It's Time to be a GM and Protect Your Players: AL Central Version

by LaserVortex888 on Nov 6, 2011 10:42 PM EST

Sorry for the long delay. College.

To refresh:

There is a new expansion draft format and for one day you get to be a GM of all 30 teams. Here's the catch; you can only protect three players from each organization (sorry not 15, then 3 more, etc., that would take way too long). You get the player as is with his current contract (it makes things more interesting). Keep in mind each teams financial statuses.

Today's version: AL Central

Much much more after the jump.

Indians protect: Carlos Santana, Asdrubal Cabrera, Ubaldo Jimenez

Analysis: Good catchers and shortstops are rare these days so protecting Santana and Cabrera are easy choices. The always tough third spot left me pondering over a couple of players. I considered Jason Kipnis and Lonnie Chisenhall, the Indian's top 2 prospects from the previous season. Francisco Lindor may prove to be a lock next season, but I'm not yet sold after just 19 professional at-bats. We all know what Jimenez can do when he is at the top of his game and I just see too much potential to risk letting him go.

Royals protect: Alex Gordon, Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas

The Royals have been stocking up on young talent for quite some time now and it has finally paid off. Alex Gordon finally played like the All-Star everyone thought he would be and I really like him going forward. He even plays Gold-Glove defense. Well, that's a conversation for another day.

Tigers protect: Justin Verlander, Miguel Cabrera, Doug Fister

Analysis: Perennial Cy Young and MVP candidates make my job easy. I think the Tigers have a few guys who you could slot into that third spot and feel pretty good about your decision: Max Scherzer, Rick Porcello, Austin Jackson, and Fister. I went with Fister because he really impressed me this year, especially after leaving Seattle.

Twins protect: Joe Mauer, Miguel Sano, Eddie Rosario

Analysis: Oh how things have changed for the Twins in just a season. Regardless of power (or lackthereof), playing time and contract, I can't not protect Joe Mauer. The rest is up for discussion so I went with their top two prospects.

White Sox protect: Gavin Floyd, John Danks, Chris Sale

Analysis: Pitching. Pitching. Pitching. The White Sox don't have much to offer for this discussion. Floyd and Danks have proven to be pretty solid Major League starters. Sale has a ton of potential and there is no way I can leave him unprotected. Gordon Beckham, what happened.........

Critique away.

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Comments

What about Denard Span?

Above average player, can’t stay healthy but has an affordable long term contract. I’d take him over Rosario.

Illuminate My Heart, My Darling!
@medical_sword's #1 fan.

by Pikachu on Nov 7, 2011 9:04 PM EST reply actions

Might sound crazy

But if I can only protect 3 guys out of the entire organization, then as a Royals fan I’m not protecting Moose. Yes he has the talent, but he didn’t show it last year and the guy I’m protecting instead could be even better.
and that’s Cheslor Cuthbert.
It doesn’t help the team now, but he potentially has the bat of Wil Myers and the defense of Adrian Beltre.

"We don’t have guys with a long history of being effective in the seventh and eighth innings."
~Trey Hillman, master of understatements.

by RoyalPug on Nov 13, 2011 12:03 AM EST reply actions

Not Crazy at all

It’s a discussion for the fans. I want to here what everyone has to say about their team, players, and prospects.

Baseball players are smarter than football players. How often do you see a baseball team penalized for too many men on the field? ~Jim Bouton

by LaserVortex888 on Nov 13, 2011 2:12 AM EST up reply actions

hear*

Baseball players are smarter than football players. How often do you see a baseball team penalized for too many men on the field? ~Jim Bouton

by LaserVortex888 on Nov 13, 2011 2:13 AM EST up reply actions

Do you really think Mauer can rebound after barely playing this season?

I hope he does, he is fun to watch, but when will he start playing again and will he even be behind the plate anymore? Also for that matter, is Morneu ever going to come back?

by dasox313 on Nov 15, 2011 7:57 PM EST reply actions

I hope so too

but until Mauer retires he is just too good not to protect or consider protecting. Remember it’s not like Minnesota has a Texas or Kansas City type farm system that would make it a little easier to let Mauer go. They are very thin.

Morneau. Who knows…..

Baseball players are smarter than football players. How often do you see a baseball team penalized for too many men on the field? ~Jim Bouton

by LaserVortex888 on Nov 17, 2011 1:14 PM EST up reply actions

Man...

I remember when Morneau was the guy that whenever the Sox were playing the Twins, that I winced whenever he stepped up to the plate.

by dasox313 on Nov 20, 2011 7:16 PM EST up reply actions

Given the choice

of 2 years of Ubaldo and 2 years of Choo I’d probably have to lean on Choo and risk losing Ubaldo.

by MrNegative1 on Nov 28, 2011 10:53 PM EST reply actions

Some thoughts

Indians – Justin Masterson, Carlos Santana, Asdrubal Cabrera. Masterson > Jimenez
Royals – Gordon, Hosmer, Moustakas – totally agree
Twins – Mauer, Span, Sano – Unsure about Mauer, but if not him, who else
Tigers – Verlander, Cabrera, Fister. Again, I agree
White Sox – Alexi Ramirez, Chris Sale, Dayan Viciedo – Danks and Floyd are near free agency

by Will Groves on Dec 18, 2011 2:10 PM EST reply actions