Brad Hand

[adambr2]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/10/indians-brad-hand-closer-waivers.html

 

Indians have waived Hand in an attempt to shed payroll. Hand could be had simply by claiming him and the 1 year/10M club option left on his contract.

 

I know it's not cheap, but it's not over the top expensive and it's not a long-term commitment. Hand is as dominant as ever, posting a 2.05 ERA, 1.37 FIP and 12 K/9 this season.

 

Would give us arguably the most dominant back end of a bullpen in baseball with Hader/Hand/Williams without committing to long-term money or giving up any prospect capital.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Oh man ... not liking where this is going. I mean, the Indians are kind of notoriously cheap, but this brings it to a different level.

[wildcat2237]

I think this is just the beginning.

 

Teams are not going to want massive payrolls heading into the uncertainty of 2021.

 

I gotta think the Brewers will be out to jettison guys like Gamel, Sogard, etc.

 

Probably going to see a lot players like Urias, Taylor, heck maybe even Corey Ray gets a shot.

 

No need to spend millions on utility players or 4th and 5th outfielders.

 

I also think Hader might be out the door in an effort to shed salary.

[RollieTime]

If I was Stearns, I would absolutely pick up Hand. Let Knebel walk and pick up Hand. Then you can look to trade Hader for the right price and basically have Hand replace him. If not, you have a back of the bullpen of Hader, Hand, and Williams.

 

Moving on from Knebel and adding Hand would add about $5 million in payroll, but that can be mostly offset in other ways such as letting Arcia walk. Or just look at it as Sogard and Knebel are gone and we brought in Hand.

[wibadgers23]

Yeah I love the idea of adding Hand and then using Hader to revamp the infield. If you don’t trade Hader, then you have one hell of a bullpen.

[adambr2]

Honestly, if you're going to get Hand I would just double down on the pen and keep Hader and try to win on the strength of an elite pen.

 

Hader is worth more than Hand so I am not comparing their values one for one but I think the fact that Brad Hand is available for free probably doesn't bode well for a strong reliever trade market.

[Eye Black]

Hader is worth more than Hand so I am not comparing their values one for one but I think the fact that Brad Hand is available for free probably doesn't bode well for a strong reliever trade market.

This was my thought as well. Relievers always seem to have more value in-season anyway, but if this offseason is beginning with Brad Hand available to whomever will pay him $10 million, then we probably need to temper those Hader trade proposals a bit further.

[Jopal78]

There is probably some unconventional thinking here which suggests the Brewers should put a claim in on Brad Hand, and exercise the ten million dollar option. They then would have a bullpen Hader, Hand, Williams, along with middle inning guys Rasmussen, Topa, Suter, Yardley. With a strong deep pen, they could probably get away with a rotation of Woodruff, Burnes, Lindblom, Houser and Peralta because they only need 5+ from them a night.

 

From a financial standpoint, you claim Hand at 10 million, and with non-tendering Knebel its a net gain of only 5 million dollars.

[Eye Black]

Since the season is over the waiver priority order is just reverse standings across all of MLB regardless of league. So the Brewers would need these 14 teams above them to pass on Hand's contract (listed in order of waiver priority):

 

Pittsburgh Pirates

Texas Rangers

Detroit Tigers

Boston Red Sox

Baltimore Orioles

Arizona Diamondbacks

Kansas City Royals

Colorado Rockies

Los Angeles Angels

New York Mets

Washington Nationals

Seattle Mariners

Philadelphia Phillies

San Francisco Giants

 

 

If he gets past that gauntlet of the Angels, Mets, and Nationals I'll be very surprised.

[MrTPlush]

There is probably some unconventional thinking here which suggests the Brewers should put a claim in on Brad Hand, and exercise the ten million dollar option. They then would have a bullpen Hader, Hand, Williams, along with middle inning guys Rasmussen, Topa, Suter, Yardley. With a strong deep pen, they could probably get away with a rotation of Woodruff, Burnes, Lindblom, Houser and Peralta because they only need 5+ from them a night.

 

From a financial standpoint, you claim Hand at 10 million, and with non-tendering Knebel its a net gain of only 5 million dollars.

 

Only if they were actually going to hand Knebel $5mil...which I am pretty skeptical of. If a team is dumping Brad Hand for $10mil it seems likely we would balk at Knebel for $5mil.

 

We are already super tight on money before spending a dollar...I doubt Brad Hand at $10mil is in the cards. Unless of course you all like the Sogard's/Peterson's of the world filling out the infield...

[Jopal78]

Since the season is over the waiver priority order is just reverse standings across all of MLB regardless of league. So the Brewers would need these 14 teams above them to pass on Hand's contract (listed in order of waiver priority):

 

Pittsburgh Pirates

Texas Rangers

Detroit Tigers

Boston Red Sox

Baltimore Orioles

Arizona Diamondbacks

Kansas City Royals

Colorado Rockies

Los Angeles Angels

New York Mets

Washington Nationals

Seattle Mariners

Philadelphia Phillies

San Francisco Giants

 

 

If he gets past that gauntlet of the Angels, Mets, and Nationals I'll be very surprised.

