Trades already made: Carlos Santana and Jake Bauers acquired for Edwin Encarnacion and Yandy Diaz; Yan Gomes and Yonder Alonso dumped for prospects/salary relief.
Projected Income Available: After the three trades previously mentioned somewhere in the $15-$25 million range.
Roster Needs: Bullpen, Outfield, Bullpen again, possibly a veteran to DH, possible utility infielder and more bullpen help
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Trades + Acquisitions:
- Cleveland Indians trade RHP Trevor Bauer and RHP Adam Cimber to the New York Mets for OF Brandon Nimmo, IF Jeff McNeil, RHP Robert Gsellman and IF Gavin Cecchini. The Mets who are trying to contend for a playoff spot this year land another ace to pair with DeGrom and Noah. Cimber goes over to sweeten the deal - we get a corner outfielder of the future (.400 OBP last year), nice infield piece in McNeil, solid swingman in Gsellman and a utility infielder in Cecchini.
- Cleveland Indians trade 1B Bobby Bradley, RHP Aaron Civale, OF Wil Benson and SS Ernie Clement to the Texas Rangers for RHP Jose Leclerc and IF Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Rangera get two of our top prospects, a third good prospect who has first round pedigree and a very good up and coming prospect in Clement. Someone like a Juan Hillman or Logan Ice could be thrown in as well if needed. Leclerc is one of the more dominant relief arms in baseball and would make a great addition to the bullpen.
- Cleveland Indians sign OF Derek Dietrich to a 2 year, $9M contract.
- Cleveland Indians sign OF/DH Robbie Grossman to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training which will guarantee him $1.5M if he makes the teams 25 man roster; and an additional $2.5M in incentives. This will allow us depth for Bauers if he needs more seasoning in AAA. Grossman isn't the sexiest name but did post OBP's of .367, .361 and .386 in the past 3 seasons.
- Cleveland Indians re-sign LHP Oliver Perez to a 1 year, $3M contract
- Cleveland Indians sign RHP Shawn Kelley to a 2 year, $10M contract
- Cleveland Indians sign RHP Greg Holland to 1 year, $2.5M contract with an addition $4M in incentives
- Cleveland Indians sign RHP Jamie Schultz and RHP A.J. Cole to minor league contracts with invites to spring training
- Cleveland Indians sign RHP Bartolo Colon to a minor league contract (why not right?)
- The rest of whatever money is left will be used for deadline acquisitions
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Opening Day 25 Man Roster
C Kevin Plaweki
1B Carlos Santana
2B Jason Kipnis
3B Jose Ramirez
SS Francisco Lindor
LF Derek Dietrich
CF Leonys Martin
RF Brandon Nimmo
DH Bauers/Grossman
C Roberto Perez
IF Jeff McNeil
UT Isiah Kiner-Falefa
OF Greg Allen/Tyler Naquin
SP Corey Kluber
SP Carlos Carrasco
SP Mike Clevinger
SP Shane Bieber
SP Colon/Plutko
L Hand
R Leclerc
R Kelley
L O. Perez
R G. Holland
R Gsellman
R N. Ramirez/Otero
Other arms that could contribute at some point: RHP Danny Salazar, RHP Cody Anderson, LHP Tyler Olson, RHP Nick Goody, RHP Jamie Schultz, RHP A.J. Cole, LHP Rob Kamisky, RHP Nick Sandlin
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Lineup with 2019 Baseball Reference Projected Stats
SS Francisco Lindor .279/.347/.486
1B Carlos Santana .242/.349/.433
3B Jose Ramirez .291/.370/.521
RF Brandon Nimmo .262/.380/.447
LF Derek Dietrich .255/.333/.415
DH Robbie Grossman .257/.355/.386
2B Jason Kipnis .241/.315/.409
C Kevin Plawecki .226/.320/.380
CF Leonys Martin .236/.302/.382