Spotlight: Cleveland Indians
Dec 20, 2017 16:47:07 GMT -5
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Post by BK Trade Rumors on Dec 20, 2017 16:47:07 GMT -5
Wide Range of Potential Outcomes for Indians' Offseason
It all starts with Stephen Strasburg's restricted free agency for Cleveland.
The Cleveland Indians were one of many AL Central clubs to make some bold moves this offseason, acquiring the likes of Max Scherzer, Ryan Zimmerman, Roberto Osuna, Mike Fiers, Adam Warren, and the restricted free agent rights of Stephen Strasburg.
A club that finished second to last in the Base Knock points rankings in 2017, with just a 3-16 record, added a collective 1971.6 points (from 2017 totals) to their lineup in their series of moves, and could see that total creep up to a whopping 2464.8 (just 304.9 points less than their 2017 season total) if they're able to retain Strasburg. While offseason moves by several clubs have made this point somewhat moot, the current Indians roster (with Strasburg) would've sat 14th in the Power Rankings in 2017, likely good enough to at least challenge for the AL Central title if not win it outright.
But the question is, will Strasburg be with the Tribe to start the 2018 season?
At face value, Cleveland's $40.3-million in cap space seems like plenty to leap them into contention, given the moves they've already made. It even seems like it would theoretically be enough to retain Strasburg and add anywhere from 1-3 other somewhat notable signings.
However, the Indians also sit 14th in total cap available (as of December 20th), trailing several contenders that could put on a full-court press for the young ace, as well teams like Arizona and Seattle, who could see a long-term Strasburg deal pay off two or three years into the contract. Rebuilding clubs could also look to sign Strasburg and flip him for prospects, making his market all the more flooded.
Given this, it's hardly a given that Cleveland will keep the three-time All-Star. They still have two holes in the infield, a need for a third outfielder, a designated hitter/utility bat, as well as at least one starter (or more if they don't sign Strasburg). Some of those holes could likely be filled on the cheap, but will the front office really want to try and fill up to six roster spots with potentially less than $10-million to work with? The team has a farm system of assets that it could turn to as trade chips to fill some holes, but the chances of finding 5-6 legitimate options on the trade market are not that high.
Of course, the Tribe could theoretically sign Strasburg with the intent of flipping him. But would they be able to get anything of value without eating a significant portion of his likely $30-million or higher salary?
Given the rise of the up-and-coming White Sox, as well as the roster depth and salary cap of the Royals, Twins and Tigers, might Cleveland pull the plug on their charge to contention and turn their big-league assets into a ransom of top prospects? The front office will have some serious, tough decisions to make in the coming weeks.
Strasburg's free agency results will ultimately set the stage for the rest of the Indians' offseason. If he is re-signed, it seems likely the front office will dip into its collection of prospects and get deeply involved in the trade market. If he's not, it'll be on general manager Thomas Cuda to fill the roster in other ways, which is certainly a do-able task. But can the club catapult past one of the more crowded divisions in baseball? Only time will tell.
It all starts with Stephen Strasburg's restricted free agency for Cleveland.
The Cleveland Indians were one of many AL Central clubs to make some bold moves this offseason, acquiring the likes of Max Scherzer, Ryan Zimmerman, Roberto Osuna, Mike Fiers, Adam Warren, and the restricted free agent rights of Stephen Strasburg.
A club that finished second to last in the Base Knock points rankings in 2017, with just a 3-16 record, added a collective 1971.6 points (from 2017 totals) to their lineup in their series of moves, and could see that total creep up to a whopping 2464.8 (just 304.9 points less than their 2017 season total) if they're able to retain Strasburg. While offseason moves by several clubs have made this point somewhat moot, the current Indians roster (with Strasburg) would've sat 14th in the Power Rankings in 2017, likely good enough to at least challenge for the AL Central title if not win it outright.
But the question is, will Strasburg be with the Tribe to start the 2018 season?
At face value, Cleveland's $40.3-million in cap space seems like plenty to leap them into contention, given the moves they've already made. It even seems like it would theoretically be enough to retain Strasburg and add anywhere from 1-3 other somewhat notable signings.
However, the Indians also sit 14th in total cap available (as of December 20th), trailing several contenders that could put on a full-court press for the young ace, as well teams like Arizona and Seattle, who could see a long-term Strasburg deal pay off two or three years into the contract. Rebuilding clubs could also look to sign Strasburg and flip him for prospects, making his market all the more flooded.
Given this, it's hardly a given that Cleveland will keep the three-time All-Star. They still have two holes in the infield, a need for a third outfielder, a designated hitter/utility bat, as well as at least one starter (or more if they don't sign Strasburg). Some of those holes could likely be filled on the cheap, but will the front office really want to try and fill up to six roster spots with potentially less than $10-million to work with? The team has a farm system of assets that it could turn to as trade chips to fill some holes, but the chances of finding 5-6 legitimate options on the trade market are not that high.
Of course, the Tribe could theoretically sign Strasburg with the intent of flipping him. But would they be able to get anything of value without eating a significant portion of his likely $30-million or higher salary?
Given the rise of the up-and-coming White Sox, as well as the roster depth and salary cap of the Royals, Twins and Tigers, might Cleveland pull the plug on their charge to contention and turn their big-league assets into a ransom of top prospects? The front office will have some serious, tough decisions to make in the coming weeks.
Strasburg's free agency results will ultimately set the stage for the rest of the Indians' offseason. If he is re-signed, it seems likely the front office will dip into its collection of prospects and get deeply involved in the trade market. If he's not, it'll be on general manager Thomas Cuda to fill the roster in other ways, which is certainly a do-able task. But can the club catapult past one of the more crowded divisions in baseball? Only time will tell.