Cleveland Sports Forum

OK, now THAT'S funny!

So near yet so far away.

We have a few holes to fill this off season, so, I'm hoping history does not repeat itself, AGAIN.

We've arrived at this point before, TWICE! We failed to make the appropriate upgrades in 2001 and 2007 and as a result did not repeat the following seasons. If we expect to repeat in 2017, I recommend some due diligence, some homework, and some serious upgrades.

We never made it past the division championship series in 2001 losing to the Mariners. We lost the league championship series to Boston in 2007. It took us 9 years to recover between 2007 and 2016. Let's hope it won't be another 9 years between league championships.

Don't see the need for significant upgrades. Need to return or replace Napoli and Davis. Need to get Brantley back 151 games, not 11. Need to keep Carrasco from getting hit with line drives. Need to mix Yandy Diaz into the platoon.
Depth in the rotation exists already with Clevinger and Merritt.
Bullpen will have Miller from day 1.
I guess we could use another lefty in the pen.
Two catchers will fight it out and may the best defender win.
IF from 2nd-ss-third is as good as anyone's
Guyer and Diaz as RH bats along with Naquin and Chisenhall as LH bats comprise perfectly adequate 2/3 of the OF, so perhaps we don't need Davis back but I'd like him at least to spell Brantley and perhaps Michael still won't be healed?
Sounds like a good team to me.
Since we missed winning the World Series by just a bit and we actually had more bad luck than good, I feel very optimistic and know that more in-house support will be on the way in a couple more seasons with Mejia and Chang and Allen and a bunch more infielders to add to the bench or to trade; and with McKenzie and Aiken as top notch starters; and Armstrong ready to add to the pen now.
No reason we shouldn't expect a lengthy run as front-runners who eventually will get a bit more luck and win the Series before everyone on the Forum dies.

Good point about luck.

Look, this year's playoffs were more than enough proof that you GET to the playoffs then hope you are playing well at the time and get the breaks.

You will never convince me the Tribe was the best team in the American League. Especially when you take away Salazar and Carrasco, that idea is laughable. They were a very good team with GREAT coaching and amazing chemistry. The front office struck gold with the Andrew Miller trade coupled with Shaw and Allen, as well as a great manager who knew how to leverage the.

So for next year, our rotation, bullpen and team is more than good enough to make another division title a reasonable expectation. Once you get that you are in business.

But the idea that we were 1 game away so we need to improve 1 game's worth is flawed. You get TO the playoffs then leave it to Tito and Lady Luck.

Depth is the key. Injuries happen and the teams with the best "next man up", fair the best.

I still see Michael Martinez at the plate... down to their last out. I know Francona never intended for Martinez to come to the plate, but he did.

The deeper the better.

Francona, recovering from hip surgery, named AL MANAGER of the year!

Nearly unanimous, easy pick even if the vote was taken before the playoffs.

Today they announce Cy Young. Porcello, Verlander and Kluber are the three "finalists". I expect Porcello with Corey second, again the post-season is not part of this determination.

It would be nice to get Chris Archer back this off season.

RULE 5 Top Prospect Eligibles

Cleveland Indians (4)

4. Francisco Mejia, C
23. Nellie Rodriguez, 1B
27. Luis Lugo, LHP
30. Anthony Santander, OF/1B

Those are old rankings, I assume. BA now lists Mejia as our No. 1. I'm sure Santander will move into the second 10 after his excellent 2016. By tonight they'll both be on the roster. Nellie is a questionable prospect and Lugo's been pretty disappointing but he's a big lefty who at least has stayed healthy. But unsure anyone would think of drafting him now with no AA experience.

paul hoynes ‏@hoynsie 18 minutes ago
Indians claim LHP Tim Cooney from Cards. Did not pitch this season. Chris Cotillo, SB Nation, had it first. More moves coming.

MiLB Roster Tracker @MiLB_Tracker
#Indians have claimed LHP Edwin Escobar off waivers from #DBacks

Tribe also purchased contract of Frankie Mejia and outrighted Chris Giminez today.

paul hoynes ‏@hoynsie 29 minutes ago
Indians have added catcher Francisco Mejia to roster. They're at 40. No more moves expected tonight.