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Cleveland Indians have Terry Talkin' search for a hitter -- Terry Pluto | cleveland.com
"Indians" "search" "hitter"
Those three words have been in the headline of many a Tribe-related article this winter. And will continue to be until the Indians make that expected signing. Edwin Encarnación is still available on the free agent market, though I still do not think the Indians will end up with him. Someone is going to blink on a 3-year, $60M-ish deal, and thus would end the chances of the Tribe ending up with him. But the longer EE is out there, the more likely he'll settle for a two-year deal, and that's where I think the Indians are willing to go for. You'd have EE and Santana holding down 1B/DH for 2017, then EE and someone else for 2018 (maybe Yandy Diaz).
As mentioned yesterday, Diaz has been a popular trade target for teams either price out of the corner bat market or looking to get younger (or both). My opinion is that the Indians should hold onto him, as he could very well be major contributor in 2017 no matter who the Indians sign or trade for. Remaining competitive in a medium-sized market is dependent on balancing the short-term, mid-term, and long-term success; with Diaz being so close to the majors (and contributing), it would take a very big return to make me part with him. For he represents, if he develops, success in all three time frames.
Wagner, Ruth, Robinson and Michael Martinez – The Hardball Times
Too soon?
Way too soon.
MLB News
Twins prospect Yorman Landa, 22, dies in car accident
Landa was a Florida State League All-Star, and was a possible Rule 5 pick.
Where Will Todd Frazier Play in 2017? | FanGraphs Baseball
It won't be in Cleveland, that's for sure. I admit I that was interested in Frazier, but thankfully the Indians didn't make the rumored deal, which would have included Clint Frazier. And not only did that clear the way for Jose Ramirez to eventually take over third base, but Clint Frazier was still in the organization to be the main piece in the Andrew Miller deal.
Andrew McCutchen happy to still be a Pirate | MLB.com
I still think the Pirates will hold onto McCutcheon this winter, unless they know something about his health that rest of MLB doesn't. He just turned 30, and dealing him now (after the worst season of his career) would I think selling low on a great player.