Cleveland Sports Forum

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Amed Rosario admits he was caught off guard when he learned that he had been traded to the Cleveland Indians on Jan. 7 while he was eating lunch at home in the Dominican Republic.

“I sort of like froze when I heard the news,” Rosario said. “But after that it’s been a great process. I’m very happy to be here.”

Joining the Indians from the Mets along with shortstop Andrés Giménez and a pair of prospects in exchange for Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco raised plenty of questions for Rosario, including whether or not he would get a chance to play shortstop in Cleveland, or if a position change is in his future. Either way, Rosario said he expects to bring a revamped approach at the plate with him when he joins the club in Arizona next month.


Since the trade was finalized Rosario said has been able to connect with different people from the Indians and work out at the team’s Dominican training complex, which is about 20 minutes from his home in Santo Domingo Centro. But nobody from the club has approached him about switching positions. It’s a conversation he expects to take place at some point in spring training.

During a Zoom conference call Thursday with reporters, Rosario danced around the notion that he might feel extra pressure in joining the Indians after being traded for a four-time All-Star and face of the franchise in Lindor. He said the feeling he gets from being involved in that kind of trade is more along the lines of pride.

“It shows the value the organization has for you and at the same time, gives me more reason to play the game the way I do,” Rosario said. “Which is just to play the game and have fun, so for me, there’s no pressure at all.”

Three years ago scouts praised Rosario’s skills at shortstop, and minor league insiders considered him not just the Mets top prospect, but one of the best in all of baseball. MLB.com’s Jim Callis wrote in 2016 that Rosario possessed “outstanding speed, hands, footwork and a very strong arm, everything he needs to stay at shortstop long term.” Meanwhile, Keith Law wrote for ESPN that Rosario’s “instincts are really good,” and “He’s got a great arm and quick release.”

But advanced analytics have exposed his flaws at the position over the past three seasons. Last year, he posted a -3 defensive runs saved, despite ranking favorably with a +2 outs above average and a +3.5 ultimate zone rating per 150 chances.

Rosario has played shortstop exclusively during his eight pro seasons, save a handful of games at third base in the minors and one game in the outfield for New York. Asked what he feels is his best position, Rosario said he’s been a shortstop his while career.

“I’ve never been in another position,” he said. “I consider myself a shortstop. However, I know I’m here to the help the team, and I know I’m happy to help them any way I can.

Wherever he plays in the field, the Indians are hoping Rosario returns to the offensive form he displayed in the second half of the 2019 season. He hit .322 with a .806 OPS in his final 372 plate appearances that year, but struggled in 2020, managing just a .252/.272/.371 slash line and a 76 wRC+ in 147 trips to the plate.

This offseason, he’s made trips to Los Angeles to work with hitting instructor Doug Latta, a former high school coach who is credited with turning Justin Turner’s swing around in 2014. Prior to that season, Turner was a career utility infielder with a .260 career average. He’s hit .302 with an .886 OPS and 116 home runs since working with Latta.

Rosario said his hitting mechanics are completely different from what was working for him in 2019.

“They’re very different,” he said. “But the important part is that I’m feeling good with these mechanics. I’m putting them to practice and it’s just a matter of time will tell what are the outcomes. I’m gonna continue to do what I’ve been working on most recently.”

With a shortened schedule and pandemic protocols to deal with, 2020 was a very different season for everybody, Rosario said.
“There were a lot of challenges for baseball players as a whole,” he added. “I think the closest as a player that I think I am is closest to the version that I showed in 2019.”

Amed Rosario, Andrés Giménez discuss the trade and their future in Cleveland


By Zack Meisel Jan 21, 2021 9
CLEVELAND — Andrés Giménez hails from the same hometown as Carlos Carrasco, the pitcher he was, in part, traded for two weeks ago. Giménez referred to that geographical connection as “an honor.”

Growing up in Barquisimeto, Giménez primarily idolized fellow Venezuelan shortstop Omar Vizquel. He also admired another former Indians player, Carlos González (though his tenure was slightly less memorable).

“When I was a kid, I wanted to be like them.” said Giménez, donning a bright yellow LeBron James T-shirt. “And here we are.”

Soon enough, Giménez, as Vizquel did for 11 years, will man the shortstop position for Cleveland’s baseball team. He’s not the only former Mets player eyeing a spot in the middle of the Indians infield, though. Giménez and Amed Rosario are the two major league-ready shortstops Cleveland acquired from the Mets in exchange for Carrasco and Francisco Lindor.

Rosario has more big-league experience and had more prospect fanfare, but Giménez might have the higher ceiling, especially defensively. Both players figure to factor into the team’s plans in 2021 and beyond, and they met with the Cleveland media for the first time on Thursday afternoon.

What was your reaction to the trade?
Rosario: “At the time it was a little bit of a big shock, right? I sort of froze when I heard the news. I was just having lunch when I heard the information. So, yeah — but after that, it’s been a great process.”

Giménez: “When I received the call, I was a little shocked, a little surprised. But I think it was a trade for the good, for the better. It’s going to be really positive, and I embrace that mindset, that it’s going to be something positive for me.”

