The 2015 Cleveland Indians

[AZ_]

You guys see any major management shake ups going to happen this offseason? Shapiro and Antonetti fired? Callaway given a manager spot?

No chance Shapiro or Antonetti are in any danger whatsoever, they're still pretty well respected around the league knowing that they'll often have their hands tied by market restraints and iffy ownership.

I'm not sure there will be a huge number of managerial jobs available, so hopefully Callaway is safe. Having a guy like Tito makes me confident he won't jump unless it's the right opportunity.

Sandy Alomar is more likely to move into a managerial role, IMO.

 

[macbdog]

You guys see any major management shake ups going to happen this offseason? Shapiro and Antonetti fired? Callaway given a manager spot?

All 3. #ClevelandWay

 

[MoFlo]

You guys see any major management shake ups going to happen this offseason? Shapiro and Antonetti fired? Callaway given a manager spot?

Shapiro & Antonetti definitely aren't going anywhere. Another reason being that I believe Tito has an out clause in his contract if 1 or both are fired..

If that happens, all hell breaks loose & we're starting all over.

Agree with b00bs that it's more likely that Sandy gets a managerial role before Callaway.

 

[JJ_PR]

Hello. I've been following the Indians for over a year now. I believe this team has a bright future. The management has given out signals that they will spend in free agency this ofseason which is a great thing moving forward.

Call me crazy, but I think the Indians have a legitimate shot at signing Jon Lester. He obviously has ties to Terry Francona which gives us a better chance over other teams. Victor Martinez is a name being thrown around as a candidate too. Signing those two would be something special.

A third name I'd like to discuss is Jonathan Papelbon. He isn't a free agent but is a member of the Phillies, team with the third highest payroll in the MLB. Coming off a lousy season, they might be looking at cutting some salary. David Murphy and Jose Ramirez could be two guys that might interest the Phillies, in my opinion.

Lastly, I'm in the minority I think but I'd like to see Aviles back next season on this team. For 3 million a season, you won't find better production. He's such a versatile guy too on the defensive end, have to at least consider keeping him. I think he can easily get 3 million from other teams.

Edit - Forgot to mention Lonnie Chissenhall. I am really impressed by this player, he has a bright future at third base. The first half of the season wasn't a fluke, it's a sign of things to come. I've seen people suggest trading him because he has high value. Well of course he has high value, good third basemen are hard to find. Can't believe people are suggesting moving J Ramirez to third base in favor of Chissenhall, a very low baseball IQ suggestion imo.

 

[EdMonix11]

Shapiro & Antonetti definitely aren't going anywhere. Another reason being that I believe Tito has an out clause in his contract if 1 or both are fired..

If that happens, all hell breaks loose & we're starting all over.

Agree with b00bs that it's more likely that Sandy gets a managerial role before Callaway.

Yep. Shapiro or Antonetti go, Tito walks.

I'm quite pleased with how this team has performed. In it until the last week of the season, development of a potentially dominant starting rotation despite down years by nearly everyone on the offensive side of the ball not named Gomes or Brantley.

People really need to realize the Indians took a HUGE step forward in terms of future outlook with the development that occurred this season. No reason to change a thing. The Indians future is seriously bright in the near term, plus we've accrued more talent in the minors today than we've had in a long long time.

 

[Steve_424]

You guys see any major management shake ups going to happen this offseason? Shapiro and Antonetti fired? Callaway given a manager spot?

Back-to-back winning, playoff-contending seasons, with the 2015 team expected to be even better. Why would they be fired?

 

[Chris]

Back-to-back winning, playoff-contending seasons, with the 2015 team expected to be even better. Why would they be fired?

How is 2015 going to be "even better?" It's apparent Bourn and Swisher just plain suck and are wastes of money. This team is missing bats in a big way. I guess we're just assuming they get them?

 

[Steve_424]

How is 2015 going to be "even better?" It's apparent Bourn and Swisher just plain suck and are wastes of money. This team is missing bats in a big way. I guess we're just assuming they get them?

1) Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar, Trevor Bauer, and TJ House for a full season.

2) A healthy Jason Kipnis

3) A healthy Carlos Santana

4) $20-30 M to spend to improve the lineup and add a bullpen arm

 

[BimboColesHair]

Back-to-back winning, playoff-contending seasons, with the 2015 team expected to be even better. Why would they be fired?

Look at who you are responding to.

 

[Coyote850]

1) Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar, Trevor Bauer, and TJ House for a full season.

2) A healthy Jason Kipnis

3) A healthy Carlos Santana

4) $20-30 M to spend to improve the lineup and add a bullpen arm

Those 5 pitchers will not make it a full season, very few starting staff stay healthy an entire year.
Kipnis, I agree. He needs to get healthy and hit at least .280 next year.
Santana needs to get his head outa his ass before June. No way we can have him hitting .140 the first 2 months of the season.
We need a power hitter above all else.

 

[Ohio]

What is Kluber's contract situation?

 

[Huber.]

What is Kluber's contract situation?

Earliest Arb Eligible: 2016, Earliest Free Agent: 2019

 

[elcheato]

I don't think Kluber is going to want to wait until he's 33 to get his first big contract. I think they'll work out something to avoid arbitration before 2016 and to reward him somewhat.

 

[Steve_424]

Those 5 pitchers will not make it a full season, very few starting staff stay healthy an entire year.
Kipnis, I agree. He needs to get healthy and hit at least .280 next year.
Santana needs to get his head outa his ass before June. No way we can have him hitting .140 the first 2 months of the season.
We need a power hitter above all else.

Oh I don't think they'll just roll with those five guys. They'll probably sign a veteran (watch Josh Beckett). I'm just saying they have five good, young pitchers under team control. Kluber is an ace, Carrasco and Salazar are have potential to be, and Bauer should be a strong #3-4. House was a pleasant surprise and will be a fine #5. It has the makings of a dominant staff.

I'm not going to bash Santana too much because the 3B experiment, in retrospect, was an awful idea. Consider the following statistics:

As 3B - 93 AB, .129/.283/.226
As 1B - 328 AB, .277/.410/..512

I think he'll be fine next season. I also think he turned into a pretty solid defensive 1B.

I agree on the power hitter - Adrian Beltre please!

 

[macbdog]

Pretty sure TJ House is out of options, since they put him on the 40 man in 2012. So unless the Tribe plan is to put him in the bullpen signing another starter doesn't make too much sense, especially with Zach McAllister possibly already there along with Tomlin, if he remains himself. So I would be surprised if the Tribe spends their limited resources on a starter, unless the plan is to deal one fo the young guys to get said starter- like a veteran lefty. Just my thoughts. I think a quality bat or two would do much more for this club than forcing House to the bullpen. Tribe would be better off either trading for a young guy they can work in at AAA or going with a cavalcade of reclamation projects there. If there were question marks about any other starter than House- who has not only produced but been an actual lefty, which is what this rotation needs- I would be more for it. Or if the incoming starter is a lefty, they get them via trade, and they use House.

Either way, still not sure why this rotation would not excite people. Like saying 'no way the Cavs gets through the season with Irving and Love on the court the whole time'. Well, no duh, doesn't mean it will not be an outstanding staff to watch. Unless Carrasco keeps throwing his teammates under the bus...