Blog Status Update

England Tribe is set to be a bit quieter than usual this season, but for good reason. 

I have been fortunate to take a writing position with Bat Flips and Nerds this year, the leading British baseball website. I will be writing and reporting about the Cleveland Indians every week, exclusively for them.

You can find my first piece in the link below, an introduction to the 2020 Tribe:

https://batflipsandnerds.com/2020/02/27/an-introduction-to-your-2020-cleveland-indians/

I have written a few pieces for BF&N in the past but this is the first time I'll be writing full time for them, and I'm really excited about this opportunity.

Join me on this journey, and you can follow all my Indians writing in 2020 by clicking the link below:

https://batflipsandnerds.com/author/ashday/

2019 Cleveland Indians Season Review

Be careful what you wish for.

That should have been the motto for the Cleveland Indians' 2019 season. At the start of the year I hoped for a more competitive campaign, as the previous years of AL Central dominance left the fanbase somewhat wanting in terms of drama and excitement. Division titles are not something you should take for granted, but I wasn't alone feeling underwhelmed at the ease in which the Tribe waltzed to success. What made it worse was the seemingly inevitable postseason collapse that followed.

A division race or playoff chase was welcomed then. Until it got a little close for comfort, that is.

I don't think anyone in the league expected the Twins to win over 100 games and break records. The very respectable 93-69 Indians ran them close for a while but credit must go to Minnesota, they deserved what they got. Missing out on postseason baseball in Cleveland was disappointing of course, but would the fans and players have experienced further pain and humiliation at the hands of New York and Houston anyway?

Ultimately we'll never know, but after the Twins were swept away by the Yankees with such ease, the defeatist in me is glad we were saved that pain after all. (Who am I kidding, of course I would have loved seeing them play in October!)

With the playoffs now in full swing and the World Series on the horizon, the regular season is beginning to feel like a distant memory. The Indians front office are already looking towards 2020, but I thought I'd take a minute to reflect on 2019 before we move too far forward. Let's get into it:

Injuries And Even More Injuries

The Indians featured 54 players this year, their highest roster turnover since 2002. Terry Francona and his staff were constantly juggling their lineup cards, and the poor clubhouse guys must have been exhausted with all the comings and goings in the locker room.

A host of key players missed significant time on the injured list, leading to this high turnover rate.

The rotation, traditionally a source of strength for the Tribe, were decimated by injuries and illness. Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, and Mike Clevinger combined to make just 40 starts between them, over half of what they produced in 2018 (when they tallied 95 starts). Trying to compete without three of your top tier pitchers was always going to be challenging.

Injuries affected the offense as well, with Francisco Lindor, Jason Kipnis and Jose Ramirez all missing time with their respective aches and pains. In their absence the Indians' lineup faced a lot of adversity, particularly when Ramirez was struggling (more on that to come).

Important role players like Jordan Luplow, Tyler Clippard, Dan Otero, and Tyler Naquin also missed decent chunks of time, and overall it felt like the club were battling themselves almost as often as they were battling other teams.

The Rotation

Despite missing Kluber, Carrasco and Clevinger for large portions of the season, the men called upon in their stead performed more than admirably.

Shane Bieber emerged as a talented pitcher in 2018 but he truly broke out this year, creating memories for life when he collected the All-Star Game MVP award on home turf. Bieber carried the load with his 214.1 innings pitched, and lead the AL in complete games (3), shutouts (2) and walk rate (1.7). His 259 punchouts, 3.28 ERA and 144 ERA+ marked him out as one of the top arms in baseball, in just the second year of his career. Bieber fever indeed.

I mentioned Clevinger and despite missing a large chunk of the season through injury, the man dubbed Sunshine was still as dominant as always, if not more so in 2019. In 21 starts Clev pitched 126 innings with 169 strikeouts, for a 2.71 ERA and a 174 ERA+. If he hadn't gotten hurt I am certain he would have garnered serious Cy Young award attention.

Rookies such as Zach Plesac (21 starts, 3.81 ERA) and Aaron Civale (10 starts, 2.34 ERA) played their part in guiding the club to 90+ victories, and were largely impressive during their maiden auditions in the show. Both pitchers built strong cases to be included on the 2020 Opening Day roster and will hopefully have long and distinguished careers at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario.

Adam Plutko (21 games, 4.86 ERA) and Jefry Rodriguez (10 games, 4,63 ERA) didn't make the same splash as Plesac and Civale but were important contributors nonetheless, especially considering they weren't expected to feature if everyone had stayed healthy.

Finally, a word must go to the departed Trevor Bauer, who pitched 156.2 innings with 185 strikeouts, for a 3.79 ERA (that he couldn't replicate with the Reds unfortunately). The enigmatic pitcher stayed healthy all year and tallied the second highest number of starts for the club prior to joining Cincinnati, making 24 valuable appearances. Also, we cannot forget his final moment in a Tribe uniform. It's the stuff of legend.

Jose Ramirez

What a perplexing year for Jose Ramirez.

Coming off an MVP-caliber 2018 season, when he slashed .270/.387/.552 with 39 home runs, 34 stolen bases and 8 WAR, great things were expected from our lovable infielder.

What occurred next was absolutely mystifying. Despite those fantastic numbers, he ended 2018 poorly, mired in a terrible funk that stuck to his cleats like dog shit. The stench never left him even as his 2019 campaign began. He looked completely lost at the plate in April, May and June, an entirely changed man. His first three month's of production looked like this:

340 PA, .214/.309/.325, 5 HR, 30 RBI, .634 OPS.

Horrible. People were beginning to seriously worry, myself included.

Thankfully Ramirez found himself in July and August, and embarked on a torrid run at the plate, posting an OPS of 1.020 and 1.077 that effectively carried the club on his back, driving them back into playoff contention and keeping the Twins looking in their rear-view mirror.

Just as the Indians were preparing for the final month of their playoff push, Ramirez fractured the hamate bone in his right hand. He would miss a month, and although he returned in late September, the season was essentially over by that point. Who knows what difference the rejuvenated Ramirez could have made to the Indians' season down the stretch.

His final line for 2019:

.255/.327/.479, 23 HR, 83 RBI, 24 SB, .806 OPS and 3.3 WAR.

Oscar Mercado

To say I was excited for Mercado's promotion was an understatement. When he finally arrived he was exactly as advertised, the perfect tonic for the Indians' outfield woes. Given the keys to center field, Oscar took his opportunity and never looked back.

Called up on May 14th, Mercado became the catalyst that reinvigorated a sleeping offense, and the youngster put together an impressive debut season. He batted .269/.318/.443 with 15 home runs, 15 stolen bases, 25 doubles and a .761 OPS. His grace in the outfield led to nine defensive runs saved as well; a solid contributor in every aspect of the game.

Like any rookie, he experienced his share of ups and downs but there's no denying Mercado established himself as one of the key players in the lineup. Overall, I liked what I saw and his progress will be fun to monitor in 2020. His Rookie of the Year campaign will surely be overshadowed by the glitzier prospects on the Astros and Blue Jays, but Mercado is certainly deserving of consideration.

In my eyes, the Indians have found their center fielder for the next decade.

