3 Team Trade: Jake Bauers to the Indians for Yandy Diaz

[auctionjmm]

The Indians lose one year of Edwin for two years of Santana, and only paid 4 million more to make that happen. They saved 16 million on an extra year of Santana by NOT signing him this offseason. This is what small market teams do to stay competitive. Santana is a slight downgrade when you factor in production only, but when you consider age, money, and years on the deal...Carlos Santana for $4 million dollars in 2020 is going to look very juicy compared to a 37 yr old Edwin who the Indians surely wouldn't have re-signed then anyway. "Money Ball" just landed you Carlos for 4 million.

On the rookie side...Yandy is a good player. He's proven he can hit .300 consistently and plays solid defense. He would have been a fine player for the Indians to keep. But Yandy has already hit his ceiling. He is what he is.

Bauers was a Top 50 prospect as of June, 2018 before his call up, and has been said to have the ceiling of Joey Votto in his prime. This is a good gamble for the Indians. If he continues to hit .200 and fizzles out, then you lose on the gamble, but it's not like Yandy would have been the corner piece of a World Series team. If Bauers turns into the next Votto, you have 6 years of team control. It's a risk they were willing to take, and I'm glad they did.

I've always loved what the Indians' FO does. Every time I think I've seen it all, they work a deal like this which leads you to believe they have no intention of shutting down and rebuilding. The truth is that the "rebuild" has already begun while the team is remaining competitive.

[doowopbruce]

Originally Posted by auctionjmm

The Indians lose one year of Edwin for two years of Santana, and only paid 4 million more to make that happen. They saved 16 million on an extra year of Santana by NOT signing him this offseason. This is what small market teams do to stay competitive. Santana is a slight downgrade when you factor in production only, but when you consider age, money, and years on the deal...Carlos Santana for $4 million dollars in 2020 is going to look very juicy compared to a 37 yr old Edwin who the Indians surely wouldn't have re-signed then anyway. "Money Ball" just landed you Carlos for 4 million.

On the rookie side...Yandy is a good player. He's proven he can hit .300 consistently and plays solid defense. He would have been a fine player for the Indians to keep. But Yandy has already hit his ceiling. He is what he is.

Bauers was a Top 50 prospect as of June, 2018 before his call up, and has been said to have the ceiling of Joey Votto in his prime. This is a good gamble for the Indians. If he continues to hit .200 and fizzles out, then you lose on the gamble, but it's not like Yandy would have been the corner piece of a World Series team. If Bauers turns into the next Votto, you have 6 years of team control. It's a risk they were willing to take, and I'm glad they did.

I've always loved what the Indians' FO does. Every time I think I've seen it all, they work a deal like this which leads you to believe they have no intention of shutting down and rebuilding. The truth is that the "rebuild" has already begun while the team is remaining competitive.

I doubt the Rays are too worried about Bauers becoming Joey Votto.

[tkraft24]

Originally Posted by doowopbruce

I doubt the Rays are too worried about Bauers becoming Joey Votto.

Agreed, seems like more of the upside of Joey Gallo.

[Ray27Ray52]

Bauers doesn't have the discipline of Joey Votto. I'm not a saber guy and I never will be, I just watch the players. Bauers has the it factor for me. I like his moxie and think he can be a star. Will he be? I don't know but I'd gamble on him.

[prospects]

Originally Posted by auctionjmm

The Indians lose one year of Edwin for two years of Santana, and only paid 4 million more to make that happen. They saved 16 million on an extra year of Santana by NOT signing him this offseason. This is what small market teams do to stay competitive. Santana is a slight downgrade when you factor in production only, but when you consider age, money, and years on the deal...Carlos Santana for $4 million dollars in 2020 is going to look very juicy compared to a 37 yr old Edwin who the Indians surely wouldn't have re-signed then anyway. "Money Ball" just landed you Carlos for 4 million.

On the rookie side...Yandy is a good player. He's proven he can hit .300 consistently and plays solid defense. He would have been a fine player for the Indians to keep. But Yandy has already hit his ceiling. He is what he is.

