Francisco Lindor, Indians

"Better bats, better environments, better fields, and learning how to hit. The minor leagues are the minor leagues, it’s all about learning, it’s all about experience, it’s all about having more at-bats. In the big leagues, you have more experience behind you, and that’s when you start hitting for more power. It’s just a matter of understanding which pitches I can drive, and which pitches I won’t drive, and when I gotta take the base hit, when I gotta drive the ball."
Francisco Lindor started swinging at high fastballs more in 2017 (right) than he did in 2016 (left). His power surged accordingly.

My mechanics are the same, my swing is going to be the same swing from when I was eight, till my last at-bat.

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN reports that the Indians are among the teams interested in Padres closer Brad Hand.

It's not a big surprise to see the Indians are looking for bullpen help, as their relievers rank 29th in the majors with 5.28 ERA. Still, the asking price will be considerable.

Hand is owed $13.5 million over the next two years, with a $10 million club option for 2021. The southpaw has compiled 24 saves for the Padres this season while posting a 3.05 ERA and 65/15 K/BB ratio over 44 1/3 innings. There would be value beyond this season for the Indians with Andrew Miller and Cody Allen due to hit free agency this winter.

Now That is very similar to the contract Andrew Miller had when they dealt for him - this is in the Indians' wheelhouse.

They have shown they will pay in prospects for that kind of player and contract.

Trevor Bauer
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We are 5 pitchers deep here at the all star game and we’re yet to see one that doesn’t throw 98 consistently. Amazing

After seeing all the names rumored I just keep finding myself coming back to the Reds rumors that TFIR posted about weeks ago.

The rumor at the time was Iglesias and Garrett. A righty closer and a lefty set up man. Both good, both under club control after this season.

If we wanted to add a bat too Suarez and Gennett are both having great seasons. Ideal situation might be to grab Suarez and implant him at 3rd and Jose at 2nd. Suarez is a right power bat which we could use, and just signed a 6 year contract too, so under club control 5 more years.

We could fill a few needs, acquire guys all under contract past this year, and do it all with just one trade with one club.

Just don’t know what to do about Kipnis. I guess we could put him in CF again. Not like we’re getting any production there any way.

Although the Indians have been spending more lately, they still are not a free-spending, large payroll team.

Any deal they make will be more about the money than player's ability to help the team. Big market teams would have no problem eating Kipnis' contract, but it hangs around the Tribe's neck like an albatross.

I expect a couple of minor moves for limited money.

I'm sure the brain trust is weighing letting Brantley, Allen and Miller walk or ponying up the bucks to keep them.

I'd be surprised if we make a winter play for Miller, although he may be cheap with his recent injury history.
Allen is reducing his own price with his 2018 but also is making himself much more replaceable. The Indians have a few guys in the minors who they see as fast-movers like Cody was but I don't think any will be ready to close in the majors in 2019, e.g. Henry Martinez, Keiran Lovegrove, James Karinchak, Sandlin and Scott from this year's draft.
Brantley? He sure fooled me this year. As the only established OF on the team, he seems worth tying up.

Rusty posted weeks ago he thought Indians would resign Brantley. He's a class act and a real pro. I sure would like to see it. But won't hold my breath. Watched way too many of my favorite players walk from this organization.

BA trade deadline preview:

INDIANS

Where they stand: 52-43, first place AL Central

What they need: Relievers and outfielders – The Indians bullpen ranks 29th in the majors in ERA (5.28) and is a nightly nightmare. Acquiring one arm won’t do the trick – they need multiple. The Indians have also received very little production from their center fielders this year, and Lonnie Chisenhall’s calf injury creates a hole in right field too.

What they have to offer: Two top prospects, infielders and depth starters – C/OF Francisco Mejia and RHP Triston McKenzie are two elite prospects who can top any trade package. Beyond them strength of the Indians system is in the infield, with 3B Nolan Jones, SSs Willi Castro, Yu Cheng and Tyler Freeman leading the crop. RHPs Aaron Civale, Eli Morgan and Luis Oviedo and LHP Sam Hentges all intrigue as potential big league arms, if not frontline starters. OF George Valera is a low-level prospect in the Arizona League opposing teams are particularly keen on.

Potential fits: Padres LHP Brad Hand, RHPs Kirby Yates, Craig Stammen; Orioles OF Adam Jones, LHP Zach Britton, RHPs Brad Brach, Mychal Givens; Reds RHPs Raisel Iglesias, Jared Hughes, OF Scott Schebler; Marlins UTIL Derek Dietrich, RHPs Kyle Barraclough, Brad Zeigler, Drew Steckenreider.

we rescued Stammen from injury oblivion in 2016. His stats look he'd be a major improvement on McAllister-Otero 6th-7th maybe 8th inning reliever. Could we get him for similar price as Joe Smith last year?

I don't know why some people keep mentioning the Indians would be interested in one of the Reds OF'ers. Duvall is terrible, no interest at all. Schebler is decent but another lefty bat. Not really interested in him either. I'd much prefer Suarez or Gennett. You get an infield that good you can afford a little weaker OF.

In addition HB - your boy Gennett's position profile last season (2017) was:

2B: 99, 3B: 10, LF: 9, RF: 6, DH: 3, RP: 1

Plus he is right handed. Of course you would be buying high since he's having a career year this season.

(Just playing 2B this year)

Too late for Machado. See Other Teams folder

That was never realistic unless the Mejias, Tristons and Biebers of the world were included (and Britton included on their side).

The Tribe M.O. is they will deal those guys only for a return with multiple controllable years.

That said, Machado dealt might just grease the rest of the market to move along now.

it usually all erupts the last couple days of July, so we still have lots of time when rumors overwhelm action

I WAS WRONG