What’s the focus of your offseason training?
Rosario, 25, enjoyed a breakout season in 2019, when he posted a .287/.323/.432 slash line, with 15 home runs and 19 stolen bases. He insists that’s the sort of production to which he can return, especially with the abnormalities of the 2020 season and schedule in the rearview. He said he struggled to get his timing down last season. Since the trade, he has trained at the Indians’ Dominican complex in Santo Domingo about 20 minutes from his house.

Giménez, 22, has been training in Miami this winter. He made his major-league debut last season and logged a .263/.333/.398 slash line in 132 trips to the plate, grabbing eight stolen bases in nine chances. He said his speed is “one of the most important tools in my repertoire.”

“I try to keep it (at) 100 percent in the offseason because that never fails,” he said. “My speed can be the big difference in an important game at any time.”

Rosario: “Since 2020, I’ve been working with a hitting coach from Los Angeles. It’s not the same as my mechanics from 2019. They’re very different. But the important part is that I’m feeling good with these mechanics. I’m putting them to practice and it’s just a matter of time (until we see) the outcomes. I’m going to continue to do what I’ve been working on most recently.”

Giménez: “I don’t think I’m just focusing on one thing in particular, but I’m just conscious (of) getting a little stronger, gaining a couple extra pounds, but also maintaining my defense, my hitting and my base running, especially.

“(The big-league level) is more developed. It’s more strategy-based. The game gets a lot faster on you, and you’re facing the best of the best. But, in my opinion, I learned a lot. Not only about the league, but about myself as a player, and I’m happy to put that into practice for the upcoming season.”

What position do you envision playing in Cleveland?
Lindor handled shortstop for the Indians for the last five and a half seasons. Rosario served as the Mets’ shortstop the last few years, though his defensive metrics at the position are not favorable. Giménez profiles as the better defender at that spot, but he has bounced around to second and third as well. Both players said the club has not yet informed them about a specific defensive assignment.

Rosario: “I’ve been a shortstop my whole career. I’ve never been in another position. In ’19, I had to help in left field, but that was for one game. In Triple A, I played a couple games at third base, but I consider myself a shortstop. However, I know I’m here to help the team, and I know I’m happy to help them any way I can.”

Giménez: “Normally, I feel more comfortable at shortstop because that’s where I’ve played before. But I work hard, especially in the offseason, to be able to defend all the positions on the infield and be able to do a good job in any of them.”

Tell us about the other guy.
Rosario on Giménez: “He’s a player with a lot of good qualities. He can do different things on the baseball field. He can hit you home runs and doubles and steal bases, but also play great defense. I got the chance to (know) him for a couple of years, and he’s a great person as well. We’re excited to have him here in Cleveland.”

Giménez on Rosario: “He’s an incredible athlete. I’m sure you have seen all his skills on the field, but I can assure you that he’s also a great teammate and a great person. You’re in for a treat. He’s a great player to watch.”

The state of the Indians: What can we expect in wake of Francisco Lindor trade?
By Zack Meisel and Jason Lloyd 7h ago 53
Zack: Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco don Mets pinstripes. Carlos Santana feasts on burnt ends in Kansas City. Brad Hand is headed to Washington.

This winter, marked by an exodus of Cleveland mainstays and a recalibration of the big-league roster, has proven especially harsh for Indians fans. It’s difficult to blame anyone for feeling disgruntled or perplexed or, perhaps most alarming, apathetic.

Jason, there’s a ton to dissect and critique with regard to ownership, the front office, the team’s messaging and the future of this roster, payroll and organization as a whole. To me, there’s a lot that doesn’t quite add up. But three weeks removed from the Indians’ franchise-rattling trade with the Mets, what’s on your mind?

Jason: Who’s going to lead off? Hit cleanup? Play shortstop? To put it simply: How many league-average or better hitters do the Indians have today? The league average OPS last year was .740. In 2019 (baseball’s last full season), it was .758.

Going off your recent projected lineup, the only two batters with a career OPS higher than .740 are exactly who you’d think: Franmil Reyes (.821) and José Ramírez (.848).

Zack: Keep in mind, that projected lineup included two imaginary players, just to see if readers would notice. (Though, in my head, “Felix Polanco” and “Evan Meyers” did not wield the most productive lumber.)

Jason: Now, there was a time when guys like Ramírez and even Lindor were unproven, and some of the names who are going to play every day this year could flourish with at-bats. But it’s hard to have a lot of confidence in a lineup that has exactly two hitters better than league average using one pretty important metric.

Zack: That sure doesn’t sound like the lineup of a team expected to contend — and the front office has insisted that the priority is to continue to contend while also stockpiling assets for the future. I actually think Josh Naylor is primed for a breakout season and Daniel Johnson should be fun to watch and Oscar Mercado will rebound and Jordan Luplow is valuable as at least a platoon outfielder and Reyes will hit 35 home runs. But I also know to anticipate some regression from other players, and I’m not sure how the organization thinks fans will buy in to the idea that these guys will steer the club toward October.

They’ll likely add someone to the mix via trade or free agency in the coming weeks, but there will be more trial and error this year — Jake Bauers is out of options, Bradley Zimmer is almost out of chances, Bobby Bradley needs out of Columbus — than desperate measures made to plug obvious holes on the roster.

