Cleveland Indians: Stability at manager is a major key to success

The Cleveland Indians are lucky to have some stability at the manager position with Terry Francona as the team pursues a World Series title.

Unlike another team in town, the Cleveland Indians have never been an organization that changes leadership often.

Winning helps managers keep their jobs, but so does belief that someone is the right person for the job.

Terry Francona has now spent five seasons managing the Indians, taking the team to the postseason three times. All three trips have ended in disappointment, but Francona has remained the clear man for the job.

The Indians don’t have much roster turnover from year to year either, meaning a new manager would potentially bring a whole new philosophy and atmosphere to the clubhouse. That could work in some situations, but as long as Francona doesn’t make any insanely dumb decisions, it is also up to the players themselves to take that next step to win a championship.

MLB Trade Rumors ran a post detailing all the manager and top front office members on expiring deals, and it is nice to know the Indians aren’t planning any major changes. Francona is locked up through 2020, which aligns with what some call the team’s “competitive window,” if you believe in such a concept with how random baseball can be.

While other teams commit to rebuilds that may last three-to-five years at minimum, Indians fans are once again able to get excited about the team pursuing a World Series title in 2018. Having a Hall of Fame manager in the dugout only helps keep the expectations high.

There are fans who are upset with some of Francona’s decision this past postseason, and that is just fine. As long as his good decisions continue to outweigh the bad, his job is safe for the duration of his contract.

Next: Ranking Terry Francona among the team’s best managers

There will come a point when the lack of a championship could cost Francona his job, but we can cross that bridge when the time comes. A new year is a time for new hope. No time to think about impending doom just yet.