Rivals make AL Central tougher
Five issues facing the Indians:
Stiff competition:
Gone are the days when the postseason is a given for the Indians. The Twins were the surprise division winners in 2019 after Cleveland had won three consecutive American League Central crowns from 2016 to 2018. And while Minnesota isn’t going away, the White Sox have joined the fray after a busy offseason.
Lindor:
The rumors have been loud this offseason that the Indians are shopping their All-Star shortstop. Francisco Lindor has two years of club control remaining, and the front office appears resigned it will lose the face of its franchise at that point.
Lindor’s status makes now the prime time for him to be moved for the proper return. This is an issue that will likely come into better focus around the July trade deadline and depend on how close the Indians are to contending.
Carlos Carrasco:
He missed time after being diagnosed with leukemia in July, and Carrasco’s 2020 role remains uncertain. Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer are gone, but the top of the Indians’ rotation remains as strong as any in the AL with Mike Clevinger and All-Star Game MVP Shane Bieber.
If Carrasco can step back into the rotation and take pressure off 2019 breakouts Aaron Civale and Zach Plesac, it could make or break playoff chances.
Outfield strength:
The Indians have about eight options to fill their three outfield spots, with none jumping off the page. Oscar Mercado is perhaps the team’s surest thing after coming off a solid rookie season in 2019.
Unless the team is active in the free agent market, some combination of Delino DeShields, Jordan Luplow, Jake Bauers, Greg Allen, Tyler Naquin and Bradley Zimmer will make up the other two spots. The Indians would like to get Franmil Reyes some time in right field, but the slugger will likely get most of his starts at DH.
Indians’ relievers ranked third in the majors last season with a 3.76 ERA, but their inconsistencies in the final two months raise concern heading into 2020. Closer Brad Hand had the seventh-most saves (37) in
Signing Cesar Hernandez to replace Kipnis improves the lineup, but they could use another boost – particularly in the outfield – to be serious contenders. If they can’t afford Puig, Domingo Santana or Steven Souza Jr. are cheaper.
93-69
Second place, AL Central; missed playoffs
MLB in 2019 but four blown saves and a 5.40 ERA in the second half. Setting up Hand will likely be Emmanuel Clase, the key piece in the Kluber trade to the Rangers, and James Karinchak. Both are fireballers
with nasty secondary pitches, but neither has enough big-league experience to bank on success. Meanwhile, veteran Oliver Perez, side-armer Adam Cimber, Hunter Wood and Nick Wittgren are less than scary.