Cleveland Indians: Pitching staff stayed intact, but for what?

Will the Cleveland Indians keeping their pitching staff together matter if the offense still can’t manufacture runs? It’s going to be a fine line they walk early on to see if this was worth it.

From last year’s trade deadline up until today, much of the “rumors” circulating the Cleveland Indians surrounded their supremely talented pitching staff. From the supposed near trade of Carlos Carrasco to the Blue Jays last July to the every present name-dropping of Danny Salazar and Carrasco–the Indians kept this conglomerate of arms together. That’s the good news. But what did they keep it together for?

I’m very aware of the importance of pitching. It wins championships–or so it is said. So if that is the case and good pitching can, then an inept offense can fail to give you the opportunity, and that’s where the Indians currently hover. The potential of a lights out starting rotation but–at best–a mediocre offense. I’m not even factoring in Michael Brantley being out the first month or two, that’s assuming after his return.

For every player that regresses, another will take a step forward. It’s hard to think that Francisco Lindor can be better than last year, but I believe he can–and will in 2016. But with players like Frankie, you also have guys like Lonnie Chisenhall. Upon his return to Cleveland as an outfielder, in 54 games Chisenhall batted .288 with 25 RBIs and made some great plays in the outfield. Or he simply showed a lack of range and had a propensity for making the ordinary look spectacular. The jury is out on that.

Then you have injuries. The Indians were no stranger to that bug last season. Jason Kipnis was finally healthy and looked the part–until he wasn’t anymore and dropped off in the second half. Yan Gomes missed time after being injured, and while Roberto Perez was a capable fill-in, the loss of Gomes was apparent. Now to start this season, they’ll be without Brantley. He won’t be the only injury as that is the nature of the game.

Corey Kluber was a shell of his Cy Young self–except when he wasn’t. It’s deceiving as the numbers show a 9-16 pitcher, but his 3.49 ERA was the second lowest of his short career while he also completed four games. So the “shell” of that Cy Young season wasn’t really as bad as it seemed as Kluber finished ninth in the 205 AL Cy Young vote–with a 9-16 record.

The always interesting Trevor Bauer was an enigma wrapped in a paradox last season. The fun and games of drones in Goodyear turned to Twitter rants and struggle as Bauer became one of the “regression” players in 2015. High hopes turned to questions–can the “beautiful mind” be a beautiful No. 4 starter?

The thing is, on paper–and in potential–this staff could absolutely scorch the A.L. Central as well as the rest of baseball. The thing is, it’s not likely to happen with this offense. There aren’t any fewer question marks heading into next season, and in some cases, they may have more. From hoping Mike Napoli‘s career will mimic the second half of last season and not the first, to seeing if Chisenhall can actually hit for an ENTIRE season. Can Kipnis be consistent for an entire year? Will Brantley come back aggressive, or will it take time?

Next: Raburn? Anyone?

The Indians kept a very good pitching staff together, and it will need to be every bit of that good with an offense that doesn’t look like it will be world beaters next year.