Cleveland Indians: Who is the Regular Season MVP?
Jun 9, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) throws to first for an out in the second inning against the Seattle Mariners as teammate third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) covers the bag at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Indians are back in the postseason for the first time since 2013 and have reached this point because of the great play of certain members of the team.
If you ignore the play of the Cleveland Browns, 2016 has already been a magical year for Cleveland sports. The Cleveland Cavaliers brought the city its first championship since 1964, and the Cleveland Indians are now looking to bring the city its second title in four months.
It is the Indians’ first time back in the postseason since the 2013 Wild Card Game, and the first time back in the ALDS since the 2007 season.
The amount of games played throughout an MLB season is unlike anything else seen in sports, allowing for ups and downs that can seemingly make fans, or reporters, declare the season over after a tough stretch, or feel like this team is championship-bound after a 14-game winning streak.
This type of season was expected to be led by the likes of Michael Brantley, Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar, but all three dealt with injuries throughout the season, with Brantley only playing in 11 games.
Instead, the team rallied together and were led by some unexpected heroes, and some who were already familiar faces. Whenever the team was faced with a challenge, someone new seemed to step up to carry the team, even if only for one game.
This type of season is one that features several key players who were consistently dominant all season, and players that fans could look to as a sure thing even when there were questions surrounding the team as a whole.
It brings up the debate of who should be considered the team’s MVP, so let’s look at the candidates before the playoffs begin. Hopefully, we can look back at the end of October after a long playoff run and determine a postseason MVP as well.
Aug 26, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber (28) pitches against the Texas Rangers during the third inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
While the MVP debate is often focused on position players, it is hard to argue against Corey Kluber‘s importance to this Indians team.
Amidst all the injuries and questions surround the pitching staff, Kluber remained a constant. He leads the team with 215 innings pitched, only going less than five innings in three of his 32 starts. His ability to go deep into games gave the team a great chance to win every time he took the mound. His 6.5 WAR also ranks second in all of baseball for pitchers, right behind Justin Verlander.
Statistics are a major telling point, but Kluber’s presence every five days is that of consistency and a warranted expectation that the offense can lock up a win by scoring three to four runs. He only allowed more than three runs in nine of his starts, helping contribute to the +101 run-differential held by the Indians in 2016.
He will not be starting Game 1 of the ALDS, with Trevor Bauer assuming that role, but there is no doubting he is the ace of the staff. Starting Game 2 is not a demotion, but rather an assurance that he is fully healthy, allowing him to pitch late into October if the Indians continue winning.
Only appearing in 32 games hurts Kluber’s chances to be considered the overall MVP of the team, but he is without a doubt not only the best pitcher on the Indians, but one of the best in all of baseball.
Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field. The Tigers won 9-5. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
At the age of 22, Francisco Lindor has emerged as a franchise shortstop for the Indians. And his dominance is only getting started.
Lindor played in 158 of the Indians’ 161 games this season, joining Carlos Santana as the team’s leader in games played. He did hit a slump at the end of the season, but that may be because of fatigue more than any fundamental problems. Hopefully the rest before Thursday will help him get back to his successful ways.
Lindor finished the season with a .301 batting average and 182 hits, leading the team in the latter category. He also finished with a 3.9 WAR, just .1 behind Jose Ramirez.
In addition to his success at the plate, Lindor is one of the better shortstops in the league. It was good enough to see him honored with an All-Star Game appearance, as the duo he has formed with Jason Kipnis is one of the most sure-handed in baseball.
Lindor has been so great in 2016 that it almost seems like a shock whenever an error is made, or he goes into a slump. He has the Mike Trout effect, where his success is almost taken for granted because of how great he is every day.
The true test will be how he performs in the postseason, but no matter how he does, his 2016 regular season performance was one that may only be the beginning for a young player who can be one of the best players on the Indians for years to come.
Jul 31, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians designated hitter Mike Napoli (26) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the third inning against the Oakland Athletics at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
The Indians had been seeking a right-handed power bat for years, finally finding one in Mike Napoli.
The 34-year-old had a career year in 2016, playing in 150 games and hitting 34 home runs, while driving in 101 runs. All three of those marks were career highs.
His 194 strikeouts and .239 batting average are less than ideal, but he did finish second on the team with 78 walks, behind Carlos Santana and his 99 free passes.
Napoli’s presence alone made him a valuable member of this team, bringing a veteran presence to a young locker room and wowing fans and teammates alike with his home runs that seemed to carry on forever.
It would be nice for him to put the ball in play more, but having a player who can realistically hit a home run in any given at-bat is a great thing for a playoff-bound team to have. He can be the difference in a low-scoring game, or provide an early spark by driving in some runs via the long ball early in a game.
So while Napoli did not do anything too spectacular in the realm of statistics, he did give this team an identity that will carry over into the playoffs.
Sep 30, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Cleveland Indians third basemen Jose Ramirez (11) hit an RBI single against the Kansas City Royals during the third inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
Talk about a breakout season.
Jose Ramirez entered the season as a utility player for the Indians, ultimately ending the season as the permanent replacement at the third base position.
After never appearing in more than 97 games during the first three years of his career, Ramirez played in 152 games in 2016, leading the team with a .312 batting average. His 4.0 WAR was also the highest among position players on the team.
He was also an asset on defense, playing third base, left field, second base and shortstop throughout the course of the season. He never complained and never let the changes affect his production, proving his value to the ball club every day for the last six months.
Because of his consistency when given his different assignments, Ramirez is my choice for MVP of the regular season. He will not contend for AL MVP, but he is clearly the most valuable player for the Indians.
He did go through a bit of the slump in July, but he rebounded and has kept his average above the .300 mark since August 7.
Known for his total disregard of his helmet’s safety, Ramirez is one of the many faces of this team, and one who may become the face of the MLB playoffs is he can help this team make a run at a World Series title.
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