We’re less than a month away from spring training getting underway, and we’re very curious to see what the Tribe is going to look like this year after an eventful offseason with some trades that weren’t loved by the fans but may have been smart overall deals. No question, this team is looking pretty different from last year with some big question marks. Let’s get right into it with our predicted lineup and a position-by-position breakdown, as well as a preview of the bullpen.
PROJECTED BATTING ORDER:
SS – Francisco Lindor
2B – Jason Kipnis
3B – Jose Ramirez
DH – Carlos Santana
1B – Jake Bauers
RF – Leonys Martin
LF – Tyler Naquin
C – Roberto Perez
CF – Greg Allen
Clearly, there’s some questions at the bottom of the order. Lindor, Kipnis, Ramirez, Santana, Bauers, and Martin are pretty much locks at their respective positions. Bauers, 23, is a new face and only batted .201 last year, but the Indians have high hopes for him as a prospect, especially defensively.
Meanwhile, the Tribe has yet to find a left fielder. What we have listed is putting Martin, a center fielder, in right field, inserting Greg Allen into center, and putting Tyler Naquin in left. However, if Martin is uncomfortable playing in right, the Indians could put Martin back in center, Naquin in right, and the 25 year old prospect Jordan Luplow in left. Saving Allen on the bench as a pinch runner. Most likely we will see Martin in right, because he’s going to need to move there anyways when Bradley Zimmer makes his return.
Meanwhile, the catcher position has really gotten bad. The Tribe aquired Kevin Plawecki from the Mets in the offseason. Plawecki will compete with Roberto Perez for the starting spot. While both catchers are decent behind the plate, they struggle big time offensively. Hopefully one of them can get it going and put up a solid batting average, maybe something around .230.
The lineup is still looking decent, and we know the starting pitching is going to be elite. But what about the bullpen?
We know Brad Hand will be back and will likely be the Tribe closer with Cody Allen gone. He’s the only elite pitcher in the ‘pen, and besides that it’s some (hopefully) solid names who can help out here and there. Adam Cimber hopes to take over as the second pitcher in this bullpen after a solid rookie year last year. Meanwhile, Nick Goody will come back from injury, Neil Ramirez has proven to be a solid pitcher at times, Tyler Olson comes back after an outstanding 2017 and a good ending to 2018, and the Tribe recently re-signed excellent lefty Oliver Perez. We may also see Danny Salazar moved to the bullpen if healthy, and Dan Otero will still be there.
The Indians don’t have as good of a roster as they did the last few years by any stretch. However, they’re still set up to win the weak AL Central and should be a fun team. We’re all excited to see how it turns out!
