Bowden: A position-by-position breakdown of the Indians-Astros series — and who has the advantage


By Jim Bowden 39m ago 2
The​ Indians-Astros series​ is, in​ my opinion, the best​ matchup of the​ four division series​ about​ to get​ underway. Both​​ teams are capable of going all the way to a world championship, thanks to two of the best starting rotations in this postseason, deep lineups capable of beating even the game’s best pitchers, a strong trio of back-end relievers, speed, power, timely hitting and strong managerial leadership. If any series is likely to go the full five games, this is the one.

Game 1 will begin with two Cy Young candidates in Corey Kluber and Justin Verlander. Both have extensive postseason experience, and both have track records in big games.

Here is a breakdown and comparison of the two teams, position by position.

INFIELD
Catcher
Yan Gomes/Roberto Pérez vs. Martín Maldonado/Brian McCann

Advantage: Indians
Offense: Indians
Defense: Push

Both teams have multiple elite game callers, but Yan Gomes is the best all-around catcher in this series, taking into account his offense, framing, defensive runs saved and his ability to block balls and control the running game. Martín Maldonado did win the AL Gold Glove last year, and Brian McCann, though he might be in decline, is still a threat to win a game with a hit or a stolen strike. Roberto Pérez is also a stellar overall defender.

First Base
Yonder Alonso vs. Yuli Gurriel

Advantage: Astros
Offense: Gurriel
Defense: Alonso

Yuli Gurriel is a 2.2 WAR player this season who has more gap power than home run power and gets on base 32 percent of the time, with an OPS+ of 108. His biggest drawback is his tendency to ground into double plays, in which he led the league. While Yonder Alonso has the edge defensively and has more home run power than Gurriel, he also strikes out much more.

Second Base
José Ramírez vs. José Altuve

Advantage: Indians
Offense: Ramírez
Defense: Altuve

José Ramírez is expected to finish in the top five in AL MVP voting after another banner season, one that included 38 home runs, 34 stolen bases and over 100 runs scored and driven in to go along with a 39 percent on-base percentage. José Altuve, the 2017 AL MVP, had a down year across the board and dealt with nagging injuries, but still got on base 38 percent of the time and is an elite defender at second base. This year, Ramírez became a much better offensive player than Altuve, though his move from third to second base gives Altuve the advantage defensively. You have to love both players, but Ramírez had the better year.

Shortstop
Francisco Lindor vs. Carlos Correa

Advantage: Indians
Offense: Lindor
Defense: Lindor

Francisco Lindor had a much better season than Carlos Correa, with 42 doubles and 38 home runs, 129 runs scored, 92 RBI and 25 stolen bases to go along with an .871 OPS. Correa spent significant time on the disabled list, hitting just .237 with 14 home runs in 109 games played. Lindor is the better defender with more range to both sides. However, when healthy, Correa is an MVP-caliber player like Lindor, with a knack for performing on the big stage, and always has the potential to be a postseason MVP.

Third Base
Josh Donaldson vs. Alex Bregman

Advantage: Astros
Offense: Bregman
Defense: Bregman

Alex Bregman was the MVP of the Astros this year. He led all AL batters in doubles (51) and in batting average with runners in scoring position. He also belted 31 home runs and drove in over 100 runs to go with an OPS+ of 156. Meanwhile, Josh Donaldson spent most of the year on the Blue Jays’ disabled list with a calf injury before being traded to the Indians on Aug. 31. It’s taken him a while to get his timing back, but it looks like it’s getting there after he burst out for three homers with a .415 on-base percentage in his 14 games back with Cleveland. Donaldson is an above-average defender and just three years removed from winning the AL MVP Award. Bregman is the better overall player today — but since Donaldson is finally healthy, he’s a real threat to dominate a series.

OUTFIELD
Right Field
Melky Cabrera vs. Josh Reddick

Advantage: Houston
Offense: Reddick
Defense: Reddick

Josh Reddick had a down year offensively for the Astros, slashing just .242/.318/.400, but he did belt 17 home runs. Melky Cabrera held his own, hitting .280 with 6 homers for the Indians in 250 at-bats. On the defensive side, Reddick is a plus-plus right fielder with such a shut-down arm that opponents just can’t take the extra base.

Center Field
Jason Kipnis/Greg Allen vs. George Springer

Advantage: Houston
Offense: Springer
Defense: Springer

Springer once again led all Astros outfielders with 22 home runs and 71 runs batted in with a 2.7 WAR, which is respectable, but a far cry from the 5.0 WAR he put up the previous two years. Kipnis, who was moved to center field after the Indians acquired Donaldson, slashed .230/.315/.389 this year with 18 home runs and 75 runs batted in and, although he prefers to play second base, he didn’t complain when he was forced to change positions. Kipnis is a below-average defender in center and will be replaced defensively by Greg Allen who is an above-average defender with plus-plus range.

Left Field
Michael Brantley vs. Marwin González/Jake Marisnick

Advantage: Cleveland
Offense: Brantley
Defense: Brantley

Michael Brantley proved the Indians correct in their decision to pick up his $11.5 million option, as he finally stayed healthy for the first time since 2015 and delivered on both sides of the ball. Brantley finished with 3.6 WAR, hitting .309/.364/.468 with 36 doubles and 17 home runs and making his third All-Star team. For the Astros, Marwin González was a complete disaster in the first half, hitting just .230 with 6 home runs and 37 runs batted in and temporarily losing playing time to multiple outfielders. However, he won his job back in the second half, hitting .275 with 10 home runs, and finishing the year with 16 homers and 68 RBIs. Jake Marisnick is also an option in all three outfield positions, and he’s an elite defender with a strong arm and home-run power.

Designated Hitter
Edwin Encarnación vs. Tyler White/Evan Gattis

Advantage: Cleveland
Offense: Encarnación

Edwin Encarnación has hit at least 30 home runs for seven consecutive years, driving in over 100 runs in six of those seasons. In 23 postseason games, he’s hit four home runs and driven in 14 runs, with an on-base percentage of .358. For Houston, Tyler White and Evan Gattis combined for 37 home runs this year, which makes them just as dangerous. However, Encarnación has the ability to hit better pitching than the other two.

PITCHERS

STARTING ROTATION

Corey Kluber vs. Justin Verlander

Advantage: Astros

Stuff:
Kluber: FB, CT, CB, CH
Verlander: FB, SLi, CB, CH

Stats:
Kluber: W/L: 20-7, ERA: 2.89, FIP: 3.12, K/9: 9.29, W/9: 1.42, WAR: 5.9
Verlander: W/L: 16-9, ERA: 2.52, FIP: 2.78, K/9: 12.2, W/9: 1.56, WAR: 6.2

Two elite pitchers going at each other in Game 1 — and perhaps again later in the series — is the headliner of an already exciting match-up between two of the best teams in baseball. Verlander is locked in right now; in his last four starts, he’s pitched 26 innings, struck out 42, walked three and allowed just three runs, for a 1.04 ERA. Kluber had two starts against the Astros this year and was dominant, going 1-0 with a 1.35 ERA with 17 strikeouts and no walks. But the way Verlander finished the season gives him the edge.

Carlos Carrasco vs. Gerrit Cole

Advantage: Astros

Stuff:
Carrasco: FB, SLI, CB, CH
Cole: FB, SLI, CB, CH

Stats:
Carrasco: W/L: 17-10, ERA: 3.38, FIP: 2.94, K/9: 10.8, W/9: 2.02, WAR: 3.9
Cole: W/L: 15-5, ERA: 2.88, FIP: 2.70, K/9: 12.4, W/9: 2.88, WAR: 5.3

There isn’t a Game 2 starting pitching matchup in any division series better than this one. Both starters have Game 1 stuff and repertoires. Cole has been half a run better this year than Carrasco, but Carrasco finished strong, with a 2.52 ERA in the second half, compared to a 4.12 ERA in the first half.

Mike Clevinger vs. Dallas Keuchel

Advantage: Indians

Stuff:
Clevinger: FB, SLI, CB, CH
Keuchel: FB, CT, SLI, CH

Stats:
Clevinger: W/L: 13-8, ERA: 3.02, FIP: 3.52, K/9: 9.3, W/9: 3.0, WAR: 5.2
Keuchel: W/L: 12-11, ERA: 3.74, FIP: 3.69, K/9: 6.73, W/9: 2.55, WAR: 2.6

Clevinger became the Game 3 starter after Cy Young candidate Trevor Bauer went down with an injury. Clevinger had his breakout season, pitching 200 innings for the first time in his career with 207 strikeouts and a complete-game shutout. The only question is if his increase in innings pitched, from 121.2 in 2017 to 200 this year, will catch up with him in October. For his part, however, Keuchel gave up more hits than any AL pitcher this year, with 211 in 204.2 innings pitched. He also faced 874 hitters, the most in the league. His hits per nine was his highest since 2013, and he certainly had a disappointing free agent year, at least by his standards; his ERA went up almost a run from a year ago. However, Keuchel still has the best-trimmed beard in baseball and his successful postseason track record should not be ignored. He has made seven postseason starts, in which he is 4-2 with a 3.24 ERA.

