new first name might be the key to a revival of fortunes for Upton.

He only has to hit lefties ok and cover ground in CF. Think it's a good low risk shot he can do that.

It also seems to say that the Austin Jackson ship has sailed.

HB


Marcell Ozuna, a perfect fit

The Tribe’s front office would be extremely happy at this moment if they’d been able to acquire Miami outfielder Marcell Ozuna at the meetings. They’ve been tracking Ozuna for years and sought out the Fighting Fish at the meetings to see if they could finally land him because Florida is yet again conducting a fire sale.

The Marlins said thanks, but no thanks, as they sent Ozuna to the Cardinals for four prospects, including three pitchers. Ozuna is a right-handed hitter, with power, who can play all three outfield spots.

The Indians never got down to talking names, but one has to wonder if they would have offered pitching prospect Tristan McKenzie in a package for Ozuna?

People are assuming that the Stanton negotiations with the Cards locked in some prospects that the Marlins wanted.

So once they went to Ozuna, pretty much the deal was set.

Sure Ozuna is not Stanton, but his contract is much friendlier too so actually the deals were probably pretty similar. And he was pretty damn good last year.

Five questions for Terry Francona:

1. Q. In a perfect world where would you pitch Danny Salazar, the rotation or bullpen?

A. The rotation.

2. Q. What are your options at third base?

A. It could be Jose Ramirez, Yandy Diaz or Giovanny Urshela. Nothing much has changed since last season. We don’t know until we fill out our roster. Then we’ll kind of figure it out.

Are we best suited keeping Jose at second base or put him back at third? Do we put Jason Kipnis at second? Those are the things we will answer. It’s nice to know we have some flexibility.

3. Q. What is Ramirez’s best position – second or third base?

A. In my option, his best position is second. He’s a good third baseman. So, I think what it comes down to is this: What is our best team, because he can handle both. But if you press me on it, I would say his best position is second base.”

4. Q. What about first base (now that Santana has gone)?

A. “We’ve got Edwin (Encarnacion) that we can certainly put there. We can put Lonnie Chisenhall there if we want. ... I think we’d probably like to sign somebody.”

5. Q. How do you think Callaway, your former pitching coach, will do as manager of the Mets?

A. “I think Mickey’s a star. I think, once he made it known he wanted to manage, it was a matter of time until we lost him. Take the five years we had with him and be happy for it because we’re all better for it. He’s going to be terrific at whatever he does.”

Jason Kipnis - 2B - Indians

According to Marc Carig of Newsday, a source expressed skepticism about the Mets' ability to acquire Jason Kipnis from the Indians.

The thought is that the Indians mainly want salary relief (Kipnis is guaranteed $30.5 million over the next two years), so little might be required in the way of talent going back, but apparently that could be too rich for the Mets.

Cesar Hernandez, Josh Harrison, Jed Lowrie, and Starlin Castro are among the alternatives on the trade market, but they will likely cost more in the way of prospects. If a deal for Kipnis fails to come together, Carig speculates that the club could just bring back Jose Reyes.
Related: Mets

Mets should be careful. Last two expensive 2nd basemen we traded them didn't work out too well. I don't think Kipnis is falling like Baerga and Alomar but it would be pretty crazy if we traded them another pricey 2nd baseman and he did very little.

Seems to me that Kipnis is deciding factor in going after the Cubs Baez or Happ, those decisions are probably related. Kipnis would stay if Cubs deals fizzle.

We like McKenzie a lot but the guy the Cards received is a fireballer; therefore more attractive. Indians concentrate on developing pitchers with pinpoint control, so less valuable in trades.

scouting report pre 2017

Sandy Alcantara, RHP

A lanky 6’4″ right hander, Alcantara regularly hits 100 MPH on the gun. He complements that with a change and a curve – both still need work but they’re both potentially good pitches. Command isn’t great just yet but he’s only 21 years-old and has already had some success at High-A.
Probably at least a year or two away, could be a dominant back of the bullpen arm if he doesn’t work out as a starter.

