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MadThinker88

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Everything posted by MadThinker88

  1. MadThinker88
    I'Ve seen it in a few posts here and there related to considering any trade for Lucroy- the idea that whichever team gets him will be able to extend a qualifying offer after 2017. There is a very good chance there will NOT be a qualifying offer system post the 2017 season. It hasn't worked the way the owners or the union thought it would and neither is happy with it. As they start the collective bargaining process, the process of free agency compensation needs to be addressed again.
  2. MadThinker88
    Let's get realistic: to get talent one has to give talent. That said, market size, contract status and years of control all play a factor. Lucroy is talented and has a very reasonable contract. However, he only has a year plus of control remaining. Cleveland has two other defensive focused catchers, both younger then Lucroy and both under contract/ control for multiple years beyond this season. Given the need for catching in the absence of Lucroy, it makes sense for the Brewers to get one of Roberto Perez (helps in the now and moving forward) or Francisco Mejia (top 100 prospect, helps in a few seasons). The cost for starting pitching is extremely high, so getting it at any level chews up worth. It took Drew Pomeranz to get the kid from Boston, and that was 1 for 1. I can foresee Cleveland saying ok to 1 pitcher from the full season minor league rosters and 1 more from short season ranks as "lottery ticket". I can tell u now, forget McKenzie as he is deemed among the handful of untouchables. Would a package of F. Mejia, J. Sheffield (another top 100 prospect) and Juan Hillman (as the lottery ticket) interest people or not??
  3. MadThinker88
    FYI for this board: it appears that Cleveland is holding Francisco Mejia out of games now, even though he has a hitting streak in the mid 30s across low A Lake County and Hi A Lynchburg. They figure he is going to be part of a deal (for someone) and they do not want him getting hurt in the interim.. The low A tribe affiliate Lake County Captains started its Wisconsin swing tonight, winning in Beloit. After 2 more there, they head to play 3 in Appleton against the TRats starting on Saturday night. If the Tribe hadn't promoted Mejia, Krieger & a few others already, I had plans of heading to Appleton this weekend to see that series as of a month ago...
  4. MadThinker88
    Smith is worth some talent but thinking he is worth those 2 plus more is an overvalue of Smith (& I'm a fan of Smith and would want him in the Tribe bullpen). Remember Smith is already in his arbitration years so his cost will continue going up, especially if he gets save oppportunities moving forward for any club. Assuming we agree that Nottingham is not a long term answer behind the plate for the Brewers targeting a very good catching prospect makes sense. The cost of young talented starting pitching is very VERY high so trying to get it in trades also makes sense. I could see one of those named players being part of a deal for Smith along with other lower prospects For example Mejia, Thomas Pannone & a lottery ticket type player or McKensie (I highly doubt Tribe deals him, he is destined for top 100 prospect status after this season), Taylor Murphy & a lottery ticket type player. As I said above, I'm a fan of Smith but if I was GM for Tribe I look for someone else if Stearns is pushing for 2 top 100 prospects.
  5. MadThinker88
    They are calling up Roberto Perez from his rehab assignment (broken thumb that needed surgery). Ironically, while his D is on par with Gomes, his offense THIS season has been worse than Gomes.
  6. MadThinker88
    If there was 1 single untouchable in the Tribe system, it's Frazier. And it's because he is RH power, something the parent club has in limited supply. The better hitters are LHP or switch hitters.
  7. MadThinker88
    Clevlinger, Aiken and Mejia and sign me up. At least your only talking 3 guys. Might come down to which lefty Cleveland likes more Sheffield of Aiken.. Tribe is cutting the rehab program of Robeto Perez short and he was scratched from the Columbus Clipper game today. He will be joining the Tribe as they head into KC for Monday.
  8. MadThinker88
    I think teams would be willing deal a top 50 guys plus other pieces. I also think Stearns (& many of the fans) are seeking 2 top 50 guys plus another guy or two from the top 150. I recognize Stearns is trying to get max value but there is also being unrealistic. Lucroy's max value was right after the 2014 season, not now. As well as he is playing now, his value was better than.
  9. MadThinker88
    Maybe I spoke/ typed too soon. tribe catcher just left the game against the Twins due to injury running down 1st base line. After stretching to reach bag and avoid tag from bad throw he tumbled into foul territory. Medical people but his right (throwing arm) into a sling before taking in him away in a cart. Right after the tumble he had been grabbing at one of his knees. I'm going to guess he is going to the DL for at least 15 days. Sadly he finally his a double in the AB before getting hurt.. If "the drink bet" had been accepted, I would likely be buying a couple...
  10. MadThinker88
    Thank you for answering. Like others I really like thread. A number of great info items in it. One more question: in the original post, as part of the closing thoughts it was written that the Brewers will be bad for a little while. Does that mean "bad/not contending for the post season" for 1 more or 3 more or 5 more seasons??? I've believed the rebuild (this year being year 1) is a 5 year race with Cinci. Loser of that race is in bad position for 10 years or longer. Part of that is due to divisional strength, part of that due to situation with the farm system (very poor before the trades started last season).