BULLPENS

Advantage: Astros

The Astros led the American League with a 3.03 bullpen ERA, while the Indians finished 13th with a 4.60 ERA. The Astros’ pen is led by Roberto Osuna, who was picked up from the Toronto Blue Jays mid-season in a controversial trade. Osuna delivered for the Astros on the field, converting all 12 of his save opportunities with a 1.99 ERA and giving Houston something it didn’t have last year in the postseason — a lockdown closer. The rest of the Astros ‘pen is loaded with power arms and different looks, including Ryan Pressly’s high-velocity fastball, Collin McHugh’s knee-buckling curveball and Will Harris, who hasn’t given up a run in his last eight appearances.

On the other side, the Indians have a trio of relievers who all have dominated at times, but have also had their share of inconsistencies. Cody Allen has been their on-again, off-again closer, and he enters the postseason with an inflated 5.79 ERA in his last 11 appearances, though he converted both save opportunities he was given during that stretch. Brad Hand, one of Cleveland’s other closers, has a 3.60 ERA in his last 11 appearances but has blown two of three save opportunities during that span. Finally, Andrew Miller’s knee appears healthy, but his performance has also been subpar recently; he has a 6.30 ERA in his last 10 appearances. On paper, the Indians would appear to have the better three-headed back end, but the recent results say that might not be the case.

My Prediction: Astros in five
These two teams are so evenly matched. Both are capable of running the table in October all the way to a world championship, but Houston has a very slight edge.

Final Thoughts: What’s wrong with Corey Kluber?


By Jason Lloyd Oct 5, 2018 11
HOUSTON​ — Twenty-seven​ thoughts for​ 27 outs in Friday’s​ 7-2 loss to​ the Houston Astros​ in​ Game 1​ of the​​ ALDS …

1. Through the first five postseason starts of his career, Corey Kluber had the sixth-lowest ERA of any pitcher in playoff history (minimum 30 innings). Two of the guys ahead of him were named Mariano Rivera and Babe Ruth.

2. Despite pitching on short rest more than once, Kluber was artfully dominant in 2016. He was 4-1 with a 0.89 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 30 innings. Teams were hitting .200 against him, and he allowed just one home run.

3. It’s difficult to explain what has happened to him since, but any debate about his current struggles first needs to begin with a reminder of how filthy he once was in the postseason. The idea that Kluber suddenly can’t handle playoff pressure or that he has forgotten how to pitch in big games is ridiculous.

4. Nevertheless, his performance in his past four playoff starts has been ghastly: 0-2 with a 10.20 ERA. He has allowed nine home runs in 15 innings. The Indians, not surprisingly, lost three of the four games. It goes without saying that this team will not go very far with Kluber pitching this way. How can a two-time Cy Young winner with terrific command suddenly unravel in the postseason time and again?

5. “Last year has nothing to do with today,” Terry Francona scoffed. “They’re a good team. He made a couple of mistakes. They made him pay for it.”

6. Kluber struggled with his command all game Friday, just as he did last year in two playoff appearances against the Yankees. His subpar performance in Game 7 of the World Series can be dismissed to exhaustion for carrying an unrealistic load. Last year rumors of back issues persisted. Now? Hard to say.

7. He was hammered for three home runs Friday in just 4 2/3 innings. That’s as many as he allowed in all of September. He hit two batters in the final four months this season, then hit two in a span of three batters Friday.

8. Although Kluber dealt with a sore right knee that needed an injection this summer, Francona insisted after the game that he is healthy. It’s worth noting, however, that his release point has steadily declined as the season has progressed, and he acknowledged around the All-Star break that the knee was causing his release point to drop because he couldn’t remain as upright and drive off his back leg properly.


Corey Kluber’s declining release point since the start of the season.



Corey Kluber’s release point throughout his career. September was a career low.


Corey Kluber’s release point during his dominant 2016 postseason.
9. Data for his release point from Friday’s start wasn’t immediately available, but it stands to reason it was at least as low as it has been throughout September — which was the lowest of his career. Of course, he has managed to remain effective despite the lower release point throughout the second half of this season, but he didn’t face many potent offenses in that stretch.

10. Half of Kluber’s 16 starts from July through September came against teams ranked in the bottom 10 in runs scored. In two starts against the Yankees and Red Sox, the top two scoring teams in the league, he had a 5.92 ERA. (Kluber dominated the Astros — ranked sixth in runs scored — in two starts this year, but he hadn’t faced them since May.)

11. If it’s a matter of the knee still bothering him, Kluber will never reveal that now. It’s worth at least considering that he might have been good enough to get by against weaker opponents throughout the second half, but powerful lineups like Houston’s will punish his mistakes.

12. The home runs he allowed Friday to Alex Bregman (sinker) and George Springer (cutter) were in nearly the exact location out over the middle of the plate. The home run Jose Altuve hit was off another sinker that was up in the zone.

13. “Really just left balls elevated and over the plate,” Kluber said. “Wrong three guys to do that to.”

14. When Kluber was dominating powerful offenses like Boston, Toronto and Chicago in 2016, his release point was significantly higher than it is now, and he was throwing harder. Francona believes late movement is more important for Kluber than velocity, but it stands to reason that the lower release point now makes it more difficult to command his sinker and breaking balls and keep them down in the zone.

15. “I don’t think that starts last postseason had any bearing on today,” Kluber said. “Like I said, I just made a few mistakes to the wrong guys.”

16. Maybe he’s right, maybe that’s all it is. But the arm angle, the drop in velocity and the stiffer competition in the postseason are all causes for concern more than the idea he suddenly can’t handle postseason pressure. Regardless, it could leave Francona with an agonizing decision to make for Game 5 if this series gets that far — stick with Kluber or turn to Trevor Bauer. How these next few games play out, of course, will help determine that decision.

17. Bauer entered, as expected, as a reliever in the seventh. The timing was curious because he followed Cody Allen, who has dealt with his own struggles this season. Bauer allowed an inherited runner to score but otherwise was pleased with the outing. He threw only 16 pitches, which he said was less than what would’ve been a side session. He’ll be ready to pitch again Saturday if necessary.

18. “I thought I threw the ball well,” Bauer said. “The two hits were quality pitches.”

19. Speaking of skeptical decisions, the fact Kluber was allowed to go back out for the fifth was questionable after he labored through the fourth. But Francona said before the team left Cleveland he’s hesitant sometimes to go to the bullpen because then there’s no going back. He reiterated that after Game 1.

20. “We’ve got a game tomorrow,” Francona said. “Once we were behind, I wanted to try to keep it where it was, not have the guys pitch too much, but also get them in and maybe take some of the rust off.

21. He accomplished that. No reliever who entered threw more than 17 pitches, meaning all should be available again for Game 2, which suddenly has a much more important feel in a best-of-five series down 0-1.

22. “They’re all important,” Kluber said. “You start putting more pressure on yourself because you’re behind in a series, you’re just kind of digging your hole even deeper.”

23. After the Indians went through a workout Thursday with the roof open, Major League Baseball chose to close it for Game 1 as temperatures neared 90 degrees. But a couple of players remarked that the dome didn’t enhance the crowd noise as expected. In fact, the crowd all day seemed rather relaxed for an opening playoff game.

24. “I didn’t think it was loud. I didn’t have a problem with them closing the roof. Noise wasn’t anything we haven’t experienced,” Jason Kipnis said. “The ball carried well here no matter what, closed or not. I think it just takes the sun and a little bit of the humidity out of it.”

25. Former Cavs player Mike Miller always told me that after a playoff win, guys feel like they’ll never lose again. After a playoff loss, all hope seems shattered and winning a series feels impossible. Kipnis said that applies to baseball, too.

26. “It’s why when you get a lead in the series you get a lot of momentum and guys can relax a little bit because there’s not the pressure of, ‘Hey we haven’t done anything yet,’ ” he said. “But if we split here I think we’ll be pretty happy about that.”

27. Game 2 is Saturday at Minute Maid Park. Carlos Carrasco against Gerrit Cole. Talk to you then.

Special thanks to baseball metrics extraordinaire T.J. Zuppe for helping me with the charts and pointing me in the right direction.

(Photo of Corey Kluber: Tim Warner/Getty Images)

7 things to know before the Indians fight for their playoff lives
By T.J. Zuppe 3h ago 10

CLEVELAND​ — In​ the hours​ leading up to Game​ 7 of the​ 2016 World Series,​ Terry​ Francona sat on​ a stage overlooking​​ the press interview room in the lower level of Progressive Field. He cracked open a small orange Gatorade just as the first question was tossed his way by a reporter in the front row.

“Would you call this a must-win game?” the writer asked sarcastically.

Francona nearly fell out of his chair in laughter.

“I never would have thought I’d see the day that you’d bring levity to my day,” the manager responded, howling in approval.

