The Indians made a notable move in agreeing to re-sign Cesar Hernandez earlier today, and more signings could be in the offing, as MLB Network’s Jon Heyman tweets that Cleveland has “more irons in the free agent fire.” That interest doesn’t seem to extend to Eddie Rosario, however, as Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that Rosario is “not on the team’s radar.” Jackie Bradley Jr. may also not be an option, as while the Tribe likes the former Gold Glove winner, Pluto believes Bradley will be too expensive for Cleveland’s liking.
More from the AL Central…
- In his latest podcast, SKOR North’s Darren Wolfson (audio link) reports that the Twins made an offer to free agent John Brebbia before the right-hander signed with the Giants in December. Brebbia underwent Tommy John surgery last June, so it remains to be seen if he’ll pitch at all during the 2021 season, but he is controllable through the 2023 season. Brebbia posted some strong numbers (3.14 ERA, 27.4K%, 19.9K-BB%) over 175 innings out of the Cardinals’ bullpen from 2017-19.
- Tigers manager A.J. Hinch told reporters (including Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic) that the team might give Isaac Paredes a look as a second baseman, as “there’s no harm in trying” to see if Paredes can contribute at another position. Paredes was used exclusively as a third baseman during his 2020 rookie season, but he has made 27 starts as a second baseman in the minors and also quite a bit of time at the keystone in the Mexican Winter League. Paredes would seemingly be Detroit’s top choice as the regular third baseman in 2021, though there is some flexibility given that Niko Goodrum, Harold Castro, and Sergio Alcantara can all play multiple positions.
- Also from Hinch, “in an ideal world, there’s somebody out there who can help us” at catcher, though Hinch stopped short of saying that the Tigers will definitely look to add a new face to the current catching mix. Grayson Greiner, Jake Rogers, Eric Haase, and minor league signing Dustin Garneau comprise the Tigers’ choices behind the plate.
How much is JBJ expected to sign for?
Lack of interest on Rosario is intriguing. I’m thinking all it would take is 2/$18m.
Thoughts?
The Braves need another left handed bat and left fielder and his cost shouldn’t be prohibitive. He’s a perfect fit in that lineup.
I would hate to see it because I love Gallo, but ATL should inquire about him with my Rangers. Perhaps if it had to happen 1 of Wright, Wilson, Toussaint, or Davidson + Riley, if we take Inciarte, then ATL adds an additional member of that first four.
I agree. I think the Rangers should be looking into signing him around 2/15 or 16. At best he fits as fourth OF, but if Calhoun struggles he would be a good DH candidate.
How many “rangers(#)” are there?
Myself, Rangers 29 and Rangers 92, and three to five others that I see regularly in posts.
I’m Larry, this is my brother, Darryl, and this is my other brother, Darryl.
Just remember @miggy4prez… I’m the OG.
1/$7.5
Teams being cheap that’s why.
I am very surprised at the lack of interest. He is very consistent offensively. The Braves, Dodgers, Jays, and possibly the Cardinals could all be landing spots and those teams are likely to compete for a postseason spot.
My grandmother is too expensive for the Indians and she’s been gone for 25 years.
I bet he signs somewhere for 1/5 mil.
I don’t know why the Tigers didn’t bring back Austin Romine. In his first year in Detroit, he played good over there. However, he already signed with the Cubs.
He would have to want to re-sign with Detroit. It takes 2 to tango.
That said, are the cubbies looking at a promising season right now? Jury’s out
That is one uninspiring collection of catchers the Tigers have.
With all that has happened this off-season, I totally forgot A.J Hinch was the Tigers manager lmao.
I know the Tigers have a hole at catcher, but why they still let Greiner catch is beyond me. He is a MASSIVE human being, and he is just letting himself get sore and injured behind the plate. Move him to 1b or just DH, but catching is going to really get to him in the future. I know his bat is less than stellar, but he can work on it more away from catcher.
