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Cleveland Indians: Who is the Regular Season MVP?

By Steven Kubitza

Jun 9, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) throws to first for an out in the second inning against the Seattle Mariners as teammate third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) covers the bag at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 9, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) throws to first for an out in the second inning against the Seattle Mariners as teammate third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) covers the bag at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 31, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians designated hitter Mike Napoli (26) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the third inning against the Oakland Athletics at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians designated hitter Mike Napoli (26) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the third inning against the Oakland Athletics at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

The Indians had been seeking a right-handed power bat for years, finally finding one in Mike Napoli.

The 34-year-old had a career year in 2016, playing in 150 games and hitting 34 home runs, while driving in 101 runs. All three of those marks were career highs.

His 194 strikeouts and .239 batting average are less than ideal, but he did finish second on the team with 78 walks, behind Carlos Santana and his 99 free passes.

Napoli’s presence alone made him a valuable member of this team, bringing a veteran presence to a young locker room and wowing fans and teammates alike with his home runs that seemed to carry on forever.

It would be nice for him to put the ball in play more, but having a player who can realistically hit a home run in any given at-bat is a great thing for a playoff-bound team to have. He can be the difference in a low-scoring game, or provide an early spark by driving in some runs via the long ball early in a game.

So while Napoli did not do anything too spectacular in the realm of statistics, he did give this team an identity that will carry over into the playoffs.

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