Cleveland, OH (92.3 The Fan) – Baseball made its’ return on Thursday, as the Indians lost to the Twins 2-0.
It’s easy to overreact to the first game of the season, especially a road game. The Indians play two more games against the Twins this weekend before Monday’s home opener.
Most believe the Indians will win the American League Central Division for a fourth-straight season. Others, especially those in Cleveland, question their ability to do so.
In honor of baseball's return to “The Jake,” here are three hot takes for the 2019 season:
Trevor Bauer will win the Cy Young Award in his last season in Cleveland – Not only will the 28-year-old be the top pitcher on a team with Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco, he’ll also be the best starter in the American League.
Bauer thinks he’s the best in the game. He thought he would’ve won the award last season had he stayed healthy. This year he’ll pitch 200 or more innings for the first time in his career. He’ll post the lowest ERA in the American League and finish with over 200 strikeouts.
Bauer puts a lot of pressure on himself to perform. His snarky attitude bothers some, but it doesn’t stop him from doing things his way. It does feel like this could be Bauer’s last run with the Indians. He thinks the organization is going to trade him next offseason.
It would make a lot of sense, especially if he’s going to sign one-year contracts for the rest of his career. The Indians don’t love his antics or the way he uses social media. They would never say that publicly, but what organization likes dealing with distractions of that nature?
Bauer is going to play his best ball this season, win the Cy Young Award and will be playing in a different city in 2020.
Injuries, not the outfield is biggest reason for step back – I have the Indians winning the division for a fourth-straight year, but it won’t be nearly as easy as it was in 2018. Cleveland will “settle” for 87 wins and another playoff berth, but injuries get in the way and almost derail things.
They’re already dealing with Francisco Lindor’s calf strain and sprained ankle. Tyler Clippard and Jason Kipnis are nursing injuries. I expect health to play a big role in their 2019 Indians’ story.
Some may read this take and assume it’s a negative one, but that isn’t entirely the case. The Indians should find some stability in the outfield by midseason. They have plenty of options to choose from. Three players should emerge from a group that includes Leonys Martin, Jake Bauers, Greg Allen, Tyler Naquin, Jordan Luplow, Carlos Gonzalez and Bradley Zimmer.
It wouldn’t be shocking to see the front office make a move and add an outfielder this summer before the trade deadline. The Indians are probably going to take a step back, but the lack of talent in the outfield won’t be nearly as big of an issue as most believe.
Jose Ramirez will win the Home Run Derby – The All-Star Game will be here in July. If you’re like me, you enjoy the Home Run Derby more than the actual game.
There’s nothing like a player from the home city winning it in front of his home crowd. It happened in 2015 in Cincinnati with Todd Frazier. It also happened last season when Bryce Harper won it in Washington.
Can you imagine what it would be like if Ramirez did it in Cleveland? He hit 39 home runs last season, which was tied with Mike Trout for fourth-most in Major League Baseball. It may sound like a pipe dream, but it’s totally possible.
Ramirez didn’t participate in the derby last year and said it was a decision he made after talking with the rest of the Indians organization. Something tells me that’ll change this season since the festivities are in Cleveland.
Quick Takes:
Jake Bauers will hit more than 20 home runs this season and show promise defensively at first base and in left field.
33-year-old Carlos Gonzalez will make a significant impact once he joins the big league club. CarGo will post a .290 batting average and finish with at least 70 RBI.
Hanley Ramirez won’t be on the Indians’ roster a month from now. It’s hard to envision the 35-year-old sticking, especially after Bradley Zimmer, Gonzalez and others return to the lineup.
Mike Clevinger will finish with 15 or more wins and 200+ strikeouts for the first time in his career.
The Indians will acquire a power bat at the trade deadline. If Oakland isn’t in the hunt, then Khris Davis makes a lot of sense. The 31-year-old will be a free agent this winter and should be on the block, unless Oakland is better than they’re projected to be.
The Indians’ selling spree isn’t done. After the 2019 season, they’ll continue to sell familiar faces, including Bauer, in an attempt to get younger and cheaper. They’re hoping to rebuild and win at the same time. That process didn’t end when spring training started and will continue into next offseason.
The play of Brad Miller, Max Moroff and Eric Stamets will leave the front office and fans wishing the Indians had signed a versatile player like Marwin Gonzalez or Derek Dietrich this offseason. Instead, any injury to Lindor or Kipnis leaves the Tribe reeling.
Baseball season is here, which means we have seven months of observations and hot takes ahead of us.
For more on the Indians, listen to the latest episode of the Cleveland Sports Beat podcast below:
