I am willing to go for it with the best starting rotation in baseball and the best defensive team they back them up with.

The offense won't be very good but;
1 we know Lindor will be a star.
2 I would say the same about Ramirez but the last 6 weeks really did happen so there is real doubt there.
3 Otherwise, Santana is a good first baseman with unorthodox offense but an average OPS for a 1st baseman.
4 I am willing to be optimistic that the Kipnis of the last 4 months will return and that is another average major league regular at his position. For the rest, 5 we know Roberto cannot hit but I'll be satisfied if he can get back to his prior defensive skills.
6, 7 and 8: And for the collection of incompetents in the OF, let's play the best defenders whoever those are, since none of them can do much offensively. 9 The only real possible upside gain is the possibility that Bauers develops into the very solid hitter he projected to be throughout his minor league career.

This is behind the scenes but interesting ...

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Dr Jonathan Freeston @Dr_Freezo
Feb 4

I also have some news...

I’m moving to the USA to take up a joint role between The Cleveland @Indians & @Sydney_Uni as Sport Scientist & Researcher.

It’s bittersweet leaving Australia but @Sydhirt & I are excited to be a part of the Tribe family!

#100degreedifference

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A bio of new employee ...

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Dr Jonathan Freeston

BAppSc(Exercise and Sport Science)(Hons), Grad Cert Educational Studies (Higher Education), PhD, Lecturer

Jonathan's sport research focus applies physiology, motor control and biomechanics to performance, predominantly within throwing sports. Jonathan is currently engaged as a throwing consultant for a number of professional sporting organisations including Cricket New South Wales and the New South Wales Institute of Sport. Jonathan has recently assisted the Bronze Medal Winning Australian Women's Olympic Water Polo Team and the Australian National Dodgeball Team. Jonathan is currently the primary supervisor of an Honours student investigating factors affecting shooting performance in basketball.

Research interests

Jonathan's primary research interest is in the promotion of physical activity. In particular, how can efficacious health promotion strategies be translated into effective lifestyle programs in the community. Jonathan is currently the chief investigator on the 'RevUp' project; an externally funded study which seeks to deliver a healthy lifestyle intervention throughout one of the country's largest employers.

Jonathan is a member of the Exercise Physiology and Nutrition research team:

Teaching and supervision

Jonathan's teaching focusses on the promotion of physical activity in clinical and community settings. Specifically, the role of technology in promoting exercise adherence and monitoring physical activity levels. Jonathan's service focusses on the delivery of physical activity programs, particularly among disadvantaged communities. Jonathan is the national director of Team NotForSale, a platform of the NotForSale Campaign, which uses sport and recreation to improve outcomes for survivors of modern day slavery and human trafficking. Jonathan is also the founding director of Project FitChurch, a community-based group exercise program targeting individuals of low socio-economic status

Don't know what the need is for a guy with his area of expertise. Does he have some new magic formula?

I would hire another scout before hiring this guy.

It sounds like the kind of guy Trevor works with. Could be useful component of player development, There was no such thing as "exercise science" decades ago. Just like there was no such thing as a baseball "sabermatrician"

You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.

Used to chuckle watching minor leaguers at ST, who were required to eat "healthy" in the Tribe's cafeteria, head straight for McDonalds as soon as they were done for the day.

civ ollilavad wrote:It sounds like the kind of guy Trevor works with. Could be useful component of player development

Exactly what I guessed as well.

Another change ...

Major League Baseball is reportedly changing the name of the disabled list 53 years after it was first adopted. Per ESPN.com's Jeff Passan, MLB will use the term "injured list" as the designation for players who are forced to miss time due to physical ailments.

civ ollilavad wrote:It sounds like the kind of guy Trevor works with. Could be useful component of player development, There was no such thing as "exercise science" decades ago. Just like there was no such thing as a baseball "sabermatrician"

Bauer is a disciple of Ron Wolforth and his Baseball Ranch. He has his own exercise and training program

We’ve signed Matt Joyce to a minor league contract.

His 5th team in 6 years.

Couple of notable baseball passings this week....Bob Friend and Frank Robinson

Solid season by Joyce in 2018: 208/322/345. Only age 34, likely to turn it around this summer.

It ain't Bryce Harper but at least it's an outfielder.

Joyce made $6M last season. Wonder how much he will make if he gets called up to the big club.

Joyce will earn $1.25 million if he makes the big league club and could add $500,000 in incentives per a report from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.

Francisco Lindor suffered a strained calf recently while working out, and the Indians believe he'll miss 7-9 weeks of action.

Opening Day is seven weeks away, so Lindor will be cutting it pretty close. Still, he'll still be worth a first-round pick in mixed leagues if he can avoid any setbacks in the coming weeks. The Indians should have already been in the market for a utilityman after trading Erik Gonzalez to the Pirates, but it's more of a pressing need now. Perhaps Jose Iglesias or Adeiny Hechavarria will dip into their price range.

Not happy with Moroff and Stamets and Chang and Fletcher? If it's only a couple weeks one of them can do.