 

The GM of Pittsburgh, Texas or Detroit would be crazy not to claim Hand. Boston for sure will claim hand if he gets that far. The other trio of teams could claim him, play him half the year then swap him off for prospects. Hell, they could even claim him now and swap him off come spring training when the financial landscape is more certain.

[MrTPlush]

I don't think it is obvious who will or won't try to claim him. I would imagine they tried to at least shop him around for something before dumping him for free. Any team could have ponied up something to have him already. I am guessing any team that is a small market and/or knows they will suck really bad next year is unlikely to flirt with claiming them. Probably going to be rich team putting in a winning claim.

[Jopal78]

There is probably some unconventional thinking here which suggests the Brewers should put a claim in on Brad Hand, and exercise the ten million dollar option. They then would have a bullpen Hader, Hand, Williams, along with middle inning guys Rasmussen, Topa, Suter, Yardley. With a strong deep pen, they could probably get away with a rotation of Woodruff, Burnes, Lindblom, Houser and Peralta because they only need 5+ from them a night.

 

From a financial standpoint, you claim Hand at 10 million, and with non-tendering Knebel its a net gain of only 5 million dollars.

 

Only if they were actually going to hand Knebel $5mil...which I am pretty skeptical of. If a team is dumping Brad Hand for $10mil it seems likely we would balk at Knebel for $5mil.

 

We are already super tight on money before spending a dollar...I doubt Brad Hand at $10mil is in the cards. Unless of course you all like the Sogard's/Peterson's of the world filling out the infield...

 

 

I wouldn't be so sure on Knebel, other than coming back from TJ surgery in the weird 2020 season, he has been nothing short of fantastic for the Brewers: 164 IP, 118 H, 252 K, 3.23, 0.9HR/9 and K:BB ratio.

 

The Brewers would be unable to acquire a pitcher with the above stat line for 5 million dollars, so I'm not so sure they'll simply cut bait with Knebel. Also, arbitration contracts are not guaranteed until the start of the season so they can always tender Knebel now and if he still isn't wholly back from his arm injury they can release him at the end of spring training with nothing lost.

[Jopal78]

I don't think it is obvious who will or won't try to claim him. I would imagine they tried to at least shop him around for something before dumping him for free. Any team could have ponied up something to have him already. I am guessing any team that is a small market and/or knows they will suck really bad next year is unlikely to flirt with claiming them. Probably going to be rich team putting in a winning claim.

 

How does a small market team or a bad team inject extra talent into their system? By taking every player you can who you know you can flip later for longer term talent. It's smart, and the teams at the bottom of the pile standings wise are likely the ones with little to no money committed to 2021.

[MrTPlush]

I don't think it is obvious who will or won't try to claim him. I would imagine they tried to at least shop him around for something before dumping him for free. Any team could have ponied up something to have him already. I am guessing any team that is a small market and/or knows they will suck really bad next year is unlikely to flirt with claiming them. Probably going to be rich team putting in a winning claim.

 

How does a small market team or a bad team inject extra talent into their system? By taking every player you can who you know you can flip later for longer term talent. It's smart, and the teams at the bottom of the pile standings wise are likely the ones with little to no money committed to 2021.

 

Maybe in a normal year, but this year wasn't and the financial fallout isn't great even for rich teams. The fact Brad Hand is worthless to the point of being put on waivers is a good sign the entire league is very worried about their finances and their 2021 payrolls. A small market could take him on, but if teams are stingy with their payroll next year his big price tag is going to greatly reduce interested teams and his trade value.

[wntrtxn21]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/10/indians-brad-hand-closer-waivers.html

 

Indians have waived Hand in an attempt to shed payroll. Hand could be had simply by claiming him and the 1 year/10M club option left on his contract.

 

I know it's not cheap, but it's not over the top expensive and it's not a long-term commitment. Hand is as dominant as ever, posting a 2.05 ERA, 1.37 FIP and 12 K/9 this season.

 

Would give us arguably the most dominant back end of a bullpen in baseball with Hader/Hand/Williams without committing to long-term money or giving up any prospect capital.

 

I agree Hand would be a great addition if Stearns had cub or Yankee type money, but I can't fathom the Brewers adding $10M under any circumstances unless it's for offense. For a team struggling with payroll, their pen will be about as good as it can get even if they trade Hader. Right now the cavernous holes at 1B & 3B have to be solved first and foremost.

[TURBO]

Add Osuna to the waived list...

 

Jake Kaplan of The Athletic reports that the Astros have placed Roberto Osuna on outright waivers.

 

Kaplan notes that this is essentially an early non-tender, assuming Osuna clears waivers and elects to become a free agent, which is likely how it will play out. He was projected to command a 2021 salary of around $10 million through the arbitration process this winter. Osuna made only four appearances in 2020 before going down with a right elbow injury that at one point was believed to be leading toward Tommy John surgery. The 25-year-old is attempting the rest and rehab route instead and hopes to pitch at full health next season.

 

SOURCE: Jake Kaplan on Twitter

Oct 29, 2020, 11:55 AM ET

[Eye Black]

The Atlanta Braves reportedly declined the $3.5 million team option for Darren O'Day. So another solid reliever that will be on the free agent market.

