OFFICIAL OFF SEASON THREAD ( 2017 )

[DT LUNA]

I'm less worried about the errors and more worried about the lack of walks and plate discipline. One is something that should get better with repetition. The other is reflective of his overall approach and outlook to hitting which I'm not sure can be changed all that much.

Plate discipline will take him a long way. Hope he finds it.

 

[Kelleyman]

 

[True Rangers Fan]

Catching my flight out of town here in a bit, popping in to say Merry Christmas to everyone! Thanks for a great year of passionate Rangers banter. Looking forward to the 2017 HSO's.

 

[DT LUNA]

Catching my flight out of town here in a bit, popping in to say Merry Christmas to everyone! Thanks for a great year of passionate Rangers banter. Looking forward to the 2017 HSO's.

Back at you buddy. Have a safe trip

 

[Duane1952]

Catching my flight out of town here in a bit, popping in to say Merry Christmas to everyone! Thanks for a great year of passionate Rangers banter. Looking forward to the 2017 HSO's.

Same to you. Be safe.

 

[saddles]

Catching my flight out of town here in a bit, popping in to say Merry Christmas to everyone! Thanks for a great year of passionate Rangers banter. Looking forward to the 2017 HSO's.

Merry Christmas Eph!

 

[saddles]

I can't believe no one besides a few of us on here ever thinks of the option of moving Odor to the OF and putting Profar at 2B. It is even extremely rare that anyone entertains the idea of trading Odor. Either of those options makes the most sense to me.

 

[DT LUNA]

I can't believe no one besides a few of us on here ever thinks of the option of moving Odor to the OF and putting Profar at 2B. It is even extremely rare that anyone entertains the idea of trading Odor. Either of those options makes the most sense to me.

Not necessarily opposed to either but do have concerns.
1. Is he tall enough for the OF? 2. Depends what we get back for his 30 hr. 3. Has he learned enough to claim plate discipline in 2017? 4. Has he realized what he needs to do to improve his defense? If 3&4 can be answered YES, no to trade. If NO, then by all means go for it. #1 will have to wait and see in SP.

 

[darrylgann]

According to Heyman. Doesn't sound strong as to us.

Hearing word Ecarnacion camp has multiple strong 3-year offers. A's, Indians known in. Rangers, rox others maybe in.

 

[darrylgann]

EE signs with the Indians according to Heyman. 65 mil for 3 years apparently

 

[Duane1952]

Not necessarily opposed to either but do have concerns.
1. Is he tall enough for the OF? 2. Depends what we get back for his 30 hr. 3. Has he learned enough to claim plate discipline in 2017? 4. Has he realized what he needs to do to improve his defense? If 3&4 can be answered YES, no to trade. If NO, then by all means go for it. #1 will have to wait and see in SP.

Kirby Puckett was pretty good outfielder. He was 5'8".

 

[Duane1952]

EE signs with the Indians according to Heyman. 65 mil for 3 years apparently

Wonder if Nap comes here now.

 

[darrylgann]

Wonder if Nap comes here now.

Not really going to bet on it, Duane. Not exactly liking this off season so far, I must say. But, I know, it's early.

 

[Bmurph]

EE signs with the Indians according to Heyman. 65 mil for 3 years apparently

Indians To Sign Edwin Encarnacion

By Steve Adams | December 22, 2016 at 8:36pm CDT

8:36pm: FOX’s Ken Rosenthal tweets that the deal is $60MM, not $65MM, over the three-year term of the contract. Encarnacion’s club option is worth $25MM and comes with a $5MM buyout, meaning his deal can max out at $80MM, per Rosenthal.

7:56pm: Passan now corrects his previous tweet, stating that Encarnacion will receive a guaranteed $65MM (Twitter link). The $5MM buyout on Encarnacion’s option is in addition to an annual salary of $20MM from 2017-19. Passan also tweets that there’s no opt-out in the contract.

7:48pm: The Indians have reached an agreement with free agent slugger Edwin Encarnacion, reports Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports (Twitter links). The Rep 1 Baseball client will sign a three-year deal plus an option, according to Heyman. He addsthat Encarnacion will receive about $20MM per year on the deal. Yahoo’s Jeff Passan reports that it’s a $60MM guarantee for Encarnacion, and there’s a fourth-year option for $20MM with a $5MM buyout (Twitter links).

[Related: Updated Cleveland Indians Depth Chart / Cleveland Indians Payroll Info]



Encarnacion, 34 next month, will give Cleveland a younger and more productive replacement for the departed Mike Napoli — bolstering the lineup of a club that is fresh off an American League pennant and hoping for another deep postseason run in 2017. The longtime Blue Jays star slashed .263/.357/.529 with 42 home runs and a league-leading 127 runs batted in this past season. Over the past five years, Encarnacion has been one of Major League Baseball’s most feared hitters, compiling a stellar .272/.367/.544 batting line with 193 homers — an average of 39 big flies per year. In that time, Encarnacion trails only Chris Davis in total home runs, and he’s also ranked third in the Majors in isolated power (.273), fifth in slugging percentage and sixth in OPS (.912) among qualified hitters.