Bauers was a Top 50 prospect as of June, 2018 before his call up, and has been said to have the ceiling of Joey Votto in his prime. This is a good gamble for the Indians. If he continues to hit .200 and fizzles out, then you lose on the gamble, but it's not like Yandy would have been the corner piece of a World Series team. If Bauers turns into the next Votto, you have 6 years of team control. It's a risk they were willing to take, and I'm glad they did.

I've always loved what the Indians' FO does. Every time I think I've seen it all, they work a deal like this which leads you to believe they have no intention of shutting down and rebuilding. The truth is that the "rebuild" has already begun while the team is remaining competitive.

Now behind all of this fluff, lets get down to the real truth. The Indians blew their shot at the world series in 2016, and they are not going to be in the playoffs for a long time. Even if they do make it somehow, they will not be going far. If the owner would spend money, we would not be talking about this. Instead, here we are, as usual with the teams that never change their philosophy.

[auctionjmm]

Originally Posted by prospects

Now behind all of this fluff, lets get down to the real truth. The Indians blew their shot at the world series in 2016, and they are not going to be in the playoffs for a long time. Even if they do make it somehow, they will not be going far. If the owner would spend money, we would not be talking about this. Instead, here we are, as usual with the teams that never change their philosophy.

I am realizing more and more that you really don't understand sports cards, or sports in general all that much either.

[prospects]

Originally Posted by auctionjmm

I am realizing more and more that you really don't understand sports cards, or sports in general all that much either.

go fluff the cavs too.

[SethMurphy]

Originally Posted by prospects

Now behind all of this fluff, lets get down to the real truth. The Indians blew their shot at the world series in 2016, and they are not going to be in the playoffs for a long time. Even if they do make it somehow, they will not be going far. If the owner would spend money, we would not be talking about this. Instead, here we are, as usual with the teams that never change their philosophy.

Who in that division is even close to knocking them off? Royals, Twins, White Sox and Tigers....... none of them are even close to taking that crown from the Tribe. That division is theirs to win for a few more seasons pretty easily I bet. They are a playoff team right now as constructed.

That said, they are not as good as Houston, Boston or New York and are not World Series contenders in my opinion. They do need to improve and do need to restock the farm system. But to say they won't be in the playoffs seems a little foolish.

[Hollywood42]

Originally Posted by SethMurphy

Who in that division is even close to knocking them off? Royals, Twins, White Sox and Tigers....... none of them are even close to taking that crown from the Tribe. That division is theirs to win for a few more seasons pretty easily I bet. They are a playoff team right now as constructed.

That said, they are not as good as Houston, Boston or New York and are not World Series contenders in my opinion. They do need to improve and do need to restock the farm system. But to say they won't be in the playoffs seems a little foolish.

^^^^^

I will say that the Twins and maybe White Sox aren't all that far away from competing with them again, if their young cores can develop as people hope, but it's not like the Indians are just some garbage team only making the playoffs because their division sucks. Do they have problems? Yes, they do, and some of them are big problems. But they're still a very quality team

[Wolves4Life]

Imagine being dumb enough to go from Bauers to Encarnacion.

[auctionjmm]

Originally Posted by prospects

go fluff the cavs too.

More evidence that you really don't know much about sports. The Cavs are in total rebuild mode. They lost the best player in the NBA. Their second best player from last season is out until January, and they are trading all of their veterans for draft picks, expiring contracts, or bad contracts that are netting them draft picks for a rebuild. They are supposed to lose.

The Indians are Central Dvision champions (won the division by 13 games) and so far have not made any moves that have hurt the team. So worst case scenario they win the division again and are top 4 in the A.L.

And my comment about small market teams is 100% accurate. You can't spend Yankees money when you are 21st in attendance and 24th in franchise value.

The 2016 Indians were heavy underdogs throughout the playoffs who started the Series hot, fizzled out, and still went 7 games. I don't know how a heavy underdog "blows it".

This is the reality of MLB. As long as there isn't a salary cap, big market teams with strong attendance will always be heavily favored.