So, while the Indians say the plan is to contend, the team’s actions suggest it’s more of a hope or a wish than a priority. If the team amasses, say, an 80-82 record in 2021, are we to deem that a failure, based on the expectations they’ve set themselves?

Jason: The Indians were on pace last year to win 94 games despite an offense that ranked among the worst in baseball at scoring runs. Losing Lindor certainly doesn’t help, but Lindor didn’t have the type of season last year that we’ve come to expect from him. So I understand why the Indians believe they can still compete in the Central. After all, three of the eight lowest-scoring teams in baseball last year resided in their division.

However, the White Sox should be much improved. The Twins are still the Twins. Even the Royals are spending money and improving the lineup and the Tigers’ young arms are beginning to reach the majors. I don’t believe the Indians will unravel, but this does feel like the season of recalibrating a bit before some of their young hitters in the minors are ready to help.

Their pitching alone means the Indians should win more than 80 games this year, but I’m not sure how they finish higher than third in the division. A third-place finish likely results in … about 80 wins.

Zack: Part of the issue is the messaging. One could argue they shouldn’t bother dabbling in free agency because this is a retooling year and they need to determine whether Mercado, Johnson, Naylor, Bauers, Bradley, Zimmer and even Amed Rosario should be part of their future, and adding another veteran to the mix might only cost a young player a chance. (Frankly, I lean toward that camp, but I understand if others aren’t so patient.)

But inactivity would defy what the organization has vowed: that they intend to contend in 2021 and they intend to reinvest their $32 million of savings from the Lindor/Carrasco trade. So they’ve cornered themselves into a position where, if they don’t demonstrate some aggressiveness in adding to the roster via free agency or trades, it would be quite insulting to a fan base that is already buzzing like a swarm of hornets. The Indians were willing to offer Lindor a long-term deal worth more than $200 million, so … did that money vanish? (Or did they simply expect he would never re-sign with them?)

There’s no transparency from ownership; Paul Dolan hasn’t answered questions about payroll since his sit-down with me nearly two years ago. There’s no explanation for why the payroll has plummeted by $100 million over the last three years, no revelation of what the ultimate plan is. That creates a wider rift with fans and leaves me wondering if Mike DeWine will even need to enforce an attendance limit after Opening Day. It also leaves fans guessing about whether the Dolans plan to sell or relocate the team — or both — which is incredibly unhealthy for everyone involved.

Sorry, what was your question again? Yeah, I could see 80 wins. There’s a wide spectrum of potential outcomes given the youth on the roster. They could win 74. They could win 87. There isn’t much that would surprise me. It should be a season defined by individual development.

Jason: I’m absolutely in the “let’s see what the kids can do” camp. I mean, is a César Hernández reunion going to put butts in the seats? The damage is done with the fan base. There is no realistic move they can make before Opening Day that will bring back those who feel scorned.

Although this reminds me of what a number of GMs have told me throughout my career: “You can’t worry about what the fans think. If you worry about the fans, you’ll soon be sitting with them.” The front office can’t base any decisions at this point on what will bring back fans. Winning is the only answer.

(Although I’ll use this as another opportunity to keep pounding what I wrote a few months ago: Sign Shane Bieber to an extension. Right now. Do it today. It’s the best way to start mending relationships with lost fans and, more importantly, it makes good business sense.)

But you sort of touched on something I’ve asked you a couple of times in private and continue to wonder. Now that the hammer has been swung and the payroll really can’t go much lower, now what? Have the Indians become the Rays and the A’s in perpetuity? Is this the new normal? A payroll under $50 million every year? Or will it steadily start to rise again when Progressive FIeld is (kinda) filled with fans? Put another way, I have a hard time believing the Indians are going to spend $40 million next winter in free agency.


Should the Indians sign AL Cy Young winner Shane Bieber to an extension — like right now? (Jay Biggerstaff / USA Today)
Zack: It sure seems that way. If you build a robust farm system and employ top-notch coaching and player development, it’s not the worst method of operation, but the question is, do they have to operate under such strict parameters? The downside with that strategy, of course, is that fans feel disconnected from the team because by the time they become familiar with players, they’re counting down the days until they’re traded. I’ve already had scores of people ask me if/when they’re going to trade Ramírez and Bieber. The Rays would probably have moved Ramírez this winter, and Bieber surely would be renting, not buying, on Bayshore Boulevard.

Jason: There really is no compelling reason to avoid a Bieber extension. He’s only 25 and he’s already won a Cy Young. There is no history of arm trouble. There are no red flags in his personal life. His signing bonus was only $400,000, and he’s making the league minimum, so he doesn’t have millions already in the bank and therefore should be motivated to get something done. Blake Snell signed a five-year, $50 million deal at this same point in his career, one year prior to arbitration. And a contract of that size shouldn’t come with a crippling price tag in Year 1. He is the perfect candidate.

Zack: No doubt. The Indians have literally zero dollars on the books beyond 2021, and Bieber has said in the past that he’s always willing to listen. And I’ve been told the Indians are still in the business of locking up pre-arbitration players if the situation makes sense. This one does, without question.

