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MLB Playoffs: What Did We Learn From the World Series?

By Greg Goldstein

Nov 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Carl Edwards (6) celebrates after defeating the Cleveland Indians in game seven of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Carl Edwards (6) celebrates after defeating the Cleveland Indians in game seven of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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And So are the Indians

Nov 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) reacts after throwing out Chicago Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler (not pictured) in the 9th inning in game seven of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) reacts after throwing out Chicago Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler (not pictured) in the 9th inning in game seven of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

Don’t sleep on the Indians, though. While they may not have the young and dynamic roster that the Cubs do, Cleveland is still set up for sustained run of success. It was unfortunate that two of their top of the rotation starters in Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar were out with injuries to end the season, but both should be back and ready to go for opening day next season. Their starting rotation is key if the team is going to have a chance to get back to the World Series.

Corey Kluber is under team control for the next five seasons. He turns 31 in April so he still should be very good throughout most of those years. Carrasco is also set to stay in Cleveland for the long-term as he is locked up for four more years. At 30 years old he should remain on top of his game during that span. Salazar is the youngster of this great trio as he will be just 27 years old for the entirety of the 2017 season. All three of these hurlers are legitimate Cy Young contenders in the American League and whenever you have three pitchers of their caliber leading your rotation that gives you a great chance of not only making the playoffs, but advancing deep into October. It also should be said that even though he had a rough postseason, Trevor Bauer had a productive 2016 season at just 25 years old.

This isn’t to take anything away from Francisco Lindor, who is possibly the best of an amazing group of young shortstops in the league. Talented outfielder Michael Brantley is under 30 and under team control for the next two seasons. Tyler Naquin and Jose Ramirez will be mainstays in the Indians batting order for the next five years or so. The heart of this team in Jason Kipnis also has a contract that will keep him in Cleveland for the next four years.

With an elite starting rotation that will remain intact for many years and a lineup that is set up to be not too shabby for the next few years too, Indians fans should expect continued success in the seasons to come.

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