Tigers catcher Alex Avila is now symptom-free after suffering yet another concussion in the final game of this year’s ALDS against the Orioles, he tells MLive.com’s Chris Iott. While many have speculated that Avila could need to step away from the game after being diagnosed with what he referred to as three “mild” concussions this year, Avila isn’t thinking along those lines. “I had a CT scan and an MRI checking my brain and my neck and the arteries leading to it, and everything checks out normal and healthy,” Avila told Iott. “And talking with the neurologist that examined everything, I shouldn’t have any concern.” Avila’s concussion issues do predate this season, Iott notes, but the catcher maintains that he’d be ready to step on the field today if the Tigers needed him to do so. Detroit holds a $5.4MM option on Avila with a $200K buyout. Even if the option were to be declined, he’d still be under control via arbitration.
Here’s more from the AL Central…
- MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian discusses a wide variety of offseason- and 2015-related topics in his latest Indians Inbox piece, including Francisco Lindor. Bastian writes that he would be “shocked” if Lindor wasn’t with the team next season, but given the notable step back he took in terms of his K/BB numbers at Triple-A and a lack of seasoning at that level, Lindor is probably headed for the minors to open the year. The defensively gifted Jose Ramirez will likely be ticketed to open the season as Cleveland’s shortstop.
- Also from Bastian, he notes that if Lindor is indeed expected to be Triple-A bound to start the season, it makes sense for the team to exercise Mike Aviles’ $3.5MM club option. Bastian downplayed the idea of Josh Tomlin as a non-tender candidate due to his modest salary and remaining options, and he also touched on the future of Lonnie Chisenhall, noting that third base is one of the most logical areas of upgrade for Cleveland.
- Left-handed power will be a priority for the White Sox this winter, writes Bruce Levine of 670thescore.com. Levine runs down a list of potential targets for the ChiSox, headlined by Victor Martinez but also including Melky Cabrera, Adam LaRoche and Pablo Sandoval. LaRoche is a bit of a reach to me given the presence of Jose Abreu and LaRoche’s reputation as a solid defensive first baseman. Levine notes that he spoke to a Tigers source that indicated the team would do “whatever it could” to bring back Martinez for 2015 and beyond — and that’s not the first time a reporter has gotten that vibe from Detroit; ESPN’s Buster Olney heard something similar earlier in the month.
The moment any of these free agents get a q.o., you can officially scratch them off Rick Hahn’s list IMO. I think they will look at trades with players like Jason Castro, Dominic Brown, Logan Morrison, Jason Heyward, Carlos Gonzalez, Joc Pederson, Yonder Alonso, Yasmani Grandal, Brandon Belt, Ike Davis, Pedro Alvarez, Jay Bruce, Dustin Ackley, Ben Zobrist and Adam Lind among the names that might be moved this offseason. I would look for two of those players. I believe those two could very well be Zobrist and Castro.
The only guys that could possibly get moved this offseason that you have listed here are Morrison, Zobrist, Davis, Ackley, Dom Brown, Heyward. The only one I can see the White Sox getting is Morrison or Ackley because they need outfield help and neither one of those players wouldn’t require much in a trade IMO. I don’t think that the others will get traded or they won’t go to the White Sox because they don’t have the pieces to trade for that player.
What pieces are you expecting for some of these players? You are terribly undervalueing Sox players. For example Pittsburgh has to be hoping someone takes Alvarez off their hands. They would probably take Viciedo for him. We have quite a bit in our farm system to deal for some of the young players mentioned. You mentioned Morrison and Ackley. I don’t think those players even make the Sox better. I would sign Rasmus instead. It will be a bigger name acquisition. I think Zobrist is a possibility and he does play the outfield as well as infield. Maybe we can hope that V-Mart doesn’t receive a qualifying offer. He will though.
It depends on the player to be honest. For Cargo, Heyward, Pederson Rodon has to be in that deal. You might have to include more for Heyward. The others I can’t see teams really trading. I don’t see Bruce getting traded after one bad year, Alvarez might be available but I am not positive because I think I remember hearing the Pirates might move him to first. Belt I don’t see moving unless Posey moves to 1st. Grandal could be available but maybe at the deadline when Hedges is ready to be called up. And I don’t know about Zobrist because I don’t know anyone outside of Rodon and Davidson in the White Sox system.
