis, Yonder Alonso, Edwin Encarnacion

Outfielders: Michael Brantley, Bradley Zimmer, Lonnie Chisenhall

That is 19 for sure spots locked up. Let’s start with the two rotation spots. Mike Clevinger, Danny Salazar, Josh Tomlin and Ryan Merritt all have shots. However, I think it ends up being a fairly easy choice. Danny Salazar and Josh Tomlin get it and Clevinger goes to the bullpen and takes that spot. I would love to see Clevinger in the rotation and Salazar become a reliever but I don’t think it happens. This brings the total to 22. Three spots remain. At least one will be an outfielder, one will be an infielder and one open spot that could go a variety of ways.

For the infield I think it’s really between three players. Erik Gonzalez, Giovanny Urshella, and Yandy Diaz. I want Diaz to hit his way into the spot but he I think ends up in AAA. Urshella and Gonzalez are both major league level backups but are out of options. One of them will be on another team this year. Tito I think will go with Urshella. 23 spots gone.

Next, the outfield. Melvin Upton Jr., Tyler Naquin, Abraham Almonte, and Brandon Guyer are all options here. I think Guyer is not healthy to start the year. I’m going to cancel him out for now. The 4th outfielder could go so many ways here. I lean toward Almonte or Naquin winning out. Likely Almonte will snag it.

One spot left. Gonzalez, Naquin, Upton, or Merritt. With this spot I think Tito keeps an extra outfielder and leaves Naquin on the roster. Upton gets released and Merrit and Gonazalez are traded since they are out of option.

There you go. The 25 man Cleveland Indians roster. Let’s play baseball.