Are the Cleveland Indians buyers or sellers?
Prior to the start of the 2015 season, the Cleveland Indians had lots of hope and promise for an exciting summer. To date, however, the team has won only 32 of their 68 games played. However, it is still relatively early and there are 94 games to go. Some fans might believe that the Indians need to be pro-active and strike now making trades to elevate their roster to the top of the division. Other fans run with the thought that there are 94 games to go and there is still plenty of time to see exactly what this team can do over the next 30 days. Over that time, they can assess and see where they want the direction of the team to go.
The Indians are eight games behind the Kansas City Royals for the division lead and 4 ½ games out of a wild card seed. The Tribe is currently sitting in fourth place in the AL Central ahead of only the Chicago White Sox, who also had promise and hope for a strong season.
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For years it was perceived that the toughest division in baseball was the AL East, but an argument could now be made that power has now shifted to the AL Central as being the most competitive in MLB. After all, a team from the Central has won two of the last three American League pennants. Over the years, teams have needed an average of 90 wins to be in playoff contention by the end of September. That would require Cleveland to win 58 of their remaining 94 games.
July 31st is the Major League Baseball trade deadline and the belief would have to be that the Indians would be buyers then. Rumors tend to intensify closer to the All-Star Game and the second half of July. This year will probably be no different. The All-Star game takes place in Cincinnati at the Great American Ballpark. Teams sharing the same state tend to want to steal the other city’s thunder. In this case, the Indians will want people to talk about their team as opposed to the Reds.
Prior to July 31st, teams falling out of contention will trade assets for prospects as they prepare for future seasons. Other teams are clicking and want something to push them even further. Others need that shove to get them ahead of other divisional threats. July 31st is generally an exciting time for fans as there does tend to be star players switching teams.
The Indians are not rumored or linked to any specific name or positional needs just yet. They could definitely use an upgrade at the plate with a big bat in their lineup. During the month of May, they were clicking on all cylinders. They led baseball with a .351 on-base percentage as an organization. In June, they threw all of what they learned out the window. In 13 of their 18 June games, they scored less than three runs per game. In June os far they lead the majors with the fewest runs scored with only 47.
The last time the Indians won the AL Central was in 2007 and a wild card seed in 2013. They have not won the World Series since 1948. Fans in Cleveland are starving for a championship to celebrate. They have had a slight tease this spring with the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, Hhowever, LeBron and Co. came up short against the Golden State Warriors.
There’s still some work to be done on this roster. With Manager Terry Francona and General Manager Chris Antonetti working the phone lines, the Tribe should be buyers and not sellers. Starting pitchers Danny Salazar, Trevor Bauer and Corey Kluber are a great trio to lead the young pitching staff.
Offensively, second baseman Jason Kipnis is having a phenomenal year thus far. Outfielder Michael Brantley has been a nuisance to opposing pitching, along with Kipnis’ base stealing tendencies. Kipnis leads Cleveland with 10 stolen bases, followed by Brantley and second baseman Jose Ramirez with eight stolen bases each. Granted, Ramirez is in the minors he is a great prospect that will turn heads very soon. These players are players that the franchise has developed into successful big leaguers.
Trading any number of these players away would show fans that management doesn’t think this team can contend. It would be a total slap in the face to fans who are starved for the highest pinnacle in pro sports. Selling should not be an option and buying is the only way to go for this year’s Cleveland Indians. This is a good team that could become a great team — with a few tweaks and changes.