The calendar has turned to 2019 and that means football season is over in Cleveland, and spring training for the Indians is just a little over 40 days away.

What will the Tribe look like as they take the field in Goodyear to start getting ready to defend the American League Central Division title that they’ve held for three years?

One thing is for sure, president Chris Antonetti and GM Mike Chernoff have to address the everyday lineup, because as it stands right now, it’s not good enough to be a serious contender to get to the World Series.

Another thing to consider is the age of the everyday players.  The Indians finished the 2018 season as the third oldest team in the AL, behind just the Mariners and Angels.

So, the challenge is not only to get better, but get younger as well.

The only way to do that, it seems, is to trade a starting pitcher, either Corey Kluber or Trevor Bauer, for a package which would consist of a young position player and a top prospect to help the upper levels of the farm system, which is kind of barren right now.

However, if the front office can’t make that kind of deal, what else can they do to upgrade the lineup.

They could trade some prospects, but as we just said, the upper level is thin right now, and with Bauer coming up on free agency, we would prefer to keep the Indians’ top prospect, Triston McKenzie, who could be ready to hit Cleveland later this season.

That means the only option to improve the lineup would be free agency, preferably on short term deals to give the team flexibility going forward.  This would allow the organization to look at a deal involving a starting pitcher after next season.

We would look at Nick Markakis to play right field.  Markakis had one of best seasons a year ago, and is a professional hitter and a solid defensive player.

And he hit .310 with a 851 OPS on the road in 2018, meaning his home park held down his offensive numbers.  He is also walking more as he ages, which bodes well for him holding his production as he ages.

He is also very consistent, with only one season in his 13 year career having an OPS below 700.  His lowest on base percentage over the last five years?  .342 in 2014.

As the off-season goes on, it is more and more likely you can get Markakis on a short term deal, say a one year contract with a club option.

The other hitter we would look at is 2B DJ LeMahieu, who has played in Colorado his whole career.  This would move Jose Ramirez back to third base.

His on base percentage has slipped in the past two years, but he is only 30 years, and again on a short deal, we feel he could rebound in 2019.

He’s a .298 lifetime hitter, albeit in Coors Field, but he is a guy who puts the bat on the ball, and he’s also a three time Gold Glove winner, so he brings outstanding defense as well.

These two moves would lengthen the lineup for Terry Francona, and also allow him to ease in young players like Jordan Luplow and Greg Allen without the pressure to produce immediately.

This much is clear, the team has to address the lineup.  With two superstars in the lineup and perhaps the best starting rotation in the majors, this isn’t the time to be wishing and hoping.

MW