Cleveland Indians: Carlos Torres
Carlos Torres has been a workhorse reliever for the past six years averaging 75 innings per year during that span. Torres relies almost exclusively on his mid 90s cutter while mixing in a low 80s curve on occasion.
While Torres has had some success in his career, he has never really been anything more than an average relief pitcher at any point. He strikes out batters and induces ground balls but not enough to sustain his typically high walk rates.
He has had seasons where he strikes out a lot of guys, seasons where he limits the walks, and seasons where he has kept the ball in the yard, but he just hasn’t had many years where he’s put it all together.
Torres is good at eating innings for a bullpen, which many teams need throughout a long season. However, a team with World Series aspirations needs to be aiming higher than this.
Torres would not be a bad option for the last spot in many teams’ bullpens, but the Indians just have too many good options for that spot to consider holding on to Torres. Torres will latch on with some team at some point this season and will likely give them another durable, mediocre season.
The Decision
The Indians may not want to go with eight relievers throughout the entire season, but they should at least start the year with that many. Matt Belisle is a reliable bullpen option and should be a no-brainer to join the opening day pen. He brings experience and a level of certainty that this club will be glad to have.
That eighth spot should go to Ryan Merritt. Merritt might not have elite stuff, but he has shown the ability to be a big game pitcher and get batters out when it matters. He can also start if the team needs a spot starter at any point. If the Indians decide not to open the season with Merritt on the roster, they will have to expose him to irrevocable waivers and run the risk of losing him.
Next: Cleveland 2018 Season Preview
It would be tough for the Tribe to lose a guy who has had nothing but success to this point in his career. With a lack of superb options at other positions to take up that 25th spot on the roster, Merritt should be given a chance to round out the bullpen and the opening day roster.