OK, so the World Series is now over and we have a new champion, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Guardians have 2 Gold Glovers (Gimenez and Kwan), one Fielding Bible Pitcher of the year winner (Bibee)) and 2 Silver Sluggers Finalists (Jose Ramirez and Josh Naylor)
The end of the MLB playing season signals the official start of the off-season. Most fans agree we need starting pitching and an impact bat in the OF. So do we handle that through free agency or through trades or, possibly, both?
I would like to propose some transactions for the off-season:
1. Re-sign Shane Bieber to a 2-year deal with a 3rd year option. ($15 MM, $23 MM, club option for 3rd year @ $23 MM with a $2 MM buyout)
2. Re-sign Matthew Boyd to a 2-year deal ($22 MM)
3. Look into signing 1-3 top of the 2nd tier free agents (see below)
4. Make the following trades:
- Trade 1 - To Cleveland: Luis Robert and Garrett Crochet; To Chicago: Juan Brito (Cleveland's #8 prospect), Jhonkensy Noel, Jonathon Rodriguez (#12), Franco Aleman (#30), Doug Nikhazy (#24), Ryan Webb (#27), Myles Straw plus $5 million.
- Trade 2 - To Cleveland: Brent Rooker and Myles Naylor (Oakland #15). To Oakland: Angel Genao (#4), Joey Cantillo (#15), Angel Martinez, Nick Sandlin
- Trade 3 - To Cleveland: Colt Emerson (Seattle #1), Taylor Saucedo; To Seattle: Josh Naylor, Bo Naylor, Myles Naylor (Oakland's #15).
- Trade 4: To Cleveland: Drew Romo; To Colorado: Jake Fox (Cleveland's #25 prospect), Logan Allen, Triston McKenzie, Will Brennan and $3 Million.
5. Add the following players to the 40-man roster in anticipation of the Rule 5 draft
- Bryan Lavastida
- Tommy Mace
- Lenny Torres Jr.
- Aaron Davenport
- Trenton Denholm
- Nic Enright
- Alaska Abney
5. DFA or Trade IF you need roster sports but, for now, still on the 40 man
- Connor Gillaspie
- Peter Strzelecki
- Gabriel Arias
6. Guys to think about trading before the roster freeze to avoid losing them in the Rule 5 (not a huge priority as I don't think either of these guys, or others eligible for the Rule 5 this year, would stick on a ML roster at the beginning of 2025).
- Allan Hernandez
- Milan Tolentino
New top 30 prospects
- Colt Emerson
- Chase DeLauter
- Travis Bazzana
- Jaison Chourio
- CJ Kayfus
- Ralphy Valesquez
- Welbyn Francisca
- Braylon Doughty
- Joey Oakie
- Andrew Walters
- Daniel Espino
- Jacob Cozart
- Cooper Ingle
- Robert Arias
- Chase Mobley
- Parker Messick
- Drew Romo
- George Valera
- Jackson Humphries
- Cameron Sullivan
- Matt Wilkinson
- Austin Peterson
- Alex Mooney
- Khalil Watson
- Aaron Davenport
- Nick Enright
- Trenton Denholm
- Bryan Lavastida
- Tommy Mace
- Lenny Torres, Jr.
New 40-man roster for Nov. roster freeze (37)
Pitchers (24, 21 if only count non-60 Day DL guys) (SP in bold, 26 Man roster in red)
- Pedro Avila (no options remaining)
- Alaska Abney
- Shane Bieber (60-day DL)
- Tanner Bibee
- Matthew Boyd (L)
- Emmanuel Clase
- Garrett Crochet (L)
- Aaron Davenport
- Trenton Denholm
- Nic Enright
- Hunter Gaddis
- Connor Gillaspie
- Sam Hentges (60 day DL) (no options remaining)
- Tim Herrin (L)
- James Karinchak
- Ben Lively (no options remaining)
- Tommy Mace
- Eli Morgan
- Erik Sabrowski (L)
- Taylor Saucedo (L)
- Cade Smith
- Peter Srzelecki (no options remaining)
- Trevor Stephan (60 day DL)
- Lenny Torres, Jr.
- Andrew Walters
- Gavin Williams
Catchers (3)
- Bryan Lavastida
- Drew Romo
- David Fry
Infielders (4)
- Andres Gimenez
- Kyle Manzardo
- Jose Ramirez
- Brayan Rocchio
Outfielders (4)
- Steven Kwan
- Luis Robert
- Lane Thomas
- George Valera
Utility (2)
- Tyler Freeman
- Daniel Schneeman
- Gabriel Arias (no options remaining)
Designated Hitter (1)
- Brent Rooker
To Be Determined (1-3 free agents on multiyear deals, if necessary)
- LHH corner outfielder with power (Alex Verdugo or DeLauter, if he is ready) - Freeman to minors
- SS/2B/3B veteran with power (like Paul DeJong) - Schneeman to minors
- SP/RP Swingman (like Nick Martinez) - Walters to minor
Minor League Signees
- Major league quality backup catcher to stash at AAA
- Veteran relief pitchers with better quality than we did in 2024 (assuming we lose Strzelecki), e.g., Enyel De Los Santos comes to mind and even bringing Carrasco back on a minor league deal.
- Veteran utility infielders
- Outfielders (not necessarily veterans but could be) with speed who can play defense. Tony Kemp comes to mind or maybe a 6-year MiLB free agent or two.
- 1-2 starting pitchers who can't get ML deal and has to settle for a minor league deal (like Carrasco in 2024)