[JohnBriggs12]

I think this is just the beginning.

 

Teams are not going to want massive payrolls heading into the uncertainty of 2021.

 

I gotta think the Brewers will be out to jettison guys like Gamel, Sogard, etc.

 

Probably going to see a lot players like Urias, Taylor, heck maybe even Corey Ray gets a shot.

 

No need to spend millions on utility players or 4th and 5th outfields.

 

I also think Hader might be out the door in an effort to shed salary.

 

Hader's trade value sinks as more relievers like Hand become available. Why would a team give up a ton of talent and still have to pay a hefty arbitration number for Hader when they can simply sign a guy like Hand for a modest amount? I think we're going to see a lot more big names become available. It won't just be from declining of options. Guys who normally would get hefty salaries in arbitration might be non-tendered. It's going to be an offseason unlike any other.

[reillymcshane]

You would think the Indians would have tried to trade Hand before waiving him. At least get something - a flyer or two. Since they didn't make a trade, I'm thinking teams aren't going to pick him up - even for 'free'. Otherwise, they would have just offered a crappy prospect or two to the Indians to get him for sure.

[Lathund]

Hader is worth more than Hand so I am not comparing their values one for one but I think the fact that Brad Hand is available for free probably doesn't bode well for a strong reliever trade market.

 

It certainly looks like teams will be very stingy this offseason, declining Hand's option would confirm that. But it doesn't have to be bad news for Hader's trade market. If money is the main concern, then Josh Hader making $4-5m less (Depending on arbitration) than Brad Hand can make a big difference to teams. Haders annual salary even for 2022 should still be cheaper than that of the top free agent relievers. Hader is perhaps the best option a team has to improve their bullpen a lot without spending much money, and I wouldn't underestimate the lengths owners will go to to avoid short-term financial losses even a the cost of long-term wins.

[Jopal78]

You would think the Indians would have tried to trade Hand before waiving him. At least get something - a flyer or two. Since they didn't make a trade, I'm thinking teams aren't going to pick him up - even for 'free'. Otherwise, they would have just offered a crappy prospect or two to the Indians to get him for sure.

 

I think it is more the opposite, when teams know a player is going to be cut loose they don't want to be giving away talent to acquire someone who they may be able to get for nothing in the near future.

 

The Indians are some sort of machine when it comes to developing pitching they've traded away really good starting pitchers and it hasn't hurt them a bit due to their depth. I think placing Hand on waivers has everything to do with how successful they have been in developing pitching talent that their bullpen is already deep with Karinchak, Wittgren, Cal Quantrill, Cimber, Cam Hill. So deep in fact that they are better off reallocating that 10 million dollars elsewhere than they would have been keeping an all star closer.

[MadThinker88]

You would think the Indians would have tried to trade Hand before waiving him. At least get something - a flyer or two. Since they didn't make a trade, I'm thinking teams aren't going to pick him up - even for 'free'. Otherwise, they would have just offered a crappy prospect or two to the Indians to get him for sure.

 

I think it is more the opposite, when teams know a player is going to be cut loose they don't want to be giving away talent to acquire someone who they may be able to get for nothing in the near future.

 

The Indians are some sort of machine when it comes to developing pitching they've traded away really good starting pitchers and it hasn't hurt them a bit due to their depth. I think placing Hand on waivers has everything to do with how successful they have been in developing pitching talent that their bullpen is already deep with Karinchak, Wittgren, Cal Quantrill, Cimber, Cam Hill. So deep in fact that they are better off reallocating that 10 million dollars elsewhere than they would have been keeping an all star closer.

 

 

I think its more likely everyone is cutting $$$.

 

By waiving Hand (horrible optics to the local fanbase BTW) the Tribe saves $9M (or $10M if someone claims Hand) to be reallocated to other roster spots or reduce the financial burden on the 2021 season. Tribe did not want to take chance of picking up option & finding no trade partner..

 

I fully expect Tribe to non-tender a few players that some will be surprised at: namely Adam Cimber & Delino DeShields Jr. Others like Nick Wittgren, Tyler Naquin, Austin Hedges, Adam Plutko might also get cut..

 

The Tribe has built up some depth at a few spots in the minors & they could well be turning more spots over to those prospects to start finding out who is ready & excels & who isn't in plans beyond 2021...

 

Bullpen arms ready for opportunity (not on 40 man or due roster protection yet): Nick Sandlin (another side-armer, hence adios to Cimber), Robert Broom.

Coming back from suspended list: Emmanuel Clase

Coming back from injured list: Jefry Rodrguez

 

FYI - The Tribe has had its top prospect Nolan Jones learning to play OF at the Alternate training site this summer & during the Arizona Instructional League

[Eye Black]

Via Jon Heyman:

 

Not one team claimed Brad Hand for $10M. He was a top 3 finalist for AL reliever of the year with a 0.77 WHIP. and 16 saves. Time to revise free agent contract projections downward! (Hand is now a free agent after Indians then declined the $10M option and paid $1M buyout.)