We Hit Dingers: MLB Offseason Preview

Sunday, December 4, 2016

American League	Central Division
94-67 Won Division	Lost World Series 4-3 to the Chicago Cubs
Manager: Terry Francona	GM: Mike Shernoff
AAA Affiliate Columbus Clippers	AA Affiliate Akron RubberDucks

Traded P J.P. Feyerisen, OF Clint Frazier, SP Justus Sheffield, and P Ben Heller to the Yankees for RP Andrew Miller
Traded OF Nathan Lukes and P Jhonleider Salinas to Tampa Bay for OF Brandon Guyer
Traded P Colt Hynes to Oakland for OF Coco Crisp

The Indians roster is full of players that could meet the definition of being the team's most valuable player including Jose Ramirez, Corey Kluber, or even relief pitcher Andrew Miller, who was instrumental down the stretch and in the playoffs. I'm going with shortstop Francisco Lindor though, because he is what makes their lineup tick and is also their strongest defender. 2016 was Lindor's first full season in the majors and, at just 22, has developed into a quality major league hitter. Although his batting average dropped from the lofty .313 it was in 2015 to a still very good .301, his on-base percentage went up, he struck out less than 90 times and walked nearly 60 times. He also was a threat on the basepaths, swiping 19 bases, and was the fourth best shortstop in the league in terms of defensive runs saved, according to Fangraphs. Lindor stepped up at the perfect time, both last year and this season, with Michael Brantley missing significant time in both seasons.

Success - At the beginning of 2016 I dont think many people thought that the Indians would have made it all the way to game seven of the World Series. They were predicted by some to win the AL Central, but it appeared that they had enough weaknesses to hold them back from winning the pennant. Ace Corey Kluber finished third in AL Cy Young Award voting and Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez developed into borderline superstars. Over last offseason, they went out and signed 1B/DH Mike Napoli, who led the team with 34 home runs and 101 RBIs, which was an excellent decision by the Indians considering his salary was just $7 million. Their lineup was good enough to overcome and somewhat forget the loss of Michael Brantley, who was considered to be the future of their offense just two years ago. Their pitching rotation could have been a struggle for most of the season considering the injuries that occurred to Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar, but it was held together by a strong bullpen and the remaining starters stepping up in big ways. Manager Terry Francona had another masterful year at the helm of a team, piecing together a rotation and then using hybrid reliever Andrew Miller at exactly the right time down the stretch and in the playoffs.

This offseason the Indians will need to figure out how they're going to replace Mike Napoli and his 34 home runs. This team didn't generate a lot of power aside from him and perhaps re-signing him to a two-year deal. If they don't go after Napoli, perhaps someone like Mark Trumbo, Chris Carter, or Brandon Moss, who the Indians have prior experience with, would be good fits on cheaper deals. I really don't think that Cleveland needs to do anything for 2017 except get their pitchers healthy, allow their young players to continue to develop, and just maintain the status quo. There were talks at the beginning of the offseason that maybe they would trade Andrew Miller to recoup some of the value they gave up to get him since he has another year left on his contract. The Indians are wisely choosing to keep him and they could always trade him at the deadline if their season isn't going as well as they are hoping it does. I don't think this will be an issue, though, as they should be the best team in the AL Central after it appears that the White Sox and Tigers are both looking to sell off some talent, Minnesota isn't there yet, and who knows with the Royals. I think that they will enter the season as one of the favorites to win the AL Pennant in 2017 and get to the World Series again.

*All stats and information come from baseball-reference.com, fangraphs.com, rosterresource.com, baseballamerica.com, and spotrac.com

We Hit Dingers