The Indians should be poised to contend for the AL Central title next year because the Tigers and Royals are going to take a hit in free agency, opines Paul Hoynes of the Northeast Ohio Media Group in the latest edition of his “Hey, Hoynsie” column. Free agency won’t damage the White Sox, Hoynes adds, but they are in need of pitching to complement their power while the Twins are still putting together the pieces after four consecutive seasons of at least 92 losses.
Here’s more on the Indians from Hoynes:
- Manager Terry Francona had clauses inserted into his contract when he was hired by the Indians allowing him to leave if President Mark Shapiro or GM Chris Antonetti are fired. Would Francona ever follow Joe Maddon’s lead? Hoynes notes Andrew Friedman left the Rays voluntarily and isn’t sure whether such a departure by either Shapiro or Antonetti would trigger Francona’s opt-out.
- The Indians will not be bidding on the premier bats available in free agency (e.g. Pablo Sandoval (#5 on MLBTR’s 2014-2015 Top 50 Free Agents list), Victor Martinez (#6), Russell Martin (#8), and Nelson Cruz (#9), according to Hoynes, who sees the club setting their sights on the likes of Michael Morse (#28) and Ryan Ludwick (unranked) once other moves are made.
- Jose Ramirez will be the Indians’ 2015 Opening Day shortstop, Francisco Lindor is probably ticketed for Triple-A, and Zach Walters, acquired in the Asdrubal Cabrera trade, will have to make the team as a bench player.
- The Indians are not in the position of needing to trade their core players, so Hoynes would be surprised if Corey Kluber, Yan Gomes, or Michael Brantley are dealt this winter.
The Indians don’t really have an identity other than Tito. They are a nondescript, average team that doesn’t so much control their seasons, as much as depend on how good or bad the other AL Central teams are to determine what their seasons outcome will be.
If the Tigers and Royals take a step back, and the Sox and Twins don’t improve, then yes, they will be AL Central contenders. If those things don’t happen, then the Indians are a 3rd place team again missing a WC spot by 3-4 games.
They’re better than you give them credit for. And very young still, too. If Lindor is what everyone says he will be, they’re the best team in the division.
1. The Indians have the worst defense in MLB. Were they to get to the playoffs, the good team are going to take advantage of that.
2. Mr. Lindor is 20 years old. He has not hit .300 above A ball. He had 13 errors in 88 games in AA last year. He is not going to come up in 2015, win a gold glove, steal 30 bases and hit .310. At the same age, Manny Machado was a much better player, and Manny has had a few problems adjusting to ML ball the past few years (not counting his injuries).
13 errors in 88 games in AA is not that unusual a figure for shortstops who became good major league shortstops. They ARE still learning and the condition of the fields is below major league quality.
This year the Tribe were pretty much bang MLB average in terms of team hitting (13th), pitching (14th) and dead last in fielding.
How Lindor, as solid a prospect as he is undoubtedly is, suddenly changes the above into the “best team in the division”, i honestly have no idea.
They won’t be the best in the division but they will be a lot better than last in the league in defense with Lindor at short. The kid plays some defense for sure. Hopefully this offseason his bat catches up to his glove and he is in the majors before June 1st.
They’re very young and getting better. That pitching staff absolutely rocks.
Kluber is good, Bauer has it all to prove to live up to his billing, House, Carrasco and Salazar have all the numbers of, again, bang average pitchers.
I must be missing something, that said, one thing they do have is an excellent manager, Francona to me is one of the top five in the game, and he can make a difference, but enough to actually win the division? I cant see it.
Best in the division? I think they will be competitive but let’s not jump the gun here. Lindor has a nice glove but he’s not exactly the kind of piece that swings a division in your favor.
Lindor is a great looking prospect, but he’s not ready to be an impact player in the majors yet. If they stick him in the lineup next year, he’ll probably hit about .250 with an OPS in the high sixes. He’d probably help their crummy defense, but the whole package isn’t going to push Cleveland ahead of Detroit and KC in that division, not even close.
They could probably pick up a game or two just by giving Nick Swisher’s job to Jesus Aguilar, but that’s not enough, either. Cleveland is going to have to get creative and find some more talent, preferably some that isn’t allergic to leather.
You could have made this same comment about the Royals just a few months ago I agree, the Indians have some work to do to be serious contenders. But who cares about identity?
No, I couldn’t have made that comment about the Royals a few months ago. Over a year ago I said they were the most athletic team is MLB, built around speed, defense and the best bullpen.
The Indians had a few starting pitchers behind Kluber that had a good month or two – but they’ve had guys do that many times over the past 6-7 years that disappeared – Start with Jeanmar Gomez and David Huff. They have a nice bullpen and 2 excellent position players in Michael Brantley and Yan Gomes. Most MLB teams have strengths in some areas as well.
Mike Morse and Ryan Ludwick? Wow, and I thought going after David Murphy was uninspiring.
Morse would fit very well in KC if the Giants don’t bring him back.
Ludwick is the sort of over the hill rehab case the Indians have been bringing in for over 10 years. He would fit perfectly. This years Ryan Raburn.
Morse would be a nice DH in a lot of American league cities if he could stay healthy. He always seems to pull a hamstring running the bases. I think injury prone is a fair designation after his last couple seasons.
Well if they want to trade Lindor, I’m sure there would be a few teams interested. The Mets would certainly be willing to deal Syndergaard in a deal for him and would probably throw in Montero as well (or another piece at a different position). That said, I don’t know what the Indians rotation looks like for the future. Both of those guys are MLB ready right now.
I do not understand the fascination with Lindor, from people that have never seen him play.
Well, he could step in and be one of the top 3 defensive SS in baseball. If he could be close to a league average bat, he’s a 3+ Win player.
where are you gathering he would be a top 3 defensive shortstop? His minor league fielding track record doesn’t ring inspiration to that?
I’m no scout, but I’ve never read anyone who gets paid to evaluate baseball players that doesn’t love his defense.
I’ve seen him play a dozen times. To start with, Didi is a far better young defensive SS.
I’ve seen him play. Didi may be slightly better with the glove, but offers zero upside with the bat. Lindor has a chance to be very very good. Obviously hasn’t done anything at the big league level yet but I like his chances.
thats fair enough, i obviously haven’t done the reading on him that you have!
Near universally regarded best SS prospect in the game. Maybe tied with Russel. Prospects are prospects, of course, but yeah, he’s supposed to be VERY good.
Last year Bogaerts was rated as the best SS prospect. My mid-season rumors were that the Red Sox were thinking of moving him to 3B.
You obviously don’t have to suffer with Ruben Tejada at SS.
The Mets will NOT trade Syndegaard for Lindor. Addison Russell, yes. Lindnor, no. Maybe Montero by himself for Lindnor if a deal doesn’t come from the Cubs or Arizona.