The annual Major League Baseball Winter Meetings will be very different in 2020 with the ongoing pandemic, there will not be many of the face-to-face meetings, and instead most of the event will be virtual.
The meetings are taking place through December 10th, and usually it’s a massive flurry of activity to try to get players signed as well as talk about possible trades among teams.
The last two seasons the Indians have been one of the teams at the forefront of the meetings, as with the team unloading players, the rumors around the Indians have been hot and heavy.
Two years ago it was about the team moving a front-line starter, like Corey Kluber or Trevor Bauer.
Neither player was moved, but as we know now both pitchers eventually were dealt as Bauer was sent that July to Cincinnati, and Kulber was dealt last December 15th to the Texas Rangers.
There’s also been plenty of rumors about dealing All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor, who is a free agent after the 2021 season, and the team is reportedly ready to finally make a move happen and deal the shortstop for likely a bunch of prospects and maybe a player or two that can help at the Major League level.
Lindor’s name is going to be brought up over and over over the next few days, and many think that a deal is finally going to happen to get him shipped off to a team that is willing to give up the most in return.
There are other names to watch at the meetings, including free agents DJ LeMahieu, Bauer, George Springer, and J.T. Realmuto.
With Major League Baseball in turmoil having lost over $3 billion dollars this last season due to no fans, it will be interesting to see how the contracts for these franchise players all end up.
Back to Lindor, CBS Sports says that he may not be the only name to be traded shortly by the Tribe, as another player that could have a new home come April when the season begins is that of Carlos Carrasco.
The Indians longtime pitcher is going to get some looks around baseball, and while he’s not the marquee player like Bauer, he could and should bring in some prospects or MLB ready players that could help.
Never mind the fact he’s set to make $12 million this season, a LOT of money that the Indians could use.
Plus it could be cash the team could use to start working on a new deal for AL Cy Young award winner Shane Bieber.
Even if the Indians deal Carrasco, the starting pitching of this club remains the strength, and they could and should be able to get by with the following starters in the rotation: Shane Bieber, Zach Plesac, Aaron Civale, Triston McKenzie and a fifth starter that could be either Cal Quantrill, Scott Moss or even Logan Allen.
The chips for the Indians should fall starting with Lindor, but don’t be overly surprised if the team does eventually deal Carrasco in an effort to continue to build as well as save money at the same time.
Jim
December 10, 2020 at 8:32 am
Just like my favorite team Cleveland always the cheapest. Let’s get the payroll down to 40 million and hope that you can compete and win another division title.what else is new?