Cleveland Indians ownership fine with just reaching postseason

In theory, every team wants to win the World Series. For the Cleveland Indians, just reaching the postseason may be enough.

The Cleveland Indians offseason has exactly been positive. The Indians watched as Cody Allen, Andrew Miller, and Michael Brantley departed in free agency, and traded away Yan Gomes and Edwin Encarnacion. Yes, they added pieces in Jake Bauers and brought Carlos Santana back, but there are plenty of holes on the roster. Additionally, the Indians had placed Trevor Bauer and Corey Kluber on the trade block, but were unable to find a deal to their liking.

Despite that general lack of activity, the Indians are still the favorites to reach the postseason in the AL Central. This speaks volumes to the status of the division, but also, to the mindset of the Indians ownership.

In his interview with The Atlantic (subscription needed), Indians owner Paul Dolan stated that the status of the division justified the Indians approach to the offseason. Although he also said that the postseason is not a given, Cleveland is looking to maximize their window of opportunity, which also led to the potential trades of some of their top arms.

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Dolan does, in the end, have a point. As long as the Indians continue to make the playoffs, there is a chance that they will finally end their championship drought. However, the various holes on the roster, particularly in the bullpen and the outfield, would be even more magnified in the playoffs.

Those comments also show the general unwillingness from ownership to take the extra step needed to be a viable contender. In virtually any other division, Cleveland would be an afterthought when it came to the playoffs, a team that could hover around .500 due to their starting rotation. But in the AL Central, they are good enough.

There were certainly players available that would have helped Cleveland without costing an exorbitant amount. Adam Jones signed for a $3 million contract on March 11. Greg Holland signed for just $3.25 million on January 31. Francisco Liriano, Bud Norris, and Dan Jennings, amongst other notable relievers, signed minor league deals. But the Indians did not feel they needed to upgrade, since their current roster should be enough to reach the postseason.

For the Cleveland Indians, just making the postseason is enough. That mindset will keep them from ending their championship drought for the foreseeable future.