History in the Making: Reaching The Cleveland Indians All-Time Top 20

Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

Carlos Carrasco – 7.1 career WAR

The emerging ace was very good in 2015, but like Kluber was hurt by a 3.68 RA9. If he could creep back closer to the 2.69 RA9 he had in 2014 when he was worth 3.8 WAR in 134 innings, then go 200+ innings in 2016 like he did this year, he could easily be a 6-7 win pitcher. And to get to 35, he’d have to. Due to his spending parts of six years noodling around and yo-yoing between the minors and majors, bullpen and rotation, disabled list and active roster, he’s running behind on what he needs and is running out of contract time. Twenty-eight wins is going to be a lot of work, especially considering the Indians have him for five more years.

He’s been excellent, but he’ll have to be incredible the next two or three to even have a shot. I’m talking 7+ each season, get 18 to 21 at least before he starts hitting those team option years. So from his age 29 to 31 seasons he’d have to be one of the best in baseball and lucky to boot. Which he is very much expected to be – remember that stretch in early August where he logged a 1.36 ERA over 33 innings? Or shut out the World Champion Kansas City Royals, a team that never swung and missed, with 15 strikeouts in late September? He’s got everything, and if it all falls right he could at least oust Jackson and Bradley.

Next: Brantley