Six Things To Follow and Keep an Eye On

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18.10.2022 @ 08.53

There's plenty of offseason questions for the Indians, as despite winning the 3rd most games in franchise history, fans and the team are still shell shocked after the team lost in five games to the Yankees after having a 2-0 series lead. Today we take a look at some of the more compelling offseason questions, with some thoughts and solutions on each, and what the team might do. From the debate about what to do at first base to why this team is failing to close out series' after having leads, we look at it all in this latest look at the Tribe. So sit back and enjoy 'Six Things To Follow This Indians Offseason.'1.) 1st Base Debate A chain reaction of what the Indians will do this offseason should all be started by the domino at first base. Carlos Santana who has been with the big https://www.justshoplions.co… -league club since 2010, will enter free agency and puts the team in a tough spot. At 32 years old come April, he has yet to hit over .268 in any of his eight seasons in the big leagues, however his ability to draw walks has yet to wield him a season with an OBP under .350. Defensively he is not a standout but has done a fine job there.Edwin Encarnacion was paid to be the designated hitter so if they choose not to resign Santana they will need to look internally or externally for options. Internally is pretty limited. Looking down in the farm system, the Indians third best prospect Bobby Bradley is not yet ready for the majors. In AAA Columbus, Chris Colabello and Nellie Rodriguez failed to muster any kind of offense. That would mean either Lonnie Chisenhall or Jay Bruce if they resign him would make a move to first. Neither would be ideal. In free agency, the team is not going to have the money to offer Eric Hosmer who will be one of the crown jewels of a good 2018 cla s a contract. That would leave other reasonable options in Logan Morrison, Lucas Duda, Yonder Alonso, Mitch Moreland, Mark Reynolds, and Mike Napoli as the 1B cla s is pretty deep this year. Ideally the Indians will muster up some kind of contract in the two year range for Carlos to make another run at a title.2.) Jason Kipnis 2017 proved to be some kind of whirlwind for Jason Kipnis. After being an all-star second baseman in 2013 and 2015 and hitting a career high 23 home runs with a .275 batting average last season, Kipnis now needs to find a home. After dealing with a hamstring problem in the spring and https://www.justshoplions.co… throughout the season, he got off to a slow 2017 and never recovered. In a lot of statistical categories, he had the worst season of his career. Whether that was due to the constant injuries or the start of a decline is the question.Terry Francona has found a new love with Giovanny Urshela at third so much that when Kipnis came back from injury he lost his spot at second and was moved to CF for the first time since college.Bradley Zimmer, the Indians top prospect is the future in CF though leaving the question of where to play him. Jason is under contract through 2019 so the Indians must figure something out. Will he go back to his natural spot at second base and move Ramirez to third and give Urshela a little more time to work on his bat to match his spectacular defense? Does Kipnis find a more permanent role in the outfield somewhere during spring training and get consistent reps there? Can the Indians find a trade partner for him and get a piece in return that will not be a downgrade and help their chances of winning a World Series? I have no idea what they will do with him but I am curious to see what they decide on.3.) The Corner While the Corner is the bar that sits in RF at Progre sive Field, the Indians have to figure out their corners in the outfield. Michael Brantley has an 11 million dollar option that has to be decided on shortly after the World Series concludes and Jay Bruce is a free agent. Po sibly both can be gone with https://www.justshoplions.co… Brantleys injuries over the last couple of seasons limiting him to just 101 games. Austin Jackson is also a free agent after having a resurgent year and will likely find another home. Excluding Zimmer in center, that leaves Greg Allen, Abraham Almonte, Lonnie Chisenhall, Brandon Guyer, and Tyler Naquin as the only other options on the 40 man roster. Those names are not going to cut it next year. The https://www.justshoplions.co… Indians should pick up the Brantley option or work with him on a one year deal to make one more run at it and hope that he can stay healthy.Jay Bruce would be wonderful to have again as another big bat in the lineup but it has yet to be seen if Dolan will open his pockets again this year to keep everybody after spending last year. A few free agent names that would make a lot of sense to keep an eye on include Melky Cabrera, Jarrod Dyson, and Colby Rasmus.Scroll to Continue4.) Lock It Up Cleveland over the years has done a good job at locking up its young talent early to avoid competing in free agency with bigger market teams. Some names in that list include Michael Brantley, Carlos Carrasco, Yan Gomes, Jason Kipnis, Corey Kluber, Roberto Perez, and Jose Ramirez. With the team playing like it has, it would make sense to try and keep the core rolling. Obviously the big name would be Francisco Lindor. It was rumored the team offered him over 100 million before the season which he turned down. If that is the case it might hard to come to terms on an extension this year and with him not arbitration eligible for another year it can be tabled to after 2018. Two names I would look at this offseason would be Lonnie Chisenhall and Trevor Bauer. 2017 is the last year of arbitration for Chisenhall before he becomes a free agent next year. He has quietly been one of the more solid and consistent players in the lineup. Originally considered just a platoon guy against righties, Chisenhall has gotten off to quick starts in the season and has hit .280 in three of his last four seasons. Injuries have occasionally hampered him and the Indians could look to capitalize on that and lock him in longer instead of him banking on himself in a contract year. He made https://www.justshoplions.co… 4.3 million this past year so a contract in the 5-8 million range with his versatility to play first if need be too would make a lot of sense with the questions surrounding the current outfield. Trevor Bauer would be the other name to try and immediately lock up. The starters this year set all kinds of records and that included a lot of them having a slow start. To keep that core would be amazing. Kluber and Carrasco are already signed and Bauer would be another p