With MLB Opening Day only 23 days away and spring training games steadily underway, baseball season is right around the corner. Over the next month, we will preview all 30 MLB teams for the 2020 season leading up to Opening Day on March 26th. Next up, the Cleveland Indians 2020 preview. Check out the preview for the Cincinnati Reds here.
The Cleveland Indians finished 93-69 in 2019 but missed the playoffs for the first time since 2015. Their 93 wins represented an increase from 2018 and are tied for second-most by a non-playoff team in the Wild Card era.
The Indians accomplished that feat despite getting only seven starts from Corey Kluber, who has since been traded. 12 starts from Carlos Carrasco, who was diagnosed with leukemia but thankfully returned later in the year. The Indians also overcame a down season from closer Brad Hand, who blew five saves and registered his highest ERA since 2015. A trade of Trevor Bauer and occasional missed start from Mike Clevinger left Shane Bieber as the only consistent member of the pitching staff in 2019.
The offense was not without their struggles as well. Jose Ramirez hit .218 before the All-Star break only to hit .327 with 16 home runs after the break. Despite the hot finish, 2019 was Ramirez’s worst season as a full-time starter. Retaining his late-season form could be all the Indians need to push themselves back into a playoff spot. Carlos Santana rode a hot first half to an All-Star appearance but trailed off in the second half as Ramirez hit his stride.
Francisco Lindor was his usual elite self but inconsistencies around led to some decrease in his numbers. Outside of those three the offense largely struggled, especially in the outfield. Domingo Santana was signed in the offseason to bring some pop to the lineup but like Carlos, Domingo had a horrid second half after a hot start.
Prospects Nolan Jones and Triston McKenzie could be looking at playing time for the big club in 2020. McKenzie missed all of 2019 with multiple injuries but could be called upon if members of the rotation struggle or deal with injuries. Jones is a top 50 prospect that made it to double-A last season after being drafted out of high school in 2016. While his path is blocked by Jose Ramirez at third base and Carlos Santana at first, his advanced approach and intriguing power could force the Indians’ hand before long.
93 wins is nothing to scoff at but it is up for debate if the Indians did enough to improve over 2019. The Minnesota Twins are still favorites to win the AL Central and the Chicago White Sox have built an intriguing combination of youth and experience. The return for Corey Kluber was modest at best and despite his struggles on the mound, the Indians will surely miss him in the clubhouse and at the top of their rotation. With the Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland A’s determined to retain their Wild Card spots and the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Angels looking to return to the playoffs, the Indians are entering a crowded AL Wild Card race for 2020.
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