Jason: I don’t want this to be all doom and gloom. I’m curious to see if Triston McKenzie’s rail-thin frame can hold up for a full season. Cal Quantrill’s appearances at the end of last season were a pretty good audition for what he’s capable of doing as Carrasco’s rotation replacement. I’ve been a believer in Zimmer longer than maybe I should’ve, but perhaps this is the season he proves me right. The flood of prospects who will be descending on Cleveland over the next two or three years should make this a short retooling period, if that’s what we’re calling it, but I understand why fans may not want to hear about that right now.

As I wrote the day of the Lindor trade, for all this ownership group gets right, the spending problems are getting exposed now more than ever. How much longer can the mom-and-pop store owners compete in the corporate world?

Zack: I think people can have several contrasting perspectives when evaluating the present state of the franchise. There’s room for complexity. I think there are plenty of fans who are both frustrated with how the last few years have unfolded and also are somewhat intrigued by the youth movement. And I’m sure many feel one way or the other, but not both.

A retool is not for everyone, especially on the heels of a stretch in which it felt like the organization didn’t turn over every stone to try to capitalize on the presence of an elite core. Personally, I’m looking forward to watching a lot of these guys receive playing time and either flourish or flounder as the front office determines who should be included in its blueprint. But I also know there are many who aren’t counting down the minutes until Opening Day and, after another harsh winter, it’s hard to blame them.

Story today: Arizona wants teams to delay Spring Training.

Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report in about three weeks to spring training camps in Arizona and Florida, just as they have each February for decades. That is the plan, anyway, and players are sticking to it — even though one state does not want them quite yet.

The mayors or city managers of the eight Arizona spring training communities, and the president of the Salt River-Pima Maricopa Indian Community, signed a letter to Rob Manfred, the commissioner of Major League Baseball, on Monday, asking to delay the start of spring training.

“In view of the current state of the pandemic in Maricopa County — with one of the nation’s highest infection rates — we believe it is wise to delay the start of spring training to allow for the Covid-19 situation to improve here,” the letter said, speaking for the Cactus League Association’s task force on Covid-19 compliance. “This position is based on public data from the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, which projects a sharp decline in infections in Arizona by mid-March (an estimated 9,712 daily infections on February 15 and 3,072 daily infections on March 15).”

The letter goes on to acknowledge that M.L.B. cannot unilaterally decide to delay spring training, a point the players’ union reiterated in its statement.

“While we, of course, share the goals of a safe spring training and regular season,” the statement read, “M.L.B. has repeatedly assured us that it has instructed its teams to be prepared for an on-time start to spring training and the regular season and we continue to devote all our efforts to making sure that that takes place as safely as possible.”

The players, naturally, are eager to hold a regular 162-game schedule after earning only 37 percent of their 2020 salaries in a 60-game season. Any delay could potentially threaten a schedule that is on track to begin April 1.

A statement from M.L.B. said the league would “continue to consult with public health authorities, medical experts, and the Players Association” on any possible schedule adjustments. But trust has largely eroded between the sides, which struggled to find common ground on rules for the delayed 2020 season and have been unable to reach an agreement to keep some of the modifications in place.

The league has told teams to proceed as if there would be no expanded playoffs or designated hitters in the National League, as there were in 2020. The league and the union both want such changes, but the players believe the expanded playoff format is worth more than the universal D.H. and are leery of giving away leverage with their collective bargaining agreement expiring after this season.

Cleveland Indians continue to hoard infielders, agree to César Hernández reunion
By Zack Meisel Jan 26, 2021 64
CLEVELAND — The Indians and César Hernández are in agreement on a one-year deal for the 2021 season, plus a club option for 2022, multiple sources told The Athletic. The deal is contingent on a physical, which could take several days since the second baseman was in Venezuela.

Cleveland has acquired three middle infielders this month, though they’re plenty familiar with Hernández, who appeared in all but two games for the team last season. The 30-year-old posted a .283/.355/.408 slash line and led the league with 20 doubles. He also captured his first Gold Glove award.

The Indians had signed him to a one-year, $6.25 million deal about a week after they cleared Corey Kluber’s $17.5 million salary from their books. After the season, both the team and Hernández expressed interest in a reunion.

So what will the Indians do with all of these middle infielders?

Well, Hernández would figure to start at second base, where he totaled six defensive runs saved last year, second-most among American Leaguers at that position. He also could serve as the club’s leadoff hitter, a spot in the lineup he occupied 43 times last year. Hernández owns a career on-base percentage of .352, and he drew walks in 9.2 percent of his plate appearances last season. His career walk rate is 9.9 percent.

That leaves Amed Rosario and Andrés Giménez, presumably, to duke it out for the starting shortstop gig. Giménez is the more gifted defender, and Rosario’s fielding metrics are rather unsightly. In about two-and-a-half full seasons at shortstop, Rosario has amassed minus-35 defensive runs saved.

“Both players have versatility to fill different infield spots and potentially even other spots on the diamond,” Chris Antonetti said earlier this month.

Perhaps Rosario will invest in an outfielder’s glove this spring, providing some competition for Oscar Mercado in center field.

It wouldn’t be surprising, though, if Rosario does start the season at shortstop. The team could manipulate Giménez’s service time to gain an extra year of control of the 22-year-old. Giménez did skip Triple A en route to spending the entire 2020 campaign with the Mets. Maybe the club will use that to attempt to justify sending him to Columbus to start the year.