Adding a bat as potent as the one wielded by Encarnacion will give the Indians a formidable lineup to complement an outstanding rotation. Encarnacion should slot into the heart of the order, where he’ll be surrounded by Jason Kipnis, Francisco Lindor, Carlos Santana and a hopefully healthier Michael Brantley in 2017. Young Jose Ramirez took a massive step forward in terms of offensive production in 2016, and Tyler Naquin emerged as an unexpected power threat to further deepen the lineup. Encarnacion has spent the bulk of his time at DH in recent years, but he’s rated as a passable option at first base when in the field. He should split time at both positions with Santana next year, and following the 2017 season he can become a full-time designated hitter once Santana hits the open market.

The circumstances that led to Encarnacion’s arrival in Cleveland were somewhat surprising; the 33-year-old entered the offseason as arguably the most intimidating bat on the open market, but multiple clubs that looked to be fits either pivoted early due to his asking price or never engaged with Encarnacion at all. The Yankees signed Matt Holliday just as the Winter Meetings kicked off, for instance, while the Astros seemingly moved on just prior to that by signing Carlos Beltran. The Red Sox reportedly never made much of a run at all.

Encarnacion’s former team, the Blue Jays, seemed to be one of the best on-paper fits to retain his services. Toronto GM Ross Atkins and president Mark Shapiro reportedly made an offer of roughly $80MM over four years to Encarnacion back in early November, but Encarnacion and his agent felt it best to explore the market a bit more before making a decision on that offer. Unfortunately for them, the Jays changed course almost instantly, signing Kendrys Morales to a three-year $33MM deal on Nov. 11 and striking a two-year pact with Steve Pearce just under a month later. While the decision to reject that offer is easy to question in hindsight, Encarnacion can still reach that total in the end if his option is exercised.

In addition to Encarnacion’s age and defensive limitations, the biggest hindrance on his market may well have been the fact that he rejected a qualifying offer and is thus subject to draft pick compensation. The Indians entered the offseason with the 27th overall pick but saw that selection move up to 25th overall after the Cardinals signed Dexter Fowler and the Rockies signed Ian Desmond. Cleveland will part with that top pick in order to sign Encarnacion, while the Jays will receive a compensatory pick at the end of the first round.

Surrendering that pick was no small feat for Cleveland — a low-revenue team that can rarely engage in this type of free-agent expenditure and must instead rely on drafts and trades to build consistent contenders. However, Cleveland’s window to win is unquestionable open right now; in the rotation, Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar are all controlled through the 2019 season — the final guaranteed year of Encarnacion’s deal. Kipnis, too, is controlled through 2019, while relief aces Andrew Miller and Cody Allen are controlled through 2018. That collection of well-compensated stars is manageable for Cleveland with Santana coming off the books next season, while young stars Lindor and Ramirez are still a ways from reaching arbitration. Cleveland is also sitting on something of a World Series windfall following their Game 7 run in this year’s Fall Classic, making the immediate commitment a bit easier for the team to stomach.

 

[romeo212000]

Wonder if Nap comes here now.

I've got a hunch this happens.

 

[DT LUNA]

I've got a hunch this happens.

Nap and a solid#3 will ease some concerns a bit

 

[darrylgann]

Nap and a solid#3 will ease some concerns a bit

A solid #3 is hard to come by, it seems.

 

[Nightcrawler]

I gotta say and nobody jump on me because I waited until Christmas pretty much, but this offseason is boring as hell.

 

[darrylgann]

I gotta say and nobody jump on me because I waited until Christmas pretty much, but this offseason is boring as hell.

No worries, I think we all can agree on that.

 

[Kelleyman]

Well EE got his multi year contract that Rangers were likely unlikely to give.

Until the Galllo situation settled at 1B and once rumors went out of multiple suitors for EE, I figured iour chances lessened a lot........Nap is more likely than Trumbo due to length of contract necessary to sign.

Once we bring Galllo up, I would rather bury him in the 8 spot until he gets it figured out. Still wonder if switch to Boras helped. Hated to see that winter ball injury. I am sure he has taken some ego hits first one needed IMO but when he was last brought up and barely saw the light of day that was a brain scratcher to me.

Re Odor move or trade over Profar, that is way over my pay grade. One thing I do see is a guy like Profar, I would not be a bit surprised he breaks out. Baseball smarts and emotional intelligence can take him a lot farther than we have seen yet. I think his second half was the worst we see out of him. Much better for his career to play daily and not in a plattoon.