Cleveland Indians: The healthy core needed for a title in 2017

Francisco Lindor is unquestionably the heart and soul of this team. He plays with passion, exuberance, grace, power and a smile that gives this group its identity. Somehow losing Lindor for any amount of time would be a hindrance that would leave the Tribe without its leadoff hitter and most important defensive position player.

Lindor has provided some surprising power in 2017 currently sitting at 25 home runs. He’s hit a career-high nine home runs in August, and it seems he has really found his groove hitting leadoff.

To add some context to the power surge we are seeing from Lindor, here are the name of players who have 24+ HR as a SS, age-23 or younger: A-Rod, Nomar, Ripken, and Jhonny Peralta. That’s quite the list to be attached to at such a young age. Forgotten here, it also speaks to how underrated Peralta was in his young Tribe days.

Sure, if injury struck, Jose Ramirez has a track record coming up as a shortstop, but moving Jose out of second with Jason Kipnis’ injury-riddled 2017 season would be a disaster. The Indians would have to bring Erik Gonzalez into the lineup permanently and adjust accordingly.

That drop-off would be steep, and one that is so steep that it would stop the Indians from winning on the biggest stage.