The front office insisted after the Francisco Lindor trade in early January that the club was done subtracting from its roster. Obviously, any consideration to trading José Ramírez — surely, teams would have inquired once the club dealt the other half of its All-Star infielder tandem — would contradict that messaging. Ramírez’s presence has already pushed top prospect Nolan Jones, for now, from third base to the corner outfield positions.

With Ramírez at third, Hernández at second and either Rosario or Giménez at shortstop, that could also create some competition at the utility infielder spot. Yu Chang and Ernie Clement are expected to be in the mix for that role. Owen Miller, Tyler Freeman and Gabriel Arias could also factor into the equation late in the season or next season.

Rosario logged a .252/.272/.371 slash line last season, a far cry from his breakout year in 2019. That season, he batted .287 with a .755 OPS, 15 home runs and 19 stolen bases. He stressed last week that he can return to that level of production, as he said he struggled to perfect his timing because of the abnormal ramp-up to the season and 60-game schedule. Prior to the 2017 season, Rosario was considered a top-10 prospect in the league by Baseball America, MLB.com and Baseball Prospectus.

Earlier this month, Baseball America ranked Giménez the 66th-best prospect in the sport. He registered a .263/.333/.398 slash line in 49 games last season, with eight stolen bases in nine attempts. He started games at second, short and third, though he primarily played shortstop in the minors.

Rosario logged a .252/.272/.371 slash line last season. That would be an immense upgrade over the numbers Mercado put up.
I would greatly prefer the better defender to be the prime candidate for SS and it seems foolish to send Gimenez back to AAA after playing successfully in the majors last summer.

Rosario logged a .252/.272/.371 slash line last season, a far cry from his breakout year in 2019. That season, he batted .287 with a .755 OPS, 15 home runs and 19 stolen bases.

Yeah - I am with you and I am willing to overlook many, many 2020 seasons. Rosario broke out in 2019 and if that player is the real Rosario then CF would be a good call civ.

Wouldn't surprise me if that's their thought because they do value defense and Gimenez is the man then at SS.

Said this before but Rosario was a long heralded prospect - they had Lindor-like hype around him a few years ago. That can be a huge burden in NYC!

no burdens in Cleveland although perhaps following Lindor could be a little challenging

Similar article to the one rusty posted in Minors for fantasy baseball - but just top 5 pitching prospects with Triston listed!

Top 5 Prospects at Pitcher (2021 Fantasy Baseball)
by Josh Shepardson | @BChad50 | Featured WriterJan 26, 2021


This year’s top-five pitching prospects features a pair of starters I’ve ranked inside my top-40 and three more within the top-70. The top duo’s separated by only one spot in my fantasy pitcher re-draft rankings, and they’re best viewed as one and 1A here. All five hurlers pitched in the bigs last year, and they all have the upside to make waves in re-draft leagues this year.

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5. Triston McKenzie (CLE)
McKenzie didn’t pitch at all in 2019 due to injury. He flashed his upside for Cleveland in 2020 despite the lost year of development. McKenzie dazzled in his debut, holding the Tigers to one run on two hits, one walk, and 10 strikeouts in six innings. His overall line was eye-catching, too.

He tallied a 3.24 ERA, 3.25 SIERA, 0.90 WHIP, 7.1 BB%, 33.1 K%, and 12.4 SwStr% in 33.1 innings, per FanGraphs. The youngster started his first six games before concluding his 2020 campaign with a pair of relief appearances. McKenzie’s numbers without context would warrant a higher rank in this space.

McKenzie’s upside’s immense, as evidenced by his work last year, but his injury history and decreasing velocity in each of his starts need to be baked into his ranking. McKenzie’s SP52 ranking and 165.3 average draft position (ADP) overall are a little rich for my blood as I have him ranked as SP62. He has top-50 SP upside.

4. Nate Pearson (TOR)
Pearson has more electric stuff than McKenzie, but he also carries injury risk. The flame-throwing righty pitched 18.0 innings spread across five appearances (four starts). He was placed on the injured list after four starts with elbow stiffness. However, Pearson threw top-shelf cheddar out of the pen with an average velocity of 99.1 mph in his regular-season relief appearance, according to FanGraphs, when he returned from injury.

A currently healthy Pearson’s bat-missing arsenal is enticing. He backs his heater that MLB Pipeline grades as an 80 on the 20-to-80 scouting scale with a plus slider, changeup, and curve. His curve generated a 16.0 SwStr%, the slider was even better with a 17.2 SwStr%, and Pearson’s changeup led the way with a 20.0 SwStr%.

Pearson’s 19.8 K% feels light for his swinging-strike percentages on his arsenal, and his 16.0 BB% is dreadful as well. Both are outliers compared to his work in the minors. I’m bullish on Pearson’s odds of building on his flashes of excellence. I have him ranked one spot higher than McKenzie as my SP61.

3. Deivi Garcia (NYY)
Garcia ranks two spots ahead of McKenzie and directly in front of Pearson as my SP60. His 4.98 ERA in six starts totaling 34.1 innings for the Yankees last year was nothing to write home about, but his 4.21 SIERA suggests he suffered from some bad luck. Garcia took a big step forward from his minor-league days in the control department, walking only 4.1% of the batters he faced.