Roberto Pérez

When Yan Gomes was traded in the off-season, I had my concerns about the future of the catching position in Cleveland. Alas, I should not have worried, as Roberto Pérez took care of business and then some.

As a part-time catcher with the Indians over five years, we had grown to love Pérez for his defensive excellence and consistency. What Pérez lacked at the plate (a career .205 hitter prior to 2019), he more than made up for behind it.

This season, now elevated to a full-time role in Gomes' absence, Pérez's defensive numbers took a major leap, putting him among the elite catchers in the game. The 30 year-old ranked second in the majors in caught stealing percentage, gunning down 41% of his would-be thieves. Pérez led every player in the majors in defensive runs saved, with 29 (per Fangraphs). Even more remarkable, Pérez wasn't charged with a single passed ball all season. Over 993.2 innings, he didn't let one get past him.

That's ridiculous.

There is a legitimate argument to be made for Pérez as the best catcher in baseball. If he doesn't get the Gold Glove this winter, it will be a travesty.

And I haven't even mentioned the fact Pérez developed a swing that meant he was no longer an automatic out in the box. Though his slashline of .239/.321/.452 isn't the most eye-catching you'll see, he did post a .774 OPS and smash 24 home runs. Not bad for a guy who had never hit more than 8, at any level.

It's safe to say that what was once a position of uncertainty for the Indians is now one of strength, thanks to our beloved Bebo.

Honorable Mentions

• No Indians season review is complete without giving Carlos Santana his due. The All-Star first baseman made a spectacular return to The Land after an off-season trade. It was like he never left. The veteran had a fantastic year, batting .281/.397/.515 with 34 HR, 110 RBI, for a 135 wRC+ and 4.4 WAR. 
• The Tribe's trade deadline acquisitions Franmil Reyes and Yasiel Puig helped bring some spark and excitement to Progressive Field. Puig was everything we expected and more, and endeared himself to fans with that cannon-arm in right field. Time will tell if his stay in Cleveland was short-lived, but I would love the club to bring him back. Reyes got off to a slow start but soon found his feet, and will be a threatening presence in the lineup for years to come (37 HR this year and he's still only 24 years-old).
• Francisco Lindor made club history, collecting 30+ HR for the third consecutive season, joining Albert Belle, Manny Ramirez and Jim Thome as the only men in Cleveland to do that. I felt the mood surrounding Lindor was slightly negative this year, with fans looking ahead to his impending free agency and the Indians' inability/reluctance to sign him long term, but Lindor is this team. His .284/.335/.518 line, 22 SB, 40+ doubles and 4.4 WAR is nothing to sniff at. 
• The bullpen, so long an enigma, were mostly excellent. The group recorded a 3.76 ERA, third-best in the majors, with standout performers including Nick Wittgren and Tyler Clippard. Even Brad Hand, who suffered a crisis of confidence late in the year, still recorded 34 saves, a good enough total for fifth place in the majors. 

With a winter of possibility now ahead of us, I'll spend some of that time looking at the burning questions facing this ballclub and what could be in store prior to the 2020 campaign. Until then, I'll watch the World Series and recharge my baseball batteries.

I want to say a quick thank you to anyone who has followed England Tribe this year. I have enjoyed this season immensely, and connected with a great number of you online and in person. It's been an amazing year for me personally, and my connection to the game has never been stronger.

2020 will be even better.

Danny Salazar - Forgotten Man

Doesn't the 2013 Wild Card game feel like a long time ago?

Fans in attendance and those watching at home were certain the Tribe had a huge talent on their hands when Danny Salazar took the mound against the Rays. Here was a rookie fireballer on the national stage, pitching in the postseason for the first time in his career. When Salazar struck out Tampa Bay's James Loney to end the first inning, it was the loudest I had heard Progressive Field in all my years following the team (prior to the 2016 World Series at least.)

Since that October night, Salazar's career hasn't panned out like we might have hoped. An impressive 2015 provided another hint of what we could expect from the Dominican righty but that has been his only full season thus far, and despite a strong first half and All-Star selection in 2016, injuries have plagued him ever since. The following season was derailed by his afflictions and we haven't seen him pitch since game 4 of the ALDS, a defeat in New York on October 9th 2017. Salazar spent all of 2018 on the disabled list and ultimately had to undergo surgery for the pain in his right shoulder. He's been a distant memory ever since.

In such a short span, Salazar went from being one of the Indians' most promising young arms to a forgotten figure.

Nevertheless, he's still very much a part of this ballclub and has been working hard to return with a vengeance in 2019. Naturally it's taken time to rebuild his shoulder, let alone his pitching mechanics and velocity - Salazar has essentially had to start from the beginning and reinvent the way he throws a baseball.

The 29 year-old has been on a rehab assignment since early July and Cleveland must make a decision before the 30-day assignment expires, which is August 6th. We are definitely approaching the stage where Salazar enters into Terry Francona's plans for the remainder of the year.

Whilst rehabbing his injury this month, Salazar's performances have been encouraging. He's made 5 starts between the Arizona League, Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus, compiling 13.1 innings with 23 strikeouts, for a 3.38 ERA. Reports indicate his fastball is around 93mph as well, and he doesn't appear to have lost his ability to strike guys out. It's a small sample size of course, but a positive body of work ahead of his impending return to Cleveland.

How exactly will he return though? His minor league outings have seen him feature as a starter, but Francona often utilized Salazar from the bullpen before injury.

If healthy and ready to go, my preference would be Salazar joining the back of the rotation, a fresh arm and an upgrade of the number 5 slot. Zach Plesac has enjoyed a remarkable rookie season when called upon, and Adam Plutko has been steady if unspectacular, but a healthy Salazar provides the Indians with an experienced arm that can strike out a multitude of hitters. Ideally his addition to the rotation would bring fresh energy ahead of the final playoff push in September, and the Indians could avoid having an entire year's worth of work fall on the shoulders of a rookie - just like in 2013, with Salazar interestingly enough.

Should multiple-inning outings prove too taxing on his newly recovered arm, then a move to the bullpen for the final months would be preferable. Salazar could be a dynamic option for Francona to call upon in tight spots, boosting an already strong relief corps.

Another scenario could involve Salazar being included as part of a trade package before the July 31st deadline, so we cannot rule out the possibility that we might've seen the last of him in an Indians uniform.

Whatever occurs, we'll see it happen soon.

Salazar will be the forgotten man no more.

Trade Talk: Merrifield, Castellanos & Frazier

We've entered that period of the season and that so many writers love; the impending trade deadline, and with it comes speculation and rumors, enough to feed our appetite through the dog days of summer.

Now that we have an increasingly close deadline of July 31st, teams are looking at the standings to decide if they'll be sellers or buyers. For the 50-38 Indians, there is still a lot to play for this season, so I am anticipating them to approach the trade market from a buyer's perspective, even if a move to sell one of their prized assets might be beneficial (more on that later).

With that said, let's take a look at some of the potential targets the Tribe have been linked with in recent days:

Whit Merrifield - 2B & OF 

The Royals' first-time All-Star has been the one player I've seen mentioned most often when Indians trade rumors are discussed, and for good reason.

