First, let's start with this. Sweeping the Orioles in four games with the current state of our roster is a testament to the players and Francona, whose use of the bullpen was just plain impressive. But more on this later. Really happy where the Indians are right now. Really happy. Don't know if we can catch the White Sox but look at how close to .500 the Yankees are so there is always a chance that Chicago will slump and we can pass them in the nick of time. Can't wait to get Franmil back and added to this lineup. If Eddie Rosario ever gets back his HR stroke, this offense could get really special real quick. That's something I never thought would come out of mouth this year. So let's talk about a couple of other things that crossed my mind today.
1. There are so many more important things in life than baseball that I hesitate to ever use the word "blessed" in talking about what the game of baseball gives to my life. That being said, I grew up when the Indians were like the Mariners of 2021 and, in some years, like the Orioles of 2021. I have been a fan since 1960 when, as a kid, I became a fan of my hometown team. I have to say that through all those 60 or so years, I have to say that I have been blessed over the past few seasons for one reason and one reason alone: Terry Francona. Hey, we have experienced some great teams and moments during the past 6 decades. We have even had some managers who were great baseball minds. However, in my opinion, looking back on the Indians for the last 100 years, the Indians have NEVER had a manager so good at his craft as Terry Francona is. Now, living in St. Louis for about 40 years I saw great managers like Whitey Herzog. The White Rat was so good. He would have a utility guys who would perform well for him every year and then they would go other places and look like 4A players. A few came back to St. Louis and returned to their old form. He just knew how to get the most out of the team he was given. But even watching guys like Herzog and Tony LaRussa all those years I don't know that they can hold a candle to Francona. He, in my opinion, is certainly the best manager EVER in Cleveland and maybe one of the best of all time.
Francona is blazing new trails this year just like he did in 2016 when he used Andrew Miller really effectively. Some teams have an opener or two. Maybe the worst teams may have 3 openers. But how many teams have what turns out to be FOUR openers on a staff anchored by a guy who is essentially a second year player. He just knows how to use his pitchers and, even when they explode, how to limit the damage they cause. For the Indians to be 38-28 at this point with what they have gone through is beyond my ability to comprehend. This is what a manager getting the most out of the limited resources he has. I am, as an Indians fan, truly blessed to have lived to see Francona manage my Indians.
2. So Ryan Lavarnway made his Indians debut today. As someone who has been clamoring for that for a while now you would guess I would be happy, right? Well, with Lavarnway promoted, reality has set in. Our roster is so full now that there isn't any fluff in it. We used up our one 'bullet' when we put Luplow on the 60 day DL. Now, if we make a roster move, someone is likely to leave the organization through a DFA or through an undeserved demotion. We have Perez, Reyes and Plesac coming back in the next few weeks. We have to find a place for them. Here's what it is likely to look like:
Perez comes off the DL - We have to do two things when this happens. We have to clear a spot on the 40 man roster and clear a spot on the 26 man roster. The latter is easy. The problem is, the former is hard. Either Hedges will have to go to the 60 day DL or one of Lavarnway or Rivera will have to be DFAd. When Hedges comes back, the other one will have to be DFAd. Likely, all of our catching depth will evaporate.
Let's talk about Plesac. This is an easy one as Blake Parker or Kevin Nelson can be sent to the minors. Parker will have to be DFAd while Nelson can just be sent down. But, still, we lose depth if the logical choice, Parker, is DFAd.
Now about Reyes. When he comes back we are looking at just having to send someone down. But who will that be? You are looking at Clement or Chang as everyone else is solid right now. I am guessing Clement goes down which is somewhat of a loss, but at least we won't have to DFA anyone.
When Luplow comes back we will have to send someone to the minors. Who would that be? There is simply no room on this roster for Luplow with Zimmer playing well in CF and Harold Ramirez as his backup. If they do try to roster Luplow they would have send Zimmer down AND DFA someone, most likely Daniel Johnson or Oscar Mercado. Maybe neither would be a great loss but I have seen too many Jesus Aguilars, Joey Wendles and even Yandy Diazs in recent years to want to lose any ML depth until the 6 yr FA loophole kicks in.
So let's say we navigate the moves above with minimal talent loss in the organization. We still are thin pitching. If we need more relievers, NONE of the logical candidates at AAA or even AA are on the 40 man roster. If we bring one up, we will have to DFA someone. Again, no fluff on this roster and, at this moment, no 60 day DL possibilities. This includes Cam Hill who is on the 60 day DL. If/when he is brought up, we will have to DFA someone.
So, in summary, here is what I see happening:
Perez, Reyes, Plesac, Luplow and Hill get put back on the 40 man/26 man roster.
Parker, Mercado and Johnson are DFAd, Clement is sent back to the minors.
Some additional guys being brought up (McCarthy, Garza, Siri) will cost us a guy on our 40 man roster. Guys like Nolan Jones being brought up will only cost us a man on our 26 man roster but one of those guys might have to be DFAd if they are out of options.
Not ideal but when your roster is full of young, viable players who are far from being out of options, guys like Parker, Mercado, Daniel Johnson, are likely to be gone from this organization by the end of July. And the door will likely slam, except for injuries, to guys like Miller and Clement. Finally, the guys who are flashing good numbers in the minors who are NOT on the 40-man will also be without a path to the majors.
One more thing: With a roster this young, there is little fluff left to remove this winter, meaning it might be harder to protect guys from the Rule 5 draft as we have/had to start the service time clock for so many young players due to the injuries and payroll constraints we were under.
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