The Cleveland Indians had their comeback season, on the heels of Jose Ramirez, Shane Bieber, and some other characters that represented their growth since moving on from the core of their 2016 team.
However, one of the big pieces of said 2016 team, Carlos Santana, had a step backwards after an ASG season last year. Despite hitting 30 RBIs, Santana ended the year with a .199 average and a small figure of 8 home runs. Clearly a down year for Slamtana, and seemingly the final one for him in Cleveland.
2021 Prediction: In Kansas City, he'll have 25 home runs while building his average up slightly.
Zach Plesac, for those keeping score at home, was the Indians starter who got caught partying in Chicago and REMAINED on the team, instead of being punished by...[checks notes]...getting traded to an NLDS-qualifying Padres team, getting Tommy John surgery and a two-year deal and still being a top-tier starter.
Plesac still had a good year though, post-scorning. In 8 starts he had a 4-2 record, a 2.28 ERA and 57 strikeouts. If he doesn't make any similar screwups in 2021, he should more than make up for the loss of Clevinger.
2021 Prediction: Remember in 2013 when Justin Verlander sort of stepped back so Max Scherzer could have his big year? Expect Shane Bieber to do something like that for Plesac.
Brad Hand led the league in saves this season, which should be a big deal. For some reason that I not able to determine, despite a 2.08 ERA, zero blown saves and 29 strikeouts, the Indians weren't enamored with Hand's work in 2020, and didn't offer him a contract offer for 2021. I have no idea why. This guy's been a solid closer for 3 years now, he just had a stellar year, and y'all are just acting like he's been bad all along? Baffling to me.
2021 Prediction: Hand gets 40 saves for a last place team and the joke will be on Cleveland.
One of the biggest stars of the 2020 postseason for the Indians, as short-lived as their run their was, was Josh Naylor, a kid out of Toronto who up until recently was warming the bench for San Diego. Upon arriving in Cleveland, Naylor hit .230 with 14 hits and 2 RBIs in 22 games. In two postseason games, however, Naylor sported a .714 average with 5 hits, 3 RBIs and a home run. Absolutely insane postseason material against NY, despite being on the losing side.
2021 Prediction: The official Indians DH, complete with a high average and a bunch of homers.
It impresses me that even with its stellar rotation this year, the Indians still had room to call up their pitching prospect, the tall, slender Triston McKenzie, who struck out 10 in 6 innings, the most Ks in a debut by an Indians pitcher ever. McKenzie finished the season with a 3.24 ERA and 42 Ks in 8 games.
2021 Prediction: Rotation member right off the bat, fans 200 batters and gets some Cy Young votes.
Aaron Civale was a crucial member of the rotation for the full year, starting 12 games and posting a 4.74 ERA with 69 Ks and 4 wins. Despite being the most human of all of the full-time starters for the Indians this year, he still is a nice strikeout artist with some potential.
2021 Prediction: Wins 12 games despite being the 4th or 5th man in the rotation.
Undeniably, James Karinchak was the best reliever in Cleveland this year. In 27 relief appearances he posted a 2.67 ERA with 53 strikeouts, stymying tons of batters throughout the year. The good luck wore off a little in the postseason, but I doubt the Indians are giving up on him anytime soon.
2021 Prediction: The closing gig is his. I say he makes a big statement with it.
Despite Karnichak's dominance, there was still room for the 38-year-old Oliver Perez to take down some batters, as he has for the last 3 seasons in Cleveland. Perez had a 2.00 ERA this year and 14 strikeouts in 21 appearances. Fantastic that he's still an integral part of this team.
2021 Prediction: Someone signs him to a minor league deal, he makes the deal and helps them into the playoffs. Then retires, I reckon.
Coming Tomorrow- Genuine good things to say about the Mariners.
Undeniably, James Karinchak was the best reliever in Cleveland this year. In 27 relief appearances he posted a 2.67 ERA with 53 strikeouts, stymying tons of batters throughout the year. The good luck wore off a little in the postseason, but I doubt the Indians are giving up on him anytime soon.
I like the predictions you gave to these players on my team. Do you have physical copies of the cards you shared? I would love to add them to my collection.
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