Merrifield, a second baseman and outfielder, is a reliable presence in the lineup who excels at making contact, effectively spraying hits to all areas of the field. The 30 year-old is currently batting .306/.355/.495 (BA/OBP/SLG) with 11 home runs, 44 RBI and 13 stolen bases, and looks on track to complete another successful campaign.

In 2018 Merrifield raised his game in a big way, posting an impressive 5.2 WAR, only finishing behind the Cubs' Javier Baez among second basemen (Baez had 5.3 WAR). The star man in Kansas City slashed .304/.367/.438 for a career-high 120 wRC+ last year, with a league-leading 45 stolen bases, announcing himself on the national stage and attracting suitors around the league.

Competition to acquire him could be intense, but Cleveland should certainly be in the mix for Merrifield's services:

• He's cheap - Merrifield is on a very team-friendly contract, and isn't due to earn more than $6,750,000 a year until at least 2023.
• He's under club control for a while - signed until 2022 with a team-option for 2023. By then he'll be entering his age-34 season.

The Royals know what they have - our AL Central rivals have publicly said it would take a lot for them to consider trading him in his prime. However, with Kansas City's window to win still years away, at 30 years-old they would be wise to move Merrifield for a decent haul to upgrade their rebuilding process.

Perhaps a combination of top prospects like Triston McKenzie and Yu Chang would be enough to sway the Royals to part with their golden goose. I for one would love to have Merrifield join the team. His positional versatility is a huge asset, filling any weak spots the club could potentially face going forward.

Nicholas Castellanos - OF & DH

A move for Detroit's Castellanos would likely be short-term, as the 27 year-old is due to become a free agent after this season, but he could be the impact bat the Tribe would really benefit from.

Tyler Naquin, Jake Bauers, Jordan Luplow and Greg Allen haven't established themselves as everyday players for the Indians, and have shared left field and right field between them with mixed results. The right-handed Castellanos could come in and automatically upgrade one of these positions, despite his known defensive limitations.

So far in 2019, Castellanos has slashed .282/.342/.468 over 366 plate appearances with 9 home runs and 33 RBI. The home run total is admittedly modest but he does lead the AL with 29 doubles, so he is still displaying that extra-base power into the gaps at least.

He isn't likely to cost too much in terms of prospects, which is good news for Castellanos admirers. His contract for this season is $9,950,000 so should be a pure rental, the price you pay in an effort to win now. I think adding a productive bat such as his could help give the Tribe the push they need if they want to consider themselves a real contender in 2019.

Clint Frazier - OF

Here's where things get difficult.

To acquire Frazier from the Yankees, it's going to cost Trevor Bauer. Like it or not, the price to bring the young outfielder back to Cleveland is high.

Trading Bauer this month, with the Indians still in contention for October baseball, will result in a backlash from the fanbase that may result in mutiny. Appearing to concede defeat in the race for the playoffs by trading one of your best pitchers will not go down well, not at all.

However, if you take stock of the whole situation, it could be beneficial for everyone. The Yankees crave an excellent starting pitcher and the Indians' outfield still needs upgrading to realistically compete against the top teams.

Let's look at Bauer first. In the last 18 months he has successfully reinvented himself as the everyman of Major League Baseball, thanks to his performances on and off the field, and is widely regarded by many as the ace of the Indians' staff. His 2018 season would have almost certainly resulted in a Cy Young award if he hadn't gotten injured (2.21 ERA, 221 strikeouts in 175.1 innings, 198 ERA+).

So why would the Tribe even consider trading him? Well, Bauer will be a free agent in 2021 and it's been widely reported that the Indians won't be in a financial position to retain his services, not at the price Bauer is expected to cost. Acknowledging this, perhaps the club would be wise to cash in whilst they can, even if it does appear defeatist upon first glance.

The 24 year-old former first-round Indians draft pick would be the prize in return but Frazier has experienced mixed emotions in New York. One of their most important hitters in the early months of 2019, when the Yankees' lineup was decimated with injuries, Frazier has recently found himself on the outside looking in, relegated to Triple-A once the regular starters returned to full health. Understandably frustrated to be playing at a level he's clearly outgrown, it widely rumoured Frazier will have a new home by the end of this month.

In 53 games and 191 at-bats, Frazier has slashed .283/.330/.513 with 11 homers and 34 RBI. He would automatically take over an outfield spot, probably in left, and be expected to contribute immediately.

I think the Indians would want more than just Frazier in a deal with the Yankees, and the Bronx Bombers would have to throw in a couple of other prospects to make it happen (Jonathan Loaisiga and Estevan Florial perhaps).

Selling Bauer does not equate to throwing in the towel, and I think it's important to recognize that. Cleveland's starting pitching depth is their biggest strength, and the team have shown this year that they have guys who can be called upon. Even without Bauer, a healthy Corey Kluber, Mike Clevinger, Shane Bieber and combo of Zach Plesac, Jefry Rodriguez, Adam Plutko and Aaron Civale might be enough to get by.

As sad as I would be to see Bauer leave (he's really endeared himself to me in recent times), I would be happy to welcome back Frazier and see his development for the Indians over the next five years.

Your 2019 Cleveland Indians All-Stars

The Cleveland Indians finished the first half of the 2019 season in style and enter the All-Star break on a 6-game winning streak, after sealing an 11-1 victory over their Ohio neighbors the Reds on Sunday. The Tribe have a 50-38 record and have closed the gap on the division-leading Twins to just 5.5 games, and currently possess one of the Wild Card positions as well.

Clearly there is still plenty to play for, and the team's recent performances have re-energized the Cleveland fanbase. The negativity and low morale that dogged the club in April and May seem a distant memory as the Indians prepare to host and celebrate their first All-Star Game since 1997.

Today I will recap the first half performances of the Tribe's four All-Star representatives: Carlos Santana, Francisco Lindor, Brad Hand and Shane Bieber.

Carlos Santana - First Base

Carlos Santana returned to Cleveland this winter after spending the 2018 season in Philadelphia, and it's safe to say his homecoming has been an enormous success.

At the break, the 33-year old Santana is batting .297 with 19 home runs and 52 RBI, with a .418 OBP and a terrific .958 OPS (which leads all AL first baseman). Santana has long been known for his astonishing plate discipline and naturally his 64 walks lead all of MLB among first baseman as well.

Despite his decade's worth of consistency, this is his first All-Star appearance and he gets to enjoy the experience in front of his home fans in his own ballpark. Reports indicate he was in tears when he received the news he would be the starter.

Santana won the the inaugural Google MLB Starters Election, earning 49.2% of the vote to beat out New York's Luke Voit (25.8%) and Minnesota's C.J. Cron (25%). His selection also makes him the first Indians All-Star to start at first base since Jim Thome did it in 1999.

Not only will Santana be the sole Indians starter in the All-Star Game but he'll also represent the Tribe in the Home Run Derby tonight, going head-to-head with the Mets' Pete Alonso in the first round.

Since Progressive Field (formerly Jacob's Field) opened in 1994, Santana ranks fourth in home runs with 97 dingers, only trailing Jim Thome (190), Manny Ramirez (132), and Travis Hafner (97) in team history. Santana knows this ballpark well and he'll aim to use all of his knowledge to his advantage.