He also struck out a respectable 22.6% of the batters he faced, but an 11.3 SwStr% that’s identical to last year’s league average could portend to more punchouts. The 21-year-old pitcher has a four-pitch mix, with three of those offerings generating a 14.3 SwStr% or better. Garcia also posted gaudy strikeout rates in the minors. He should help fantasy squads in punchouts, could help in WHIP if his control gains stick, and is backed by an offense that’s capable of providing run support for wins. There’s some ERA risk for a young pitcher who calls a hitter-friendly park, Yankee Stadium, home, but he’s a high-upside SP5/SP6 option who’s being grossly undervalued as SP107 with an ADP of 287.0.



Check out all of our 2021 fantasy baseball draft prep content >>

2. Ian Anderson (ATL)
Anderson was awesome last year. He spun a 1.95 ERA, 3.82 SIERA, 1.08 WHIP, 11.0 BB%, 23.8 K%, and 11.9 SwStr% in six regular-season starts totaling 32.1 innings. He was even more dominant with a 0.96 ERA, 3.84 SIERA, 1.13 WHIP, 13.0 BB%, and 31.2 K% in four postseason starts spanning 18.2 innings. Anderson’s walk rate was high, but MLB Pipeline grades his control as average with a 50 on the 20-to-80 scale.

Anderson did a masterful job of avoiding well-hit balls. He allowed only one barrel on 81 batted-ball events, according to Baseball Savant. Anderson also missed lumber entirely at quality rates with a 14.3 SwStr% on his curve and 18.9 SwStr% on his changeup. The 22-year-old’s ability to coax poor contact and strike hitters out should assuage concerns above his high walk rates. Add in the potential for closing the gap between his below-average control and his average control scouting grade, and Anderson makes for an exciting SP3/SP4 option for gamers.

1. Sixto Sanchez (MIA)
Sanchez’s 3.46 ERA and 4.18 SIERA both were a bit higher than Anderson’s marks. Still, he narrowly edges out his NL East foe for the top spot in these rankings. He has better control and an electric arsenal of his own. MLB Pipeline grades his control as a 60, and he walked only 7.0% of the batters he faced last year, well below the league average of 9.2 BB%.

Sanchez’s 20.9 K% is also lower than Anderson’s mark, but the former has a higher swinging-strike percentage (12.8%). The 22-year-old’s changeup is his put-away pitch with an 18.3 SwStr% and a 65 grade from MLB Pipeline, but it’s his blistering fastball that earned the highest grade from MLB Pipeline with a 70. He throws both a sinker and a four-seam fastball, and they’re upper-90s offerings. A repeat of last year’s work would make him a solid SP3, but he’s just scratching the surface and has upside for more.

With the signing of Hermandez, hey’re overloaded in the middle of the diamond. The Indians acquired middle infielders Amed Rosario and Andres Gimenez from the Mets for shortstop Francisco Lindor and right-hander Carlos Carrasco on Jan. 7. Rosario and Gimenez are capable of playing shortstop and second base, making one of them expendable because Hernandez won a Gold Glove at second base last year. [Please don't forget about the trade three or four months before that brought SS G. Arias and 2B O. Miller.]

Presently it’s not the Indians intent to trade Rosario or Gimenez. Either one could play shortstop with the other becoming a utility infielder for this season. Or Gimenez, 22, could be optioned to Class AAA when the season begins. Rosario is the better hitter, while Gimenez is the better defender at shortstop.

But there is a market for shortstops despite Lindor being traded and free agents Andrelton Simmons (Twins), Marcus Semien (Toronto) and Freddy Galvis (Orioles) having already signed. Didi Gregorius is the last prominent free agent shortstop available and he’s projected to make over $10 million a year. The Phillies and Reds need a shortstop and Rosario might be in their sights if Gregorius is too expensive.

The Reds, of course, are a favorite trading partner of the Indians.

The Indians are paying Rosario $2.4 million this year. With their payroll being slashed to an estimated $37.5 million (not counting Hernandez’s contract), it stands to reason they’re not going to pay him that much to sit on the bench. So if they’re going to start Gimenez at short, they could trade Rosario.

Or they could make Rosario a super utility player, bouncing him around the infield and outfield and perhaps trade him at the end of the season.

The Indians, assuming Hernandez passes his physical, will still have a small amount of money left to add a player. Perhaps they can get a reliever on the cheap or some help for the outfield. The money was generated by the estimated $32 million they saved on 2021 by trading Lindor and Carrasco.

I don't know where that guy got his math skills but Hernandez didn't exactly cut far into the $32 million.

To prove it they then spent $8 million on Rosario.

And that still isn't close which is why I say that they are not done.

Is Rosario limited to Left? Can Naylor handle Right? Does Reyes play in the field? Any chance for Bradley or Bauers?
At least know there's surplus rather than deficit

Indians sign ex-Twin Eddie Rosario; where does he fit in the Cleveland lineup?


By Zack Meisel Jan 29, 2021 31
CLEVELAND — Francisco Lindor once stood at his locker and listed his favorite major leaguers to watch. One of the first names he offered was Eddie Rosario.

The two grew up about an hour apart in Puerto Rico, and for the last six years, they regularly faced each other. Lindor was the Indians’ heartbeat. Rosario was the Indians’ heartbreaker.

