2019 MLB Team Previews- Cleveland Indians
By: Zach Perbeck
Cleveland has long dominated the weak AL Central, with teams such as the Minnesota Twins taking big steps this offseason can the Tribe continue its dominance or will the Indians be forced to fight for a wild card spot?
Notable moves made by Cleveland this offseason
November 30th- Cleveland trades Yan Gomes to Washington Nationals
December 13th- Cleveland trades away Edwin Encarnacion and Yandy Diaz for Carlos Santana and Jake Bauers (minor leaguers and cash also involved) in a three-team deal between the Tampa Bay Rays, Seattle Mariners, and Cleveland Indians.
December 15th- Cleveland trades Yonder Alonso to the Chicago White Sox
December 21st- Andrew Miller signs with the St. Louis Cardinals
January 6th- Cleveland trades for Kevin Plawecki from the New York Mets
January 20th- Cody Allen signs with the Los Angeles Angels
Offense
The 2019 Indians Lineup looks very different when compared to that of the 2018 squad, with a few major changes decimating the heart of the order (2019 lineup courtesy of RotoChamp.com):
- Francisco Lindor(S) → Shortstop
- Jason Kipnis (L) → Second Base
- Jose Ramirez (S) → Third Base
- Carlos Santana (S) → Designated Hitter
- Jake Bauers (L) → First Base
- Greg Allen (S) → Left Field
- Tyler Naquin (L) → Right Field
- Leonys Martin (L) → Center Field
- Roberto Perez (R) → Catcher
Cleveland is led by two MVP candidates, Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez. These two combined for 77 home runs, 197 RBIs, and 59 SBs. Ramirez posted his second consecutive top-three finish in AL MVP voting while Lindor finished in the top ten for the third straight campaign. Both players have the capability to reach 40 home runs and even 35–40 steals, which is not a feat accomplished often in baseball. To put it into context, the number of MLB players with 40–40 seasons is 4 (Jose Canseco, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, and Alfonso Soriano).
With those two at the top of the order, Cleveland gets off to a good start most games, but without any quality bats behind them, it will be hard to score for the Tribe this season. With promising youngsters Jake Bauers, Greg Allen, and Jordan Luplow ready to step into starting roles, Cleveland can only hope that it’s pitching will carry the team to the playoffs.
The signing of Hanley Ramirez could benefit Cleveland, as the aged slugger hits at his highest level against left-handed pitching, which could work well given that Jake Bauers (a lefty) and Carlos Santana (switch hitter) will both be splitting time between first base, DH, and even the outfield.
Defense
Cleveland has a lot of newcomers in the outfield, but Zimmer, Allen, and Naquin all project to be average or better defenders. The infield is where most of the drama happens when it comes to fielding, and Cleveland is no exception. Jake Bauers and Carlos Santana (maybe Hanley Ramirez eventually too) are expected to share time at first base and DH, which is mainly because neither player is a plus defender. While the hole may be at first base, Lindor and Jose Ramirez can each hold their own at shortstop and third base respectively. Both players are some of the best fielders at their respective positions and Jason Kipnis is no slouch at second base either. Overall, Cleveland should not have many issues in the field, but the uncertainty in the outfield is something to watch as the season progresses.
Pitching
Cleveland is spearheaded by two top-tier starters, Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer. Carlos Carrasco can hold his own as well and Mike Clevinger has become a reliable fourth starter. Shane Bieber impressed in 2018 and Adam Plutko could contribute valuable starts in 2019.
Here’s how Cleveland’s top arms finished 2018:
RHP Corey Kluber 20–7 with an ERA of 2.89 in 33 starts
RHP Trevor Bauer 12–6 with an ERA of 2.21 in 27starts
RHP Carlos Carrasco 17–10 with an ERA of 3.38 in 30 starts
RHP Mike Clevinger 13–8 with an ERA of 3.02 in 32 starts
RHP Shane Bieber 11–5 with an ERA of 4.55 in 19 starts
While injury issues plagued some of the rotation throughout the season, Kluber, Bauer, Carrasco, and Clevinger all made it through most of the year, joined by Bieber and Adam Plutko later on. With Danny Salazar missing the 2018 season, the top four pitchers for the Tribe carried them to another AL Central title. All four of those starters are back for 2019 with Bieber and Plutko ready to take on bigger roles as well as Salazar returning from injury. Not only does Cleveland possess top-level talent in their rotation, but they also have rotation depth which can be just as important as injuries come up throughout the season or even in the postseason, where pitchers such as Nathan Eovaldi, a starter, have been used out of the bullpen very succesfully. Cleveland’s rotation projects to include the following:
- RHP Corey Kluber
- RHP Trevor Bauer
- RHP Carlos Carrasco
- RHP Mike Clevinger
- RHP Shane Bieber
After losing it’ s two best relievers, the bullpen is looking to remake itself. Andrew Miller and Cody Allen are now gone, leaving a thin bullpen for the Terry Francona to manage. Brad Hand and Adam Cimber, acquired in the trade which sent Francisco Mejia to San Diego last season, are two of the top arms in the bullpen currently, with Hand most likely assuming closer duties. The signings of Tyler Clippard and Alex Wilson could help put arms in the pen, especially a lefty arm in Wilson (all seven of Cleveland’s potential starters are righties). Outside of those four, Dan Otero, Nick Goody, and Jon Edwards could become impact pieces for Cleveland down the stretch. I would expect Bieber, Plutko, and Salazar to all spend some time in the bullpen as well, which will help deal with the lack of back end depth.
Strengths
Lindor. Jose Ramirez. Two of the best players in baseball. Cleveland goes as far as those two carry them.
With two true power pitchers at the front of the rotation and many other solid options behind them, the Cleveland rotation should continue to dominate in 2019.
Weaknesses
Cleveland needs outfield help as well as bullpen assistance. While Naquin, Allen, Zimmer, and Luplow are all young and could become valuable contributors, Leonys Martin (coming off a life-threatening medical condition) is the only veteran in Cleveland’s outfield and along with Jason Kipnis, is the only veteran on Cleveland's roster not including pitchers. Meanwhile, Brad Hand is the only notable reliever in Cleveland’s bullpen and he cannot take on the Yankees, Red Sox, or Astros by himself.
Available Free Agents that would fit well in Cleveland
Relievers: Adam Jones (CF), Jose Bautista (RF), and Nick Vincent (RHP)
Final Verdict
Cleveland would probably not be a top 5 team in the NL because they have no lineup depth, but in the AL, more specifically, the AL Central, they should be able to contend for a division title with the only real threat in their division, the Minnesota Twins. Cleveland’s starting pitching can carry them throughout the season and I expect to see them in the playoffs this fall.
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