By Jordan Bastian MLB.com @MLBastian Feb. 9th, 2018
CLEVELAND -- The makeup of an Opening Day roster can change a few days into the regular season, so trying to predict the initial alignment of a team's cast is tricky nearly two months in advance. Trades, signings, injuries or other developments can quickly alter a club's construction.
For the Indians, much of the same group that won 102 games and cruised to the American League Central crown last year returns for the 2018 campaign. There have been a handful of losses this offseason -- Carlos Santana, Jay Bruce and Bryan Shaw among them -- but the rotation remains intact and the lineup consists of many of the same names from last summer's run to the playoffs.
Cleveland might not be done with its offseason maneuvering, either.
"I wouldn't be surprised if we end up with somebody else," Indians manager Terry Francona said recently. "If we don't, go play. I like our team a lot."
The Tribe's biggest offseason addition was signing free-agent first baseman Yonder Alonso to a two-year contract. He will join a lineup that is awaiting word as to whether left fielder Michael Brantley (right ankle surgery) will be ready come Opening Day. Brantley's status could impact how the Opening Day roster shakes out, as the Indians will also have competition for rotation jobs, bullpen roles and bench spots.
As things stand today, here is an early prediction for how the Tribe's Opening Day 25-man roster might look:
Catcher: Yan Gomes, Roberto Perez
The Indians have a 1A and 1B situation with their two catchers. The only question right now is which of Gomes or Perez will log the higher percentage of innings behind the plate. Behind them, Cleveland has top prospect Francisco Mejia waiting for his window of opportunity.
First base: Alonso
Coming off a career year, Alonso signed a two-year contract worth $16 million, and has a $9 million team option for 2020 included in the deal. The first baseman hit 28 home runs and posted a .501 slugging percentage and .866 OPS last year with the A's and Mariners.
Second base: Jose Ramirez
Francona has noted that Jason Kipnis will likely be the Opening Day second baseman, but that could be influenced by Brantley's situation. If Brantley isn't ready for the start of the year, Ramirez may slide back to second, opening up some different possibilities for third base and the outfield.
Shortstop: Francisco Lindor
Write this one in pen. Lindor is coming off an impressive season in which he launched 33 home runs and won a Silver Slugger Award. Ramirez (29 homers, 56 doubles and a .957 OPS) and Lindor finished third and fifth, respectively, in voting for the AL MVP Award last year.
Third base: Yandy Diaz
This spot might also be contingent on Brantley's status. If Ramirez moves to second, that could pave the way for Diaz to work his way into the Opening Day picture for the second straight year. If Ramirez remains at third, Diaz would still be in the mix for a bench job.
Designated hitter: Edwin Encarnacion
The signing of Alonso allows Encarnacion (38 homers and 107 RBIs in '17) to stay mostly in the DH role for Cleveland. Encarnacion could see time at first on days that Alonso gets a break. Brantley and Diaz might also be candidates to get some at-bats as a DH this year, if Encarnacion is out of the lineup or at first.
Until there is clarity with Brantley's comeback, there will be a chance that Kipnis opens the year in left field. Zimmer looks like a shoo-in to start the season in center, with Chisenhall over in right. Now, Chisenhall did play some left last year as well, so he could switch corners, which would give Cleveland the ability to consider other scenarios for right.
Bench: Abraham Almonte, Erik Gonzalez, Melvin Upton Jr.
Like Brantley, outfielder Brandon Guyer (left wrist) is questionable for Opening Day. If Guyer is not ready, that would pave the way for the right-handed-hitting Upton (signed to a Minor League contract) to crack the Opening Day roster. Almonte's ability to switch hit and play all three outfield spots makes him a strong bench candidate, too. Gonzalez and Giovanny Urshela (both out of Minor League options) will be in the mix for a utility job.
Rotation: Trevor Bauer, Carlos Carrasco, Corey Kluber, Danny Salazar, Josh Tomlin
The rotation is the backbone of Cleveland's roster and returns with the same cast. Kluber, who won the AL Cy Young Award, will head the staff with Carrasco and Bauer behind him. Mike Clevinger, Salazar and Tomlin are the main candidates for the two remaining rotation jobs. Lefty Ryan Merritt (out of options) is next on the depth chart. The race is too close to call.
Bullpen: Cody Allen, Clevinger, Nick Goody, Zach McAllister, Andrew Miller, Tyler Olson, Dan Otero
This is an area the Indians may still look to upgrade before Opening Day arrives. In the meantime, Clevinger would be an option for a relief role if he does not make the cut for the rotation. Allen and Miller return as the main late-inning weapons, and Francona may mix and match in leverage spots with McAllister, Otero, Goody and Olson to make up for the loss of Shaw.
Jordan Bastian has covered the Indians for MLB.com since 2011, and previously covered the Blue Jays from 2006-10. Read his blog, Major League Bastian, follow him on Twitter @MLBastian and Facebook.
With 7 guys competing for 5 spots in the rotation, although Kluber Carrasco and Bauer are locks for a spot, it'll be interesting to see how it shakes out coming out of Spring Training.
I noticed Greg Allen was not mentioned. He has elite speed and defensive ability, just needs to improve at the plate. I'd expect to see him some in 2018.
Looking forward to seeing Bobby Bradley during Spring Training.
This is a great photo from 1963. Tito Francona (second from the right) and Terry (fourth from the right among the kids) together in Cleveland's dugout.
Back when I was first becoming aware of sports, 6 or 7 years old, my heroes were Rocky, Tito, and Vic Power for the Indians, along with Jimmy Brown and Bobby Mitchell for the Browns. Time has flown by, but I still have this baseball card ...
Rest in peace Tito, condolences to the Francona family.
RIP Tito, and my prayers and condolences to his family.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
I'm not sure the choice would be between Salazar and Clevenger - maybe more like Salazar and Tomlin. I admire the hell out of Tomlin for being such a competitor, but watching him nibble makes me nervous. Reminds me of back when we had the likes of Wickman or Borowski at closer.
I think Salazar is done. He was high risk injury prone anyways..between that and control issues, he might be best served as a setup/closer. I've said this for a few years now that I think that might be his best role and it might help him stay healthy
Rajai Davis is in Tribe camp. Said Chisenhall: “We’re getting the band back together.” Indians haven’t announced anything, but hearing it’s a Minor League deal with non-roster invite.
I think his game fits Francona's style of play really well. He is also insurance if Brantley cannot stay healthy again this year.
Romans 10:9 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thy heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."
Yeah, mostly insurance probably. HOpefully that AVG goes up a tad
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
AL Central just got weaker - Eric Hosmer signed with the Padres.
for quite a bit of cash
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
