so if they nontender DeShields or Naquin or Hedges before the December 2 deadline they can't fill their spots from the Rule 5 pool?

That's my understanding, Civ.

They can sign FAs but guys in the Rule 5 draft are not FAs.

Then I would have nontendered them 2 weeks ago

Trade still possible before Dec 6. Bag of balls would be nice.

got a few bucks from the Marlins for Cimber

We got Hernandez from the nontenders last year. I'm sure they'll be keeping a close eye on this year's decisions; probably more than ever will be let go after a $0 box office season leaguewide.

3 other nontender candidates, i.e. guys who are subject to arbitration:

Lindor: I don't think they'll let him walk away
Maton: had his days, throws hard, pretty cheap probably keep him
Wittgren: has the best combination of experience and success left in the bullpen, would cost no more than $2M in arbitration. Can't see him being let go.

CLEVELAND -- Because the Indians’ overcrowded outfield struggled offensively this past season, it seemed likely that at least one of their arbitration-eligible outfielders would not be tendered a contract before Wednesday's 8 p.m. ET deadline, and that proved to be the case.

A source confirmed to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand that the Indians did not tender outfielder Tyler Naquin a contract for next season. The Tribe has five remaining arbitration-eligible players to be tendered: Francisco Lindor, Austin Hedges, Nick Wittgren, Delino DeShieldsand Phil Maton.

Because the club had been transparent about its financial losses due to the pandemic, it was expected for at least one of its six arbitration-eligible players to get non-tendered. According to MLB Trade Rumors, Naquin was projected to make the fourth-highest salary of the six (behind Lindor, Hedges and DeShields), ranging between $1.8 million and $2.4 million.

Naquin was a former first-round Draft pick and promising up-and-coming outfielder when he broke into the Majors in 2016. He hit .296 with an .886 OPS, 14 homers and 43 RBIs in 116 games during his rookie season. Then, he struggled to stay healthy.

He battled through lower back issues, a hamstring strain, a hip strain that led to hip surgery, a calf strain, ACL surgery and a hairline fracture in his right big toe over the past four seasons, limiting him to just 209 games in that span. Naquin was having his best and healthiest season since his rookie year in 2019, hitting .288 with a .792 OPS in 89 games, when it came to an abrupt end after he tore his ACL while attempting to avoid the outfield wall while making a catch at Tropicana Field.

Naquin returned in 2020 ready to play during the first month of the regular season, but the pandemic gave him more time to rehab his knee in order for him to take part in all baseball activities during Summer Camp in July. However, during an exhibition game against the Pirates just before Opening Day, he fouled a ball off his right foot, which caused him to miss the beginning of the season. Naquin still played in 40 of the Tribe's 60 games, though he hit just .218 with a .632 OPS, eight doubles, four homers, 20 RBIs and 40 strikeouts.

The Indians will be looking for different answers to their struggling outfield for next season, after the group combined to log the second-worst batting average (.194) and the worst slugging percentage (.300) in the Majors. Prospects Daniel Johnson and Nolan Jones, who has been getting a lot of reps in the outfield, may be the solutions the team attempts to turn to in 2021

DeShields is also set adrift
Jefry Rodriguez too although suggestion he could come back on s minor league contract good arm I hope they keep him
Maton Wittgren Hedges retained

Lots of potential candidates on the long nontender list

They held onto DeShields for a little while hoping for that bag of balls deal. Guess not.

Want to pick up Adam Duvall? Not interested.
Eddie Rosario is much more appealing but he made $7M plus last year. Not in our league.


How about:
The Orioles non-tendered one of their most productive and popular players from the past two seasons at Wednesday’s deadline, parting ways with second baseman Hanser Alberto amid a flurry of moves that reshaped their infield and continued to bolster their farm system with an eye toward the future.

Alberto, 28, who was expected to command between a $2-4 million raise through arbitration as a first-time eligible player, is now a free agent. lberto played two seasons with the Orioles, hitting .299 with a .735 OPS and 15 home runs over 193 games.

Heck, all Adam Duvall does is hit home runs and strike out; he's 32 years old; but he does hit right handed, he'd earn less than $5M and he's a lot better than most of the miserable excuses for outfielders that the Indians have on their roster. Unlike Luplow he's not much worse vs RH pitchers than vs LH. His career average is a rotten 233 and a career OBP 293. But they could do worse [they have been doing worse for some years]

Right - as I posted in the Articles folder some actual, real outfielders might fall in our price range for once.

civ - just heard this and wondered if you had. Right down your alley.

Apparently the draft is being moved back into July and all star weekend. MLB is using some of the minor league ballparks that were "re-arranged" to have a PRE-draft league!

Short of a short season league that is BEFORE the draft instead of after. And it will be comprised of all draft eligible kids - many right out of college - in a short season in front of scouts etc for a good 3 months in an effort to showcase them.

I believe they were talking a good 60+ games! And using parks in the Northeast such as Williamsport.

Yeah that's where the Scrappers will fit in next season; see minor matters. One of my former-breakfast [when we used to meet] buddies says he'll be returning to Eastwood Field for that team.