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Your 2018 Cleveland Indians

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Steve_424

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VS RHP

S-SS-Francisco Lindor
L-LF-Michael Brantley
S-3B-Jose Ramirez
R-DH-Edwin Encarnacion
L-1B-Yonder Alonso
S-RF-Melky Cabrera
L-2B-Jason Kipnis
R-C-Yan Gomes
L-CF-Leonys Martín

Bench - Roberto Perez, Rajai Davis, Erik Gonzalez

VS LHP

S-SS-Francisco Lindor
L-LF-Michael Brantley
S-3B-Jose Ramirez
R-DH-Edwin Encarnacion
S-RF-Brandon Guyer
L-1B-Yonder Alonso
R-CF-Rajai Davis
L-2B-Jason Kipnis
R-C-Roberto Perez

Bench - Roberto Perez, Erik Gonzalez, Melky Cabrera

DL: Lonnie Chisenhall, Tyler Naquin, Bradley Zimmer

Starting Rotation

1-Corey Kluber
2-Trevor Bauer
3-Carlos Carrasco
4-Mike Clevinger
5-Shane Bieber

Bullpen

1-Cody Allen
2-Brad Hand
3-Andrew Miller
4-Dan Otero
5-Adam Cimber
6-Oliver Perez
7-Neil Ramirez

DL: Danny Salazar, Josh Tomlin, Nick Goody

Possible Options in the Minor Leagues

Oscar Mercado
Yandy Diaz
Greg Allen
Tyler Olson
 
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A few of my own thoughts:

  • I'm intrigued by Greg Allen as a platoon partner with Zimmer. Allen hit lefties pretty well in the minors and provides the same speed/defense as Zimmer. He'd also be a late-game pinch-running option to give Tito another weapon to use.
  • I haven't heard much about Brandon Guyer. Having him return to 2016 form would be huge for this team.
  • Something seems to have to give with Salazar/Tomlin/Clevinger/Merritt, given that Merritt is out of options. I continue to think Salazar would be a potentially dominant reliever, and moving him there could potentially ease health concerns. Our starting staff with Salazar/Miller/Allen waiting in the pen would have some serious potential.
  • I'm curious to see how Mejia fits. I think he'll start in AAA, but he'll eventually push his way to the majors.
  • I think the Indians will still add an outfielder and a reliever that will be on the ML roster come Opening Day.
 
Here's an early look at what the 2018 Indians could look like. I'll update this as more moves are made.

VS RHP


S-SS-Francisco Lindor
L-2B-Jason Kipnis
S-3B-Jose Ramirez
R-DH-Edwin Encarnacion
L-LF-Michael Brantley
L-1B-Yonder Alonso
R-C-Roberto Perez
L-RF-Lonnie Chisenhall
L-CF-Bradley Zimmer

Bench - Yan Gomes, Yandy Diaz, Melvin Upton, Erik Gonzalez

VS LHP

S-SS-Francisco Lindor
L-2B-Jason Kipnis
S-3B-Jose Ramirez
R-1B-Edwin Encarnacion
L-LF-Michael Brantley
R-C-Yan Gomes
L-RF-Lonnie Chisenhall
R-DH-Yandy Diaz
L-CF-Melvin Upton

Bench - Roberto Perez, Yonder Alonso, Lonnie Chisenhall, Erik Gonzalez

Other Candidates: Brandon Guyer, Abe Almonte, Giovanny Urshela, Tyler Naquin, Greg Allen, Francisco Mejia

Starting Rotation

1-Corey Kluber
2-Carlos Carrasco
3-Trevor Bauer
4-Danny Salazar
5-Josh Tomlin or Mike Clevinger

Other Candidates: Shane Bieber, Triston McKenzie

Bullpen

1-Cody Allen
2-Andrew Miller
3-Zach McAllister
4-Dan Otero
5-Nick Goody
6-Tyler Olson
7-Ryan Merritt

Other Candidates: Mike Clevinger/Josh Tomlin, Alexi Ogando, Preston Claiborne

Looks like the best team in the Central to me.

4th best in the AL.

7th best in MLB.

Longshot to win the WS, but better than most years.
 
Clevinger should be locked into a rotation spot. I don't think there's any chance he's not in our rotation, and as long as he enters and exits spring training healthy, Salazar will have a spot as well.

Tomlin should start the season in the bullpen.

I think Ryan Merritt's only shot to avoid getting DFA'd is to catch on in the bullpen. as a long man/loogy.

I also don't think Upton has much of a shot at all of making this team. Brandon Guyer will be given first crack as a platoon player out there, and Greg Allen is probably next up.
 
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Looks like the best team in the Central to me.

4th best in the AL.

7th best in MLB.

Longshot to win the WS, but better than most years.

I'd put them as a Top 3 in MLB. Behind the Astros and Dodgers, perhaps? Still better on paper than the Yankees, but we've seen how much "on paper" gets you in the postseason.

Buster Olney had them #1, IIRC.
 
Clevinger should be locked into a rotation spot. I don't think there's any chance he's not in our rotation, and as long as he enters and exits spring training healthy, Salazar will have a spot as well.

Tomlin should start the season in the bullpen.

I think Ryan Merritt's only shot to avoid getting DFA'd is to catch on in the bullpen. as a long man/loogy.

I also don't think Upton has much of a shot at all of making this team. Brandon Guyer will be given first crack as a platoon player out there, and Greg Allen is probably next up.

Has anyone heard anything on Guyer? I haven't read anywhere if he'll be ready for ST.

I tend to agree Clevinger should be in the rotation, but I have this gut feeling he won't be, at least early on. I also kind of expect a trade involving one of our SPs, so it may work itself out.
 
Has anyone heard anything on Guyer? I haven't read anywhere if he'll be ready for ST.

I tend to agree Clevinger should be in the rotation, but I have this gut feeling he won't be, at least early on. I also kind of expect a trade involving one of our SPs, so it may work itself out.

Guyer should be fine as far as I know.

Clevinger is a lock. Salazar is the only question, and his questions are health related.

I think the rotation has worked itself out. I think there is a big drop off after our 5th starter, so it's only really necessary to use others if there are health concerns.
 
I'd personally go with Kluber/Carrasco/Bauer/Clevinger/Tomlin with Allen/Miller/Salazar/Olson/McAllister/Otero/Goody in the pen but I haven't seen any indication the Indians are considering moving Danny.
 
Heard Melky Cabrera might be a fit here
 
Melky is still a very good hitter but man his defense is absolutely atrocious.
 
Melky was a 0 fWAR player last year, and a league average offensive player. I would assume he's cheap though, so I guess there's that.
 
Melky was a 0 fWAR player last year, and a league average offensive player. I would assume he's cheap though, so I guess there's that.
What was Austin Jackson's WAR the season before he joined the Tribe?

If he is inexpensive, he would ve a good guy to take a chance in as a bounceback candidate. You arent going to find a complete player while dumpster diving. The team has a defense-first OFer in waiting in Greg Allen, a vet hitter is something I would like to see for the start of the season.
 
What was Austin Jackson's WAR the season before he joined the Tribe?

If he is inexpensive, he would ve a good guy to take a chance in as a bounceback candidate. You arent going to find a complete player while dumpster diving. The team has a defense-first OFer in waiting in Greg Allen, a vet hitter is something I would like to see for the start of the season.
There’s nothing really to bounce back from, he’s been this guy for about 4 years, and it’s not like he’s been hurt.

He’s an average offensive player, and a well below average defender.

I’m willing to sign him to a cheap deal. I just don’t want him coming in with a guaranteed spot.
 

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