– Last Updated on November 21, 2022 4:49 pm
Indians 2016 Season Preview
Ready to check out our 2016 Cleveland Indians predictions? Spring Training has already started for some teams – pitchers and catchers have already started reporting in Arizona and Florida – hard to believe.
One team with a ton to prove is the Cleveland Indians – a club that has a lot of potential behind one of the best pitching staffs in the league.
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2016 MLB Team Previews – Cleveland Indians
Cleveland has turned in 3 straight winning seasons under Terry Francona, but that has only resulted in one brief 2013 playoff appearance. Cleveland has been deemed to have one of the best starting rotations in baseball, but it’s been the hitting that has so many questions.
The Indians have been in desperate need of a right handed power bat for so many seasons now. While they didn’t directly address that, they at least made an attempt with a couple signings. This team has some unanswered questions offensively, but they certainly have a lot of potential.
Indians American League Pennant Future Odds: 12/1
Indians 2016 World Series Futures Odds: 25/1
Indians 2016 Win Total: 84 wins
2016 Indians Predictions – Projected Lineup:
- 2B Jason Kipnis (L)
- SS Francisco Lindor (S)
- LF Michael Brantley(L)
- 1B Mike Napoli (R)
- DH Carlos Santana (S)
- C Yan Gomes (R)
- 3B Juan Uribe (R)
- RF Lonnie Chisenhall (L)
- CF Rajai Davis (R)
For the Indians, there can be an asterisk placed by their lineup.
LF Michael Brantley was injured at the end of last season, an injury that required surgery on his shoulder. While there has been so much speculation on how long he will be out, Brantley himself, wasn’t ruling out opening day. However, reports have stated he will likely miss a month.
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Should Brantley be out, the Indians have a compliment of rookies and spring training invites to fill the void.
The Indians did receive bad news regarding Abraham Almonte, a guy who was acquired last season and helped lead the team to a near comeback in the Wild Card race. Almonte was suspended by the MLB for 80 games for violation of the drug policy, leaving the Indians to look internally for options.
The lineup has a lot of potential with 1 year signings with Napoli, Uribe, and Davis. A group of savvy veterans who have been through just about everything throughout their careers.
A key player will be Napoli. The Indians have tried the past seasons with Mark Reynolds and Brandon Moss to be that power hitter. However, both never panned out leaving the Indians to trade them away for nothing.
2016 Indians Predictions – Projected Rotation
- RHP Corey Kluber
- RHP Carlos Carrasco
- RHP Danny Salazar
- RHP Trevor Bauer
- RHP Josh Tomlin
The Cleveland Indians pitching staff is easily one of the best in baseball. The top 3 in the rotation were at the center of many trade rumors this past off-season, with teams offering just about everything along with the kitchen sink for one of these guys.
The Indians fielded calls, but never pursued anything, which was certainly a smart move.
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The top 3 are solidified in, as they continued to turn in solid performance after solid performance last season. From Klubers 18 strike out game to Carrasco’s near no hitter, these guys have no problem missing bats.
The bottom of the rotation will have a few questions. Trevor Bauer and Cody Anderson will likely compete for that 4th spot as Josh Tomlin was signed to a 2 year extension likely putting him in the 5th spot.
2016 Cleveland Predictions – Projected Bullpen:
- LHP Giovanni Soto
- LHP Kyle Crockett
- RHP Tommy Hunter
- RHP Zach McCallister
- RHP Jeff Manship
- RHP Bryan Shaw (Set Up)
- RHP Cody Allen (Closer)
The Indians bullpen has been a very strong suit for them under Terry Francona. The skipper loves to use everyone and play matchups and last season the back end really locked down.
Shaw and Allen have been in their roles and have had major success, but it was Jeff Manship who surprised everyone in the 2nd half. Manship was filthy down the stretch of the season, providing the Indians with another arm to come in during the 7th or 8th inning.
The question will be with the left handers. The Indians really have no go to option, but it was Crockett and Soto who finished the season in this role. They are the likely front runners for the spots, but the Indians did go out and sign 2 free agents, giving them more options during spring.
2016 Cleveland Indians Predictions:
The Indians have had 3 winning seasons and have had chances in all 3 to do some damage.
The front office has made it clear with their 1 year signings that they won’t go out and make another Swisher or Bourn deal. The Indians will obviously lean on their starting rotation to get the job done, but this lineup has potential.
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Obviously Michael Brantley is extremely important, along with the Indians getting production out of Chisenhall and Davis. With Uribe and Napoli rounding out the infield, this team will be lock down defensively and save a lot of runs.
There are a lot of questions, but this team will be fun to watch this season, as they have a lot of talent.
What do you think of our 2016 ClevelandIndians predictions? Comments are welcome below.
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