The Cleveland Indians will have a tall mountain to climb as they try to make it back to the top of the American League for one more shot at a World Series title in 2017. However, after they blew a 3-1 series lead to the Chicago Cubs in last year’s World Series the Indians reloaded with some intriguing pieces including star slugger Edwin Encarnacion. Cleveland will have unfinished business this coming season and based on their talent alone they certainly have the potential to challenge for a championship once again.
Key Additions: 1B/OF Edwin Encarnacion, RP Boone Logan, OF Austin Jackson, 1B Chris Colabello, OF Willy Mo Pena, RP Carlos Frias
Key Losses: 1B Mike Napoli, OF Rajai Davis, OF Coco Crisp, RP Austin Adams
Strengths
Encarnacion has been one of the most consistent star hitters in the majors over the last few years and the Indians are counting on him performing at a high level once again this season. Cleveland’s order is fairly deep with talent and the addition of EE should help put this group over the top. The key will be staying healthy across the board and one name to keep an eye on is Michael Brantley. If Brantley can stay healthy then this group could take a major step forward this season. The starting rotation will also need to stay healthy with the Indians hoping that Danny Salazar and Carlos Carrasco could bounce back after they landed on the DL a year ago. Salazar earned an All-Star nod for his strong first half last season before he got hurt while Carrasco had a career year. Factor in Corey Kluber’s Cy Young potential and the return of Trevor Bauer and Josh Tomlin to round out the rotation and it’s clear the Indians have one of the best starting rotations in the majors.
Weaknesses
Cleveland is hoping that the addition of Edwin Encarnacion can put them over the top but they will need to make up for some of the minor losses like Mike Napoli, Rajai Davis and Coco Crisp. It would really give the team a boost if Michael Brantley – once considered one of the best young players in baseball – could get back to form. He suffered a shoulder injury a couple of years ago and has never been the same. Meanwhile, Cleveland also needs Salazar and Carrasco to return healthy with the hope that their injuries don’t continue to linger.
2017 Cleveland Indians Depth Chart
| Catcher | Roberto Perez | Yan Gomes | Francisco Mejia | ||
| First Base | Carlos Santana | Edwin Encarnacion | |||
| Second Base | Jason Kipnis | Jose Ramirez | Erik Gonzalez | ||
| Third Base | Jose Ramirez | Erik Gonzalez | Giovanny Urshela | ||
| Shortstop | Francisco Lindor | Jose Ramirez | Erik Gonzalez | ||
| Left Field | Michael Brantley | Jose Ramirez | Brandon Guyer | Abraham Almonte | |
| Center Field | Tyler Naquin | Abraham Almonte | Lonnie Chisenhall | Brandon Guyer | |
| Right Field | Lonnie Chisenhall | Brandon Guyer | Abraham Almonte | ||
| Designated Hitter | Edwin Encarnacion | Carlos Santana | |||
| Starting Pitcher | Corey Kluber | Carlos Carrasco | Danny Salazar | Trevor Bauer | Josh Tomlin |
| Relief Pitcher | Andrew Miller | Bryan Shaw | Boone Logan | Dan Otero | Zach McAllister |
| Closer | Cody Allen | ||||
Projected Win Total: 92.5
World Series Odds: +750
Outlook
Cleveland has more than enough talent to contend for a World Series title once again in 2017 but they will need to stay healthy and come together as a unit in order to make it happen. It will be tough to get over what happened to them a year ago but the Indians have more than enough talent and motivation to come back even stronger this coming season. It won’t be a surprise if Cleveland repeats as AL Central champions but what happens beyond that will have a lot to do with health and get more out of their batting lineup. If Salazar and Carrasco are back to form, then the Indians could have the best rotation in baseball with an awesome bullpen and more than enough hitting to win the World Series. If those two aren’t fully healthy/effective and the batting lineup doesn’t produce more, the Indians will take a step back. We’re banking on more of the former than the latter, though.
Prediction: 95-66
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