Re: General Discussion

12841
Arias sent back to AAA with nothing to prove at that level. "Knock the door down" says Tito; well he did last year and he winds up in the same place.

That drops the roster to 32 plus invitees. Since that includes Karinchak who will go on the DL in effect it's 31. then we know that Maile also goes on the DL or if he suddenly recovers Lavistada is out so in effect it;s 30.

And they keep 28 on opening day, so and Tito wants to keep 15 pitchers and 13 position players, so that means 2 position players will be optioned or if we are lucky and Zimmer is one, one will be DFA'd. If Naylor is not considered ready, which he probably won't be, then we will be harnessed with Zimmer a little longer so he can "prove himself".

One IF will be sent out, too, but none of them really warrant it; then again the whole organization would be in much better shape if they re-designed the ball field with room for 5 infielders and 2 outfielders. Clement or Miller I guess are at risk

As for pitchers they have 15 on the roster and Tito wants 15. That would have to include Konnor Pilkington who only has 38 innings in AA. But that kind of history didn't keep them promoting J C Mejia last year and he'd be almost certain to depart by the 1st of May. Tobias Myers who was lit up yesterday would be another depth reliever; he spent half of the season in AAA last summer with a stellar ERA of 4.50 and a yield of 11 homers in 58 innings.

To add someone with major league experience to the bullpen, like De los Santos, or Garza, they would have to dump someone from the 40 man roster and that does not seem likely

Re: General Discussion

12842
Returning the invitees to the minor league camp:

March 29: OF Oscar Gonzalez, OF Daniel Johnson, LHP Adam Scott, RHP Ian Gibaut and RHP Jake Jewell reassigned to Minor League camp
There were no surprises here, considering this group consisted of all non-roster invitees. However, someone like Gonzalez could remain on the club's radar as it gets into the regular season. The main thing the Guardians will continue to look for with Gonzalez is his plate discipline. As manager Terry Francona said, "If he swings at enough good pitches, he might really get dangerous." -- Mandy Bell [Someone like Gonzalez? why not just say "Gonzalez"]

March 28: OF Will Benson and LHP Tanner Tully reassigned to Minor League camp

Re: General Discussion

12846
Still waiting for that blockbuster deal that fixes all the G's problems before the season starts.

Maybe they're not trying very hard now that 40 percent or the teams make the playoffs.

Do something with JRam. Looks like these contract negotiations are screwing him up in ST.

Re: General Discussion

12847
I think we can be sure that Blockbuster is just days or maybe hours away.

As for the catcher business, if they think Maile [whoever he is] should be back within say two weeks and if they think Lavastida can handle the defensive end of things to marginal major league level, they will just go with him. We know that offense behind the plate is not a Cleveland priority.

(Perhaps when they signed Leon they forgot that he had set some sort of record for catcher's interference when we had him before.)

There are a couple off days in the first week so Hedges could probably play all the first 6 games. But then starting April 14 there's not a day off until May 2, which is rather amazing but I assume is the result of starting late.
If Maile is not back then, they can try to find someone expendable on the 40 man roster [Brad Zimmer perhaps???] or get lucky and another pitcher ruins his arm and goes on the 60-day DL.

Re: General Discussion

12849
Kwan wins a spot but Mercado and Zimmer both remain. Naylor put on 10 day DL.
If Rosario plays LF then we can hope Kwan gets the start in right.
Miller and Clement both get spots.

9 in the pen with Pilkington beating out Myers for the last spot which will disappear on May 1. Eli Morgan also will likely return to Columbus as a starter when the top 5 starters get stretched out. Logan Allen and Sam Hentges win spot party because they are out of options.

Re: General Discussion

12851
The spring training stats for the Titanic Trio

Brad Zimmer 192/250/269 519 OPS extra bae hits: one triple in 27 total at bats 1 walk 15 strikeouts
Oscar Mercado 172/200/345 545 OPS extra base hits 2 doubles, one homer in 30 TAB 1 walk 9 strikeouts
Bobby Bradley 172/200/107 407 OPS extra base hits: 1 double in 29 total at bats NO walks only 7 strikeouts

And all 3 of these jerks made the roster! And perhaps all 3 will be in the opening day roster.
THERE IS NO BETTER SIGN THAT MANAGEMENT HAS NOT DONE ITS JOB OF PUTTING A COMPETITIVE TEAM ON THE FIELD

can only HOPE that by end of April when the roster is down to 26 and Naylor is back, they will not be dumb enough to demote Kwan but will unload the 2 garbage outfielders. As for Bradley, Miller can handle the position just fine.