No Indians player has ever won the event so Santana will be aiming for more than just the bleachers - he'll be taking a shot at Cleveland history, and he'll have the full support of the capacity crowd cheering him all the way.

Francisco Lindor - Shortstop

The face of the Cleveland Indians and the city's primary All-Star Game Ambassador, it would have been a travesty if Francisco Lindor was not involved in an All-Star Game played in his ballpark. Thankfully, the star shortstop was selected via the player ballot and despite being a reserve (Jorge Polanco of Twins will start), Frankie should feature in his fourth consecutive Midsummer Classic.

Lindor missed Spring Training with a calf strain and then sprained his ankle just days prior to Opening Day, which resulted in him missing the first 20 games of the year. Once he returned to the lineup though, he quickly got back to work, reminding the league who is the premier shortstop of his generation.

Lindor has slashed .296/.356/.511 over 69 games and 284 at-bats, with 14 home runs and 32 RBI, with 13 stolen bases for good measure, all whilst displaying his otherworldly abilities on defense.

When he found out he'd been selected, Lindor said, "It’s a blessing. I’m blessed to be part of it, especially being at home. It’s going to be a great event. I can’t wait."

Brad Hand - Relief Pitcher

Indians closer Brad Hand has made the third straight All-Star game of his career, his first with Cleveland, and will hope to feature out of the bullpen at some stage during Tuesday night. Hand was voted to the squad by his fellow players and the dominant reliever certainly deserves his place.

Hand has been one of Terry Francona's most trusted weapons in 2019, and went a perfect 22-for-22 in his save opportunities to start the season. Only recently against the Royals did that streak come to an end, but he has gone on to throw three scoreless outings since.

Before that unfortunate 5-run pasting at the hands of Kansas City, Hand's ERA for the year was a minuscule 1.05. However, his current 2.17 ERA over 37.1 innings still puts him among the top of his peers, as does his outstanding 13.26 rate of strikeouts per nine innings. Hand's 23 saves this year have him tied for third place on the MLB leaderboard, and second only to Aroldis Chapman in the AL.

I'm sure I speak for most Cleveland fans when I say we'd be happy for Hand to take this mid-season break to enjoy the All-Star festivities without actually having to throw a pitch. The team are going to rely upon him in a big way as we head towards September, and hopefully October. We'll need Hand at his best, and maybe a few days rest could be beneficial in the long run.

Shane Bieber - Starting Pitcher

In just his second season as a pro, 24 year-old Shane Bieber is the youngest starting pitcher to earn an All-Star berth for the Indians since CC Sabathia in 2004. The right-handed starter will be part of the AL's pitching staff since he was added as an injury-replacement for Texas pitcher Mike Minor.

At the start of the season Bieber was comfortably the Tribe's fifth starter, after an impressive rookie campaign in 2018. Yet, no one could have envisioned that, among a rotation including Corey Kluber, Trevor Bauer, Carlos Carrasco, and Mike Clevinger, it would be Bieber featuring at the All-Star Game.

Let there be no mistake - Bieber's selection is definitely warranted; the California native boasts an 8-3 record with a 3.45 ERA over 18 starts and 112.1 innings. His 141 strikeouts in that span rank him 8th overall in the entire league, ahead of noted flamethrowers Jacob deGrom, Stephen Strasburg and Blake Snell, among others.

Similar to Hand, I share the same feelings in regards to seeing Bieber pitch on Tuesday night. Preferably I would like to see him there having a great time but not actually play, resting that incredibly valuable right arm instead. He's been a dependable workhorse for Francona this year, one of just two pitchers in the rotation not to succumb to injury (the other being Bauer).

------------------------------

I will be making the effort to stay awake Tuesday night, a 00:30 start for me here in England. There was no way I would miss my team hosting the All-Star Game, and I am particularly excited to see Santana representing the Indians.

Jason Kipnis - Kickstart My Heart

Over the course of his nine-year career in Cleveland, Jason Kipnis has experienced every emotion a ballplayer can possibly encounter. In recent years he's routinely had fans get on his back, constantly question him and demand his removal from the team on social media.

But how quickly things change.

Last night, Kipnis was a hero for the Indians like he has been so many times before, thanks to his 10th inning home run that brought a victorious end to a rain-delayed 3-2 victory over the Royals.

As a fanbase we're very quick to assign blame when the Indians are struggling. This is not unique to Cleveland, or even baseball. Sadly, Kipnis has found himself on the receiving end more than most. Once upon a time he was a fan favorite, but the fickleness of a sports fan can be a cruel beast, and before long Kipnis was catching flak for his below-par batting average and inability to stay on the field (hardly his fault).

There can be no doubting his effort though, and just when you think he might be done, the 32 year-old surprises you.

Some of the Kipnis cards added to my modest collection this month - good timing!

This month, Kipnis has helped spark the Indians back to life, putting the Tribe in the win column with regularity, posting a 15-6 record in June to keep the pressure on the Twins, still atop the AL Central.

Since the start of the month Kipnis has a batting line of .286/.325/.500 (BA/OBP/SLG) for a .825 OPS over 19 games and 70 at-bats. He's hit 4 home runs in that span, plus a double and a triple, with 17 RBIs for good measure. It's a small-sample size of course, but is much more like the Kipnis we came to love in his prime just a few years ago.

Kipnis was still struggling when the calendar flipped to June but on Father's Day he made an adjustment with his hands, and our second baseman has been on fire ever since; he's hit .471 with a 1.411 OPS in nine games, including all 4 of his home runs this month. After last night's win, Terry Francona said of Kip, "he has such good hitter’s hands that when he feels good he’s pretty dangerous.” Kansas City pitcher Wily Peralta learned that the hard way.

If the Indians are going to contend for a postseason berth, they will need their leaders like Kipnis to raise their game and continue performing at this level. This month the signs have been very good and the veterans like Kip, Carlos Santana, and Francisco Lindor have restored an air of positivity to this ballclub. It's perfect timing ahead of Cleveland hosting the All-Star Game in just a few weeks time.

Partnered with Jose Ramirez (hitting .326/.388/.558 since the middle of June) and the rookies Oscar Mercado and Bobby Bradley making an impact, things are starting to look up for both Kipnis and Cleveland.

Oscar Mercado Called Up

Despite the team delaying the announcement, news finally broke that the long awaited outfield prospect Oscar Mercado is joining the Indians to make his MLB debut. His call-up will hopefully make an impact on this struggling Cleveland club and bring some energy to their lackluster lineup.

The 24 year-old is due to meet his new teammates today in Chicago, likely replacing Tyler Naquin, who has battled a calf issue in recent days (what is it with this team and calf problems?)

Mercado was a revelation in Spring Training, so much so that the team considered having him break camp with the 25-man roster. Terry Francona chose to have the young outfielder enjoy everyday at-bats with the Triple-A Clippers instead and Mercado made the most of his opportunity in the minors, showing the higher-ups exactly what they've been missing.

In Columbus, Mercado featured in 30 games and 140 plate appearances, hitting an impressive .294/.396/.496 with 4 home runs and 15 RBI, plus 14 stolen bases. Predominantly a center fielder, he does have the ability to play all outfield positions and this versatility will be very valuable for the Indians in the coming months.

