Cleveland Indians: What Should Be Done To Improve?

By Ric McElroy | Aug 20, 2015

In order to get the Cleveland Indians back to being a contender, they need to make some major adjustments. Where should the team look to improve the team?

First things first. This team as it is constructed now, is not going anywhere. The Indians win three games but then lose four. Playing like that will lead them to not being able to move up in the standings towards clinching a wild card spot. Plus, there are too many other teams in their path. The Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Rays, among others are all above the Indians.

So we are where we are every year, looking to next year, and wondering what the Tribe could do for the core of this team to upgrade and fill the many holes they have. It’s too early to mention names, but there are positions and other offensive help we can delve into.

Here is something that’s not a surprise: the need of one or hopefully two right-handed power hitters! Those hitters should not be castoffs, but honest to goodness veteran highly qualified power bats. Those players should have a history of hitting with men on base and not be on their last legs, close to retiring from the game.

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The Indians seem to have the infield figured out except first base. Carlos Santana is not hitting and is not exemplary on defense. 1B is a power position and he has hit with power but not in the last year or longer. A big bat would be welcome here along with a better defensive player.

Most of the rest of the infield, although young and inexperienced, could be fine. Time will tell. Jason Kipnis, Francisco Lindor, and Giovanny Urshela should all be given a chance. Kipnis, the most experienced of the three, already has made two MLB A.L. All Star teams. Those achievements occurred in 2013 and during this season. Jose Ramierz or Mike Aviles could also be a decent short time utility player.

Michael Brantley is fine in left field if he can stay away from back trouble and other minor injuries. That leaves the other two outfield positions. The Tribe needs a speedy, high on base percentage, slap hitter to play center field. Yes, the second coming of Kenny Lofton wouldn’t hurt, but this will be difficult to find. I am hoping either Tyler Naquin or James Ramsey will develop. Naquin is the slap hitter, Ramsey is power.

Right field is a place with a question. Can Lonnie Chisenhall continue to hit or will he fall off again? They may need the second power hitter here if he can’t sustain his average and some of the power he’s shown. Then there’s the DH. Cleveland needs a replacement there too.

Yan Gomes and Roberto Perez can handle the catching if Gomes gets back to the way he was before his early season injury. They seem to handle the staff alright and their defense is fair.

I will deal with the pitching at another time. They need some real help in the bullpen and a fifth starter.

What do you think they need and don’t get carried away? Yes it would be nice to get Mike Trout, but let’s keep it real.

Next: Cleveland Indians: Corey Kluber Should Win A.L. Cy Young Award

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