I'm going to give the team a grade of "B" for the first half.

They've dealt with some injuries and adversity and still have a 2 1/2 game lead at the break. But, expectations were high, and they have fallen a little short. The team has not been consistent offensively, defensively, and pitching-wise.
While the pitching staff is the #1 team in the AL, other than Carrasco, Kluber and Miller, all have struggled at one time or another. I guess you can say that there is no staff any better.

Still, there are enough holes for the team to make some moves to strengthen the chances for a post season berth and run.
The team should make a move to get one more starter....although the staff is better than adequate, they are an injury away from losing the edge. I don't think you can count on Danny Salazar. I'm not opposed to moving him for a rent- a-pitcher.

Plenty more to discuss....let's do it.

They haven't been nearly as good as expected...but are in great position. Need to get to playoffs and be healthy. Gotta win the division, screw the 1 game scenario.

I'm pretty content. They have the most complete team in the division. Offense coming around. Bullpen best in AL. Starters have been solid outside of Salazar. Bauer has been really solid the last month plus. Clevinger is a very nice surprise, especially when he is throwing strikes.

They have had some issues, so to be in first place is certainly positive. Now that the bats seem to be coming around, they could easily have a streak of 6,8, 10 wins and stretch their lead. If healthy in October, they should be a force.

I'd say most everyone in the minors plus Salazar is up for trades to improve the team. Another Bullpen arm or starter is the only avenue I expect them to explore.

Untouchables:

Mejia
McKenzie
Aiken

Id trade Bradley, Allen or Diaz if they brought back more than a rental (player pending, obviously). But I'd do my best to keep them also. Just not a lot of top notch help out there like last year...at least at the moment.

I think they are going to need to add a starter to the rotation but the key, for me, is Tito staying healthy and not missing significant time.

I know he had the procedure to correct the issue but his leadership is invaluable to this squad. The way he utilized the pen in the playoffs was pretty much revolutionary and changed the way some teams think about how they use their bullpens.

Just wish he'd cut back on the damn situational bunting.

The only position that could use an upgrade might be 2nd base. Kipnis, even when he's been healthy (which hasn't been a lot) is only batting .232. It looks like this latest injury might be another month off. But there doesn't seem to be a top notch 2Bman out there who doesn't play for a contender or within the division. Kinsler of the Tigers might be available, but don't see a trade happening between the two teams.

Solid first half. Nothing special but nothing terrible either. Need to do better at home after the break and need a healthy Tito.

cat_lover;1861910 wrote:Solid first half. Nothing special but nothing terrible either. Need to do better at home after the break and need a healthy Tito.

I'm all with that.

Go Tribe.

our pitching sucks and our bats have gone silent...roll Trjbe

^^^+1

Jose with the first hit of the All Star game. Awesome


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2-2 with a steal. Judge is a bitch and could even manage a meager single.

Pretty sure it is 2-1 in the B10 with Miller pitching.

And Miller closes it out.

Jose with 2 hits.

Miller Time!!

Go AL.

The first half was 'Meh'. Not saying we were going through the motions but I think you saw a team who knows they are good but aren't quite used to winning yet. They have played better vs the better teams than they have against bad teams. I suppose a good thing for the potential playoff run but you have to take care of business against the bad teams and I think that comes with experience to focus and take those games as seriously as the games vs Boston and Houston, etc.

In games where they have been home favorites on the moneyline of -170 to -250 (heavy favorites by baseball standards for the non-gamblers) they are only 4-8 in those game. Only 22-22 vs teams under .500. That should change in the 2nd half. Also, only 21-24 at home after being one of the best home teams in baseball last year. I expect positive regression there, as well.

So it's all there for them. They are a couple 6-8 game winning streaks away from putting some distance on the other teams.

Here's really all you need to know. The Indians run differential is +74. The Twins are -60. The Twins are not for real. The Royals are the scary chaser to me but I think any ending other than the Tribe winning the division (and with room to spare) would either be a product of some horrible injury luck or just a total collapse. *Knock on wood* But I am preparing for October baseball in Cleveland again this year.

I agree 2B would be the most logical upgrade, Jose is actually a natural 2B, so even if we move him there and find a 3B ,that would work.

We aren't upgrading 2B. Unless Kipnis goes down for the year. And even then not sure what we would try and get, with Kipnis being the immediate answer at that position.

Laley23;1862186 wrote:We aren't upgrading 2B. Unless Kipnis goes down for the year. And even then not sure what we would try and get, with Kipnis being the immediate answer at that position.

L
Let's put it this way...I think Kip is off the "untouchables" list. I would not be surprised if the Trjbe actively tried to move him, or at least let it be known they'd listen to offers. Kipnis is 30 years old and has been hurt 2 of the past 3 years.

HitsRus;1862200 wrote:L
Let's put it this way...I think Kip is off the "untouchables" list. I would not be surprised if the Trjbe actively tried to move him, or at least let it be known they'd listen to offers. Kipnis is 30 years old and has been hurt 2 of the past 3 years.

While true. It took Gomes going down for like the 5th time last year...for the season, before we made any moves to try and get a catcher. And Kip is much better than Gomes at the plate.

HitsRus;1862200 wrote:L
Let's put it this way...I think Kip is off the "untouchables" list. I would not be surprised if the Trjbe actively tried to move him, or at least let it be known they'd listen to offers. Kipnis is 30 years old and has been hurt 2 of the past 3 years.

?

Played 141 games in 2015 and was an All Star. Played 156 games last year and hit a career high 23 HR and knocked in 82 runs while batting a solid .275. He also hit 4 homers in the playoffs and batted .290 with 4 RBI in the World Series.

This season has been rough. Didn't help that he missed all of Spring Training so he's been behind all year but certainly not to the point where we need to cut bait. He's one of our guys and there is nobody realistically available at 2B that I would rather have.

You guys are harsh. Guy catches an injury bug for a season and you're ready to ship him out of town. Glad we didn't do that with our 2017 All Star Michael Brantley after being hurt last season. May I suggest owning race horses? You can just take them out back and put em down when they get hurt.

^^^
My bad, TBONE...actually 2 out of the last 4 years. I was referencing 2014 where he had an injury plagued year and could not get it going...much like this year. But with the development of some younger players, Gonzalez , Diaz, Urshela, ...the Tribe could deem him expendable. Now I'm not saying that should be done immediately, or that these guys are ready, I'm just saying that going forward that might be the case.

As an FYI , tonight at 7:30pm on the MLB Network there will be a documentary about the 90's Cleveland Indians called "The Dynasty that Almost Was." A lot of interviews with all of those players, minus my boy Joey (of course)....heard this was really good. if this has been mentioned elsewhere, my bad.....

BR1986FB;1862293 wrote:As an FYI , tonight at 7:30pm on the MLB Network there will be a documentary about the 90's Cleveland Indians called "The Dynasty that Almost Was." A lot of interviews with all of those players, minus my boy Joey (of course)....heard this was really good. if this has been mentioned elsewhere, my bad.....

Definitely gonna catch that when they air the repeats. Those teams were so stacked.