Baseball Reference last week:

The top name sent from the Cardinals to the Marlins in the Ozuna trade, Sandy Alcantara is another triple-digit thrower with an ace-level ceiling.
The 22-year-old advanced to Double-A last season before getting the call from St. Louis and striking out 10 in 8.1 innings out of the bullpen.
He's still working on his command and needs to develop his curveball and changeup to pair with a plus slider and that crackling fastball. He'll have a clear path to The Show with Miami, however, and has the skills to stay around once he gets there.
Marlins fans have every right to be upset about this latest firesale and skeptical of the new ownership group fronted by Derek Jeter. They can be forgiven for mourning the loss of Stanton and Ozuna, and speedy second baseman Dee Gordon before them.
Miami has added some intriguing young players, though, with Alcantara and his live arm at the head of the pack.

civ ollilavad wrote:
Baseball Reference last week:

The top name sent from the Cardinals to the Marlins in the Ozuna trade, Sandy Alcantara is another triple-digit thrower with an ace-level ceiling.
The 22-year-old advanced to Double-A last season before getting the call from St. Louis and striking out 10 in 8.1 innings out of the bullpen.
He's still working on his command and needs to develop his curveball and changeup to pair with a plus slider and that crackling fastball. He'll have a clear path to The Show with Miami, however, and has the skills to stay around once he gets there.
Marlins fans have every right to be upset about this latest firesale and skeptical of the new ownership group fronted by Derek Jeter. They can be forgiven for mourning the loss of Stanton and Ozuna, and speedy second baseman Dee Gordon before them.
Miami has added some intriguing young players, though, with Alcantara and his live arm at the head of the pack.

For sure. Top of the rotation potential. Triple digits. Young. These are the types teams drool over.

Well, this about guarantees a WS victory! What do you say now, all you naysayers?

Indians sign RHP Lisalverto Bonilla to minor league deal with spring-training invitation
Updated December 18, 2017 at 5:33 PM; Posted December 18, 2017 at 5:24 PM

By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com

phoynes@cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The list of non-roster invitees to spring training keeps growing for the Indians.

Right-hander Lisalverto Bonilla was added to the list Monday when he agreed to a minor league deal with an invitation to Goodyear, Ariz., when camp opens on Feb. 14. Bonilla pitched for Cincinnati last year, splitting his time between the big leagues and Class AAA Louisville.

He went 1-3 with a 8.10 ERA in 10 games, including four starts, for the Reds. He struck out 28 and walked 22 in 36 2/3 innings. He was 3-4 with a 3.59 ERA in 18 games, including eight starts, at Louisville.

Bonilla, 27, made one of his four big-league starts last season against the Indians. On May 24, he allowed three runs on six hits in a five-inning no-decision. The Reds won the game, 4-3, as Bonilla struck out two and walked three.

He was signed as a free agent by the Phillies in 2008 out of the Dominican Republic. He made his big league debut with the Rangers in 2014.

Other invitees include pitchers Jeff Beliveau, Leonel Campos, Evan Marshall and Neil Ramirez; catcher Brandon Barnes; and infielder Drew Maggi.

Outfielder Melvin Upton and right-hander Alexi Ogando have agreed to terms, but still have to pass their physicals.

We're restocking the Clippers. That's what these minor league free agents signings are about. Perhaps some of the guys will drop in to Cleveland as a 26th man for a doubleheader or if injuries pile up. [Robertson was a nice fill-in OF last summer.] And occasionally they turn out useful; I believe that Olson came through this route last winter.

It's fun for me to look at those low risk bargain bin types the Indians have somehow gotten so good at.

Right handed bats are on my mind today - preferably outfielders. I'm sure you know why.

2 free agent guys jumped out.

1. Matt Holiday - was having a very good year until getting hurt last year. A 1 year bargain offer to him?
2. Jayson Werth - just coming off that looong contract with the Nationals. RH bat. 1 year bargain offer to him?

Like their upside and would certainly be an upgrade offensively over Upton. And Upton has to make the team to get paid so he is a fall back guy anyways. As well as a CF whereas my 2 options are not.

Matt Adams - 1B - Braves

ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reports that the Nationals "continue to express interest" in free agent first baseman Matt Adams.

Crasnick says the Nats are viewing him as a lefty bench bat who could reprise Adam Lind's role from last season. Adams was non-tendered by the Braves on December 1 after batting .274/.319/.522 with 20 home runs and 65 RBI in 131 games between Atlanta and St. Louis in 2017. He had an .896 OPS versus right-handed pitching. There's also said to be interest from the Indians and Royals.

Did not know this about the option year - a very nice signing for Philly

Carlos Santana - 1B - Phillies

Phillies signed 1B Carlos Santana to a three-year, $60 million contract with a $17.5 million club option for 2021.

The deal was agreed to last Friday and then finalized Wednesday morning after Santana passed his physical. He'll be officially introduced at a press conference Wednesday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park.

Santana is kind of an odd fit for the Phillies, who aren't quite ready to contend and have a promising young first baseman in Rhys Hoskins, but the 31-year-old should improve that lineup drastically in 2018.

Hoskins figures to continue the left field experiment he tried last season, with Santana taking over at first.