I've been high on Mercado since the Indians acquired him during last year's trade deadline, and have been eager to see him reach the big club ever since. His Spring Training performances only served to reinforce my optimism.

The atmosphere surrounding the 2019 Indians thus far has been overwhelmingly negative, but the addition of an exciting, dynamic young prospect like Mercado could be just the breath of fresh air this team needs.

Despite never featuring as a consensus top prospect, Mercado's promotion has generated a level of anticipation that hasn't been felt in some time, for me at least. With the current outfield production so low, expectations are substantial for Mercado to have an impact, even though he's a rookie facing major league pitching for the first time. The learning curve will be steep but all signs point to Mercado being prepared for it.

To please this hungry fanbase and be an effective contributor, the young Colombian-American needs to display earnest effort and a level of stability not yet seen among his outfield peers. If Mercado can manage that, he'll quickly earn the respect and admiration of the fans.

I'll certainly be rooting for him and will be tune in later today to catch his debut against the White Sox - so long as Francona is sensible and starts him

Opening Day Live Blog - Indians vs Twins

10:27 - Good morning from sunny England and welcome to Opening Day! I'm currently at work, desperately waiting for 5pm to get here, and already mentally preparing myself for this evening's festivities.

If you've been living under a rock, you might not have seen the Indians are in Minnesota to kickstart their 2019 season against their division foes. I have just checked the weather for Minneapolis and it estimates the temperature at first pitch to be around 48°F, or 9°C for us Brits. Toasty then.

12:02 - I'm already hungry thinking about the food I'm having tonight ahead of the game. Every Opening Day my wife and I have hot dogs but this year I'm considering adding nachos to the party. We like to make a fuss on this most special of days.

13:59 - I've been out for lunch and returned with all the stuff for hot dogs and nachos. It's on. 

15:05 - I’ve just seen the breaking news confirming that star third baseman Jose Ramirez will be in the Indians lineup today, after some recent concerns about his health. Ramirez had to be carted from the field on Sunday after fouling a ball off his left knee and he looked in serious pain. Thank goodness he has recovered in time, because the Indians and myself will need him fully fit; he's the pride and joy of my fantasy team this season.

17:15 - I'm home from work and the baseball is on!

18:00 - With a couple of hours to go before first pitch let's quickly go over our starting pitchers this afternoon:

Corey Kluber is making his fifth straight Opening Day start for the Tribe (tied for the longest streak in franchise history.) Last year Kluber lead the AL with 215 innings pitched, to go alone with 222 strikeouts and a 2.89 ERA.

Jose Berrios is his opponent and the 24 year-old righty posted a career-best 3.84 ERA in 2018. He’ll want to make an impression against the experienced Kluber and the Lindor-less Indians.

18:10 - Speaking of Lindor, the face of the franchise will be missing today thanks to an injury ravaged spring. First it was his calf, and now his ankle, injured on Wednesday in a run-down during a minor league rehab game. Jason Kipnis will also be absent as he is struggling with a calf problem of his own. So the Tribe lineup will be a little lightweight today as a result, with rookie Eric Stamets and veteran Brad Miller debuting in their stead.

18:40 - I have finished cooking the hot dogs and they are ready to be enjoyed. We didn’t have any mustard so ketchup it is, and I tried my best to get the swirly ballpark pattern (and failed).

18:58 - I've just checked in with my buddy Matt, a Brewers fan, who is also enjoying Opening Day. Thanks to a Christian Yelich 3-run homer he is now enjoying the occasion a little bit more. Matt's girlfriend Libby is an A's fan, and I like to take some of the credit for her baseball fandom (I bought her hat for her birthday!)

19:30 - We have spent most of this evening watching the Yankees game whilst we patiently wait for the Indians to start. My wife decided they were her team after she embraced the Evil Empire during our trip to New York in 2017. I’m not even mad, I just love she shows enthusiasm for one of my hobbies!

19:42 - The Yankees are crushing the Orioles and this contest is done, so I’m gonna get started on the nachos.

20:00 - The nachos are out, I’ve got a beer in my hand and the Tribe get started in 10 minutes!

20:10 - Oh hi new uniforms! I forgot the navy jerseys were getting a makeover, but I must say they look pretty nice. 

20:26 - 1st inning over and both sides go quietly, both pitchers look on their game.

20:35 - I can't eat any more nachos. I might be sick.

20:40 - I’m a big fan of Brad Miller’s stirrups. Not a fan of the umpire calling an inside ball a strike. 

20:47 - Jake Bauers take a bow sir! The second out of the 3rd inning is a high fly ball into foul territory and Bauers sprints and slides in the dirt to pull off a spectacular catch! Kluber is cruising through three innings thus far, but Berrios is matching him pitch for pitch.

20:50 - First hit of the ballgame! Leonys Martin ropes a liner down the first base line and into the corner, and collects a double for his trouble.

20:59 - Berrios has 6 strikeouts through 4 innings and is making the Tribe lineup look silly. They can’t touch his change-up, it just drops off a cliff.

21:29 - The Twins finally get a hit off Kluber in the bottom of the 6th, Byron Buxton sending a double off the wall, but Kluber strands him. The game is just over an hour old and we’re headed into the 7th already - cruising along!

21:51 - Nelson Cruz gets a single to start the bottom of the 7th but Kluber strikes out Eddie Rosario looking and there’s an audible groan from the Puerto Rican outfielder. Beautiful pitch. CJ Cron then muscles out a single that drops into shallow center field to put Kluber in a pickle and just like that a Marwin Gonzalez single escapes the grasp of Leonys Martin and rolls to the wall, scoring two to give the Twins a sudden 2-0 lead.

21:55 - Kluber hits Jonathan Schoop in the wrist to put him on but comes back to strike out Jason Castro looking, a perfectly placed pitch at the knees on the corner. A Byron Buxton pop-up ends the inning and Kluber’s day as well. He’s been really sharp but you can’t help feel the lack of run support is gonna cost him. Kluber finishes with 7 innings pitched, 4 hits, 2 earned runs and 5 strikeouts.

22:06 - Brad Miller, he of the fantastic stirrups and no batting gloves (this guy has won me over already), cracks a single to force Berrios from the game. The Twins youngster gets a standing O from his adoring crowd and he deserves it. He’s been lights out, with 7.2 innings pitched, 10 K’s and just 2 hits given up.

22:12 - Greg Allen, in as a pinch hitter for Stamets, strikes out looking on a low pitch from Twins reliever Taylor Rogers. The umpire loves it and is very theatrical in his call of the third strike. Get a grip man.

22:24 - Francona has been busy with his bullpen in this 8th inning. We’ve seen Oliver Perez, Adam Cimber and now Brad Hand entering the game. Together they get the job done and the Indians now head to the 9th still trailing 2-0...

22:32 - We’re not off to a good start, with Leonys Martin striking out tamely and Jose Ramirez pops up on the first pitch he sees. Come on Jose, you're better than this!

22:33 - Jordan Luplow, pinch hitting for his Indians debut, is our last hope.

22:36 - Luplow goes down swinging and that’s it, the Twins take the Opening Day victory at home 2-0, Berrios collecting the win and Taylor Rogers the save.

