In less than two weeks, the Cleveland Indians will open the 2015 season in Houston, with the reigning Cy Young Award winner, Corey Kluber, taking the mound.
Can the Indians have a third consecutive winning season, which hasn’t happened since the halcyon days of the late 1990’s, and can they return to the playoffs for the second time in the three seasons that Terry Francona has been at the helm?
SS Jose Ramirez is a key to the Indians’ season, as last year the infield defense got much better when he took over at shortstop following the trade of Asdrubal Cabrera.
Ramirez will open the season at that spot with Jason Kipnis his double play combination partner.
Kipnis signed a large contract extension last year through the 2019 season, so if you didn’t know better, you would think the Tribe is set at the keystone for a long time.
Except that the organization’s best prospect, and one of the game’s best prospects happens to be a shortstop in Francisco Lindor.
Based on Kipnis’ long term deal, you would think that Ramirez is the odd man out, but the Dominican native is just 22 years old, meaning he will likely get better over the next few seasons.
So, what does the organization do?
Actually, there are several options for the Tribe and since it involves fitting a very good young player, all of the options are good for GM Chris Antonetti and Francona.
First would be a position switch for one of the three players, and in this scenario, it would probably be Kipnis who would move.
Remember that Kipnis was an outfielder in college, so that would be the logical spot to return him to, but he would have to show that his bat plays if he is moved to a corner outfield spot.
Could he play CF? After next season, Michael Bourn’s contract expires leaving a spot there, but the Tribe has several young outfielders coming, particularly the first round picks in each of the last two drafts, Clint Frazier and Bradley Zimmer, and it is doubtful Kipnis has the speed to play center in the major leagues.
Could Ramirez play CF? He has the speed to handle the spot, so maybe that is his future destination.
What about 3B? Lonnie Chisenhall is the incumbent there and is just 26 years old. But we wonder if the organization views him as the long-term answer there. He certainly has never put up a complete season where he could be considered an everyday player.
The last option would be a trade of either Ramirez or Kipnis, and this kind of trade, one dealing from strength, is the best kind of trade to make.
If Kipnis hits, his contract is easily affordable for a team looking for help at 2B, and Ramirez’ age would also make him desirable to other squads.
Dealing one of them for a missing piece, be it a starting pitcher or the much coveted right-handed power bat, could be the best move for the organization.
If you would consider it a problem, then it is the best kind of problem to have.
After years of having a barren farm system, having middle infield depth (and don’t forget another youngster getting a look in Arizona in Erik Gonzalez) is a beautiful thing.
The bigger question is how long before Lindor forces the issue with the Indians.
MW
Cleveland Sports Perspective 