Cleveland Indians 2018 Season Preview
The Cleveland Indians are looking to continue to dominate the AL Central. However their window of opportunity is getting ready to close.
There was a time in 2017 when the Cleveland Indians appeared to be vulnerable. They were just two games up at the trade deadline, and seemingly unable to break out of a season long malaise following their loss in the 2016 World Series. And then, starting on August 24, the Indians went on an incredible run, winning 21 games in a row. Although they finished the year strong, adding another five game winning streak immediately after that 21 gamer ended, one had to wonder if Cleveland peaked too early.
This turned out to be the case. The Indians took the first two games from the Yankees, then lost a close 1-0 pitching duel between Masahiro Tanaka and Carlos Carrasco in Game Three. They never recovered, as New York came all the way back and eliminated the Indians from the postseason.
Cleveland heads into 2018 at a crossroads. Their window of opportunity appears to be closing, with Andrew Miller, Cody Allen, Michael Brantley, and Josh Tomlin set to be free agents after this year. The defections have already begun, as the Indians lost five players this offseason, including two other key bullpen pieces. Their quest to hold on as the team to beat in the AL Central will be a lot harder.
Can the Cleveland Indians make one last run this season? It may be a lot more difficult than one would think.
Cleveland Indians additions and subtractions
Key additions: Yonder Alonso, Rajai Davis
Newcomer to watch: Yonder Alonso. Yonder Alonso timed his career year perfectly, as he was able to earn a two year contract from the Cleveland Indians.
Alonso changed his approach dramatically last season, becoming a convert to the ideals of launch angle and putting the ball in the air more often. That led to an incredible transformation in his age 30 campaign. Between his time with the Athletics and the Mariners, he produced a career best .266/.365/.501 batting line, with 28 homers and 22 doubles. Alonso made his first All Star Game last year, and surprisingly was far more than a replacement level first baseman.
With the Indians, he has to fill the shoes of Carlos Santana, one of the better players in the recent history of the Indians. Likewise, Cleveland has designs on returning to the postseason and taking care of unfinished business. There will be a lot of pressure on Alonso to replicate his performance from 2017.
Biggest losses: Carlos Santana, Austin Jackson, Bryan Shaw, Joe Smith, Jay Bruce
Biggest loss: Bryan Shaw. One of the Indians strengths over the past few years has been their bullpen. The loss of Shaw dramatically weakens the unit.
Shaw’s statistics may not have been eyepopping last year, but he was far more than the numbers indicate. In his final season with the Indians, Shaw posted a solid 3.52 ERA and a 1.213 WHiP, striking out 73 batters in 76.2 innings. He led the American League with 79 appearances, the third time in four years he led the AL.
What Shaw gave the Cleveland Indians was the ability to use Andrew Miller as a fireman in the bullpen. He could come in whenever needed, quelling a rally at any point in the game. Even if he was used prior to the eighth inning, Shaw was there, ready to provide a typically worry-free outing. That is one piece that the Indians will miss in the coming season.
Expectations for the Cleveland Indians in 2018
The Cleveland Indians had been the class of the American League Central for the past two seasons. That reign may be coming to an end.
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At some point, the Indians will need to address those defections from the roster. Bringing in Yonder Alonso to take over from Carlos Santana may well be a lateral move, but the other losses have not been addressed. Those other losses, particularly in the bullpen, could come back to haunt the Indians.
That is not to say that the team is devoid of remaining talent. Corey Kluber is still one of the best pitchers in baseball, with Carlos Carrasco being a solid second starter. Miller and Allen are an excellent duo at the back of the bullpen. Francisco Lindor has become a star, and top catching prospect Francisco Mejia may join the team soon. The Indians still have some excellent players, and a winnable division in front of them.
However, the Indians have, at best, made a lateral move while getting weaker. Meanwhile, the surprising Twins improved, making the race for the Central that much tighter. Those losses, particularly in the bullpen, have a chance to derail the Indians 2018 campaign.
Next: Indians top ten prospects
The Cleveland Indians should have a solid year. However, that window of contention may have already closed. Prediction: Second place in the AL Central.