The man hits like .120 every year. His complete lack of offensive ability limits him solely to being a catcher. Just being a large man doesn’t mean he can hit well enough to play first. Trust me, most of us tigers fan felt similarly at first, but then you see him bat. He plays a decent enough catcher, especially for his size. It’s really the only value he has.
Blake Swihart available.
DET has to drop Greiner. They gave him multiple opportunities, time to move on. Make a trade for Mets’ Sanchez, A’s Allen or Heim, Mariners Torrens, Marins Alfaro..there has to be some trade partner out there. Non roster invites like Heineman and kevan smith make more sense than what DET has in store. It’s embarrassing, when you non-tender McCann, and keep giving Greiner the dish day after day. I don’t even care if it’s just Haase and Rogers! Greiner needs to go
Even though his offense was putrid last season, with a deeper look, it looks like he was suuuper unlucky. In the 18 games he played (very small), he had a 90.1 exit velocity, right up there with the likes of Machado, Realmuto, and Alonso, but here’s where it gets saddening. He had a… .107 BABIP!!! His high FB rate, high EV, and low BABIP all lead me to believe that he has Commerica Park disease. To go along with his god-awful K% and BB%, the contact he does get is super unlucky. They need to trade him or just DFA him. I think he best landing place for him would be the Dodgers. I think they could revive his career.
I admit I don’t follow the Tigers that closely anymore, but what happened to Kade Scivicque? I followed him enough at LSU to know that he’d run into one every so often, was above average behind the plate, and put the ball in play enough to at least make the other team make a play.
Can’t say I have followed Scivicque’s career that closely, but he’s basically been spending time in the low minors. Not really sure if he’s done much past AA ball.
Send Greiner packing only if he’s carrying Al Avila’s baggage out to the curb with him! Every year Avila drafts a catcher in the top 5-7 rounds. Every single f%&#ing year! Under Dombrowski, at least they got Little Al and McCannon. Under Big Fat Al they have a Big Fat Nothing! Now I’m hopeful that Dirk Diggler (Dillon Dingler) turns into something, but the history isn’t good.
Should have taken a flyer in the Rule 5 draft on young catchers like Ricardo Genoves, Rodolfo Duran, or Julio Rodriguez. Instead, Big Al takes the ultimate commodity, an outfielder!
Seems like most stories regarding the Twins and signings this winter have been, “[insert name here] was pursued by the Twins before he signed by the [insert team here].” Is this just because the Twins are cheap and wouldn’t pony up the same money or do players really not want to play in MN? With what we have on offense and defence, you’d think more pitchers would want to pitch here?
Tigers can have Sanchez for Fulmer.
That is almost every offseason with them. The 2 headed monster in the FO does things a certain way. They will spend if the fit is right. I believe they do indeed make offers but likely at their best dollar, take it or leave it kind of thing. Some are sure head scratchers. The way they evaluate talent in definitely unique.
Bradley is going to be “too expensive” for a lot of teams. He is going to likely have to take a one year pillow contract somewhere to show that maybe his offense will play better in another ballpark. Philadelphia, Houston, Kansas City may all be good fits for JBJ. Boston isn’t out of tge question but they will sit on the sidelines until his price is at least half of what it is now
Not happening in Houston.. OF is set.
Nothing more needed anywhere.
Do the Astros really view Myles Straw as an everyday option in CF though? I think Houston adds another Outfielder
CLE’s screaming need remains OF. I would think a Josh Reddick would be in their price range, and while it would be hard to get excited about that, he’s a better option than most of the usual suspects they have who would fill a spot by default.
Indians definitely need to add an Outfielder and there are several inexpensive ones like Reddick available.
Rosario for Aquino
Maybe Pillar is more their price.
Ideal world? We desperately need another catcher lmao. None of those guys have proven worthy of being the starter. They need to find someone else to sign, most likely they’ll bring Avila back yet again.