Indians Bullpen Becomes More Dominant with Agreement of Boone Logan

The Cleveland Indians displayed their superb bullpen in the 2016 playoffs. With the 2017 season looming, they added another piece to that daunting pen: left-hander Boone Logan.

Free agent reliever Boone Logan and the Cleveland Indians are in agreement on a contract, per Fox Sports reporter Ken Rosenthal. He also reported the deal is pending a physical. There was no mention of the financial aspects of the deal.

Logan, 31,  joins an already strong bullpen, including stud reliever and postseason star Andrew Miller, hard-throwing closer Cody Allen and other good relievers Dan Otero and Bryan Shaw. The Indians bullpen showcased its talent in the 2016 postseason.

The four aforementioned pitchers combined to pitch 50 innings in last year’s postseason. They allowed a total of 10 earned runs and had a combined ERA of 1.80. No question about it, the bullpen played a big factor in the 2016 Indians’ postseason success.

In 11 seasons, Logan has pitched for four different teams. He has a career ERA of 4.45 and 437 strikeouts. His ERA is a bit skewed from his first season in Colorado in 2014, and also a tough start to his career with the White Sox. For the vast majority of his career, Logan has pitched well out of the pen.

Last season with the Rockies, Logan pitched 46.1 innings. He struck out 57 batters, allowed 19 earned runs and owned a 3.69 ERA. Logan’s true dominance comes against left-handed batters.

After making it to the World Series in 2016 and falling to the Cubs in Game 7, extra-inning fashion, the Indians look poised to make it back there in 2017. A great bullpen is the right approach in today’s game. Teams like the 2012 Giants and the 2014-15 Royals sparked playoff success due to their bullpen strength.

Depth in the bullpen allows a team to limit starters. If a starter can only go five innings, that doesn’t hurt a team with a hefty bullpen. That works well for the Indians, as starters Danny Salazar and Carlos Carrasco recover from late-season injuries.

Both the Indians and Red Sox look like the early favorites to win the AL in 2017. Not only do the Indians possess a talented bullpen, but they also have the starting rotation and potent offense to go with it.

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Cleveland made a big splash earlier this offseason when they signed Edwin Encarnacion to a three-year, $60 million deal. The acquisition provided the Indians with more power and depth in the lineup.

With more depth and talent all around, the Indians look like their eyes are strictly on the World Series in 2017.