Three weeks after Cleveland dealt Lindor to the Mets, they signed Rosario to a one-year, $8 million deal, multiple sources told The Athletic.

Earlier Friday, the club made official its reunion with second baseman César Hernández. A source said that contract is worth $5 million for 2021, with a $6 million club option for 2022.

What to know about Rosario
A glance at his slugging percentages the last four seasons — .507, .479, .500, .476 — illustrates why he’ll seamlessly transition into the middle of Terry Francona’s batting order. Only José Ramírez slugged in that stratosphere in 2020.

Rosario topped out at 32 home runs in 2019, though he totaled 13 in only 57 games last season. The last four years, he has produced a wRC+ of 117, 114, 103, 110 (a mark of 100 represents league-average run creation). He’s an aggressive hitter who doesn’t strike out a ton, but also (until he posted a walk rate of 8.2 percent last year) doesn’t walk frequently. In fact, he ranked in the bottom 2 percent of the league in walk rate in 2019.

Defensively, he’s been a mixed bag in the outfield, though he is considered to have a strong arm. He has totaled 53 outfield assists in six seasons. He has spent the majority of his time in left.

The Twins opted to non-tender Rosario, 29, in early December, making him a free agent. He was projected to earn $9-12 million in his final round of arbitration eligibility.

In 93 career games against Cleveland, Rosario owns a .301/.337/.560 slash line. At Progressive Field, he has tormented Tribe pitching even more, to the tune of a .353/.379/.653 clip in 45 games. On several occasions, he left Cleveland pitchers mystified at his ability to pounce on pitches that missed the strike zone by a few zip codes.

Where does he fit?
Did you watch the Cleveland outfield at all in 2020?

They employed more outfielders with a negative WAR than outfielders with a positive WAR. The unit’s 53 wRC+ was the second-lowest mark in major-league history. Jordan Luplow led Cleveland outfielders with 0.3 fWAR last season, and he batted .192 with a .653 OPS.

Rosario isn’t some long-term solution poised to reverse the group’s fortunes for years to come, but in 2021, he can certainly rescue the group from the league cellar.

Rosario and Joc Pederson (who signed a one-year, $7 million deal with the Cubs on Friday) have often been linked together in conversation about free agency. But Pederson has severe splits differences, whereas Rosario doesn’t require a platoon partner.

Rosario vs. RHP in his career: .277/.312/.507 slash line
Rosario vs. LHP in his career: .277/.304/.406 slash line

He appeared in 88 percent of the Twins’ games the last four years. So, Francona can scribble his name onto his lineup card every day and not think twice about it. Those sorts of outfielders have been rare in Cleveland, where only one outfielder has started at least 150 games in a season in the last decade: Shin-Soo Choo, in 2012.

What might the Opening Day lineup look like?
The addition of Rosario doesn’t change the fact that there will be a chaotic game of musical chairs at Goodyear Ballpark this spring. Hernández will start at second base, with Ramírez at third and Roberto Pérez behind the plate.

Rosario and Franmil Reyes will start somewhere, with Reyes now seeming like a surer bet to remain at designated hitter. Josh Naylor is a leading contender to start at either first base or one of the corner outfield spots. Luplow will occupy one of the corner spots when an opposing lefty takes the mound.

There are a lot of moving parts, though. Daniel Johnson is ready for regular, big-league playing time. Jake Bauers is out of options. Bobby Bradley has twiddled his thumbs at Triple A for several years. At some point in 2021, Nolan Jones will be pushing to make his big-league debut. And then there’s Oscar Mercado, Bradley Zimmer and the newcomers, Amed Rosario and Andrés Giménez. There’s still plenty for the front office and coaching staff to sort out, and it’s imperative that they learn, at some point, whether these younger players belong.

Here’s one possibility at what the April 1 lineup might look like, if they opt to send Giménez to Columbus for a few weeks to, at least in part, manipulate his service time to gain an extra year of team control.

1. 2B César Hernández
2. 3B José Ramírez
3. LF Eddie Rosario
4. DH Franmil Reyes
5. 1B Josh Naylor
6. SS Amed Rosario
7. RF Daniel Johnson
8. C Roberto Pérez
9. CF Oscar Mercado

Lindor is gone, but one of his favorite players has arrived.

The Triston McKenzie conundrum and how the 2021 Indians could use their starters


By Zack Meisel Jan 29, 2021 11
CLEVELAND — With close friend and top prospect Nolan Jones watching from the roof of a nearby parking garage, Triston McKenzie dazzled against Detroit in his major-league debut in August.

He powered 97 mph fastballs past Miguel Cabrera and tallied 10 strikeouts in all, far exceeding his own expectations for his first career start. After all, a string of injuries had prevented him from pitching in a competitive setting for 723 days.

By his sixth (and final) start last summer, McKenzie’s velocity had dipped, with his average fastball clocking in at 90.6 mph, down from 94.5 mph in his debut. The decrease was understandable and didn’t concern the rookie or the team too much; he had spent the previous two years slogging away through monotonous rehab assignments at the team’s complex in the Arizona desert.

So, what’s a realistic expectation for McKenzie’s workload in 2021?

