Five Bold Predictions for 2018

[Stark]

1. Yan Gomes is an All-Star: following an early season scuff by Roberto Perez, Gomes takes the majority of innings behind the dish and returns to production that eclipses his Silver Slugger year of 2013. He sets career highs in home runs (27), RBIs (82), and slugging percentage (.502) while also playing Gold Glove defense behind the dish.
2. Yonder Alonso shines: Alonso one-ups his all-star campaign from last season and fills the Carlos Santana void very nicely for the Indians. He slugs a career high 35 home runs and gives Edwin Encarnacion constant protection all season long.
3. Carlos Carrasco struggles: following a Cy-Young caliber season in 2017, Carrasco comes back down to earth a bit in 2018 and ends up being the Indians 4th best starter behind Kluber, Bauer, and Clevinger.
4. Michael Brantley is solid, but unspectacular: Michael Brantley returns in early-May and has a rather solid, if not pedestrian, season for the Indians. His power evaporates as he only hits four home runs, but he still reaches base at a decent clip with .287/.358 BA/OBP marks and 33 doubles.
5. The Indians win their first World Series in 70 years: If healthy, the Indians have as much talent as anyone with two guys who could easily compete for AL MVP in Lindor and Ramirez, three guys who could easily compete for the Cy Young in Kluber, Bauer, and Carrasco, a solid bullpen, good defense, and necessary pieces to make a blockbuster move at the deadline should they need to do so. They cruise to the second best record in the American League, where they beat Boston in four games in the ALDS, smoke Houston in five in the ALCS, and take down the Cubs in an act of revenge, in six games, in the 2018 World Series.

 

[JMoneyYourHoney]

I have one, and it isn't very bold: we choke

 

[AZ_]

1. Kluber falls off. Back issues and lowering velo put his command in flux, and he gets crushed.

2. Carassco and Bauer pick up the slack. Both make the All-Star team.

3. Edwin takes a nose dive in production. Just don't think he's on the fastballs like he used to be.

4. Bradley Zimmer becomes elite. Going to have the CF spot all to himself, and he'll be elite defensively and on the basepaths.

5. Indians "fans," like the poster above, will continue to suck.

 

[BMAN]

I have one, and it isn't very bold: we choke

Original.

 

[Urban]

1. Roberto Perez hits 16 HR. Only 3 off his career total and double his season high
2. EE hits less than 30 HR for the first time since 2011
3. Yonder Alonso finishes with a higher OPS than Carlos Santana
4. Once on the roster, Brantley avoids the DL all season
5. The Indians acquire Manny Machado

 

[Chris]

1. Kluber falls off. Back issues and lowering velo put his command in flux, and he gets crushed.

2. Carassco and Bauer pick up the slack. Both make the All-Star team.

3. Edwin takes a nose dive in production. Just don't think he's on the fastballs like he used to be.

4. Bradley Zimmer becomes elite. Going to have the CF spot all to himself, and he'll be elite defensively and on the basepaths.

5. Indians "fans," like the poster above, will continue to suck.

Fuck, did you have to shit in my cereal with #1?

 

[BMAN]

Fuck, did you have to shit in my cereal with #1?

Yeah, I’m gonna be so sad if that comes true. I love Kluber

 

[Juice is Loose]

1. PIP Leads parade down Euclid in hopes the Dolans pay the price for Machado

2. We acquire Machado after first game

3. PIP leads another parade down Euclid after acquiring Machado

4. Machado hits for 300 HR before the All Star Break

5. PIP dies after Dolans trade Machado to the Mets for Ryder Ryan at the all star deadline.

 

[col63onel]

1. Kipnis has an oWAR above 4
2. Clevinger wins 10+ games
3. Yonder Alonso becomes the new fan whipping boy
4. Indians win the AL Central by 15+ games
5. Whatever player statman inexplicably capes for becomes my new least favorite player

 

[Derek]

1. Jason Kipnis didn't have the luxury of being healthy last year with the juiced baseballs. Now healthy, Kipnis slugs 30 HR.

2. Trevor Bauer's BB% drops for the 3rd consecutive year, his HR/FB% and BABIP normalize, and his K% increases once again making him a top 3 Cy Young pitcher.

3. Danny Salazar returns from the DL and never gives up his spot in the rotation, bumping Josh Tomlin to the bullpen.

4. Carlos Carrasco wins the Cy Young. The difference between the peripherals of Carrasco and Kluber last year were minuscule. This year Carlos takes the jump, and becomes the Tribe's best pitcher.

5. Zach McAllister racks up 70+ appearances and a sub-2.50 ERA as our best RH set up man.

 

[Urban]

1. Yandy Diaz wins gold glove at 3B to add to his minor league fielding awards

2. Tyler Naquin hits 40 bombs. Tito retires from pure shame for demoting Naquin to AAA all of 2017

3. ZMac finally gets the recognition for being a great cribbage player w/o Shaw in his way

4. Baker Mayfield throws out the first pitch on April 27 after being drafted #1 overall. Fastball right down the middle to display that pinpoint accuracy

I can't think of a 5th

 

[PIP]

1. 64-98
2. Jose Ramirez becomes average
3. Kluber starts 17 games
4. Andrew Miller gets traded to NY for Clint Frazier
5. Michael Brantley’s cLAM% drops while his aNUS% home/road splits sky rocket...

 

[Peachtree]

1. Tribe finishes behind upstart Twins in the Centr, beats Boston in the Wild Card Game.
2. Trevor Bauer finishes in the top 3 of Cy Young voting.
3. Tito steps down at the end of the season, Sandy replaces him as manager.
4. Alonso belts 32 home runs.
5. EE hits 20 in an injury plagued season.

 

[Chris]

A lot more negativity than usual in here. So, fuck you all.

1) Everyone on the Indians has stellar years

2) Indians win the World Series.

That's only two, but fuck it.

 

[Ohio]

Michael Brantley’s cLAM% drops while his aNUS% home/road splits sky rocket...