However, as fate would have it, the Cubs would later secure the last laugh.

That “must-win” would evade the Indians for a 68th consecutive year.

Surrounded by a much smaller group of local reporters and media — fewer standup comics this time — Francona sat in nearly the same position Sunday afternoon, but the giggles that accompanied the lack of hyperbole two years ago were absent — even if the joke applies just as much today.

With the Indians trailing the Astros in the best-of-five ALDS series 0-2, the tone during Sunday’s workout at Progressive Field was far more business-like. The answers were short, sweet and a little predictable, just as you’d expect after being thoroughly outplayed in the first two games of the playoff series.

Baseball is a game built on the immediate chance for redemption, but there will be no “tomorrow” without victories in each of their next three games. And if any of the must-wins ahead escape their grasp, it will mark the third consecutive season in which their playoff campaign ends in extreme disappointment on their home turf.

“Right now, we want to get to Game 4,” Francona said. “It may take all hands on deck to get there.”

With that in mind, let’s examine what we know of the plan ahead.

Who is available in Game 3?

Uhh, if you’re planning to attend Monday’s game, bring a glove.

Mike Clevinger will start. From there, they could toss it all — kitchen sink included.

With the exception of Carlos Carrasco, who threw 77 pitches in Game 2, essentially every pitcher could be called upon to record an out or two. Even Corey Kluber, the ace who left many scratching their heads after a rotten Game 1 performance, had asked the coaching staff whether he should join the rest of the pitchers in the bullpen over the weekend.

Ultimately, if they think anyone on the staff can help ensure a Game 4, they won’t hesitate.

“You get into these situations, and it’s kind of all hands on deck,” Francona said. “You do whatever you can to help.”

So, who would pitch Game 4 if the Indians win?

*Shrug emoji*

No, really.

Francona indicated it would come down to either Trevor Bauer or Shane Bieber, but they won’t hesitate to signal for Bauer for a third consecutive game. And they shouldn’t, particularly given the struggles of Cody Allen in Game 1 and Andrew Miller in Game 2.

Beyond Brad Hand, Francona is currently a little thin in the known commodity department. So, while Bauer hasn’t been perfect in each of the Tribe’s losses in the series, he’s offered enough — the velocity looks good, his breaking balls have shown bite — to earn Francona’s faith.

If they use Bauer in victory, Bieber would likely slide into the starter position for Game 4, and the process begins again.

That’d be a hell of a way to make a playoff debut — postseason life at stake — but Bieber has battled a little extra adrenaline in almost every appearance this year.

“It feels like every start for me this year has felt like a first,” the rookie said. “Whether it was a first against the Yankees, first at Fenway, first career start or whatever it may be. I suspect this will be a little bit different, maybe be a little more exciting with a lot more on the line.”

When is the soonest Carrasco would be available in relief?

Francona said Game 4 might be “pushing it,” but that’d be the “soonest” we’d see him trot out of the center-field bullpen.

The plan all along was for Carrasco to be available in a Game 5 situation — in fact, it seems like they almost anticipated using him out of the bullpen if they got there — but given the limited pitch count in Game 2, it’s plausible he could likely toss an inning or two on just two days’ rest.

Carrasco was dominant into the sixth inning Saturday, recording three strikeouts and generating 11 ground ball outs before the quick hook led to the Astros’ go-ahead rally. It felt risky to pull him at the time, and with the benefit of hindsight, perhaps Game 2 plays out differently had Francona left Carrasco in to deal with his own one-out jam.

If Clevinger and Bauer shoulder a large load in a Game 3 win, it’s fair to ponder whether Carrasco could play a similar role with Bieber in Game 4.

How is Mike Clevinger handling the stress of starting a must-win game?

A few short years ago, Clevinger paced back and forth with nervous energy before throwing to hitters in spring training. He puked before his first career start in Cincinnati.

In September, in the midst of a start against the Red Sox while chasing his 200th strikeout of the season, he walked five, battling a little extra adrenaline.

The long-haired hurler has never been one to operate in complete control of his emotions.

But his herky-jerky delivery and energetic movements on the mound have become almost endearing, and there’s no debating how well he pitched over the final two months, posting a 2.17 ERA and using a late-season adjustment to add more velocity to his fastball.

He’s a different pitcher from the last two times he appeared in the postseason, but how he’ll handle the pressure is as mysterious as his theories on alternate universes and parallel dimensions.

“Our backs are against the wall,” Clevinger said. “But, I mean, we can leave it on the field. We know that this could be our last game if we don’t show up.”

What about a Game 5 scenario?

Ha!

It’s really impossible to say how they’d handle a do-or-die game back in Houston because we have currently have no idea how the series returned to Minute Maid.

Were each of the games in Cleveland nail-biters? Was every pitcher on the staff used, including Kluber? Were they routs? When did Bauer pitch? How often?

There’s too much on their plate to even piece together a plan now.

Win. And then deal with the consequences. If that means creating a new challenge in a potential Game 5, so be it.

With the offense struggling, can we expect any lineup changes in Game 3?

Perhaps Francona would have considered a few changes regardless, but the presence of left-handed starter Dallas Keuchel will shift Yandy Díaz into the lineup for a struggling Yonder Alonso.

Alonso has been in a funk to begin his first postseason — he’s 0-for-6 with four strikeouts (not that others have fared much better). Díaz, while getting a lot of playing time against left-handers over the final month, posted a .305/.395/.441 slash line in September. That’s worth a look.

How Díaz matches up against the sinker-tossing Keuchel should be fascinating (it will be a bad day for worms residing in the Progressive Field infield).

On top of the Díaz addition at DH, Edwin Encarnacion will shift to first base and Brandon Guyer is projected to slide into the starting lineup for Melky Cabrera.

Francona has used similar lineups against lefties this season, so those decisions aren’t necessarily a reaction to their lowly hit total. That said, a shakeup of any sort felt necessary — and the lack of Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole might be the largest positive factor.

And if it all ends Monday afternoon?

It would mark just the second time the Indians have ever been swept in a postseason series — the first being their World Series loss to the Giants in 1954.

More important, it would justify every concern about weaknesses we saw emerge throughout the regular season.

It would confirm those skeptical of the bullpen and offense. It would fuel silly narratives about Kluber’s sudden inability to pitch in the postseason. It would add some serious questions about how they’d improve upon a strong core that still needs more support.

What a rotten way to spend a perfectly good October afternoon.

“I’d rather be up 2-0 than down 2-0, but it’s still the first one to get to three,” Francona said. “So, rather than spend a ton of time thinking about all that, we need to figure out a way to beat them. Because the first two games, they’ve really kind of had their way with us. We need to change that.”

How the Cleveland Indians crumbled: 33 thoughts on a season and finish that left plenty to be desired

Zack Meisel Oct 8, 2018 49

CLEVELAND​ — As​ Melky Cabrera and​ Sandy Alomar Jr. trotted​ back to the​ dugout, the rest​ of​ the Indians​ retreated to​​ the clubhouse to pack, to hug, to process how another promising season fizzled during the month of the calendar that matters most in Major League Baseball.

José Ramírez and Mike Clevinger stood on the far end of the dugout and stared out at the field as the Astros celebrated. Bench coach Brad Mills tapped Clevinger on the back, and the hurler ventured over to the other side and wrapped his arm around Jason Kipnis.

Some players stuffed their duffel bags with their gear, their gloves, the photos and keepsakes that adorned their lockers. Others will empty out their personal spaces on Tuesday, long before anyone on the roster anticipated commencing their winter break.

In the center of the clubhouse, atop a tall cabinet, stood an oversized Jobu figurine, flanked by two bottles of Jobu’s Rum, one barrel-aged and one silver. At Jobu’s bare feet sat a shot glass, about three-quarters full of the barrel-aged alcohol.

No magic elixir could vault the Indians past the Astros in the ALDS. For the first time since Bobby Avila led the club in hitting (1954), the Indians were swept out of the postseason.

On Thursday, the Indians’ championship drought will officially reach the 70-year mark. That number will swell to at least 71. And as Kipnis, holding two bats, exited the clubhouse in his red Tribe shirt and backward cap, the Indians were left to wonder: How did they get here?

1. One team converts the mound into a mosh pit. The other stares ahead as if they were reliving the time their high school crush rejected their prom proposal.

“You don’t really know what’s going through your head,” Josh Tomlin said. “It’s almost like you’re in a blank space. You’re just looking out at an abyss, trying to understand what just happened. I’m sure it’ll hit us more as time goes on and we’re watching games on TV. But right now, it’s a loss for words.”

2. Let’s back up, though. In fact, let’s rewind to May 18, 2016, when Clevinger — after a vomiting session that brought him to his knees in the visitors clubhouse bathroom at Great American Ball Park — made his major-league debut. A contingent of Clevinger’s relatives, who traveled from Jacksonville, sat about 20 rows behind the Indians’ dugout along the third-base line that night. They cheered him when he recorded each of his five strikeouts, and they laughed at him as he stood in the batter’s box.

