Rays Roster Crunch [Guardians as well]

[monty57]

I can see the Rays churning alot of their bullpen arms this offseason in hopes to pick up a bunch of lottery ticket guys to stash and develop in their low minors who are years away from 40 man roster consideration. I doubt they get too crazy with just jettisoning quality MLB position players.

 

The Rays would actually be in a pinch if issues with the new CBA negotiations lead to roster management uncertainty late into the offseason, and they get forced into making a bunch of moves up against a tight schedule - frankly if other organizations stopped being so willing to send their green prospects that don't instantly need to be 40-man roster protected in trades with the Rays, Tampa would wind up losing a bunch of MLB-caliber talent for nothing in return because their system is to the point of being too deep - almost like their payroll frugalness works against them at this point because they don't have the financial means to take on big salary via trade for premier veteran talent.

 

Teams will always be willing to trade tomorrow for a better chance of success today. If they teams show any unwillingness to do so, the fans and media will get up in arms about them "not trying to win."

 

As long as teams do this, small market teams will have a chance to remain competitive, and the same fans demanding "their team" team to trade trade away the future for the present will wonder how a team like Tampa can continue to win at the MLB level while having a farm that is stocked with talent.

[SRB]

Jordan Luplow traded to the Diamondbacks. I'm not sure how much the Dbacks gave up, but Luplow would have been perfect for us to pair with Tellez at 1B against LHP and to serve as a fifth OF/bench bat. Oh well

[brewtank34]

Jordan Luplow traded to the Diamondbacks. I'm not sure how much the Dbacks gave up, but Luplow would have been perfect for us to pair with Tellez at 1B against LHP and to serve as a fifth OF/bench bat. Oh well

 

No insider knowledge here, but I’m betting that Brewers have bigger plans in mind for 1B.

[MadThinker88]

Jordan Luplow traded to the Diamondbacks. I'm not sure how much the Dbacks gave up, but Luplow would have been perfect for us to pair with Tellez at 1B against LHP and to serve as a fifth OF/bench bat. Oh well

 

No insider knowledge here, but I’m betting that Brewers have bigger plans in mind for 1B.

 

Kudos to Luplow learning/ working on playing 1B.

That wasn't the case during his time in CLE. If he could have stayed healthy he would he had a clear path to take over a regular OF spot.

[MadThinker88]

On 11/22/2021 at 8:27 PM, Joseph Zarr said:

 

Very interesting. Please keep us posted. As always, this is great offseason 'intel'!

Just to toss out an update....   Cleveland achieved 90 wins & won the AL Central going away in 2022 while have 17 different players make the major league debut..   

Let that number sink in..... 17 different Guardian players made their MLB debut in 2022.

There was an 18th player called up (Carlos Vargas), but he didn't get into a game the weekend series he was in the bullpen.  If anyone had suggested to me that CLE would have over 15 players making their debut I would have assumed the season went horribly wrong and the FO was no longer focusing on 2022 and already prepping for 2023.  Glad I was so wrong.

Now not every player that made their debut has thrived, but a number of them have succeeded.  In doing so the CLE FO has moved thru much of the upcoming roster crunch.   There are still a few players that need to decided upon but in all honesty, most of the big decisions have already been made.

The scary thing for other clubs in the AL & AL Central: there are a number of pitchers coming thru the CLE system that seem ready to see the majors during 2023 but are not due for R5 roster protection.  Top 100 prospects Daniel Espino, Gavin Williams and Tanner Bibee all have 1 or more season still available to hone their abilities in the minors before needing to be added to the 40 man roster..  Additionally there are still a few more Top 100 position players that are on 40 man (George Valera, Brayan Rocchio) along with others (Jose Tena, Jhonkensy Noel) that should be ready to contribute in some capacity during 2023..

As in the past, if there is a name I believe would make sense for MKE to look into, I will pass it along.. 

[MadThinker88]

In case anyone else wanted to look over the possible R5 eligible players from CLE. 

I can see a couple more names added to the CLE 40 man before the November deadline but if no more moves happen, here is who gets exposed in the next R5 draft...

[MadThinker88]

From Fangraphs earlier this summer (AL focus)

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/examining-the-american-leagues-2022-40-man-crunch/

[MadThinker88]

IF the Brewers were hoping to take advantage of the Tampa Bay roster crunch, they better be quick...

The Rays have been wheeling & dealing & making some important decisions over the past few days,,,

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/11/pirates-to-acquire-ji-man-choi-from-rays.html 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/11/rays-outright-brendan-mckay-roman-quinn-jimmy-yacabonis.html 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/11/rays-place-nick-anderson-on-outright-waivers.html 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/11/rays-decline-kevin-kiermaiers-option.html  

 

 

[DR28]

Would have really liked us to have taken a chance on Nolan Jones from Guardians, could have easily beaten Colorado's offer.

Maybe this means Ryan McMahon is available?? Unlikely would think tho.

[MadThinker88]

1 hour ago, DR28 said:

Would have really liked us to have taken a chance on Nolan Jones from Guardians, could have easily beaten Colorado's offer.

Maybe this means Ryan McMahon is available?? Unlikely would think tho.

Perhaps Colorado & MKE match up better in a deal than MKE & CLE..  Never know if Jones (or McMahon) could be acquired.

Nolan Jones needs an extended opportunity to play & his overall skillset is vaguely similar to one Jim Thome..