CLEVELAND, Ohio – Is there life after Francisco Lindor? The Indians think so.
The Indians traded Lindor and Carlos Carrasco to the New York Mets on January 7th. Lindor was recognized as the face of the franchise. Carrasco was their inspiration.
Asked if it was a slap in the face to the organization, right-hand man Adam Plutko said in a Zoom call with reporters of the spring training in Goodyear, Arizona, on Thursday: “Personally, I feel sad because I lost two friends that I really enjoy playing the game of baseball every day. Cookie calls me once more every two weeks or so and we just chat and chat. Lindor and I have represented our team very carefully for the past twelve months.
“I was sad to lose friends. But if I believed for a moment with whom I entered this game, I would play my whole career, I’m a fool if I believe it. This is how the game works. ”
Plutko said he is concentrating on who the Indians added this winter, and not who they lost.
“Eddie Rosario is a man who has only abused us over the years,” Plutko said. “Now he’s in our team. It’s exciting for me, and I like the way he plays the game. In my opinion we still have the best yard staff in the whole baseball. ”
The Indians signed Rosario to a $ 8 million deal for one year and Cesar Hernandez, the second baseman, re-contracted for a $ 5 million one-year deal for a club option for 2021. These were the two big moves for the saving tribe.
They acquired rangers Amed Rosario and Andres Gimenez along with two prospects from the Mets. Chris Antonetti, president of baseball operations, said Amed Rosario, Gimenez and Yu Chang will be watching briefly this spring.
Coach Carl Willis recalled during his second tour with the Indians that the Indians traded CC Young winners CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee in consecutive years in 2008 and 2009.
“It happens to every team,” he said. ‘I do not think there is a team in baseball that can roll out of bed the next day and replace a Frankie Lindor. And I do not think we can roll out of bed and replace Carlos Carrasco, the pitcher and the person. It’s hard to do, but at the end of the day you’re working on what you have.
‘I think our front office did a heckuva job of getting talent back that can help us win matches. So you go on, but you always miss those guys. ‘
No. 1: Roberto Perez says he lost 25 pounds
Perez, who has a home in Cleveland, spent the winter in Florida reinforcing the strap in his right shoulder. He says he has lost 25 pounds and is ready to play a full season after playing just 32 games last year due to his shoulder injury.
“I went to Florida, got a personal trainer and took care of the business,” he said. ‘I wanted to put myself in a good position to practice after the spring. I’m healthy, that’s all I wanted to be. I’m healthy. I lost 25 pounds. I am good and ready to compete. ”
Perez has won gold gloves for his defense over the past two years. Last season, however, he hit just .165 (16-for-97).
No. 2: Looking for experience
The Indians knew they needed experience in the bull for 2021. That’s why they added veterans Bryan Shaw, Heath Hembree, Blake Parker and DJ Johnson. On Friday, they re-signed left-wing Oliver Perez, 39.
“We feel very good about some of the young throwers we have, both guys competing for a place in the rotation and guys competing for places in the bull,” Antonetti said. “But we thought it would make sense to bring in some more experienced pitchers to compete with the group for a spot on the team, especially outside the gate.”
Antonetti said the bullpen competition could run hot in the spring practice.
No.3: left, right
In his six years with the Twins, Eddie Rosario played mostly left field. The Indians are not entirely sure whether he will play left or right for them. The one thing they do know is that he’s going to be in line almost every day.
“It probably has less to do with Eddie than the rest of the men in the rankings and how do we put together the best team possible,” Antonetti said.
Antonetti said Rosario is everyone regardless of their position. Now the Indians only have to sort out the remaining foreigners. These include Jake Bauers, Daniel Johnson, Jordan Luplow, Oscar Mercado, Josh Naylor, Franmil Reyes, Bradley Zimmer, Billy Hamilton and Ben Gamel. Sounds like it could take a while.
Nr. 4: Padres get Fernando Tatis, Indians lose Lindor
The Padres agreed on Wednesday with 22-year-old shortstop Fernando Tatis on a 14-year contract of $ 350 million. The Indians exchanged their hotstop shortstop to the Mets because they knew they could not sign him.
Antonetti was asked for his reaction to the signing of Tatis and the implications it has for the Indians.
‘Well, my reaction was, it’s great to see Fernando Tatis Jr. to be, ‘he said. ‘I can not imagine what that agreement is like, but I think it was a pretty good day in his household.
‘I can not talk about the thought process of individual franchises. … What we are trying to do is come up with a plan that works for us and can be as successful as possible. It requires different decisions that may apply in Cleveland, which may differ in other markets. I would be reluctant – and again, it would be inappropriate to talk to me about San Diego’s reasoning, except that Tatis is obviously an excellent player and they wanted to do everything to keep him. ”
Nr. 5: He yields Cy Young winners
When Shane Bieber won the Cy Young last year, Willis was happy. But his children were very happy.
Willis coached Cy Young winners in CC Sabathia, Cliff Lee, Felix Hernandez, Rick Porcello and Bieber. It looks good on the resume, but he knows it’s the guy on the hill who’s really making it happen.
“What these guys do on the field, they do,” Willis said. “I have always been blessed to be a small part of it and to see it unfold. But truly, at the end of the day, the reaction and pride my kids have about it is probably the most special thing. ”
Willis and his wife Rachel have three children – Ally, Daniel and Bryson.
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