[prospects]

I think the rays are having an amazing offseason

[ALBASKETBALL]

Yandy Diaz could have a breakout year aying everyday

Could hit 30 HR's if he increased hos launch angle, like so many MLB players have done recently.

Rays could win this deal

[rman112]

Originally Posted by ALBASKETBALL

Yandy Diaz could have a breakout year aying everyday

Could hit 30 HR's if he increased hos launch angle, like so many MLB players have done recently.

Rays could win this deal

That's true. But he'd have to top his MLB career high total of 1.

[ALBASKETBALL]

Originally Posted by rman112

That's true. But he'd have to top his MLB career high total of 1.

The guy smokes the ball. They are just all line drives though. Its not as far fetched as you think. But if on the launch angle change

[tkraft24]

Originally Posted by ALBASKETBALL

Yandy Diaz could have a breakout year aying everyday

Could hit 30 HR's if he increased hos launch angle, like so many MLB players have done recently.

Rays could win this deal

I wonder if Yandy was a little stubborn about making changes to his swing or maybe just couldn’t do it consistently. I feel like the Indians organization would’ve been trying to work with him on launch angle all through the minors. It’s not like he just got to the big leagues and a coach noticed for the first time that he consistently drives the ball into the ground. It might just not be in the cards for him, old habits die hard.

But hey, maybe he’ll find an instructor he relates to better over there and things just click. Time will tell.

[WeedenCollector]

You think how big Yandys arms are it affects the way he swings the bat? I think there is such a thing as being too jacked for baseball.

[Hollywood42]

This post isn't getting the appreciation it deserves

Originally Posted by rman112

That's true. But he'd have to top his MLB career high total of 1.

[ALBASKETBALL]

Originally Posted by ALBASKETBALL

Yandy Diaz could have a breakout year playing everyday

Could hit 30 HR's if he increased his launch angle, like so many MLB players have done recently.

Rays could win this deal

Originally Posted by rman112

That's true. But he'd have to top his MLB career high total of 1.

To early to start gloating about this prediction?

[banosd]

Yup, news of Diaz's breakout year broke first on Blowout. Definitely looking like the Rays got the better of the deal

[LVDan]

I like both players and am not shocked Yandy is performing like he is. That said Bauers seems to be progressing some as well. As far as their cards go- its nice when a guy with potential like Bauers struggles at callup as it gives a good opportunity to buy some nice stuff at affordable prices. Yandy is exciting to me because of the limited scope of his RCs. Update, TCU, stadium club and I think thats it for Topps offerings.

[jeff24k]

Originally Posted by ALBASKETBALL

To early to start gloating about this prediction?

Yes, I think so. 79 at bats, such a small sample size. Let's get to the all-star break and if Yandy still has a 152 OPS+, then let the gloating commence.

Definitely a promising start though.

[ALBASKETBALL]

Originally Posted by jeff24k

Yes, I think so. 79 at bats, such a small sample size. Let's get to the all-star break and if Yandy still has a 152 OPS+, then let the gloating commence.

Definitely a promising start though.

Need to get in my gloat before the slump hits

I was always perplexed on how the Indians handled and devolved Yandy. Dude crashes the ball

Would be interested if Yandy/The Rays changed his swing or if his early breakout start was due to finally getting a chance to start every day

[StraWMyerS]

Originally Posted by LVDan

I like both players and am not shocked Yandy is performing like he is. That said Bauers seems to be progressing some as well. As far as their cards go- its nice when a guy with potential like Bauers struggles at callup as it gives a good opportunity to buy some nice stuff at affordable prices. Yandy is exciting to me because of the limited scope of his RCs. Update, TCU, stadium club and I think thats it for Topps offerings.

Agreed. I'm thinking they both pan out as well... and Bauers is one of the better buys right now for a longer term hold... but I'm going to try to wait for the offseason to pick up a few more. There's really no attention on him so unless he starts crushing it soon his prices should stay pretty favorable for a while.

[RYBOWSKI97]

yandy diaz is a very good player and from watching him play he clearly deserved a full time job with the tribe. i have no clue why tito didnt give him a real shot cause he is making the best of it now