WHAT A LOOK BACK SHOWS
This email came from Jim Mendat:
“In 2018 the Indians starters of Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Trevor Bauer, Mike Clevinger and Shane Bieber had a 73-36 record with an ERA of 3.00. A great starting staff. This year those same pitchers are 19-14 with an ERA of 3.40. None of them have come even close to pitching the innings they did in 2018 and they are making $58.5 million. ... Their average age is 31.
“Tribe starters Bieber, Zach Plesac, Aaron Civale, Cal Quantrill and Triston McKenzie are 34-17 with an ERA of 3.84 this year. ... Their average age is 25.4.
“Add in the players received for Kluber, Bauer and Clevinger: Emmanuel Clase, Franmil Reyes, Quantrill, Josh Naylor, Scott Moss, Logan Allen, Victor Nova, Austin Hedges, Gabriel Arias, Owen Miller, Joey Cantillo and anyone that could be added to this list from the Carrasco to the Mets deal that included Francisco Lindor.”
The Tribe added Franmil Reyes to the middle of their lineup in the Trevor Bauer trade. John Kuntz, cleveland.com
Some thoughts on Jim’s analysis:
1. In recent years, the Tribe front office led by Chris Antonetti and Mike Chernoff have known when it’s time to move on from veterans, especially pitchers.
2. Kluber has been dealing with arm problems since 2019. The Tribe turned him into Clase, who is becoming one of the game’s elite closers (3-5, 20 saves, 1.54 ERA). He’s only 23.
3. Clevinger had been on the disabled list twice in 2019 – a strained back costing him two months, also an ankle problem. He had his first Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery in 2012. His second came after being traded to San Diego last season. He will not pitch in 2021.
4. The Tribe received a huge haul for Clevinger. Quantrill (4-2, 2.93 ERA) can be member of the rotation for years. Austin Hedges should be back in 2022 as the starting catcher. Owen Miller and Josh Naylor are legitimate prospects, although Naylor is recovering from major surgery on his fractured leg. In Class AAA, Gabriel Arias is considered the best defensive shortstop in the system.
5. Another member of that 2018 rotation was Bauer, who won the 2020 Cy Young Award with Cincinnati. He has been on “leave” for two months as MLB and the legal system look at possible charges of sexual assault against the pitcher.
6. The Tribe turned Bauer into Reyes (.249, 24 HR, 65 RBI, .852 OPS) and Logan Allen. The Tribe believes Allen can eventually become a lefty starter, or at least help in the bullpen.
7. Carrasco was part of the deal sending Francisco Lindor to the Mets. Carrasco missed most of the season with a torn hamstring. He’s back pitching now with an 0-2 record and 6.59 ERA.
8. Amed Rosario has become a key part of the Tribe’s lineup. We’ll see if Andres Gimenez develops into a big-league starter. Most fans know about Lindor’s $341 million contract and struggles with the Mets.
9. You can add Brad Hand to the list. The Tribe passed on his $10 million option for 2021. He signed with Washington, was traded to Toronto and is now with the Mets. He is 5-7 with a 4.21 ERA this season.
10. Moving Clevinger, Kluber, Carrasco and Hand not only saved lots of money, but opened up opportunities for Quantrill, McKenzie, Clase, Eli Morgan and others. Reyes is a power bat in the middle of the lineup under team control under after the 2024 season.
Austin Hedges is expected to be the Tribe's starting catcher next season. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
ABOUT THE CATCHERS
Josh Feldman sent this email:
“Eric Haase, who can hit, was stuck behind Roberto Perez and Austin Hedges, who cannot hit. The irony is that you also spoke of the trade sending Yainer Diaz to the Astros. He can hit. So could Yan Gomes and Francisco Mejia. What remains from those two? Daniel Johnson. Brad Hand was useful while here to be fair.”
Some thoughts;
1. The Tribe would not have picked up the $5.5 million option for Roberto Perez if they had known his 2020 injury problems would continue in 2021. In 2019, Perez did hit .239 (.774 OPS) with 24 HR and 63 RBI along with being a Gold Glove catcher. They hoped he’d return to that form in 2021. But the last two years have been a tidal wave of injuries. Yes, they would have been better off keeping Haase, who was out of minor-league options.
2. Perez has a $7 million option for 2022. The Tribe won’t pick it up. Hedges will be back as the starting catcher next season. They will probably shop for a veteran backup in the offseason as they give some of their catching prospects time to mature in the minors.
3. Yes, Yainer Diaz is a prospect, but Straw is the real thing in terms of CF defense along with speed and the ability to reach base at the top of the lineup. The Tribe had two minor-league catchers rated ahead of Diaz – Bo Naylor and Bryan Lavastida.
4. Naylor, 21, was the Tribe’s first-round pick in 2018. He is batting .185 (.627 OPS) with 10 HR and 43 RBI at Class AA Akron. He’s considered a good defensive catcher with power as he matures.
5. Lavastida opened the season at Class A Lake County, where he batted .303 (.866 OPS). He moved up to Class AA Akron, batting .300 (.843 OPS). The 22 year old was just promoted to Class AAA Columbus. He was a 15th-round pick in 2018.
6. Manager Terry Francona and the front office put a much higher value on defense and game-calling for catchers than hitting. It’s why they wanted Hedges and Perez with a young pitching staff in 2021.
7. Not every move the front office makes works out. If they knew Tyler Naquin (.272, .822 OPS, 19 HR) would stay healthy, they’d have kept him instead of letting him go to the Reds. But in the last three years (2019-21), it’s hard to find much wrong with how the front office has cut payroll and added young players who can help now and later.
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