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November 28, 2017Hot Stove Notebook is a new column to give WFNY Indians writers an opportunity to run down their thoughts on the rumors or hypotheticals of the day that strike their fancy.
In an article for Sports on Earth, former Indians scribe Anthony Castrovince, suggested a trade which has had a growing public buzz in the media though seemingly without any sourced basis to it. In the article, Castrovince suggested the Cleveland Indians trade Danny Salazar, enigmatic fireballer for Ian Happ, versatile Cubs position player with a solid offensive profile.
Of course, when dealing players, contracts, control, and fit matters quite a bit. First, a more in depth introduction to Happ, just 23 years old Happ made his Major League Debut in 2017 over 115 games posting 1.8 WAR, 24 home runs and an .842 OPS. Further, he did this playing innings in center field, right field, left field, second base, and third base. His incredible versatility and productive bat alone is quite tantalizing. The value becomes immense when considering that Happ has at least five years of control remaining for his potential team through pre-arbitration and arbitration. Incorporating age, production, versatility, and remaining control, Happ is an exceeedingly good asset, one that would fit the Indians short and long-term vision well.
The rub comes from valuing Danny Salazar. WFNY has written extensively about Danny Salazar this offseason suggesting a Chris Devanski conversion, and noting his subtly stable production/upside during his time in Cleveland. Indeed, for a Chicago team poised to lose Jake Arrieta and Wade Davis, a player with hybrid upside like Danny Salazar is compelling. Further, Salazar appeared to make a sneaky leap forward in 2017:
In 2017, the slider awoke, and Salazar’s mighty arsenal was complete. On a per pitch basis Salazar’s slider was the eighth most valuable slider among those with at least 100 innings. This paired with the seventh most valuable change up among the same constraint and Salazar all of the sudden has a Top 10 arsenal in baseball.
The upside still exists for Salazar, and the floor has been higher than many give him credit for over the years. Of course, there are limitations, Salazar has merely two arbitration eligible years remaining, and considering his consistent soreness has to be considered a substantive risk. In terms of control and risk, Happ is a better asset. Still there is a fit. Pairing Salazar with a solid second tier prospect would be a boon for an Indians org looking for not only winning in 2018 but 2020 as well. As for now, this is all theoretical.
With contract tender date looming Friday, rival evaluators say Braves pushing Matt Adams to other teams. He had an .896 OPS vs. right-handers last year, and could be a fit for an AL team looking for 1B-DH type. (Cleveland?)
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) November 27, 2017
Another theoretical or borderline rumor. Adams simply is not a fit. Between Kipnis/Brantley one of them needs to play 1B if the Indians do not bring in external help or move Kipnis. Adams similarly to both Kipnis/Brantley has a pretty mediocre bat for first base. First base is a position where the bat has to be significantly above league average to play there, and Adams resurgence while making him competent does not project to a value at first base for the Indians. This would not appear to be a good fit for the Indians.
Indians have a minor-league deal with OF Brandon Barnes, source tells SBN.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) November 27, 2017
Organizational depth that outside of injuries does not see Cleveland in 2018.
Waiver claims this afternoon
+LHP Kyle Crockett (@Reds)
+RHP Dylan Baker (@Brewers)Both were designated on November 20 at the Rule V 40-man roster deadline.
— Tribeinsider (@tribeinsider) November 27, 2017
Once promising, Crockett never appeared to have the trust of Terry Francona. As has been well documented, he does have the track record and stuff to be a good matchup lefty. However, with Olson’s emergence and the organizations lack of trust in Crockett, a divorce was to be expected.
Dylan Baker is the more interesting claim. Baker has a live arm with a lot of upside for a back end reliever. However, numerous major injuries made it so the hurler did not reach AA until his age 25 season. Turning 26 next season with significant injury risk, the Indians simply had a 40 man roster squeeze which created this outcome. It is very possible that Baker has a successful big league career if his body holds up but his exodus is simply a cost of roster depth.
8 Comments
Trading Salazar this offseason seems like selling low. I get that we may have pitching depth and may need to add a bat, but I think I’m seeing what Allen, Chang, Diaz, and maybe even Mejia can get. We should be looking to maximize wins right now.
And Salazar is projected for 2.2 WAR in just 103 IP, Happ for 1.8 in 415 PAs. Unless you are dead-set on moving Salazar out of the rotation, I’m not seeing how that move is an improvement.
I treat Salazar like Josh Gordon. Never trade. Ride it out as long as possible.
Seems like as good as any, what is the absolute lowest anybody would take for Kipnis. I think clearing him for a average reliever prospect (AAA) with high end speed would be good enough for me. Just clear the salary for other uses. I have no vendetta or ill will towards Kip but would like to see that salary used more creatively while the window’s open.
What is weird is if I thought the Indians would use Kip like Austin Jackson in LF, I might be higher on him.
We’re going to need a RHB to fill the Brantley is banged up/Zimmer needs to be protected against a tough LHP role.
Well, that’s not Kipnis. I meant more using Kip as a platoon LF. Give him 80-100 games to let him keep healthy and optimize his matchups. He could give us 1.5-2.0 WAR in that role like A-Jax did.
You can never have “too much” good pitching. You can never have “enough” good pitching. A good pitcher is better than a good hitter. Keep him.