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Cleveland Indians: Previewing MLB award winners on the 2017 roster

By Nick Gordon

Apr 10, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber (28) poses with the Cy Young Award before the game between the Cleveland Indians and the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber (28) poses with the Cy Young Award before the game between the Cleveland Indians and the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 17, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Danny Salazar (31) throws to the plate against the Texas Rangers in the third inning during a spring exhibition baseball game at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Danny Salazar (31) throws to the plate against the Texas Rangers in the third inning during a spring exhibition baseball game at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Cy Young

1. Corey Kluber

Over the past couple of years, Corey Kluber has cemented his name as one of the best pitchers in baseball. After winning the Cy Young award in 2014, Kluber struggled to find his touch the next year. Kluber posted a 9-16 record, giving up the most home runs in his career, with 22.

Last year, Kluber went back to his old self, posting a record of 18-9, finishing the season with a 3.14 ERA. After the All-Star break, Kluber finished the season going 9-1 in 14 starts with a 2.52 ERA. Some experts say that if it wasn’t for a slow start, Kluber would have taken home his second Cy Young award in three years.

As of now, Kluber’s odds of winning the award are at 9/2, second in the AL being the Red Sox’s Chris Sale at 7/2. With the Indians getting back Danny Salazar as well as Carlos Carrasco, pressure should be taken off Kluber to carry the entire pitching staff, ultimately setting the right-hander up for another Cy Young-type season.

2. Carlos Carrasco

Before his season was cut short due to injury, Carlos Carrasco was exceeding expectations. Carrasco had a 3.32 ERA over 25 starts, and was leading the team in strikeouts. That all ended after taking a line drive to the hand just two pitches into his September 17 start.

In spite of the injury, baseball experts saw Carrasco’s potential, giving him the eighth best odds to win the 2017 Cy Young award, at 16/1.  Before his injury, Carrasco held a record of 11-8. Despite his stellar ERA, Carrasco averaged the fourth worst run support out of the five starters. In order for Carrasco to win the award, the Indians will need to put more runs on the board.

3. Danny Salazar

Similarly with Carrasco, Danny Salazar‘s 2016 campaign was cut short due to injury. Salazar returned to the mound at the conclusion of the postseason, but was far from his normal self. During the bright spots of his 2016 season, Salazar was an AL All-Star, going 11-5 with a 3.87 ERA. If it weren’t for the injury, Salazar would have been a legit contender for the 2016 Cy Young.

Fast forward to 2017, where Danny Salazar is on the verge of complete health, hoping to get back to his 2016 first half ways. Right now, Salazar sits at 40/1 to win the award, around the likes of Marcus Stroman and Jose Quintana.

In order for Salazar to be in contention, he needs to be healthy. Setbacks in a pitcher’s recovery are common, and a rushed return or overworking Salazar could be the cause. If the Indians decided to play it safe, which I assume they will, it could be difficult without a full season of work/health to win the award.

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