Cleveland Sports Forum

has anyone read that Oliver Perez has perhaps retired? He pitched well enough last year that I would think he'd get a job but not as of yet.
The 3 batter minimum will cost him $ if not a career.

Some team will give him a job, if only for a few months. He will work cheap and has been with so many teams, he has a big network to help him get a job. That's assuming he wants a job.

I'm sure Naquin is looking and I assume someone will give him a minor league deal but camps open next week and nothing yet.

Who got bumped off the 40 when Rosario signed?

I think they had a space open, let's check.... no one DFA'd. There are 40 names on there now and no one seems to be missing. Even unnecessary 3rd catcher Beau Taylor remains

Noticing Jordan Stephens on the roster; our first Rule 5 draft pick in many years. The last one who actually made the team was [anyone remember?] Hector Ambriz.

Remember we had 2 guys picked too, who could be offered back. I doubt the Pirates will let go of Luis Oviedo since he has good stuff, and they're in a super rebuilding mode; his lack of experience will not deter them. Ka'ai Tom was a pick by the A's. He's not much more than a 4th or 5th outfielder but he's sort of an A's type player. Indians choose not to protect him 2 years running despite a really solid 2019 in AA and AAA. I doubt they'd make roster space for him now either; although maybe so if they're ready to say goodbye to Brad Zimmer

Indians have signed OF Ben Gamel to a Minor League contract with a non-roster invitation to Major League camp.

Owns a career 720 OPS with the Yankees, Mariners and Brewers

Looking at his career stats, he looks like a lesser version of Tyler Naquin. He walks more, has less power and is not as adept at RF or CF. Exciting pickup. But I had been worried about the Clippers' OF so this could help

And a bigger but no more talented option coming to camp too, apparently: Billy Hamilton, for awhile a OK one-dimensional CF who can run, but is way past his peak.

On Thursday afternoon, the Tribe announced that it signed outfielder Ben Gamel to a Minor League deal with a non-roster invitation to big league Spring Training. Later in the evening, MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reported that Cleveland was close to agreeing to terms with free-agent outfielder Billy Hamilton. The club has not confirmed the Hamilton report.

• MLB Hot Stove Tracker

For an outfield group that has struggled mightily over the past two years, both signings are low-risk moves that could result in a reward. Gamel has played in parts of five big league seasons with the Yankees, Mariners and Brewers. In the past two seasons with Milwaukee, Gamel owned a .245 average with a .712 OPS after boasting a .727 OPS in three years with Seattle.

Gamel could be an option for a spot in either corner for the Tribe. He has played 396 games in the field over his five-year career, with 206 appearances in left field and 169 appearances in right. He has also played 38 games in center field and two at first base.

Hamilton spent the first six years of his career with the Reds before splitting the last two seasons between the Royals, Braves, Mets and Cubs. With Cincinnati, Hamilton slashed .245/.298/.333 with 21 homers, 161 RBIs and 277 stolen bases in 690 games.

The center fielder got off to a slow start in 2020, hitting a mere .045 with a .129 OPS in 17 games with the Mets. He was designated for assignment on Sept. 4 and was claimed by the Cubs on Sept. 7. Hamilton ended the year on a strong note, batting .300 with a .964 OPS in 14 games with Chicago. Though he may not be the offensive answer the club is looking for, he certainly will bring above-average speed on the bases, as Statcast has his sprint speed from 2019 ranked in the 97th percentile.

Assuming Hamilton will sign to a Minor League deal, both he and Gamel will join DJ Johnson, Bryan Shaw and Mike Freeman as the Tribe’s Minor League signings with non-roster invitations to Spring Training.

Hamilton's career best OPS was 664; 564 in 2019; 390 last summer, at least that's better than Mercado.

not that familiar with Gamel but Hamilton could fly. If MLB deadens the baseball like they indicate, slap hitters with speed can be a key cog in 2021. Twins 2019 home run total of over 300 HRs could drop to what, maybe under 200. Those extra deep fly balls become outs and runs scored by the long ball goes down, fewer wins. Maybe the same could apply to ChiSox.

I remember Gamel being quite the nice player when he hit the scene at Seattle in 2017 and 2018. If Cleveland gets that - they'll be quite pleased.

https://www.baseball-reference.com/play ... be01.shtml

Can they find an OF improvement over what they already have. That's the question. Non-guaranteed minor league contracts are a chance to look.

The people they bring in ALL have positives in their Major League past. However, there are reasons they are not currently employed.

Maybe they get lucky.

OF could be OK. Rosario is good. Luplow can hit lefties. I'm confident about Naylor as the other half of the RF platoon. So I'm 2/3 positive.

CF is OK if Mercado returns to 2019 form. If not, there's a hole in the middle and of all the guys in camp not sure if any is the answer. I'm interested in the other Rosario in Center. Hamilton can run, is he still a plus defender? Zimmer is very long shot at this point, but I guess he could finally work out.

Don't forget Nolan Jones!

Not in center; and he can't hit lefties; I'd like to see him in AAA working on his OF defense and perhaps figuring out how to hit southpaws