First of all, Rodon cannot be traded. It would have to wait until the one year anniversary of his signing at the earliest. Second of all, Rodon cannot be traded. Now if Miami calls and offers Stanton or Angels offer Trout I would change my mind. Otherwise Rodon, Sale, Abreu, Garcia and Quintana are not to be even talked about in a trade. Not to be thought about in a trade and don’t even look at them funny while thinking trade. No touch the merchandise.
Note why I said what I said. That’s why given my knowledge of the White Sox farm system you can’t get guys like Heyward and Pederson. IMO you don’t have the depth in prospects needed to acquire all of the better available players. The others when I just don’t see teams trading right now.
That’s funny….but I’m not gonna be shocked if they deal Sale.
Cargo is very much available, I’ll bet. He’s getting a big raise this year and the Rockies have holes to fill.
Why would a qualifying offer make that much of a difference? especially with their first round pick being protected.
Last off season for example, Rick Hahn had said that his top free agent target was McCann. They also assumed Granderson would not get a q.o. Well it may not sound like a big deal as of yet, but Sox second pick and 43rd overall was pitcher Spencer Adams. He was projected to go 20-24 in most mock drafts. Third round was lefty Jace Fry. Still a lot to lose in a very deep draft like last year.
I think if they are serious about contending, then it won’t make much difference if there is someone they really want. The vast majority of second round picks don’t come close to panning out. Teams with a protected pick have a competitive advantage in signing. Plus, as a bonus, they save the $ needed to pay the second round pick.
They would lose that slotted money by giving up the pick.
Yes, they lose the dollar value of the pick, but it is money they don’t have to come up with – that was my point.
Is the Sox pick not protected?
If the Phillies and white sox don’t end up signing Yasmani Tomas, then it only makes sense for these teams to look into a change of scenary for Dominic Brown and Dayan Viciedo. That could possibly be a straight up deal, with the sox sending over $ to offset salaries. Giving brown a shot to fill LF and possibly add LH pop to the lineup, is worth giving a chance.
If not, I can see Micah Johnson moving to LF and letting Sanchez and Semien battle for 2nd.
Yasmani Grandal is rumored to be on the outs in SD. The sox should be all over Grandal.
Have you been reading my mind? Great points. In watching the Royals just kick everybody and they are awesome to watch BTW, I would be tempted to have a starting outfield of Micah Johnson in left with Eaton and Garcia, Semien platooning at third with Gillaspie, Ramirez at short, Sanchez at second and Abreu at first. I had Viciedo for Brown as a trade and becoming the dh. Grandal should come much cheaper than last year but he would have to be healthy. Fix the bullpen and it would be along the lines of the Royals, a young exciting successful team IMO. I like speed on the bases and on defense. You still need power but remember, speed never slumps.
Well thought out list. Thanks for sharing.
I’m not sure what Hahn has to trade, but he sure found some players last year.
The midseason and offseason moves Hahn made last year were among the best I’ve seen a GM pull off in starting a rebuild in almost 60 years of watching MLB. Am very interested in what he does this year. While a strong left-handed hitting bat would help, I think Cooper needs at least 2 promising bullpen arms as well as another starting candidate. But getting a quality catcher that can call a game and handle a staff might be the most important thing. A Russel Martin that stays healthy all year can turn that team into a very legitimate playoff contender in 2015.
I would love to get Russell Martin. I believe that he will be the highest position player in demand. I haven’t given up on 23 year old Matt Davidson by any means, like you said, Rick Hahn was awesome. Hector Santiago for Adam Eaton. Jeff Soptic for Conor Gillaspie. Adam Dunn for Nolan Sanburn, Jake Peavy for Avi Garcia, Frankie Montas ( who was clocked at 102 mph in the AFL), plus two other prospects in London and Wendelken. Rick’s two June drafts, his two international signing periods and even rule 5 pick Adrian Nieto. Yep. I’ll take another year of that.
Rondon, not London.
I’m with you on doing a rebuild the right way…but I question whether the Sox won’t give up that 2nd rd pick if they can take advantage in getting a solid piece in free agency.