22:37 - And so I now go to bed, with Opening Day in the books. I’m full of nachos and beer and ready for sleep. The Indians lineup looked very limp indeed. Here’s hoping it was just the Berrios effect and not indicative of the season ahead.

Still, despite the loss I've had an enjoyable day and it's so good to have baseball back. The Indians go again on Saturday in another UK friendly game, a 6:10pm start for me.

Bat Flips & Nerds - Bob Feller

The lovely folks at Bat Flips and Nerds were kind enough to let me contribute another piece to their site, this time focusing on Indians legend Bob Feller.

To head over to their site and read all about the Heater from Van Meter, simply click the link below:

https://batflipsandnerds.com/2019/02/10/player-profiles-bob-feller/

Sartorial Tribe: 2005 Indians Alternate

Welcome to the second installment of Sartorial Tribe, where I take a look at some of history's baseball uniforms I like, that I love, and some that I hate. I'll try and feature a good variety too, from every era of Tribe baseball (you can find part one here). Without further ado, let's look at the latest entry:

A sleeveless baseball jersey is a novel thing. At least I thought it was when I first saw them. When I initially discovered these gems of polyester wonder I could scarcely believe my eyes. How the hell does a vest top work as athletic apparel outside of a basketball court? But work they do, at least in this instance.

I'd even go so far to argue that the 2005 alternate Indians edition is a work of uniform art.

This uniform was actually worn between 2003 and 2007, with a modified edition worn in 2002, lacking the player number on the front of the jersey. I've selected examples from 2005 in this case, as it was a decent year for the Tribe. They finished with a 93-69 record and a second place finish in the AL Central, after falling short of the division-winning White Sox (who went on to win the whole thing).

Let's get back to the jersey though. It's sleeveless. Why the hell did they decide to do that? Luckily it works and the contrasting combination of navy and white really make it sing.

One very strange thing I considered about these sleeveless jerseys: did anyone buy them? It's a strange purchase I can imagine, a vest for a baseball jersey, because if you aren't wearing a navy t-shirt underneath then the look is ruined. Also, it probably helps if you're athletic enough to pull it all together (although you could say that about anyone who chooses to wear replica sportswear).

Above we have a pretty good photo of a young Cliff Lee (from 2004 actually) showing off the uniform in all it's glory. I particularly like the blue piping down the center of the jersey, an aspect the current home jerseys could really benefit from I feel. The choice of red for the numbers is also a nice touch, perfectly complementing the rest of the design.

Here's second baseman Ronnie Belliard throwing from deep in the infield. Another element of these uniforms I liked so much was the cursive logo on the alternate hat, however it only lasted as long as these uniforms did, ultimately fading away after 2007.

The issue of Chief Wahoo rears its ugly head again, featuring on the chest of this jersey. Of some comfort however is the fact the logo is at least smaller than it could be, and doesn't feel as prominent here as it once did in the seventies. It's still not really an excuse but thankfully I don't believe it spoils the overall design of the uniform too much. I made my feelings about the Chief pretty clear in 2016.

In conclusion, I'd love to see the Indians bring back this uniform in the future, perhaps swapping out the Chief for the block C logo. Better yet would be a return of that cursive "I" logo that featured on the hats. A larger version of that could really work as a replacement for the Chief on the chest. Sleeveless jerseys still work in today's MLB, with the Rockies sporting them regularly, so it's a look that could hopefully return one day in Cleveland.

Sartorial Tribe: 1948 Indians Home

As the years tick by it feels like every new season sees MLB introduce another batch of special uniforms to each team's wardrobe. We've got Mother's Day, Father's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, retro throwbacks and a bunch more. And this got me thinking; the entire aesthetic side to sports has always been hugely appealing to me. I love the uniforms, the logos, the entire design of sporting attire. Baseball in particular has an extremely rich history and has always been a huge factor in my love for the game.

On that note, I thought I would sprinkle in the odd post here and there about the Indians' uniforms, past and present. Uniforms I like, that I love, and some that I hate. I'll try and feature a good variety too, from every era of Tribe baseball. Without further ado, let's look at our entry edition:

What better way to start than with Cleveland's cream of the crop, the best Indians team in the club's history, the 1948 championship side. Their home uniform that season was something to behold, and not only because it was the uniform worn when the Tribe last took home the World Series.

Here's a photo of player-manager and hall of fame shortstop Lou Boudreau congratulating pitcher Gene Bearden after the left-hander had shut down the Boston Braves in Game 3 of the World Series. You'll have already noticed that the Indians script across the chest is very reminiscent of today's uniforms, a certain throwback to the glory days.

An iconic shot of the legendary Satchel Paige from the 1948 season, his first in the majors following a dominant career in the Negro Leagues. The socks stand out immediately and would look good on today's players (and they do, with Francisco Lindor regularly rocking the look). You'll have also noticed the cap with the wishbone C logo, now a staple logo for the Cincinnati Reds, but was used by the Tribe for nearly four decades between the 30's and 70's.

The only blemish on these classic threads is the rather ghastly Chief Wahoo logo on the player's left sleeves. The Native American image that would come to define the Indians was still a couple of years away from becoming the team's primary logo and wouldn't feature prominently on the club's caps until the mid-80's. The 1948 version is, shall we say, less refined than his modern counterpart.

Overall though, it's a vintage uniform from a glorious era of baseball. Many would argue that baseball has never looked better aesthetically than the late 40's (I would argue this, actually). It was a time when the Indians were so stacked with talent, with legends like Bob Feller, Larry Doby, and Bob Lemon representing the Tribe, leading them to their second and most recent championship. And they looked damn good too. Maybe our current group can join their 1948 counterparts and help elevate the 2017 uniform to legendary status? Time will tell on that one.

Impact Indians - Danny Salazar 04/15/16

We're nearly two weeks into the 2016 season and so far the Indians are doing okay. We're not setting the American League on fire exactly, but we're holding our own (and we're above .500, always a cause for optimism). At the time of writing they're 4-3 after topping the Tampa Bay Rays last night to take the series and the New York Mets come to town tonight for a three-game set. Hopefully we won't see any more weather-related postponements in the near future.

I don't get a great deal of time to write on here anymore but I wanted to start a series of posts that I can bash out whenever I get the chance. I'll do that by looking at players, often one individual but maybe more than one at a time, who have been particularly impactful recently, be that in a positive or negative way.

And so begins the 'Impact Indians' series here at England Tribe.

Now I know seven games is a minuscule sample size of data to look at and garner any quality meaning from but Danny Salazar's first two games of the season are worth a closer look, mostly because he's been so darned impressive.

Salazar, our maiden Impact Indian on the blog, has gotten off to a strong start in his first two games, pitching well against the White Sox and the Rays, taking home the win in both starts.

On April 8th in winter-conditions (including snow) at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Salazar pitched 5.1 innings allowing just 2 hits and 1 run (a Todd Frazier homer in the 4th inning), with 3 walks and 7 strikeouts. The frigid temperature of south Chicago couldn't cool down Salazar's sizzling fastball as he repeatedly hit 95-mph, sometimes ratcheting it up to 98-mph. Salazar has a great slider and an impressive sinker but he got through the White Sox almost exclusively on his heater. The offense backed him and the Tribe were victorious as 7-1 winners to spoil Chicago's home opener.