  11. MadThinker88
    I would humbly suggest you either add or switch the Cleveland Indian links to Indians Baseball Insider. It does great work covering the Tribe club itself but also great work covering the various minor league affiliates for the Tribe... Their baseball draft coverage was so good, their main person (Jeff Ellis) got hired to be the main person for the Scout national website...
  12. MadThinker88
    Curious if you directed the conversation (raising topics/ names) or if you just went with the flow. Can you answer that?? A little surprised nothing noted on Arcia & others still in AAA (plans on coming up) or Chris Carter...
  13. MadThinker88
    If we sat at the same bar I would make a beer bet with you that they (Tribe) does not make a deal to acquire another catcher this season. Their original backup catcher this season (Roberto Perez) is on rehab assignment right now after breaking his thumb early this season. For what is worth, Michael Brantley is also out on rehab. Both will be back before the trade deadline. Left handed relief is their primary need...
  14. MadThinker88
    I was listening to a couple of the Buster Olney podcasts on Saturday and he was doing an interview related to the Baltimore Orioles. As they talked about the O's rotation and how limited that farm system is, my thoughts turned to Garza. Garza won't bring much back in a trade but he might be a perfect waiver trade candidate in August..
  15. MadThinker88
    Update time. As of end of 7/15/2016 Remember - these standings ONLY considers the FULL SEASON clubs in the minors (Low A thru AAA). Franchise W L Pct 1 New York Yankees 220 146 0.6011 2 Seattle Mariners 217 149 0.5929 3 Philadelphia Phillies 211 155 0.5765 4 Cleveland Indians 205 163 0.5571 5 Houston Astros 198 166 0.5440 6 Pittsburgh Pirates 197 169 0.5383 7 Minnesota Twins 198 170 0.5380 8 Washington Nationals 194 168 0.5359 9 Texas Rangers 195 172 0.5313 21 San Diego Padres 174 193 0.4741 22 Cincinnati Reds 172 191 0.4738 23 San Francisco Giants 172 196 0.4674 24 Detroit Tigers 168 192 0.4667 25 Milwaukee Brewers 165 196 0.4571 26 Colorado Rockies 164 200 0.4505 27 Atlanta Braves 160 206 0.4372 28 Los Angeles Angels 155 207 0.4282 29 Chicago White Sox 155 213 0.4212 30 Kansas City Royals 150 213 0.4132 Outside of High A for the Crew, the affiliates are all within a few games of .500 and are basically .500 as a group of 3. A .500 record would be good for 15th place across all of baseball. Brevard county... Can you say: train wreck. More than 30 games under .500 just by themselves.
  16. MadThinker88
    If it were as simple as that, all the first and second round draft picks would ultimately make their way to the MLB. But most don't, because predicting the development of young players is very difficult. Which is why going for volume is essential, can't pin your hopes on a select few players. Besides, AA players with "plus plus tools" don't get traded except in rare circumstances, they are coveted. Of course anyone would agree to get as many of these guys as you can, but you won't get those kind of guys for Khris Davis or Adam Lind. If you're going to rebuild a farm system, volume is key because some prospects will flame out, that's just the way it is. In short you need a volume of guys AT EACH POSITION with plus plus tools.. Not just a volume of bodies. Not 6 or 7 guys in the system with plus plus. Multiple guys at each position. It's why the rebuild will be about 5 years. The "tear down" isn't even finished yet..
  17. MadThinker88
    Anyone recall how Mike Piazza ended up with the Mets?? It was after spending a few weeks in a Marlins uniform. Lucroy to the Braves would have the same type of feel. Only a temporary landing spot..
  18. MadThinker88
    Stearns has been doing a solid job so far. Some moves have already paid off handsomely (Villar, Carter, Segura) others are too soon to tell (Lind, Hill). That said this period leading up to the trade deadline is very important. The "tear down" of the major league team is not yet complete and properly finishing it will give the Crew a great chance of keeping the rebuild to 5 years and not stretching into 7 or more years... Threading water is not in anyone's interest and with the structure and strength in this Divison (Cubs, Cards, Pirates), incomplete tasks will lead to problems later.. I give him the benefit of doubt at this point but will be watching closely and keeping the fingers crossed.
