Factory Of Sadness
FanSided

Cleveland Indians: Expectations For Michael Brantley Should Be Tempered

By Ryan Landolph

Apr 27, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Cleveland Indians left fielder Michael Brantley (23) hits a RBI fly ball in the fifth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Cleveland Indians left fielder Michael Brantley (23) hits a RBI fly ball in the fifth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Cleveland Indians will eventually get back a piece of their core in Michael Brantley, but don’t expect his play early on to be All-Star caliber.

Pitchers and catchers for the Cleveland Indians reported to the team’s spring training facility in Goodyear, Arizona on Sunday. Thus, effectively ended the “offseason” for the team. However, some players have already been preparing for the 2017 season for weeks.

One of those players is Michael Brantley, who played in just 11 games last year after suffering a torn labrum late in the 2015 season. He had surgery prior to the 2016 season and another this past August after he suffered a setback.

The 29-year-old lefty received MVP consideration in both 2014 and 2015, and his absence last year was crushing for the Tribe. Even despite Jose Ramirez‘s career-best campaign, Brantley’s bat was severely missed in the lineup.

His journey back from surgery is at a similar point to where it was last season. This time, the Indians must move forward with extreme patience and caution. The team cannot count on another Ramirez-esque performance from another utility player this season.

More from Factory of Sadness

On Jan. 29, Cleveland.com’s Paul Hoynes noted that Brantley has progressed to “hitting a ball off a tee every day … (and) swinging the bat twice a day, (with) each session consisting of three sets of 40 to 50 swings.” He updated his status on Feb. 10, saying “I think there is legitimate concern among the Indians’ front office and coaching staff about the state of Brantley’s shoulder.”

While this information may sound demoralizing for Brantley’s chances at a successful return this season, it is important to note that Brantley himself is optimistic. It is also important that fans have tempered expectations for him this season.

Even if he is able to make it back for opening day – which seems extremely unlikely – it is not fair to expect Brantley to return to MVP-level play. Labrum surgery is an extensive process, and he may never be the same player he was pre-surgery.

The Indians’ lineup is much improved compared to the last time Brantley played a full season. Francisco Lindor proved he is an all-star player and Jason Kipnis, Lonnie Chisenhall and Ramirez have all shown improvement.

More from Cleveland Guardians

Meanwhile, Tyler Naquin emerged as a rookie and the Tribe added potentially the best bat in the lineup this offseason in Edwin Encarnacion. Therefore, Brantley simply needs to be a complementary piece.

For that reason, it is hard to envision Brantley as an everyday player to begin the season. Chisenhall, Naquin, Brandon Guyer and Abraham Almonte are more than capable of handling three of the outfield spots while waiting for Brantley to get 100 percent healthy.

Hopefully, Cleveland learned from their lesson last year and does not rush Brantley back into the lineup. His health during the postseason push this time around is most important.

The Indians are poised to make another run back to the World Series this year. However, this time, Brantley is likely to be an active member of this team. Still, fans need to remember that he likely will not play at the 2014 or 2015 MVP candidate level.

Next: How Many Wins Are Projected For The Tribe?

However, that does not mean he will not make a big impact when playoff time comes around. Brantley just needs some time and patience to work back into form.

Home/Cleveland Guardians