Last night Salazar made his second start of the year at Tropicana Field as the Indians looked to win their three-game series against the Rays and he was even better against Tampa, allowing 3 hits over 6 innings, with 0 runs allowed, plus 3 walks and 9 strikeouts. He out-dueled Rays ace Chris Archer and got some help from the Tribe new boys, with Marlon Byrd making an outstanding catch in deep right field as well as clubbing his first home run of the year, as the Tribe held on for the shutout, winning 6-0. Salazar picked up his second win also.

So far through two games the 26 year-old right-hander has pitched a total of 11.1 innings with 16 strikeouts, 6 walks, all to the tune of a 0.79 ERA and a 2-0 record. Now I'm not stupid enough to think a couple of games is indicative of what the rest of the year holds in store for Salazar. I'm not trying to predict the future here anyway. Instead I am merely celebrating what a solid start Danny has gotten off to, and I'm hoping it's a sign of things to come for the rest of 2016.

The thing is, I don't think Salazar has gotten close to his best form yet, and understandably so given we're not even two full weeks into the season. The 6 walks over his two starts are a minor concern but this is probably down to him feeling his way into his pitches this early on. Plus pitchers walk betters, this is a fact of life, so I'm not expecting perfection from Danny every start he makes (hell, even the ridiculously accurate Corey Kluber has 4 walks so far). Salazar's fastball has never been in doubt, that much was evident when he blazed onto the scene in 2013, but his breaking stuff, albeit very impressive, can be a bit unpredictable at times. You saw that last night at times, as a few pitches got away from him, slipping out of his hand wrong, just a little wild.

Nevertheless, Salazar is off to a nice start in 2016 and if he can continue to remain this consistent, he could have a very good year indeed. Danny's next start will likely be at home to the Mariners on Wednesday April 20th. So congratulations to Mr Salazar on winning the very first Impact Indian award.

Thanks for reading.

Indians Add Grossman, Paulino & Butler

Since my last post, the MLB Winter Meetings in Nashville have been and gone but the flurry of activity hasn't stopped. In fact, for the Indians it's only just begun.

Today the Indians agreed to terms with 2 free agents: Outfielder Robbie Grossman and pitcher Felipe Paulino, both men earning minor league contracts with invites to Spring Training and a chance to crack the Opening Day roster.

Grossman is 26 years-old and plays the outfield, mostly in left but he can play in right and center too. He's coming off the back of a very poor 2015 campaign, playing in just 24 games, batting .143/.222/.245 (BA/OBP/SLG) with 1 home run and 5 RBI, before being released by Houston this November. The acquisition of Grossman screams 'minor league depth addition' and I don't expect him to be the answer to the Tribe's outfield problems. But it can't hurt to give him a chance during the spring, and it's another low-risk addition to the team.

Paulino is a 32 year-old right-handed pitcher who last pitched in the majors for the White Sox in 2014. He spent all of 2015 with the Cubs' Triple-A farm team in Iowa, starting 20 games and pitching to a 4.93 ERA over 104 innings with 83 strikeouts. Traditionally a starter, the Tribe could figure to use him as a relief pitcher but obviously he'd be very useful for the occasional spot-start. Again, another low-risk, low-cost pickup that could bear fruit but won't hurt the club if things don't pan out.

A few days ago on December 7th the Indians claimed outfielder Joey Butler off of waivers from the Rays. Butler will be 30 years-old on Opening Day and is a right-handed bat who saw the majority of his time in 2015 as a DH in Tampa, but he can play the outfield too, mostly in left field. This would indicate that the Indians might view him as a stopgap until Michael Brantley recovers from his recent shoulder surgery. Butler has spent 3 years in the majors, with a career batting average of .274, and he hit 8 home runs in 88 games for Tampa in 2015. He is just one more low-risk outfield addition, to go along with Collin Cowgill (signed on December 3rd) and Robbie Grossman, but Butler is an interesting addition purely because his numbers don't totally stink and he could become a useful 4th outfielder for the Tribe in 2016 (if he can stick on the team.)

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From the additions the Indians have made thus far, it is clear the club do not intend to address the outfield concerns with a big splash via free agency, and are instead content to patch the holes with players who have been discarded from other teams that could potentially be reborn in Cleveland. These non-roster invitees are unlikely to have the kind of impact most Indians fans would like to see, but they won't cost the club anything and so they can't hurt at the very least.

A small market club like the Tribe were always highly unlikely to spend big, like the Cubs did today on Jason Heyward, but part of me wanted them to be a little more proactive during the Winter Meetings to acquire someone new who could really have an impact in the lineup. Be that via a trade or even a smaller free agency addition like Nori Aoki, it would have been refreshing to see Cleveland make an ambitious acquisition, instead of the 'dumpster-diving' they've participated in instead. I really hope players like Grossman, Butler and Cowgill can come good and be effective for the big league club, but the odds are against them.

The off-season isn't over yet though, and other major league clubs are still eyeing up our highly-prized arms. Maybe the Indians will surprise us and pull off a revolutionary trade that will turn them into instant contenders. Just don't get your hopes up.

Thanks for reading.

Fixing The Indians This Off-Season: Part 2

Since my last post, the MLB Hot Stove has begun to heat up and free agents are finally starting to move. One of the first major dominoes to fall was David Price, who signed a record contract in Boston this week, and now all eyes turn to Zack Greinke and where he could end up.

Even our Indians have been busy, making a small trade with the Angels yesterday, acquiring outfielder Collin Cowgill for cash considerations, DFA'ing reliever Nick Hagadone in the process to make room. This is a typical Indians trade, a low risk move that adds some depth to the roster. Cowgill is expected to platoon with Lonnie Chisenhall in right field and possibly back-up Abraham Almonte in center field. Collin is a right-handed-hitting outfielder (something our lineup lacks) who hits lefties pretty well (.271 average) and plays plus defense in all three outfield spots. I don't think this is the end of the Indians trying to upgrade the outfield but it's a nice minor move that could pay off and he'll likely see playing time whenever the Tribe face an opposing team's southpaw.

Which leads me onto the second part of my plan to fix the Indians this off-season. Part one looked at potential outfield free agents that could be acquired, whereas part two will look at possible trade targets that would significantly improve the Tribe's lineup.

Upgrade The Outfield Part 2: Trading For Outfield Help

The general consensus among fans and critics regarding the Indians and their attempt to upgrade their lineup sees at least one of our starting pitchers leaving the club in return for a bat that would take our offensive production up a notch. All the following trade scenarios are based on this premise, as the Indians have what many teams crave: young and effective pitching that is under club control for a good price. The market for quality pitching is so thin that teams have to pretty much overpay (see J.A. Happ's deal in Toronto) and so the Indians are in a position where they can demand a lot for one of their highly-prized arms. So let's look at the first trade target:

Yasiel Puig

The Cuban outfielder divides opinion. There's no doubt of his potential as a star player but then we've also seen the other, darker side of his production as a very average, and very distracting player in 2015.

