Window to win may be closing on Tribe bullpen

obviously they want to get it done this year or every year, but I don’t think there’s a window closing (on them) or anything.”

For the 2018 bullpen, the key question is how to replace the innings thrown by Bryan Shaw, who signed a three- year, $ 27- million deal with the Colorado Rockies.

Shaw was not only an effective and consistent reliever ( in his five seasons with the Indians, he posted a combined 3.13 ERA) but he also took the ball more than anybody in baseball.

In his wake, Shaw has left a boatload of high- leverage innings the Indians need to fill before bridging the gap to Miller and Allen. Part of that responsibility will likely fall to Dan Otero.

Part of it will be up to McAllister. Nick Goody and Tyler Olson might be used primarily for situational purposes against righties and lefties, respectively, but they, too, could see a slight increase in workload.

The Indians’ bullpen has been lauded not just for its deadliness thanks to Miller and Allen, but its depth. The Indians like their options, but that depth will be tested in 2018.

It will primarily be a group effort to handle Shaw’s workload.

“I don’t think you’re just going to see ( one person) just take Shaw’s innings,” Francona said. “I’m not sure it makes sense to do it like that. I think we have plenty of good pitching to get through it. They’re just different skill sets. I think some guys set up differently for different hitters. That’s probably the way we’ll do it.”