Usually, I do a short blog of a wish-list for the Indians leading up to Christmas, but I didn't have time this year. So, here I am, catching up, hoping Santa has energy for one last late-run before he packs it up for the holidays.
Item 1 - Don't trade Francisco Lindor. Or Mike Clevinger.
Commentary: There has been a lot of chatter about Lindor's availability in a trade this off-season. While Antonetti has consistently said that he "expects Francisco Lindor to be our starting shortstop in 2020," it's clear that Frankie could be moved for the right price. Clevinger's name has popped up, as well, which doesn't make sense as Clevinger is an elite starter under cheap team control. So, unless the Indians have some sort of secret injury fears for Clev, I would assume those rumors are just hopeful teams trying to will a Clevinger trade into the realm of possibility. I actually think the Indians may end up moving Frankie. I was convinced they would not entering the off-season, but, for me, it all depends on how motivated the Los Angeles Dodgers are to acquire Lindor. They are the only team with the depth to swing a Lindor deal. Supposedly, they don't want to trade Gavin Lux, their young and upcoming star infielder, but with Keibert Ruiz, Dustin May and Alex Verdugo, they have some young stars they could use to get a deal done and still keep Lux. Especially if they were willing to include Corey Seager, who would help the Indians fill in for Frankie at SS. For me, I think a Seager and Verdugo/Ruiz/or May deal with another decent prospect (maybe Jeter Downs, Tony Gonsolin, or DJ Peters) would probably be enough for the Indians to move Frankie. But, I'm not sure the Dodgers will offer that, of course. IF they do make the offer, my personal hope is that the Indians get Ruiz back. Lux, May and Verdugo are great, but give me a catcher with potential to hit in the middle of the order any day.
Back to the wishlist - Santa, we love Frankie. He's the best shortstop in the game. Let him stay with the Tribe until after the 2021 season. Let's make two more runs with him and then pray he goes to any team but the Yankees in free agency. I think we have a better chance at winning a World Series by keeping a 6-7 win player like Frankie and going with a $100 million payroll roster than by trading him and splitting his value between other players who are younger and under longer team control. And, I'm just opposed to trading "face of the franchise" guys in principle. I'd prefer to trade Clevinger before Frankie (but mainly because of off-field stuff with Clev; he was a jerk to his now ex-wife).
Item 2 - Sign or trade for a Free Agent Outfielder/DH.
Commentary: Santa, you have options here. If we have been especially good this year, and hey, we are Cleveland sports fans starved for a baseball championship, so I think we are automatically on the nice list, then please choose either Marcell Ozuna, Yasiel Puig or Starling Marte. Of the three, Ozuna is the most valuable hitter and would immediately add a needed middle of the order bat to our lineup. Puig is, of course, the most entertaining of the bunch and he crushes right-handed pitching, which we can definitely use. Marte is likely the most cost-controlled of the bunch, but would require a significant return in trade value for the Pirates to trade him. Rumors are that they want catching, so would a Logan Allen and Bo Naylor return be enough for them to pull the trigger? Would the Indians give up that much talent and take on Marte's roughly $12 million in salary? I cannot say, but I'd be a fan of the move. Some additional expensive trade options could be Trey Mancini, 1B/DH/OF from the Orioles or Mitch Haniger, OF, from the Mariners. Not sure either would be worth the price in prospects it would take to acquire them, but both offer a good chance at offering help to the lineup if they are made available by their current clubs.
If you're on more of a budget, Santa, I'm fine with some of the following options: 1. Corey Dickerson, OF (left-handed hitting player who makes almost too much sense for the Indians' needs), 2. Alex Dickerson, OF, San Francisco Giants - He's probably a platoon outfielder, ideally, but for the rebuilding Giants, I feel like they would move the 29 year-old at the right price, and it shouldn't be too steep. He would be likely be an immediate, inexpensive step-up from our current platoon options of Daniel Johnson and Ka'ai Tom. 3. Steven Souza, Jr., OF - Missed all of last year due to a knee injury, but expected to be fully recovered. He's a right-handed hitter but he has been adequate against RHP also. He might only be a minor-league deal-type. 3. Wilmer Flores, IF - So, Flores is not a perfect fit because the Indians already have plenty of infield options. But, he is one of the best hitters left on the market, so I wonder if the Indians could rotate him and Santana at 1B and DH and let Franmil Reyes go at it full-time in RF. Not a great plan, but it would get some needed slugging ability into the lineup.
A couple of other under-the-radar options could be David Peralta, OF, Diamondbacks or Gregory Polanco, OF, Pirates. Both are coming back from shoulder injuries, Peralta would be a one-year rental and Polanco would be a buy-low candidate if made available. Not sure if either would be of interest to the Indians, or made available by their current clubs. Still, worth checking in on, Santa, if you've got the time.
Other even cheaper options: Derek Dietrich (on a minor-league deal, he would offer a good chance at some slugging and could be a platoon outfielder option), Devon Travis (again, on a minor league deal, he would push Arroyo, Freeman and Velazquez for the utility infielder spot as he recovers from a career that has been derailed a bit by injuries).
I don't think the Indians will be in on Nicholas Castellanos (too expensive, likely to be a DH), or Matt Joyce (things didn't work out with him last year), but both are valuable hitters, and I certainly wouldn't be opposed to either at the right price.
Item 3 - Sign a Bounce-back Relief Pitcher
Commentary: I am realistic. I don't expect the team to spend much money on a relief pitcher and I like the options we have on hand. But, I do think there are some good bounceback candidates out there - just to list some: Shawn Kelly, Jeremy Jeffres, David Hernandez, Adam Warren or Steve Cishek are worth a look, and all should be available for an inexpensive price.
Again, Santa, if you decide to splurge, I wouldn't be opposed to Will Harris or Daniel Hudson!
Bottom Line: My number one wish, for a second-baseman, was fulfilled shortly before Christmas when the Indians signed Cesar Hernandez, a switch-hitter who is probably our fifth-best hitter already, and who has a good glove also. Here's hoping the next month sees the other items on the wish-list crossed off, also (with Marcell Ozuna, feature above, being my top wish!), and our beloved All-Star shortstop still in a Tribe uniform!