3. Clevinger successfully harnessed his nervous energy Monday, as he delivered five strong innings to put the Indians in position to win, his only blemish being one of George Springer’s 782 home runs. Alas, Terry Francona’s lineup failed to rise to the occasion for the third consecutive game.

4. The Indians’ first order of business last winter was to exercise Michael Brantley’s option. He returned from ankle surgery and appeared in 143 games, posting an .832 OPS and earning his third career All-Star nod. That decision proved prescient. The rest of the outfield, on the other hand, was a disaster.

5. Bradley Zimmer struggled enough to be demoted to Class AAA Columbus before he underwent season-ending shoulder surgery. He could miss a decent chunk of next season as well. That left center field to Rajai Davis, Greg Allen and, for a minute, Leonys Martín, who, unfortunately, suffered a serious illness and missed the final eight weeks of the year.

In right field, Lonnie Chisenhall’s calves again derailed his season. Brandon Guyer never found his footing. So, the team took two chances on Cabrera, who had been lifting weights and soaking up the Florida sun. Edwin Encarnacion implored the Indians to give Cabrera a chance and, for a while in the second half, he performed admirably at the plate.

But that desperation move highlighted how the Indians’ roster was lacking in certain areas.

6. Just consider how the middle of the order fared against Houston.

José Ramírez: 0-for-11
Edwin Encarnacion: 1-for-10
Josh Donaldson: 1-for-11
Yonder Alonso: 0-for-6
Melky Cabrera: 1-for-8

That’s a combined 3-for-46 for those keeping score at home.

7. For Ramírez, it should sting worse, because the guy who could be an MVP finalist for the second consecutive year again disappeared on the grand stage (even though these games aired during brunch on Tru TV). Ramírez has totaled two hits in 31 at-bats the past two Octobers and, moving forward, that’s all anyone will care about. No one will be surprised by — or will concern themselves with — his gaudy regular-season numbers.

Ramírez seemed disinterested in speaking with the media after Game 3, but Encarnacion and a persistent reporter nudged the 26-year-old into holding court.

“We want to be successful, but I fell off,” Ramírez said through team interpreter Will Clements. “That’s all I can say. I didn’t perform how I wanted to.”

8. Encarnacion, meanwhile, will earn nearly $22 million next year. He’ll turn 36 on Jan. 7.


José Ramírez (Tim Warner/Getty Images)
9. The Indians had a quiet winter last year. They signed Alonso, Davis and … Brandon Barnes? They delayed addressing the bullpen until midseason, so they cycled through Alexi Ogando, Jeff Beliveau, Ben Taylor, Matt Belisle, George Kontos, Oliver Drake, Marc Rzepczynski, Chris Traeger, Mark Brendanawicz, Ben Wyatt and Li’l Sebastian. (OK, the last four are “Parks and Recreation” characters. And the last one is a deceased mini horse.)

10. It made some sense. Looking at the AL Central standings should require a hazmat suit. The Indians didn’t need to rack up empty-calorie wins. They would punch their ticket to October with their third consecutive division crown, and that’s when they needed to capitalize. So, they waited until summer arrived, and they snagged Brad Hand and Adam Cimber from San Diego.

11. But there was no contingency plan for if Andrew Miller never rounded into form, or if Cody Allen’s arm stopped working properly — or both. Trevor Bauer deployed as a daily, multi-inning weapon? An interesting concept, but really, had he not been pelted with Jose Abreu’s line drive in mid-August, would he instead have started one of the first two games in Houston?

12. Bauer will have an MRI on his ankle this week to make sure it has healed properly. He’ll then throw a bullpen session, hang out with Shane Bieber in California and begin his offseason project. Last winter, he developed his slider. This year, he wants to perfect his changeup.

13. Oh, Bauer also said he has a plan to better his nutrition, and that he wants to be featured in ESPN’s The Body issue in the near future.

14. The Indians’ deal for Donaldson didn’t pan out as intended, though that doesn’t mean it wasn’t worth the gamble of parting with Julian Merryweather. The Indians’ defensive realignment ultimately made no difference in the ALDS. Then again, neither did Donaldson’s bat.

15. The lineup card Brad Mills handed the home-plate umpire for Games 1 and 2 in Houston included nine hitters who each had at least one All-Star nod to their name. Then, the group produced 13 hits in 90 at-bats in the series (.144 average). Lindor’s two solo homers accounted for two-thirds of the club’s extra-base hits.

16. Where does the blame fall? For the second consecutive postseason, the club’s stars flopped in the limelight. This wasn’t Francona’s finest hour, either. Any time a team falls completely flat at the wrong time — in any sport — the manager or coach deserves a spot under the microscope. The front office misjudged the roster’s ability to gear up at precisely the right time, too.

17. As players started to file out of the clubhouse and the media contingent decreased in size, a handful of veteran players gathered in the corner of the room. Kipnis sat at the base of his locker. Tomlin and Yan Gomes sat in leather chairs in front of him. Brantley sat at his adjacent locker, with Alonso sitting on the floor beside him.

18. Brantley, Allen, Miller and Tomlin are all eligible for free agency. Kipnis knows the Indians might try to unload his contract, which will earn him $14.7 million next year (plus a $2.5 million buyout or $16.5 million option for 2020).

19. Said Tomlin: “It’s something you try to keep in the back of your mind so you don’t have those negative thoughts where, ‘If we do lose this game, this is the last time we’ll play together.’ But it’s definitely something we’ve talked about. We’ve spent time communicating back and forth about how much we’ve enjoyed playing with each other. We’re heavy in the heart, but that’s the way it goes. We’ve been fortunate to be able to play with each other for this long, so we’ll take it for what it is, be grateful for it and move on.”

20. There will certainly be a changing of the guard next season. We have all winter to analyze and predict the state of the 2019 roster. But that core group never captured a World Series title in Cleveland, even after the trade for Miller. That surely stings. As time elapses, there’s an increasing sense that, perhaps the postseason opportunity in 2016 was the best the club will get to capture that elusive ring.

21. Brantley, recovering from a second shoulder surgery, stood on the sideline and watched the Indians march to within one victory of a parade in 2016. He played in the 2017 ALDS, but he was hobbled by an ankle that ultimately needed some knife work. Finally healthy, and perhaps appearing in his final stretch of games for the franchise that acquired him at the end of the 2008 season as the player to be named later in the CC Sabathia deal, Brantley only got to enjoy three playoff games. And there wasn’t much to enjoy.

22. Something felt off about the Indians all season. Some point to the 2017 club’s 22-game winning streak and say that team peaked too early. (I don’t buy into that theory, but that’s neither here nor there.) This team never peaked. It never revealed the sort of potential it should have possessed.

23. The Indians were always waiting for something: a trade to patch up the leaky bullpen, Miller to return to full health, a trade to fix the faulty outfield, Kipnis to heat up at the plate, Bauer’s ankle to heal, Donaldson’s calf to heal, Ramírez’s slump to cease.

Eventually, the sand all settles at the bottom of the hourglass.

24. Said Miller: “We never felt like we tapped our full potential, maybe because we didn’t have to. If we were in a pennant race, fighting in games in September, maybe that helps us. I don’t know. Unfortunately, there’s no way to go back and get a do-over and set things up the way you want. You have to show up when the games start.”

25. That’s easy to say after the fact, and the state of the division isn’t going to change any time soon, unless Derek Falvey bolsters the Twins’ roster in grand fashion during the offseason.

26. Also, given what they’ve meant to the franchise over the past few years, it’s incredible to think that maybe the Indians can stomach the losses of Allen and Miller. That would have seemed far-fetched in April or May, when the club was relying on Beliveau to secure a save. Sure, they’ll need to revamp their bullpen this winter, but it’s not as though those two are slam dunks to produce at a high level for their respective teams next season.

27. Some years, it seems as though randomness reigns supreme in October. A team catches fire at the right time and stuns the nation. But it requires a certain degree of talent to be able to pull off such a feat. A better team has a better chance of getting hot in the postseason.

28. On paper, it seemed as though the Indians could have followed that formula. They have four of the top starting pitchers in the AL. They have a couple of MVP candidates. But everything crumbled when the calendar flipped to October.

29. Said Tomlin: “You still have to go out there and you still have to execute and you still have to hit the ball and you still have to move runners and you still have to do the things that make up winning baseball. We didn’t do that very well. You don’t want to say wasted, but we did let an opportunity go that we all sure wish we could have back.”

30. What will stand out about this Indians season? Lindor’s momentous home run in Puerto Rico? Ramírez’s rising popularity on the field and on the dirt track at Moo Moo Farm? Bauer’s blossoming into the frontline starter he predicted he would become?

31. The overwhelming feeling about the 2018 Indians will be that anything the club achieves before October serves merely as a footnote. The Indians will be contenders next season, but they’ll be accompanied by a sentiment of “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.”

