Cleveland Indians
Glaring need(s): Left field
“BELIEVELAND.”
Cute, right?
The recent signing of left-handed reliever Logan Boone was a huge gain to strengthen the Indians bullpen.
Left-handed hitters vs. Boone Logan last season: .142/.222/.255 in 106 at-bats. Last five seasons: .215/.293/.341 in 419 at-bats. #Indians
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 2, 2017
With that addition putting the bullpen worries to rest, the team acquiring slugger Edwin Encarnacion. And with the infield positions relatively solid, one of the remaining questions is the outfield presence.
Tyler Naquin and Lonnie Chisenhall made cases for themselves last season, so the right and centerfield positions could very well go to them. The big questions is whether Michael Brantley will stay healthy. The 29-year-old was limited to only 11 games last season with a right shoulder issue that resulted in surgery for a torn labrum.
The latest update at the end of January says the outfielder is “ahead of schedule” according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.