The 2020 season was anomalous for all pitchers: Spring training was halted without warning. Quarantines forced them to find vacant parks or facilities and atypical catch partners. The ramp-up to the regular season resembled nothing anyone had ever experienced.

There was no gradual, spring training-like build. The league simply dropped summer camp upon teams, and pitchers reported to their home ballparks with three weeks to properly condition their arms for a 60-game whirlwind.

Cleveland’s starters, however, planned ahead. The group kept in touch — and in shape — in preparation for a restart that was rumored to happen several times before it actually materialized. By the time they actually reunited at Progressive Field, they were ready to chew up innings. That might wind up benefitting them in 2021 as much as it did in 2020.

A popular question in camps in both Arizona and Florida next month, something all teams have started to ponder: Is it reasonable to expect a starting pitcher to plan for a 200-inning season? Can anyone handle that workload after such a truncated, unusual 2020 campaign? The Mariners, who deployed a six-man rotation last year, plan to do so again in 2021. The Red Sox and Padres are among the teams that have hinted they may follow suit.

Shane Bieber and Aaron Civale ranked second and third in the American League, respectively, in innings pitched last year with 77 1/3 and 74. Zach Plesac posted sterling statistics, but he made only eight starts, spanning 55 1/3 innings.

Cleveland’s starters led the majors in innings pitched with 349 2/3, 24 2/3 more than any other team. Other clubs eased their starters into action, relying on expanded rosters and openers. Boston’s starters totaled only 246 innings. While the Indians averaged nearly six innings per start, 22 of the 30 teams averaged fewer than five innings.

“Our guys were stretched out,” Terry Francona said, “and we didn’t want to penalize them for that.”

How will this influence what happens in 2021? Will teams be hesitant to push their starters? Francona suggested there are two schools of thought: On one hand, teams might proceed with extra caution because of the limited workloads last year. On the other hand, “they saved some bullets,” so they should be fresher than they’ve ever been when entering a new season.

McKenzie, for instance, a young pitcher with whom the Indians have been incredibly careful, said he is completely healthy during the offseason for the first time in several years. He has spent the winter at home in Florida, enjoying his mom’s cooking, rather than in Arizona strapped to the trainer’s table. McKenzie said he’s preparing to make 30 starts and to be part of the rotation for a full, 162-game schedule. That would be quite the leap.

The 23-year-old skipped Triple A en route to debuting last summer. He has not yet discussed with the team a blueprint for his in-season workload, though he has remained in close contact with Bieber, Plesac and Civale about how to prepare for a big-league season.

McKenzie posted a 3.24 ERA and totaled 42 strikeouts and nine walks in 33 1/3 innings during his cameo last season. He limited opposing hitters to a .179/.244/.368 slash line.

“I feel healthy, and that was kind of the goal last year, to test the waters and make sure I can go out there and perform,” McKenzie said.

The Indians do have some flexibility, thanks to the constant churn of their starting pitching pipeline. It should be noted, of course, that they have a young staff, with Plesac on the elderly side having just turned 26. That youth could translate into some growing pains or regression for some and considerable steps forward for others.

Even after dealing away Carlos Carrasco and Mike Clevinger in recent months, Cleveland has the depth to open the season with a six-man rotation if it desires. Bieber, Plesac and Civale will lead the way. McKenzie, Cal Quantrill, Adam Plutko, Logan Allen and Scott Moss should also be in the mix. Bieber is the only one to ever top the 120-inning mark in a major-league season.

Plutko is out of options, so he figures to slot in somewhere — unless the team severs ties with him. Quantrill prefers to start, and the team indicated it wanted to give him an opportunity to do so this spring. Allen and Moss don’t have much left to prove in the minors.

Another option: The Indians could stash an extra starter or two in the bullpen to provide some length, which would allow them to manipulate starters’ pitch counts early in the season. That strategy is more feasible with an expanded roster. The Indians should have several bullpen spots up for grabs during spring training anyway.

They’ll have a better grasp of what the pitchers might be able to handle once they arrive in Arizona in a few weeks. Even the report date has been a popular topic of conversation — and uncertainty — among the players lately. The league has stressed spring training will begin on time, but several players indicated last week they had not yet been told a specific date to show up in Goodyear.

Players dealt with plenty of unpredictability last year, so that won’t be a deviation from the norm. For McKenzie, though, a normal, full schedule would actually be a welcome change of pace.

“2021 is going to be a different season from what I’m used to,” he said. “I’m just excited for it.”

Other than the fact he hasn't flopped yet, I don't see anything about Daniel Johnson that makes me think he offers more than Bradley or Bauers. My lineup would be a little different

1. 2B César Hernández OK
2. 3B José Ramírez 2. Josh Naylor RF not the best #2 hitter; if Rosario plays CF he can hit here or perhaps Gimenez
3. LF Eddie Rosario 3. Jose Ramirez
4. DH Franmil Reyes OK
5. 1B Josh Naylor 5. Eddie Rosario
6. SS Amed Rosario 6. Bobby Bradley 1B
7. RF Daniel Johnson 7. Giminez SS [he beat out Rosario last year, why give Rosario the job this year?
8. C Roberto Pérez OK
9. CF Oscar Mercado Maybe so, but perhaps A. Rosario does