32. Mike Chernoff made the rounds in the clubhouse after the loss Monday. He chatted with players and coaches, shook hands and said goodbyes. The attention on the team now shifts to Chernoff and Chris Antonetti as the front office attempts to retool the roster and make the club more formidable entering next season.

33. The Indians will host the All-Star Game at Progressive Field in July. But 2019 will be all about snapping that soon-to-be 71-year drought. It’ll be all about twisting open those bottles of Jobu Rum and putting them to use in a manner other than filling an idle shot glass in the center of the clubhouse.

Thanks to all of you for following along this season, for reading and interacting. It’s been a blast chronicling this journey and attempting to take you behind the scenes, whether in the clubhouse, on the road or on the “Mario Kart” track. We have plenty of fun stuff in store to keep you entertained throughout the offseason.

(Top photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Final Thoughts: The solution to the Indians’ problem might have been in front of them all along


By Jason Lloyd Oct 8, 2018 20

CLEVELAND​ — At​ some point​ the randomness of small​ sample sizes and​ the excuses of​ a short​ series begin​ to fade.​​ At some point, after watching opponents celebrate on their infield and drown the visiting clubhouse in champagne year after year, the Indians will have to start finding answers to hard questions, beginning with the most obvious one.

How does this keep happening?

“I didn’t expect us to lose the way we lost, 3-0,” Edwin Encarnacion said. “With the talent we have in this clubhouse, that’s not supposed to happen.”

He’s right.

The Indians have long been the best-run franchise in town and it isn’t really close. The Cavs have a championship because the greatest player on Earth chose to come home, not because of any sustained culture or stability. And let’s leave the Browns out of this.

For decades, Cleveland has been the model franchise where baseball teams come to find their next manager or executive. The Twins did it. The Rays did it. The Mets did it. In a previous lifetime the Rockies and Pirates did it, too.

Cleveland hires bright young minds from top academic institutions like Princeton, Georgetown, Northwestern and Vanderbilt and molds them into baseball savants other teams covet. The Indians should be proud of that.

So how does a franchise with this type of culture and stability, an organization that is a model for small-market teams across the league, a roster with this blend of power and speed and a rotation this deep … how does all of it continue to unravel year after year in the postseason?

A solution might have been right in front of them all along.

The Indians can boast one of the best player development programs in baseball. They continue to invest in their Dominican academy, which produced José Ramírez and Francisco Mejía among others. (Yes, Ramírez stunk again this postseason, but he’s still a terrific homegrown talent.)

None of that is good enough anymore for a team with the Indians’ narrowing championship window and financial constraints. For a smart, stable franchise always seeking competitive advantages on the margins, it might be time to fall in line behind the Houston Astros in something other than the standings.

All teams in professional sports guard their analytics knowledge like nuclear codes, yet we can surmise by now that most every team has analytics departments. But few — none? — have gone to the extreme that they have in Houston. And when searching for a competitive advantage in a short series, things such as scouting reports and analytics become more magnified with the importance of each pitch.

“Offensively, our hitters are uber-prepared,” third baseman Alex Bregman said after the Astros’ Game 2 victory over the weekend. “We know which counts pitchers throw which pitches the most, the different percentages – there’s a bunch of stuff. Our organization does a good job of providing us with that information. But our team is a very focused team and we take pride in being prepared.”

The Indians? It doesn’t sound as if they can say the same.

The Astros dominated them in every facet of this series. They pounded mistake pitches and even hit good ones. Indians hitters looked uncomfortable and off-balance flailing at pitches throughout this series. The Astros simply looked like the better prepared team.

“I’m going to keep it really short,” Mike Clevinger said when asked to explain what happened in this series. “We were a little bit, I don’t know, kind of had our backs against the wall before this started when it came to the analytical side.”

And one Indians player, speaking privately, told me he believed the Astros’ batters were far better prepared for this series than Indians hitters. He believed the scouting reports were more intricate and the attention to detail was more precise.

After all, this is the type of information the Astros thrive on these days.

Nobody knows more about the analytics movement than Trevor Bauer, who works tirelessly every winter at Driveline on such matters. Speaking on Yahoo Sports’ podcast in July, Bauer praised the Astros for their willingness to embrace the technology — while acknowledging there is far more information available to teams that no one is using.

“They’re probably the furthest ahead, I would guess. But they haven’t even scratched the surface,” Bauer told Yahoo’s Jeff Passan in July. “I don’t know what all they have. They may have everything figured out and have been able to keep it under wraps. But I have my ear out there and I hear about what’s going on and they do a lot of things very, very well. There’s just other things that no one does that should be done.”

Neither Bauer nor Clevinger was the player who spoke privately to The Athletic about the different approaches between the Astros and Indians. But Bauer suggested on the Yahoo podcast that every organization should have six high-speed cameras filming every single play — three on the batter and three on the pitcher. The camera he was likely referring to is the Edgertronic, which records 1,000 frames per second. Bauer owns one and has brought it with him to the stadium.

Baseball America reported in May that the Astros are significantly ahead of the field on subjects such as high-speed camera usage.

“It is known publicly that the Astros use their Edgertronic for pitch development and pitch improvement,” J.J. Cooper wrote, “something that has been done at Driveline Baseball (and by Bauer) for several years.”

Bauer, incidentally, used the Edgertronic to help develop his slider last winter.

Is a slow-motion camera the only reason why the Indians’ OPS in this series (.306) was lower than the Astros’ team average (.333)? No. It also doesn’t explain how the Indians blew a 3-1 lead to the Cubs two years ago in the World Series and how they unraveled last year up 2-0 in the first round against the Yankees.

As one player grumbled Monday before leaving the locker room, “Two years ago was the worst team we had here and it went the furthest.”

But if the Astros really are as far ahead of the field in technology information and implementation as it seems, it might help explain how George Springer is already the franchise leader in postseason home runs (10) and how Houston is poised to win its second World Series in as many years.

And Bauer, easily the leader in all of this, insists there is volumes more that teams haven’t explored.

“There’s just other things that no one does that should be done,” he said on the Yahoo podcast. “The high-speed cameras, you can compute biomechanics on every single play. Hitters, pitchers, whatever. You should have three focused on the hitter and three focused on the pitcher so you can get biomechanics on literally everybody that comes through your stadium. You can check biomechanics on the first and last pitch a pitcher throws, you can check biomechanics on a hitter’s swing that he gets a home run and where he swings and misses. There’s so much data there that no one has any idea what to do with.”

Often dismissed as unorthodox and stubborn, it seems as if the Indians are finally ready to listen to him.

“This year my input actually seems valued, instead of feared, which is nice,” Bauer told our Zack Meisel last month. “I’ve actually been able to have productive conversations with people about my knowledge that can help a lot of other people.”

More information is never a bad thing. Because right now the only important numbers associated with the Indians are 2-8. That’s their record in their last 10 postseason games.

Something has to change. Maybe it’s the technology.

How about Bauer as the first ever Player-GM?

Watching MLB network today and they were talking about the Astros and this stat/data technology issue.

Basically they, the Dodgers and Yankees have front office stat guy mega-staffs roughly double the size of the rest of MLB.

During one of the games of our short series Lindor hit a home run. A couple innings later the network did an in game interview with Astros manager, Hinch. And he said something to the effect of his pitcher threw the wrong breaking pitch to Lindor, one that broke right into his swing plane...

They are really into it. And can not argue with their results.

HB - I look at Verlander and Gerritt Cole. Those freaking guys simply took off once they joined the Astros! Verlander isn't supposed to "take off" at his age. And Cole, with all his stuff, was mediocre with Pittsburgh.

And look at guys like Carl Morton off the scrap heap!?! Even reliever Ryan Pressly was good - then great once traded to them!

So I think it's their work with their pitchers that seems to stand out to me.

Has Trevor Bauer become the most important pitcher on the Cleveland Indians' staff?
Updated Oct 10; Posted Oct 10
Trevor Bauer's versatility has allowed him to make five appearances in the postseason over the last two years for the Indians.

By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com phoynes@cleveland.com
CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Indians have played eight postseason games in the last two years and Trevor Bauer has pitched in five. It's staggering to think how much responsibility they've given him.

Last year he started Games 1 and 4 against the Yankees in the ALDS. He pitched Game 4 on three days' rest and it went poorly, but the Indians obviously knew something wasn't right with Corey Kluber.

This year Bauer, coming back from a stress fracture in his right leg, started the ALDS in the bullpen because the Indians knew it was their weakest link. Manager Terry Francona said it was not an easy sell.

"We had to kind of work through that a little bit," said Francona in Wednesday's end-of-the-season press conference. "I think in his perfect world, he would have pitched in all five games. I tried to tell him in my perfect world he was going to also."

Bauer's season was derailed by a Jose Abreu line drive on Aug. 11 that hit him above the right ankle and put him on the disabled list for the first time in his career. He did not take it well.