When he burst onto the scene in 2013, the Dodgers had a phenomenon on their hands not seen since the days of pitcher Fernando Valenzuela. Puig absolutely raked in 2013, batting .319 and producing a stellar 159 OPS+, and kept that level of production going for the majority of 2014, batting .296 with a 145 OPS+. But 2014 also saw the problems that would plague Puig start to creep in. Word started to spread that he was becoming a locker-room nuisance, that teammates were tiring of his off-field antics and his annoying entourage. Then in 2015 Puig crashed to earth, playing in only 79 games and batting just .255, whilst still pissing people off. He went from being the toast of Los Angeles to many people feeling that the Dodgers would be better off washing their hands of him.

But there's still a lot of positives surrounding Puig. He'll be just 25 on Opening Day and won't be a free agent until 2020, although he'll cost around $20 million over the next 3 years, which is a lot for a club like the Indians but not a lot when you consider what a player with his skill-set should cost. He's a right-handed bat with the ability to hit for power, something our lineup desperately needs, and he's a tremendous athlete. His production dropped off in 2015 largely because of injury but his off-field shenanigans probably also played a part. But if you put him in Cleveland, without the bright lights and distractions of LA, would he rededicate himself to the game? It's a strong possibility, just look at the Cavaliers' JR Smith since he moved away from New York. .

My biggest issue with Puig is his attitude and mental state, and whether the Indians would put up with all of his baggage. However, skipper Terry Francona has previous experience dealing with difficult outfielders, managing Manny Ramirez for a long time in Boston, so I feel like Francona could handle anything Puig has to throw at him.

Still, the risk is high with this trade. What would we have to give up? After Puig's poor 2015 showing, his trade value is lower than it would have been just a year ago, but the Dodgers would still command a lot in return. If they lose Zack Greinke in free agency, which is looking increasingly likely, then they will want a top quality starter to slot straight into their rotation. Any of our top three guys would be discussed, but I think a package of Carlos Carrasco and one of our outfield prospects (we'll go with Zimmer here to really sweeten the deal) could be enough to persuade the Dodgers to part with Puig. Here's my deal:

CLE sends: RHP Carlos Carrasco and OF Bradley Zimmer
LAD sends: OF Yasiel Puig

Mookie Betts

I'm a huge fan of Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts and he would solve the Indians center field problem instantly. Betts is one of the most exciting young players in baseball and had an outstanding 2015 season at just 22 years of age. In 145 games Betts had a batting line of .291/.341/.479 (BA/OBP/SLG), clubbing 18 home runs with 77 RBIs, stealing 21 bases, on his way to a 118 OPS+ and a 4.8 WAR. He's now 23 years-old and is under club control until 2021, and isn't arbitration eligible until 2018. To put it simply, Betts would be my dream pickup if I could trade for anybody in MLB (outside of Mike Trout of course.)

With the Red Sox committing a record $217 million over 7 years to ace pitcher David Price, Boston have shown the league that they are ready to compete for a World Series once again. However, even with Price in their rotation, they still lack the starting pitching to be a true contender. You never know which Clay Buchholz will turn up, even when he's healthy, and Rick Porcello and Wade Miley will eat innings but won't give you the production a true number two starter would. Eduardo Rodriguez has potential but might still need time to grow. So would Boston be interested in adding another ace to their rotation? If they want to win right now, I think they would.

Now the painful part to acquiring Betts would likely see the Tribe lose Corey Kluber. Kluber is the undisputed staff ace, our 2014 Cy Young winner who I love dearly, but if I can acquire 23 year-old Betts in exchange for the turning-30-in-April Kluber, I would do that deal. Pitchers are notoriously unpredictable with injuries anyway, but once they get north of 30, the likelihood of them staying healthy drastically decreases. Despite Kluber having a good history with injuries, the Indians would almost certainly get more years of quality production out of Betts. Kluber is still at the peak of his powers and could have a few Cy Young-worthy seasons left in the tank, so if the Red Sox were willing to part with Betts, and it would take some persuasion, I think the Tribe could grab a pitching prospect in return. Here's my deal:

CLE sends: RHP Corey Kluber and OF/1B Mike Papi
BOS sends: OF Mookie Betts and RHP Michael Kopech

My reasoning here is Boston gets another ace in Kluber (can you imagine a rotation headed by Price AND Kluber? They would jump at this!) and we get our star outfielder in Betts, who the Sox would instantly replace with Jackie Bradley Jr. or Brock Holt. If the deal needed more than just a straight swap of star players, and it probably would, then Boston can have our number 13 prospect Mike Papi, who can play in the corner outfield spots or 1B (hey, they need a new Papi now Ortiz is retiring...) and the Indians could have Kopech, Boston's second-best pitching prospect and 5th overall.

This trade would dramatically improve both teams instantly and although Boston now have Price and don't necessarily need Kluber, I wonder if the temptation of having two aces in the same rotation could sway them into parting with Betts...

Jorge Soler

With the Cubs missing out on David Price to Boston and Zack Greinke almost certainly staying in California with either the Dodgers or the Giants, the top-tier pitcher Chicago would love to acquire will almost certainly have to come via trade.

The Cubs lineup boasts a number of young and promising bats and the guy I'd like the most on their roster would be Jorge Soler. The 23 year-old Cuban right fielder (who is 24 by Opening Day) had a respectable, if not disappointing 2015 season, batting .262 with 10 home runs and 47 RBIs and a slightly below-average 97 OPS+ over 101 games played. He had a terrific post-season, batting .474 with 3 homers and a .600 OBP in 7 games against the Mets and the Cardinals. The Cubs hope he can carry that form into 2016 and start to realize his enormous potential.

I look at Soler as a Puig-lite without all the bad attitude issues. Soler does strike out too much, with 121 K's in 366 at-bats and he should probably hit more homers because his line drives fly off his bat. His lack of homers could just be a fluke, and as he gets older this will probably be corrected over time.

Trading for Soler is a small risk, because the Indians would be banking on him continuing to develop, so they wouldn't be trading for the finished package like they would if they went after a Carlos Gonzalez or a Brett Gardner. But that also means the Tribe wouldn't have to give up so much in a trade. Here would be my deal:

CLE sends: RHP Danny Salazar
CHI sends: RF Jorge Soler

Out of Kluber, Carrasco and Salazar, unfortunately Danny is the odd man out from that group that I'd be willing to let go for Soler. Salazar had a superb 2015, making 30 starts with a 3.45 ERA, with 195 strikeouts in 185 innings. He's only 25 and under club control until 2021, something that would be immensely appealing to the Cubs. The reason I'm willing to give up on Salazar is purely because of his history with injuries. Pitchers are unpredictable at best and if we could get a young outfield player in return for a pitcher that could get hurt in the near-future, well I'm willing to take a risk on the potential of Soler in this situation. I'm a big fan of Salazar and there's a huge part of me that would regret giving up on him this early in his career, but the possibility of Soler growing into an All Star, well I'm willing to take that risk. If the Cubs would take someone like Trevor Bauer instead of Salazar, I would jump on that trade, but I don't think Chicago would settle for anybody less than one of our top three arms.

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That's three possible trade scenarios, and I could have done many more. Remember, this is complete fantasy and fan wish-fulfillment. 

Thanks for reading.