  19. MadThinker88
    The main reason the Indians haven't made more trades in the last 10 year is that they've been awful for the majority of that span. 2006 - 78-84 2007 - 96-66 2008 - 81-81 2009 - 65-97 2010 - 69-93 2011 - 80-82 2012 - 68-94 2013 - 92-70 2014 - 85-77 2015 - 81-80 How many teams do you think would make a trade deadline deal when they're on pace to finish with 80 or more losses? The Indians time to win is now while they have all their pitchers under control. So let's take it back to 1994. I think we can agree the Tribe was successful and competi editing the mid to late 90s. In 95 when they went to get the that extra starting pitcher (Ken Hil), the prospect package was headlined by David Bell. When the Tribe went to get John Smiley, that package was headlined by Danny Graves.. When they went to get Dave Burba they gave up only Sesn Casey. For Ricardo Rincon (yes of Moneyball fame) they gave up Brian Giles only. Thru all this they refused to increase their offer package to get the likes of Pedro Martinez (they would have had to part with Jaret Wright & said no, definition of hand palm to forehead), Curt Schilling, Randy Johnson, Chuck Knoblauch. Cleveland has finally realized they are small market and to be competitive, they need the farm system to keep producing talent, in successive waves, not a handful and then 5 or more years before another handful..
  20. MadThinker88
    What's even more ironic is that Cleveland actually could have gotten Lucroy in the Sabathia deal. Along with Laporta and the pitchers they had a choice of four players (I think it was a ptbnl type thing). The options were Cain, Brantley, Lucroy or Taylor Green if I'm remembering correctly. It was Brantley if the Crew made the playoffs. It was either Gamel or Green (don't recall which one) if the Crew missed the '08 playoffs. indians GM Shapiro was getting roasted in Cleveland for letting the PTBNL be determined by the Crew's finish...
  21. MadThinker88
    To all those suggesting these multi player prospect packages from Cleveland to Milwaukee for Lucroy, Consider the trade history/ track record of the Indians. They RARELY deal packages of prospects for major league talent. I found two... 2 such trades they made in the last 10 years. In Dec2008 they sent away Chris Archer & 2 other pieces (all pitchers) to the Cubs for Mark DeRosa and as the 2009 fell apart, flipped DeRosa for 2 pitching prospects from the Cardinals (Chris Perez & Jess Todd). The other deal was in 2011 at the deadline. 3 pitching prospects including 2 first round selections (Alex White and Drew Pomeranz) and catching prospect to Colorado for Ubaldo Jimenez. Is it possible they put together a package for Lucroy? Yes. Just as it is possible one of us wins the next mega millions drawing if we bought a ticket. I suspect the odds of it happening are about the same. I've written and suggested on this board that Will Smith is a more likely target for the Tribe. I stand by that still.
  22. MadThinker88
    Update time. As of end of 7/8/2016 Remember - these standings ONLY considers the FULL SEASON clubs in the minors (Low A thru AAA). A poor showing during the week (10 & 18) pushes the Crew affiliates down a few notches. 1 New York Yankees 207 138 0.6000 2 Seattle Mariners 201 142 0.5860 3 Philadelphia Phillies 196 149 0.5681 4 Cleveland Indians 197 151 0.5661 5 Washington Nationals 183 157 0.5382 23 San Diego Padres 162 183 0.4696 24 Detroit Tigers 157 183 0.4618 25 Milwaukee Brewers 155 183 0.4586 26 Colorado Rockies 156 189 0.4522 27 Atlanta Braves 153 191 0.4448 28 Los Angeles Angels 149 193 0.4357 29 Chicago White Sox 144 201 0.4174 30 Kansas City Royals 141 199 0.4147
  23. MadThinker88
    Extremely unlikely that the Tribe deals Clevinger, let alone for Aaron Hill. If you said Will Smith and another prospect for Clevinger and another piece , I could see the start of an interesting conversation... How about Adam Plutko for Hill/Torres? Plutko's been terrific in 2015 and 2016. For Will Smith, there might be interest, not for Aaron Hill. Let me underscore the LACK of interest in trading for a replacement at 3rd Base in Cleveland: You can have Mitch Brown or Dace Kime to phone another club to trade Aaron Hill too. The recent winning streak matched the return of Juan Uribe from some recovery time after taking a hot shot grounder off the family jewels... IF Cleveland determined it wanted to move on from Uribe, they have 3 internal options to go sort thru: Jose Ramirez (playing incredible this year and moving all over the place to play), Giovanny Urshela (great glove, limited stick) and Yandy Diaz (Cuban free agent from a few years back). The need of JRam moving around is lessened as Abe Almonte and Michael Brantley return to the roster. In fact, once Brantley is ready to be activated again, it might cause any interesting roster decision in Cleveland - who goes to open the roster space???
  24. MadThinker88
    Extremely unlikely that the Tribe deals Clevinger, let alone for Aaron Hill. If you said Will Smith and another prospect for Clevinger and another piece , I could see the start of an interesting conversation...
  25. MadThinker88
    The MLBtraderumors report of the signing says Crew is over by 5% but will not need to sacrifice a draft pick. All items I had learned in the past and this year suggested a team could go 4.999% over and not lose a pick, but at 5% a pick is lost. Again, I hope the crew does not lose its 1st rounder for next year but I will be watching the reports very closely...
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