"I had to remind him a couple of times, 'Hey, man, I didn't hit you with that line drive,'" said Francona. "That was somebody else. That's how much we appreciate his pitching. He's turned himself into one of the best pitchers in the game."



Bauer appeared in all three games against Houston in this year's ALDS. He pitched a mop up inning in Game 1. Francona waited a tad too late to get him into a 3-1 loss in Game 2. Finally, in Game 3, Bauer entered the game in a perfect situation with the Indians leading, 2-1, in the sixth inning. He worked a scoreless sixth, but lost his control and the game in the seventh when he made two errors and allowed three runs on four hits in one-third of an inning.

It was the second straight year the Indians put a starter in the bullpen for the postseason thinking he'd be a weapon. Last year it was Mike Clevinger. This year it was Bauer. The results have been spotty at best.

No. 2: Indians didn't move needle with Donaldson trade

The Indians knew they were taking a gamble when they traded for Josh Donaldson on Aug. 31. They didn't gain a whole lot, except to find out Donaldson can play the heck out of third base. But they acquired him to hit, which he didn't do.
Donaldson, after missing three months of the season with a calf injury, was going through spring training in September and in the ALDS. Spring training against Houston's pitching staff ... now that would explain his .091 (1-for-11) ALDS batting average.

When the Indians made the trade, baseball executives outside the organization said the best part of the deal was letting Jose Ramirez play his natural position at second base. But Ramirez never looked comfortable there. His most memorable play after the move came in Game 2 of the ALDS when he turned a 5-4-3 double play against Jose Altuve. It was a great turn, but it started when he tripped over second base.


Who would have thought Jason Kipnis would have looked more comfortable in center field than Ramirez did at second?

No.3: Francona, Kipnis talk over "out-scouted, out-coached' remark

After Monday's embarrassing 11-3 loss, Kipnis said the Indians were outplayed in every phase of the game. He added that they were outscouted and outcoached to a certain extent as well.

That must have hit a nerve because Francona said he talked to Kipnis about that remark. He did not tell reporters what the conversation entailed, but before the start of the ALDS Francona said the Indians were well-prepared thanks to the work of Dave Malpass and Tom Wiedenbauer, among others, on breaking down the Astros. Malpass and Wiedenbauer are special assistants to Chris Antonetti and Mike Chernoff.

Then again, the Indians were out-hit .327 to .144 and outscored, 21-6. Kipnis, meanwhile, took a 1-for-9. So maybe the Astros' spies were better than the Tribe's.

No. 4: Tribe coaches, executives could be on the move

Francona said he would not be surprised if some of his coaches are interviewed/hired for one of several managerial vacancies. Bench coach Brad Mills is said to be on the Twins' interview list as is first base coach Sandy Alomar and John McDonald, a minor-league instructor. Derek Falvey, former Tribe executive, is the chief baseball officer for the Twins.


The Twins, Blue Jays, Rangers, Reds and Angels are looking for managers. Chernoff has reportedly talked to the Mets about their vacant GM job. Chernoff just completed his 15th year with the Indians and is second in command to Antonetti.

No. 5. What to do with options on Carrasco, Guyer?

The Indians hold club options on Carlos Carrasco and Brandon Guyer for 2019. Carrasco's option is worth $9 million, while Guyer's is $3 million. Carrasco, who has won 35 games in the last two years, should be a no-brainer. The oft-injured Guyer is another question, even though the Indians are seriously thin in the outfield.

"It's something we have to work through," said Antonetti, regarding Guyer. "We have a handful of decisions and the decision on Brandon's option is one of them."

The Indians have until five days after the World Series to make a decision on Carrasco and Guyer's options.

No. 6: Indians' foundation remains the starting rotation

The Indians could lose as many as nine free agents this winter, but the fact that they are expected to return their entire starting rotation should position them well to win a fourth straight AL Central title.

Kluber, Carrasco, Bauer, Clevinger and Shane Bieber give the Indians a good starting point.


"We didn't have the results we wanted this year, but as we look at where we are moving forward, we still feel like we're in a really good spot organizationally," said Antonetti.

"We're going to have two guys in the top five to top seven of the MVP voting (Francisco Lindor, Jose Ramirez). We're going to have four guys that are in the top 10 in the AL Cy Young balloting (Kluber, Bauer, Carrasco and Clevinger). That's a great foundation to start any offseason."

$3M for Guyer? That sounds nuts but that's about what an average decent part-time OF costs, I guess.

I doubt they do it.

And now for something completely different!



Recap: Q&A with Zack Meisel on the aftermath of the Indians’ season

It’s all over. The Indians came and went with barely a whimper, and now a long winter has arrived. You have questions. You have frustrations. You have concerns. Zack Meisel will listen to anything you have to share or ask in an Indians postmortem at 2 p.m. ET on Friday. Join in to vent or to ask about the past, the present, the future.

Photo: Joe Sargent / Getty Images


Gavin P.
17h ago
Do you think the Indians will prioritize getting Yandy 500-600 PA next season? They need a couple younger players to step up going forward, but despite Yandy being the most-likely candidate for that, he's blocked right now.


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Gavin P. Francona admitted this week that they need to find a way to get Diaz regular at-bats next season, which almost made me spit out my water

4
Quincy W.
17h ago
@Zack Meisel They indicated it might require another position change for him, which I thought was bizarre... what's left for him to try? Second base? Left field?


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Quincy W. Setup man

4
Gavin P.
17h ago
@Quincy W. I know Tito acts like Yandy is history's worst defender...but the advanced metrics have liked him at 3B in the majors, he was named the best defensive third basemen in the Eastern League by opposing managers, and virtually every scouting report on him in AA and AAA liked his defense and overall athleticism. They can find somewhere for him to play.

After all, Brantley and Melky were two of baseball's slowest outfielders last season.

2
Quincy W.
17h ago
@Zack Meisel Well, maybe his biceps might get some outs just from the pure intimidation factor


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Gavin P. Yeah, I would guess Diaz is the starting 3B next year.

2

Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Quincy W. Imagine sitting next to him on a plane.

1
David A.
18h ago
Given Bauer's very public stance that he will go through his next two arbitration years at $10 million plus per year and then take free agency a year at a time, what is the likelihood that the Tribe will look to trade him this offseason? Seems his trade value would be sky high right now.


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@David A. It's an interesting idea because of that, but a lot can change. Bauer saw first-hand how quickly your plans can dissolve when his Cy Young campaign went down the tube after a comebacker struck him. Plus, if they trade him, they have a gaping hole in the rotation, and Bauer might be the league's best pitcher next year. The window is now. Gotta keep him.

5
David A.
17h ago
@Zack Meisel I disagree. Now is the time to get a haul of near major league ready talent in return. The rotation of Kluber, Carrasco, Clevinger and two of Plutko, Anderson, Salazar , Merritt and McKenzie are more than enough to win the central.


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@David A. You'd be trading Bauer to a contender, though. So that's not going to make things any easier. And that group of five you just mentioned is rough. Merritt was DFAed last year because he topped out at 83. Anderson and Salazar? How on earth can you rely on them? McKenzie only threw 90 innings this year at AA because of injuries. It's not about winning the Central. They need to add talent, not subtract. They have two years to win a title.

5
David A.
17h ago
@Zack Meisel I know its a risk, but you have to give something to get something. Oh and I forgot Beiber in that group too.


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@David A. Bieber would be the guy I'd deal

1
Chris T.
18h ago
Will I ever get to be happy again rooting for the tribe :/


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Chris T. “You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life.”
― Albert Camus

8
Chris T.
17h ago
You win this round Meisel

3
Zachary R.
17h ago
My spidey sense says that a lot of what the front office knows does not translate to the field of play due to a lack of buy-in from the manager. Do you think the Indians are lacking in the cross-functional staff that can understand the nerdy stuff but convince the players to do it?


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Zachary R. This is getting a lot of attention over the last week, so I'll address any questions on the topic right here: There is no rift or barrier between the front office and coaching staff. Anyone who wants to get information to the players can do so. The Indians send a front office member on every roadtrip for that purpose. Trevor Bauer talks pitching with Carl Willis, and he talks pitching with Eric Binder. Terry Francona's lineup cheat sheet in the dugout has some advanced stats on it. Now, are the Indians as equipped as the Astros or Yankees when it comes to analytics and scouting? No, and payroll plays a part in that. But if you listen to what Bauer has said, his ideas have been listened to more this year than ever before.

4
Zachary R.
17h ago
@Zack Meisel yet .... Lindor bunts to move runners after hitting 38HR this year. Something doesn't add up. Either the front office and coaching staff don't know basic things, or they are unable to get it to translate it to the field of play. I don't know that there is an alternative to those options, so I think fans are forced to lean towards the latter. Generally everyone knows that is a stupid play, yet nobody has been able to convince Lindor to stop doing it.


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Zachary R. That's Lindor on his own (and trying to bunt for a hit). Believe me, I've asked him about it so many times that he rolls his eyes. I don't think Lindor trying to bunt for a hit = the Indians' coaches are anti-analytics.

