Cleveland Indians: No more excuses are needed this season

The story the Cleveland Indians are pushing is getting old.

This season has already seen many ups and downs. Yet, the Cleveland Indians are still atop their division. That is great and all but there really is not much competition in the division. Everything now is in preparation for the postseason which is where many challenges await.

Prior to getting to that point, which is a long time from now but will be here before we know it, the Tribe needs to step up their decision-making when it comes to the roster. A couple of years ago, important additions were made for their run at a championship.

Those were appreciated and although they are a small market team, do they really have too? No, just look at the type of players being added by the other teams in the city.

The Dolans won’t sell but they can’t manage as-is. While some of their decisions have been great, others have been beneficial strictly thanks to their front office.

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What Cleveland needs is a blank checkbook (not to the point the Boston Red Sox and others have but a decent increase nonetheless) and less loyalty to veterans. When Boston rebuilds it doesn’t seem like they are rebuilding. That is the difference between a team like them and Cleveland.

Although Cleveland isn’t rebuilding both needs come into play in their current state. The Indians signed Yonder Alonso instead of Carlos Santana. I get that move but ehh…. who’s to say with more willingness via the checkbook that he wouldn’t be back? Picking up Michael Brantley‘s option was not the business move either. I hold my breath every time he plays he doesn’t get injured.

More recently, Cleveland decided to call up Greg Allen but still doesn’t play Rajai Davis. Why wasn’t Davis DFA’d? Also, why are pitchers such as Josh Tomlin and Zach McAllister still on the roster?

All three are due to too much veteran loyalty and that needs to stop. Wouldn’t it also be nice to sign someone or trade a couple of players for someone more reliable and that contribute rather than squeezing out every last ounce of a veteran’s career in them?

In an ideal world, minority owner John Sherman would be more of a factor than he is. Perhaps then we would see different transactions being made. The outfield is a mess as is the bullpen.

Eventually, maybe, both will be fixed soon for the foreseeable future. Assuming all is healthy, Brantley, Allen, Tyler Naquin (if he starts to play like he did in the past then he gets removed from this list), Bradley Zimmer and Lonnie Chisenhall are the ones in the outfield. No one else.

Next: When is it time to trade Lindor?

Until adjustments are made to players playing time and which players are added to the roster, more of the same should be expected. Hopefully though, if that is the case, their play at least picks it up when it matters most.

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