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5 Moves The Cleveland Indians Need To Make This Offseason

By Nick Dudukovich

Oct 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona before game one of the 2016 World Series against the Chicago Cubs at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona before game one of the 2016 World Series against the Chicago Cubs at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 1, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Bartolo Colon (40) throws during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Bartolo Colon (40) throws during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

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Assuming Cleveland Indians pitchers are healthy entering 2017, the Tribe should be the favorites to win the AL Central.

Corey Kluber was excellent during the regular season and postseason. Danny Salazar was an All-Star who looked poised to win the Cy Young Award until injuries derailed his second half. Carlos Carrasco would be an Ace for a lot of big-league teams, while Trevor Bauer looks like a reliable fourth or fifth starter assuming there are no more drone related injuries.

The Indians have nice prospects in the minors as well. Mike Clevinger and Ryan Merritt should be given opportunities to win the fifth starter’s spot.

However, even those Clevinger and Merritt look promising, the Indians should try and find some free-agent help this winter.

Cleveland fans are well aware of how the payroll works, so forget any top tier free agents.

But some affordable productive arms that will be free agents this season include Doug Fister, Bartolo Colon and Mat Latos

Fister made $7 million last season, while Colon made $7.25 million. Both players could probably be signed for similar dollar values. Yes Colon is 43, but he just won 15 games while posting a 3.43.

Latos is another name to be considered as well. Latos hasn’t been good the past couple of seasons, but it wasn’t that long ago that he posting a 3.25 ERA for the Reds in 2014. Latos would come cheap, and you’d have to wonder if Mickey Callaway can help him salvage his career. Latos is only 29, and Chris Antonetti loves buying lottery tickets.

Even if the Indians don’t land one of these pitchers, the point should be well taken.

It’s a long season. Assume that one of the Indians “Big 3” won’t make it through the season. Injuries can be a witch.

The Tribe most protect it’s rotation, because as amazing as the Tribe starters were in October, reality caught up with the group during the final three games of the World Series.

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