Zachary R.
17h ago
right ... but "Lindor doing sub-optimal things on his own" isn't a thing that happens when the front office and manager can convince guys not to do sub-optimal things (repeatedly). Fair?


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Zachary R. Yeah. But this is one example. And it's the face of the franchise doing something, what, 5-10 times a year? And something that, all things considered, isn't a *terrible* baseball decision, if he sees the third baseman playing back and the pitcher is in a groove?

Look, could the Indians stand to be smarter and attempt to find more competitive advantages in the margins to make up for their payroll inefficiencies? Of course. I wrote a long thing two weeks ago about how their front office culture invites that sort of idea-sharing. But we're focusing a little too much on something just because of two comments -- one by a player who's had a brutal last 18 months -- made in the heat of the moment after an ugly, one-sided series.

2
Quincy W.
17h ago
@Zack Meisel It wasn't a terrible decision, but Keuchel is a great fielding pitcher, and it was frustrating in a series where we knew the Indians would need as many runs as possible


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Quincy W. Every time Lindor bunts, the rest of the press box looks my direction because I constantly bitch about it.

2
Dan W.
17h ago
Zack - any thoughts about whether the Indians will explore trading one of their starting pitchers for outfield help? It's such a glaring weak spot, and while you never have enough pitching - maybe they need to try.


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Dan W. It makes some sense, but I'm not sure they can move on from the core four. That's the backbone of the roster, it's what keeps them a contender. Now, if you could acquire an everyday OF of value for, say, Bieber, I'd listen.

Dan W.
17h ago
@Zack Meisel It's a hard decision if you have to part with one of the core four. When you don't have starting pitching - and it's almost taken for granted due to the embarrassment of riches we have in this particular rotation - it's all you think you need. But man, it's hard to see where we can offer value to really bring back the help we need without going there.


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Dan W. The key will be clearing some salary, using freed-up $ wisely, and then dealing some prospects for controllable talent (a la Yelich, Ozuna, Pham)

Kevin S.
17h ago
@Zack Meisel Speaking of Pham, are we allowed to vent about the Indians front office not trading for him? Were there any character concerns or questions about his fit in the clubhouse? I know one Cardinals player alluded to him being traded as “addition by subtraction.”

1
Gavin P.
17h ago
@Zack Meisel Pretty amazing that Yelich, Ozuna, Grichuk, Pham, and Piscotty were all moved and the Indians traded for zero of them.

3

Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Kevin S. Absolutely vent. As mentioned by Gavin below, a lot of outfielders have been traded over the last year that could've helped, some for little in return. But, hey, Melky!

2
adam M.
17h ago
How many years until Josh Tomlin is either the pitching coach or manager of the Indians?

2

Zack Meisel
17h ago
@adam M. Hopefully very few. You can learn so much from talking to him about anything.

4

T.J. Z.
17h ago
Panda or Canes?

2
Zachary A.
17h ago
Canes, what kind of question is this.

2

Zack Meisel
17h ago
@T.J. Z. Aren't there three meals in a day? Why decide when you can have both 1.5 times?

1
Patrick R.
18h ago
Could you handicap the Tribe's chances of resigning Michael Brantley? Everybody who's in the know seems to be of the opinion that he's gone, which bothers me. For once, the Tribe needs to keep a star that hits free agency.

2

Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Patrick R. When he met with Francona and Antonetti the other day, they all acted as though it was a final goodbye. Now, that doesn't mean the two sides won't talk as the offseason unfolds. But the Indians are going to have limited funds unless they can find a taker for Kipnis, Edwin, Alonso, etc. And I'm not sure they feel comfortable getting into a bidding war over an aging outfielder whose days in the outfield are numbered.

2
Jason R.
17h ago
I was hoping that MB could move to first


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Jason R. He should, but they already have Encarnacion, Alonso and Diaz

Jason R.
17h ago
With this comment it just sunk in MB is gone. We need an OF and he’s not going to solve that long term. Sad day

Dan W.
17h ago
I think the Alonso for Santana swap out was okay for the regular season, but reared its ugly head in postseason. Los always provided good at bats in postseason, and you could always count on him to take pitchers deep in the count, and get on base a lot even when he wasn't hitting that well. Alonso - not so much. He's an easy K most of the time against good pitchers. I don't think people realize how much difference that makes in the postseason lineup. Looked okay in regular season, but in postseason it was a major downgrade.


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Dan W. Frankly, I'd rather have Diaz in there everyday than Alonso. His last two months were brutal.

3
Dan W.
17h ago
@Zack Meisel I agree. Yandy is an amazing hitter, seems like a natural. Line drives with velocity all the time. Battles at the plate. Hope he develops some power. If he does, look out. Alonso for Los was a bad move, and it all showed up in postseason.

1
Aaron G.
17h ago
From the "sky is falling department" is there any concern of Tito losing the clubhouse ala Boston? The quotes from a few of the players about being out scouted and out coached were a little concerning. Is it a real issue or was it just season ending frustration?

1

Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Aaron G. Both. The Clevinger comment was strange. The Kipnis one is understandable -- he's a veteran, had a miserable year and knows the team tried to dump him last winter. I don't think there's an issue of Francona "losing the clubhouse." Manny Acta lost the clubhouse in 2012. This is nothing like that.

2

Zack Meisel
18h ago
All right, let's get to it.

1
Kevin S.
17h ago
@Zack Meisel Is there anything more concrete of a reason for Jose Ramirez's disappearance for a month and a half other than "everyone goes through a slump?" The disparity between his brilliant first half production and then his performance in the final seven weeks of the season and ALDS, an OPS of .546 which ranked the lowest of any Major League qualifier, is so extreme that there has to be more to the equation than your typical slump.


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Kevin S. He was dealing with a sore wrist around the All-Star break. *However* -- it was never mentioned as an excuse by him or by Francona, so we shouldn't assign blame for his putrid performance to that. I think it's more so that he fell into a funk, stopped getting fastballs, and was pressing so much to get out of it, that it was a downward spiral and his mechanics got out of whack and his confidence vanished. And then when you face Verlander/Cole on the grand stage, that doesn't help.

2
Gavin P.
17h ago
Bigger impact in 2019: Oscar Mercado or Yu Chang?


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Gavin P. Mercado. Easy to see how he factors in. Tough to see where Chang fits (on another team, would be a sensible answer)

1
Gavin P.
17h ago
@Zack Meisel I'd like to think Chang could be a better version of EGon, but you're probably right. I'd be thrilled if the Indians could turn Chang + Oviedo or something into a quality OF option.


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Gavin P. Boom. There, you fixed one outfield spot. Now fix the other two.

2
Brittany H.
17h ago
Lindor was 1st in the majors in plate appearances while Ramirez was 11th. Meanwhile, Erik Gonzalez only had 143 plate appearances. If the coaching staff doesn’t feel comfortable playing Gonzalez more to give Lindor and Ramirez some extra rest, will there be talks in the off-season about upgrading the utility spot? I see other contenders use their utility guys on a semi-regular basis to keep guys fresh.

1

Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Brittany H. Good point. A team like the Indians needs to either have a cheap option at utility player so it can spend money elsewhere, or a super-versatile and reliable option at utility player (Mike Aviles), so it can have a more efficient roster. They didn't use Gonzalez enough, even when he was hitting well early.

1

Zack Meisel
17h ago
But since Gonzalez is out of options and the Indians will be low on spending money, I'd imagine Gonzalez remains in that role. Maybe they'll use him more.

1
Zack D.
17h ago
What are some realistic names we might kick the tires on in free agency ?

Gavin P.
17h ago
@Zack D. Not Zack, but AJ Pollock and Marwin Gonzalez are names that immediately jump to mind.

Brantley more than likely won't return, and Martin/Zimmer are both massive question marks due to their health.

Their first, second, and third priorities should be the OF.


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Gavin P. Yeah, I haven't studied the FA list too intently yet, but Pollock is a guy they've coveted for a long time. Issue is, as always, he might be too rich for their blood.

2
Aaron C.
18h ago
Who has a better chance of being the opening Day starter in LF? Kipnis or Brantle

Also where do you play simulation baseball and any chances of an Athletic League?


Zack Meisel
18h ago
@Aaron C. Francona casually went out of his way to mention that Kipnis could probably handle LF if the situation ever arose. Not sure if that was a hint at their plans, or to try to boost his trade value. I'd say better chance of Kipnis, just because he's actually under contract at the moment.

Hardball Dynasty on WhatIfSports. It's addicting, life-ruining and incredible. Highly recommend for any wannabe GMs.

2
Rick B.
18h ago
Zac, are we done with Andrew Miller and Cody Allen? Should we retain or rebuild the bullpen of today? That seems to me an area that needs the most improvement overall.


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Rick B. The pen needs a lot of work. And here's hoping the front office learned its lesson, that even if you think you have enough arms, keep stockpiling. I think Miller and Allen will depart. Allen is too risky; I think he just ran out of gas. Miller is too risky; can't count on his health.

