A year ago, the Indians were last in the AL Central with a 17-28 record and about to trade some of their most recognizable players for the third consecutive summer. Things are a little different this year; here are the details:
- Could the Indians become buyers? Paul Hoynes of the Plain Dealer explores this question and hears from GM Chris Antonetti that the Indians will consider going outside of the organization to acquire talent.
- "There's been a demonstrated willingness to spend above projected revenues when we felt we had an opportunity to win," president Mark Shapiro told Bill Lubinger of the Plain Dealer, "and there will be an ability and a willingness to acquire a player in July if we're in position to do it."
- The Indians won’t want to part with key pieces of their highly-regarded farm system, but they may have more cash than expected, as Lubinger explains. Ticket sales, TV ratings, ballpark concessions sales and other merchandise sales are up which means the Indians have lots of revenue streaming in.
- If you're jumping on the Indians' bandwagon, be prepared, warns Michael K. McIntyre of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "Cleveland bandwagons come with no seatbelts, no shock absorbers and no brakes."
- Indians prospect Cord Phelps is playing well (.927 OPS at Triple-A), as Zack Meisel explains at MLB.com. Cleveland's system features lots of talent on the infield, so Phelps' path to the Majors isn't clear-cut.
