Cleveland Indians: 4 biggest mistakes haunting Tribe in 2019

1. Giving Salazar 4.5 million

Danny Salazar isn’t going to pitch for the Cleveland Indians in 2019. He’ll make $4.5 million this season.

That Salazar won’t pitch hasn’t been reported. It’s simply a prediction. The tea leaves are screaming Salzar won’t help and with that being the case, it’s hard to ignore the chunk of money he’s making on cash strapped organization.

The, man who dazzled Tribe fans with an electric fastball during the 2013 season just can’t stay healthy.

Heck, he can’t even make it through a bullpen session. The latest news involving Salazar had the Tribe shutting him down during his rehab to get back from his cranky shoulder.

Yet as the Indians cut payroll by eliminating a good chuck of the middle of their batting lineup by trading Edwin Encarnacion and Yonder Alonso, and not resigning Michael Brantley while also dealing Yan Gomes, the front office bought a $4.5 million lottery ticket.

Call me conservative, but when you’ve got needs at home, letting it ride on a huge risk just doesn’t seem prudent. And the Indians office is regarded as frugal and conservative, which makes the decision to give Salazar all that money even more confusing.