To be fair, Flowers can call a game and handle the staff. The only other thing he seems to be able to do is hit for power. The question with Flowers is, was his second half (with the glasses) what he can be on a consistent basis now. He said the glasses cleared his vision and allowed him to see the ball better. Remember even with this wild, bad pitching staff for the most part, he was still considered a +3 in DRS (defensive runs saved). I just think Russell Martin is going to get overpaid by quite a bit. I just don’t know about the catching position at this moment. I do like Grandal from the Padres if he can be had.
I with those that believe that the catcher is the most important position on the field, and never cared whether a catcher can hit or not. Any hitting is a plus. Martin has been a superior handler of pitchers since the Dodgers called him up. He makes pitching staffs better as he did with the Yankees and Pirates when he joined them. The Sox have a lot of young pitchers they’re going to have to develop. Martin remains on of the best in MLB in what he does, just behind Yadi and possible even ahead of Salvy.
What I’ve seen of Flowers is that he’s so-so as a catcher. Were he 23 or 24 I’d believe he could grow with the staff. But he’s 28 and has been up and down with the Sox for 6 years. He appears to be more of a back-up catcher then a guy that can be a leader on the field every day.
I know what you are saying about Flowers. But the glasses, wouldn’t you like to give the glasses a full season? It helped his offense mostly but had to help him overall.
I find it interesting that everyone think the glasses is what changed Flowers.. He has stunk for what 3 years? and NOW it is glasses that are determined to fix his issue? If I were the Sox I would fire whoever is responsible for checking the Sox hitters eyes for the past three years then. It was not glasses, he just lost his bat. He is good with the pitchers, but if he is a hole in the lineup filled with holes he is a liability. cause even with the glasses there were times where he could not hit to save his life.
Nieto can apparently manage the staff as well as Flowers and does not cost the Sox what Flowers does. Plus Nieto is a switch hitter and seemed to get more comfortable with the bat as the season went on. Not sure why everyone forgets Nieto. The Sox apparently thought enough of him to keep him on the active roster so they would not have to give him back to the Nats.
Avila needs to retire, or move to a different position. He simply cannot take another season of getting concussions, there are more important things in life than baseball.
What other position could he play with that bat – it’s catcher or retire
I’m in favor of the latter. 5.4 million for Avila makes me sick to my stomach.
He has $5.4 million reasons to stay in the game
I could see Valbuena from the Cubs being a decent target for the ChiSox. I know they have those 3 AAA guys suspected to battle it out for 2B, but he could be a sure-thing there or move over to third and supplant the powerless Gillaspie.
I wouldn’t take Valbuana ahead of Gillaspie, Davidson or Semien at third, or Micah and Sanchez at second.
Gillaspie does not need power, the Sox just used him wrong in the batting order. Should have been a 2nd or 6,7,8 hitter in the lineup, should not have been batting 3-5. With Garcia, Abreu, and likely a power hitter at DH or in LF the Sox should be fine with Gillaspie at third. The key is does his glove keep improving, which it has. Semien is a joke and makes too many errors anywhere he plays. I see Sanchez and Johnson at 2nd/SS and would not be surprised if Ramirez is moved this off season. Danks will likely be traded for a closer type prospect with Rodon on his way. Viciedo will either be traded or be used at DH to see if focusing on only hitting will improve his bat.
I really think Hahn will augment the bullpen, add a lefty bat…and pull off a surprise move.
I kno Cleveland Indians fans and other fans probably don’t want to hear this but I still think the Indians should move Lindor for an offensive upgrade at 3rd or RF. I liked how Jose Ramirez handled SS after the Indians traded Cabrera. If some how the indians can find an offensive upgrade at 3rd or RF then move Lindor. If one can’t be found, then yes they should keep him.
The Indians have Giovanny Urshela in AAA. He’s going to be an excellent 3B.
After seeing him play a dozen times, I do have some questions about Lindor. But he’s only 20-21, so it’s as wrong to write him off as it is to expect he’ll come up to the bigs in 2015 and immediately become one of the best SS’s in MLB.
I’m would rather not trade Lindor, specifically because there is not many places that we can upgrade, that we don’t have a significant amount of money already attached to.
Who would you specifically want as a return?