New should have some plan B. Very unsettling when it goes dark during the season.

Because Soto does not have any no-trade rights and is under team control for another two and a half seasons, a team that acquires him in a deal now could even flip him before he reaches free agency to recoup some prospect value.

The evaluator picked out the Guardians as an example: "They have a good [farm] system and could use those assets now and get him to try to win this year, and then sometime in 2023 or 2024, he could flip him to another team -- and he would have plenty of value. He's that good."

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Will Benson was the top pick in a 2016 Cleveland draft class that has already yielded a bumper crop of talent at the major league level. Soon, Benson will get his chance to make an impact with the Guardians.

Cleveland confirmed that it is promoting the left-handed hitting outfielder on Monday from Triple-A Columbus where he had settled in and was leading the International League in several hitting categories. A corresponding roster move to make room for Benson was not immediately announced.

Who goes down, Clements? Miller?

The A's signed a catcher Beau Taylor. They would need an extra catcher in Triple A if they move Sean Murphy.

Mandy Bell
@MandyBell02
·
24m
The Guardians have officially called up Will Benson. They optioned Alex Call and moved Anthony Gose to the 60-day IL to make room for him on the active/40-man rosters.

Hurray Will. I've been rooting for him for years and have excited by his startling breakthrough.

Has always been very slow to adapt to his new advanced levels. Often not until his second season. Good luck! Don't expect he'll get a chance to bat .150 in 50 games for the Guardians. Brennan waits in the wings if Benson fails. And Palacios remains on hand. And Valera a level behind.

Could be just a requested showcase if Benson is included in a trade.

I think it is cool we have Benson & Hedges!

Reyes being sent down.

I'm looking forward to the threesome of Jones, Gonzalez and Benson sharing RF, DH and IB with Josh Naylor for August. It's possible that some if not all of the 3 could be keepers or at least good enough to fill the positions until Valera arrives in a year

I'm strongly opposed to solving the glut of middle infielders by trading Rosario. His 3 hits and game winning RBI yesterday are representative of what he's done most of this season and last. He was a top 100 prospect when he rose through the Mets system and he's showing why.
Giminez may be the more appropriate SS and has much more power, but I very much like Kwan and Rosario at the top of the order.

Feel free to trade Miller, Arias or Freeman. Or some of the kids in lower levels like Tena or Angel Martinez. I'd hold on to Rocchio.

I like the lineup we are building: 1-5 and 9 are set. 6-8 include 2 of the young outfielders [Jones, Gonzalez, Benson, Brennan and Palacios with Valera in 2023 or 24] and Bo Naylor behind the plate.
I like that lineup.

Rather it's the starting pitching that needs help.
McKenzie is good and may get better
Bieber is not great but is still very good
I keep hoping Quantrill can settle in somewhat like his 2nd half work in 2021 but maybe I'm wishing for too much
I don't think Plesac is a solution.
Nor is Civale.

Our AAA options are modest: Pilkington is OK; Battenfield has better ratings.
3 of our solid group at AA have been promoted to AAA with mixed results: Logan Allen Jr. highest rated among them has pitched as badly in Columbus as his namesake did in Cleveland; Xzavior Curry is borderline major league starter; Hunter Gaddis may be too.
Next in line are Joey Cantillo and Tanner Burns solid starters in Akron who haven't been promoted yet.
And then come the best prospects who started this season in Lake County and have moved up to Akron with no less success
2021 top pick Gavin Williams and 2021 breakout star Tanner Bibee. I wouldn't be shocked if both of them reach Cleveland in 2023 and add real talent to the rotation.

And the best of all is super prospect Daniel Espino who hasn't been fit for gametime work since April

Looks like a quiet day !

Prove me wrong !

Less than 3 hrs left .

Hard to believe the Gs are going to sit on their hands.

Twinkies with a major upgrade to their weak pen.

Make a friggin' move.... at least we know you're trying

Jim Bowden
@JimBowdenGM
·
2h
Here are possible next dominoes expected to fall:

Contreras w/ Rays, Mets Guardians in hunt
Happ with Blue Jays, Dodgers mentioned
Mahle/Syndegaard with Phillies, Twins involved
Pablo Lopez with Dodgers, Cardinals, Twins?
J.D. Martinez and Dom Smith possible match?
Bullpen & TOR

Catcher with contract through 2023; bullpen veteran are targets.
Lots of minor league middle infielders and Franmil Reyes are main assets to sell. I read a couple of days ago that the Phillies were interested in Plesac but not what they were offering.