On Thursday night the San Francisco 49ers had to turn to their third quarterback of this season. Nick Mullins mad the start for the injured C.J. Beathard who had been starting in place of the injured Jimmy Garoppolo. In the end it didn’t matter who was playing quarterback for the 49ers as they cruised to a 34-3 victory over the Oakland Raiders.
Mullins ended up going 16 for 22 in the game for 262 yards and 3 touchdowns. Not to bad of a first start for an undrafted free agent, but I actually want to take a look at the Raiders today.
With the loss the Raiders fall to 1-7 and are currently tied for the worst record in the NFL with the New York Giants. With 8 games to go it looks as though the Raiders really only have one solid shot at getting another win. In two weeks Oakland is on the road against the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals are 2-6 and while I think it would still be an upset for Oakland to win this game I think it’s the best chance on their schedule for them to get another win. As for the Giants they appear to have multiple games on their schedule that they could find a way to win.
So let’s say that the Raiders end up with the #1 pick in the draft. Now the Raiders also have the Chicago Bears #1 pick in 2019 and also 2020 from the Khalil Mack trade. Then they added the Dallas Cowboys 1st round pick when they traded Amari Cooper there. Right now those picks would come in at #13 and #22, but that should change as the season moves forward.
Unlike baseball in the NFL you can turn your franchise around in one good off season. If the Raiders can hit on two of those three 1st rounders and they need to do that; they would improve greatly. Just imagine if they somehow found three players that could contribute.
Now right now Oakland might not be a prime destination for free agents, but there is something about being a Raider has always been something that has drawn players. Maybe the top free agents wouldn’t be interested in joining a team that’s rebuilding, but the Raiders should be able to upgrade at positions of need in free agency.
So let’s say that two of the draft picks the Raiders made contribute during the 2019 season. With the addition of some key free agents I don’t think that Oakland would be a playoff team, but they could get close to .500. Then when the 2020 draft rolls around they’ll have their 1st round pick and the Bears 1st round pick. That gives them the chance to add two more top picks that can contribute.
Now this is all speculation and with Jon Gruden it’s tough to predict which direction the Raiders will go, but it wouldn’t be a complete surprise if the Raiders where contending for a playoff spot in 2020.
Now rebuilding isn’t something that’s normally done in the NFL, but if the Raiders find success with this could we see other teams try to make a quick turnaround?
It looks as though the Cleveland Indians have some concerns about their teams payroll and they’re willing to deal some of their veteran players to get that payroll where they want it.
The Indians came out yesterday and more or less said that with the exception of shortstop Francisco Lindor and MVP candidate Jose Ramirez who played 2nd and 3rd base for the Indians last season.
That means that the Indians would be willing to listen to offers or possible trade players like starting pitchers Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco. Or how about veterans like Edwin Encarnacion, Jason Kipnis or either of or both catchers Yan Gomes and Roberto Perez.
The Indians starting working on that payroll by not extending qualifying offers to Michael Brantley, Andrew Miller and Cody Allen.
If Cleveland had made a qualifying offer to any or all of those three players to and it had been accepted they would’ve been paid $17.9 million dollars for next season.
While the Indians wouldn’t deal all of those veteran players some of the contracts they’re trying to move look like this. Kluber is scheduled to make $17 million dollars next season. His contract also has two options years. In 2020 he’d make $17.5 million dollars and then in 2018 his salary would be $18 million dollars. Carrasco has what has to be considered a team friendly deal as he’ll make $9.75 million dollars next season and he has an option for the 2020 for $9.5 million dollars. Kipnis will make $14,666,667 next season and he also has a 2020 option that would pay him $16.5 million dollars. Gomes is scheduled to be paid $7,083,334 next season, but there are two option years in his contract, If picked up in 2020 Gomes would be paid $9 million dollars and in 2021 his salary would jump to $11 million dollars. Perez is signed for two more seasons and has two option years on his contract. Next season Perez will be paid $2.625 million dollars in 2020 his salary will be $3.625 million dollars. If picked up his option years would pay him $5.5 million dollars in 2021 and $7 million dollars in 2022. Encarnacion has the biggest salary of all of the players the Indians would be willing to move. Encarnacion will make $21.667, 000 next season; he also has an option year on his contract that would pay him $20 million dollars if it was picked up.
It’s unclear how many of these players the Indians would be willing tp deal to get their payroll to what they consider an acceptable level, but you have to think they’ll get a lot of interest in these players; especially those two pitchers.
Kluber won 20 games last season and willing be in the running to win the Cy Young award which would be his 3rd if he won it. Kluber has three 18-win seasons as well as finally getting to the 20 number this season. You’d have to think that Cleveland is getting calls on him already.
Carrasco has had some injuries in his career, but noting that has affected his shoulder or elbow. Carrasco has won double digit games the last four season; he had 17 wins last season. With the salary he carries you have to think that Cleveland has already had some calls on him as well.
How many of these players do you see the Indians actually trading? Also how many do you think they can trade and still not have to worry to much about the other teams in the AL Central?
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