Everyday Lineup
With most of their every day lineup returning, there will be minimal changes to the team’s offensive profile, with Yan Gomes and Roberto Perez keying things behind the plate.
Around the infield will be Encarnacion, Jason Kipnis, Francisco Lindor, and Jose Ramirez. While Kipnis returned to power/speed that he hadn’t shown since 2013 and Lindor continued to take steps forward to be the face of the Indians for the next decade, the play of Ramirez was completely surprising.
The former utility man had never really shown a propensity to hit, let alone provide significantly above league average offense, and yet he smacked 46 doubles to go with a .312/.363/.462 slash line, 11 homers and 22 steals. He also offered versatility as well, playing 117 of his games at third, but also playing left, short, and second on the season.
The transition of Lonnie Chisenhall to the outfield was a resounding success, and Tyler Naquin provided significantly more offensive value than he’d ever have expected.
What wasn’t expected was to have star outfielder Michael Brantley only be able to play in 11 games on the season. He is reportedly healthy this spring, and the team is hoping for a return to production from him.
Carlos Santana will again be the primary DH, though he and Encarnacion could share some 1B/DH time.
The primary prospects that could impact the lineup will be in the outfield, where Bradley Zimmer and Greg Allen very well could both find their way to Cleveland in 2017. Allen has traditional leadoff skills and elite defense, while Zimmer offers a powerful arm, great defense, big power and speed, but has struggled some with contact in his minor league career. Either could be an impactful player once they arrive, but most likely it’d require Naquin or Chisenhall struggling or Brantley coming up injured again.
Bench
The Indians will have a very intriguing battle for bench spots this spring. One spot will go to Gomes/Perez as the backup catcher, but from there, much is up in the air.
Abraham Almonte will likely be a fixture off the bench after a PED suspension cost him 80 games of 2016 and, more importantly, left him ineligible for post-season play. He’ll likely spell all three outfield positions, and his switch-hitting could allow him to step in if needed to cover for an injury in the starting lineup.
Almonte’s roster position could be threatened by Brandon Guyer and his human punching bag routine. Guyer’s primary offensive contribution seems to be getting hit by pitch as he’s led the league in the statistic the last two seasons, in spite of totaling just 625 at bats combined between 2015 and 2016. Guyer does offer a right-handed bat in the outfield, and that could play better off the bench in the outfield as Brantley, Naquin, and Chisenhall are all lefty-swingers. In the end, Guyer being out of options while Almonte has one could make the decision easier for the Indians.
The backup infielder position will be intriguing as the Indians really don’t expect to get much for offense from the position. Michael Martinez, made famous for all the wrong reasons when he had to come off the bench in game 7 of the World Series for his bat instead of his glove, has no options left. Fellow infielder Erik Gonzalez does have one option left. That could end up making the decision for the team, though Gonzalez is on the team’s 40-man roster while Martinez would have to be added.
Austin Jackson will be an intriguing option as a non-roster invite to see if he can crack the outfield bench. Other non-roster invites that could make an impression include Richie Shaffer as a corner infield/corner outfield right-handed power bat. Chris Colabello also offers a right-handed bat off the bench, though he is limited to first base and DH, so it is likely that he’ll not make the team without an injury opening up a spot.
Now, let’s turn to the pitching…
Next: Rotation/Bullpen