There could be a ton of boom-or-bust guys: Edwards, Salazar, Anderson, Olson, Cimber. But they need more. And they need a few reliable arms, too. It's basically Brad Hand and the island of misfit toys.

2
Alex W.
17h ago
Hi Zack, Are the any planned media appearances or Interviews planned with the Dolans for the off-season? I'm so sick of hearing that payroll is maxed out, even with all of our departing free agents and I want to hear from the owners themselves, of what their strategy is going to be to get enough talent in CLE to make another run at a World Series while they still can.


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Alex W. Winter Meetings: Dec. 9-13. Las Vegas. Gulp.


Zack Meisel
17h ago
Paul Dolan doesn't like to do much media, and when he does, you're not going to get specific, enlightening answers about payroll. We've tried. And, obviously, the front office isn't going to gripe about it publicly. We'll keep in touch with the front office throughout the offseason, and we'll also have conference calls with them whenever the team makes decisions.

2
Zachary A.
18h ago
Any thoughts on a mini-fire sale of sorts to get some bullpen and outfield help? Trading guys like Kluber, Kip, Edwin. I know the last 2 probably aren't gonna fetch much if anything but I imagine Kluber would generate interest. Hate to lose a guy like him but the team needs some help.


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Zachary A. It'd be wise to try to convince someone to take Kipnis (easier this year than last) or Encarnacion (difficult but maybe not impossible). I don't think there's enough SP depth to deal Kluber. Plus, you would be dealing him to a contender. That isn't ideal.

2
Patrick P.
17h ago
Will Danny Salazar and Cody Anderson be anchoring the pen next year? Also please don’t say Yandy is going back to triple A. If he is not the starting 1st/ 3rd basemen....


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Patrick P. I think they'll find a way to get Yandy everyday at-bats. And they'll build Salazar/Anderson up as starters in the spring, and then, my guess would be they'll head to the bullpen since the rotation is stocked.

1
Casey H.
17h ago
What happened to your leg?


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Casey H. First day of offseason workouts. Stress fracture in my right foot. So frustrating. Will consult with Bauer to see how soon before I can throw off the mound.

1
Dan W.
17h ago
Zack what is your over/under on the Cavs @ 30.5 wins?


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Dan W. This is actually complex. If they're out of the playoff picture, they *should* tank in the second half so they keep their first round pick. So, if they follow that strategy, they'll probably either win, say, 40 or win, say, 25. I'll take the under.

1
Quincy W.
17h ago
With the various comments from Clevinger, Kipnis and an anonymous Tribe player about being out-scouted by the Astros and under-prepared by the Indians' staff, do you think there is a need for increased reliance on analytics from the Indians' coaching staff? Do you think Tito is willing to recognize and accept that need? The coaching staff all being in their mid-late 50's doesn't make me feel real comfortable on this issue, but Tito has always seemed open to new ideas from my distant observations


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Quincy W. Maybe a new voice would help on the coaching staff (Francona says he doesn't anticipate any changes, unless someone gets hired away), but it's not like the Indians are anti-analytics or anti-scouting. I touched on this above. Yes, the Astros are the kings of this sort of thing. But that isn't why they destroyed the Indians in the ALDS.

1
Bobby A.
17h ago
How do they fix this team? The starting pitching is there, and the infield is in theory great, but they're plagued by inconsistency and a poor outfield. Meanwhile, the bullpen is a horror show. What's the path forward, if there is one?


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Bobby A. Well, a stroke of fortune on the health front would be a good start. If Salazar/Anderson can help the bullpen, that would go a long way. The key is fixing the outfield. And it would be beneficial if they could dump Kipnis' contract or Alonso's contract to clear up a little space to address it.


Zack Meisel
17h ago
Thanks for the questions/venting, everyone. Take the weekend to complete your grieving and then we'll be back with plenty of stuff next week and moving forward on the offseason plans, how they can reshape this roster, the front office, the coaching staff and, of course, the Top 25 Random Jersey Sightings of 2018.

Teresa E.
17h ago
I'm so very sad.
Without miller and Allen that frees up $19 million, if brantley doesn't come back that's another, what, $10 million. So what do we shop for?
Do you think jose prefers third or second? If he goes to back to third, kippy stays at second and yandy goes to first could we free up more $$ without yonder?
We need bullpen arms

Patrick P.
17h ago
Unfortunately the raises will offset free agency losses and net about 9 million to spend which isn’t much. That’s assuming we lose everyone in free agency.


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Teresa E. There won't be a ton to spend, so they'll need to try to dump Kipnis or Encarnacion or Alonso.

Quincy W.
18h ago
Jon Edwards, Neil Ramirez, Kieran Lovegrove, Nick Sandlin or Triston McKenzie - which of these pitchers do you think is most likely to be a valuable reliever in the Tribe's 2019 bullpen?


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Quincy W. They nearly put Jon Edwards on the playoff roster, so that's my answer. That said, Sandlin seems like a guy who will work his way onto the roster at some point next season.

bob C.
18h ago
Two questions regard Kluber. Firstly, what are his chances at the HOF at this point? He's coming off a pretty good regular season that will most likely see him finish Top 5 in Cy Young Voting. What more does he have to do?

Secondly, what do you think is the reasoning for Kluber's playoff ineffectiveness in Game 1 this year? Personally I think 4-5 years of 200+ innings plus playoffs has left him drained at the end of the year ala Chris Sale.


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@bob C. Ten players in MLB history have won three Cy Young awards. Seven are in the HOF. The other three: Kershaw (HOFer), Scherzer (HOFer) and Clemens (HOFer if not for the alleged syringes in his backside). So, winning another one would certainly cement his status. But, more than anything, he just needs volume. If he can be a solid workhorse for another five years, he'll probably have a strong case.

It's tough to say. I don't know that it's one thing. He had a month-long break last year when he had the back issue and he was the most dominant pitcher in the league the rest of the way ... until the ALDS. This year, he got a breather at the All-Star break, they finagled his schedule in September to best suit him and he was fine ... until the ALDS.

When it boils down to it, I really think he just got beat. He left a few pitches over the middle of the plate to some of the league's best hitters. He doesn't throw hard enough to miss like that and get away with it. And it looked like he nibbled too much in that Game 1 start. Everything to righties was away. So if he fell behind, he paid for it.

Eric B.
18h ago
What's the latest on Brady Aiken?


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Eric B. He spent the entire year working on his delivery and velocity in Arizona. I will have to confirm, but I'd imagine he'll show up to spring training in normal fashion.

Colin T.
17h ago
Out of Miller, Allen and Brantley, who, if any, gets a qualifying offer?


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Colin T. We play this game every October and it's usually pretty simple. This year, it's so challenging. I'll say Brantley is the only one. And I'll say he declines.

Matthew T.
17h ago
How much payroll flexibility will the Indians have next off season? After all the arbitration numbers come in it doesn't seem like there will be much budget remaining to fix any holes. Is trading a starting pitcher the most realistic scenario to fixing part of the outfield problem which in my judgment is a massive problem.


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Matthew T. Not a ton. Enough to grab a couple relievers, maybe, but nothing crazy unless they dump some salary. Their SP make peanuts, so they can't fill that hole via FA. Personally, I'm not comfortable with a rotation of, say, Carrasco/Clevinger/Bauer/Bieber/Plutko if I'm trying to win a title. I'd feel differently if I knew Salazar was 2016 first half Salazar.

Justin L.
17h ago
What's your take on Kluber's release point issues? Injury-related last season? Wonky mechanics this year or does he feel that he's most comfortable with that release point now? I think I remember reading something about Carl Willis saying Kluber is "does his own thing" with regards to his delivery but what's your guess about it given that it's been an issue late in the season two straight years now.


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Justin L. The issue with this is, we'll never know the extent of Kluber's injuries. And if he refuses to use it as an excuse and the team refuses to use it as an excuse (hell, they started him twice last year and in Game 1 this year), then we shouldn't either. So, it's hard to say. When he isn't perfect, it's easy to nitpick, because he's such a machine out there.

AGC C.
17h ago
I feel like I’m in the minority....I’d love to resign some of these guys and run this team back....

Sign Miller & Donaldson to 1 yr prove it deals

Am I crazy?

Teresa E.
17h ago
I still haven't said #27's name. He was a rental who didn't provide what we needed in postseason. Ugh


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@AGC C. In theory, it's a great idea. But those sorts of deals are usually expensive, and the Indians are already teetering on the brink of Dolan payroll doom.

Gavin P.
17h ago
Bigger impact in 2019: Oscar Mercado or Yu Chang?


Zack Meisel
17h ago
@Gavin P. Mercado. Easy to see how he factors in. Tough to see where Chang fits (on another team, would be a sensible answer)

I don't know if Mercado is any good but we certainly have need for outfielders who can avoid getting injured and missing half the season. That might be good enough to earn a spot.