Cleveland Indians: What changes should be made this offseason?

Changes are needed for the 2018 Cleveland Indians, but what are they?

To the surprise of many, the Cleveland Indians were bounced in the 2017 ALDS to the New York Yankees. During that series many areas of disappointment were evident. From how Corey Kluber pitched (due to injury) to the inability to get hits and manufacture runs.

So, now that the season is over and changes are on the horizon, what changes should the front office make?

First and foremost, try to retain both Mickey Calloway and Sandy Alomar Jr. Both are critical to the team’s success but both are managerial candidates elsewhere. Since Terry Francona is not leaving any time soon, it’s hard to imagine either staying in Cleveland if they were offered a manager role. If I had to choose one I could keep, I’m taking the Tribe’s former backstop.

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From there, Michael Brantley’s option needs declined and Jason Kipnis needs a new home. Brantley is a shell of himself and had no business being on the ALDS despite being an all-star this season. According to baseball-reference.com, Brantley’s slash line was .299/.357/.444/.801 to go along with nine home runs and 52 RBI.

Kipnis’ play meanwhile reminds me of a square peg in a round hole. Something just didn’t seem right and it increasingly was bothersome every time I saw him play.

Kipnis achieved a slash line of .232/.291/.414/.705 in addition to 12 home runs and 35 RBI. Remember, by dealing Kipnis, who makes more than $13 million starting next season, Cleveland would have more flexibility keeping their core together.

I don’t want to see Kipnis back at second and he is not a center fielder. Now, other teams may view him as an upgrade, but long-term, he is not an answer in Cleveland — especially with that price tag.

Speaking of their core, how does the Indians not start the 2018 season with Jay Bruce and Carlos Santana on their roster? If Santana doesn’t return, maybe Lonnie Chisenhall gets the call at first.If not, first base is a glaring hole.

Hopefully it doesn’t come to that. Bruce was the boost Cleveland needed and earned even more money through his play in the ALDS. In just 48 regular season games, Bruce racked up seven home runs and 26 RBI.

Santana is never a first half player, but that doesn’t stop him from putting up numbers. Santana batted .259 (the same as last season) and accumulated 23 home runs and 79 RBI. The first baseman is likely the best option on the free agent market but there is no reason for him to even see the open market as long as Cleveland does it job and brings him back.

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Of course more moves will be made, but these are the headliners. Once those players’ and coaches’ situations are resolved then the Indians are likely to focus on lower tier priorities. Whether the moves listed above happens or not remains to be seen, but hopefully when it is all said and done, Cleveland is significantly upgraded come spring training.

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