Cleveland Indians: 5 Pitchers With Something to Prove in 2017

Josh Tomlin is another guy with a lot to prove, and he has a bit of split personality.

Tomlin had a 3.51 ERA in the first half of 2016 and 5.59 ERA in the second half. In 2015, he had just over a 3.00 ERA in the second half (the only half in the bigs).

In 2014, he had a similar first half/second half jump where his second half ERA was two points higher than the first half. Is this something Tomlin can overcome? Or is this something that the Indians need to take into account?

Tomlin clearly cannot be better than a fifth starter over an entire season. But, with the proper amount of rest, Tomlin can be effective, very effective. It is unlikely that a 32-year old who has a career 4.50 ERA is going to all of a sudden be a top-tier starter.

Terry Francona is a smart guy, and he has a lot of options if he wants to get the most out of Tomlin. There’s a few possibilities that include grooming Mike Clevinger to be the heir-apparent fifth (or fourth?) starter by alternating Clevinger and Tomlin in the rotation and bullpen.

There is also the possibility of shutting Tomlin down for a while or moving him to the bullpen and running through four starters when the schedule allows it. No harm in skipping Tomlin’s start when we can. Clevinger can spot start in double-headers and other unusual situations, and Tomlin can get the rest he needs to be that sub-4.00 ERA guy in the back of the rotation.