I've delayed starting this thread in the hopes Cleveland would take advantage of the free agent market that never developed or finally pulling the trigger on a trade for a corner outfielder, but I'm now resigned to the idea this is the team heading into the 2018 season.
C - Yan Gomes/Roberto Perez
1B - Yonder Alonso
2B - Jason Kipnis
3B - Jose Ramirez
SS - Francisco Lindor
LF - Michael Brantley*
CF - Bradley Zimmer
RF - Lonnie Chisenhall
DH - Edwin Encarnacion
UT - Yandy Diaz
UT - Eric Gonzalez
OF - Brandon Guyer*
OF - Rajai Davis
SP - Corey Kluber
SP - Carlos Carrasco
SP - Trevor Bauer
SP - Mike Clevinger
SP - Josh Tomlin/Danny Salazar*/Ryan Merritt
RP - Cody Allen
RP - Andrew Miller
RP - Nick Goody
RP - Tyler Olson
RP - Dan Otero
RP - Zach McAllister
*Might start season on the DL
In: Yonder Alonso (2 yr/$16M + 2020 $9M option)
Out: Gone: Carlos Santana, Brian Shaw
The backup spots in the outfield are still fluid depending on the health of Brantley and Guyer, plus the March performances of Davis, Abraham Almonte and Melvin Upton (as well as the defensive progress of Kipnis and Diaz). Eric Gonzalez will still have to beat out Gio Urshela for a bench role, but is the only experienced shortstop in the running. The Indians will also hold their annual competition of NRI relievers for a final spot in the pen.
This year the Indians appear more reliant on their starting pitching than any Cleveland team in my 30+ years of following them. It should be among the top rotations in the game, and if Salazar can show his shoulder is healthy, they could still use the depth to land Domingo Santana or some other slugging right-handed bat.
Yandy Diaz looks like an important piece to how this season plays out. With Brantley and Chisenhall starting in the corners of the outfield, it's a given they'll need at least 100 starts from somewhere, and Guyer is the only other right-handed option they have (switch-hitting Almonte would likely be used from that side as well). He won't replace a heart of the order bat like Santana, but if he hits like he did after being recalled in late August (31 g, 304/407/402), he can save the team the talent it would cost to trade for their most obvious need. With Brantley and Chisenhall also both in the last year of their deals, this is definitely the time for Diaz to pave his future.
Francisco Mejia is the other kid to watch this year. The top catching prospect in the game (#5-20 overall) should be major league ready, but the Indians have two solid but unspectacular catchers already under contract for 2+ years. Still, if/when Mejia shows he's ready, they'll find a way to make it work. He has some experience at 3B, but at least publicly the team states that's only to prepare for a future where he's so good they decide to protect him from catching. I think Mejia is practically untouchable in a deadline deal, though.
The minimum expectation for this club should be 90+ wins and the AL Central title, as they compete with 3 divisional rivals taking on rebuilds, and a Twins team that wants to compete, but can't attract competent pitching. This is essentially the same approach as the basketball team that plays just beyond left field -- spend the regular season trying fine tune things and acquire that piece that can put them over the top... and then hope you're healthy and hitting on all cylinders at the end of the regular season. I'll try to add some positional battles and opinions as things develop over spring training.
*
C - Yan Gomes/Roberto Perez
1B - Yonder Alonso
2B - Jason Kipnis
3B - Jose Ramirez
SS - Francisco Lindor
LF - Michael Brantley*
CF - Bradley Zimmer
RF - Lonnie Chisenhall
DH - Edwin Encarnacion
UT - Yandy Diaz
UT - Eric Gonzalez
OF - Brandon Guyer*
OF - Rajai Davis
SP - Corey Kluber
SP - Carlos Carrasco
SP - Trevor Bauer
SP - Mike Clevinger
SP - Josh Tomlin/Danny Salazar*/Ryan Merritt
RP - Cody Allen
RP - Andrew Miller
RP - Nick Goody
RP - Tyler Olson
RP - Dan Otero
RP - Zach McAllister
*Might start season on the DL
In: Yonder Alonso (2 yr/$16M + 2020 $9M option)
Out: Gone: Carlos Santana, Brian Shaw
The backup spots in the outfield are still fluid depending on the health of Brantley and Guyer, plus the March performances of Davis, Abraham Almonte and Melvin Upton (as well as the defensive progress of Kipnis and Diaz). Eric Gonzalez will still have to beat out Gio Urshela for a bench role, but is the only experienced shortstop in the running. The Indians will also hold their annual competition of NRI relievers for a final spot in the pen.
This year the Indians appear more reliant on their starting pitching than any Cleveland team in my 30+ years of following them. It should be among the top rotations in the game, and if Salazar can show his shoulder is healthy, they could still use the depth to land Domingo Santana or some other slugging right-handed bat.
Yandy Diaz looks like an important piece to how this season plays out. With Brantley and Chisenhall starting in the corners of the outfield, it's a given they'll need at least 100 starts from somewhere, and Guyer is the only other right-handed option they have (switch-hitting Almonte would likely be used from that side as well). He won't replace a heart of the order bat like Santana, but if he hits like he did after being recalled in late August (31 g, 304/407/402), he can save the team the talent it would cost to trade for their most obvious need. With Brantley and Chisenhall also both in the last year of their deals, this is definitely the time for Diaz to pave his future.
Francisco Mejia is the other kid to watch this year. The top catching prospect in the game (#5-20 overall) should be major league ready, but the Indians have two solid but unspectacular catchers already under contract for 2+ years. Still, if/when Mejia shows he's ready, they'll find a way to make it work. He has some experience at 3B, but at least publicly the team states that's only to prepare for a future where he's so good they decide to protect him from catching. I think Mejia is practically untouchable in a deadline deal, though.
The minimum expectation for this club should be 90+ wins and the AL Central title, as they compete with 3 divisional rivals taking on rebuilds, and a Twins team that wants to compete, but can't attract competent pitching. This is essentially the same approach as the basketball team that plays just beyond left field -- spend the regular season trying fine tune things and acquire that piece that can put them over the top... and then hope you're healthy and hitting on all cylinders at the end of the regular season. I'll try to add some positional battles and opinions as things develop over spring training.
*