CLEVELAND -- Despite not making the postseason, the Indians sound more optimistic going into this year's offseason compared to this time last year after appearing in the AL Wild Card game.
Last year the Indians still had a ton of questions about the pitching staff along with trying to extend some of their young core of players. When the front office and scouts gather in Goodyear, Ariz., beginning Sunday, they will assess a roster that will virtually return in tact.
"There's no complacency but we are in a position of strength. We had more questions than we do right now," general manager Chris Antonetti said.
After finishing 85-77, marking the first time the franchise has posted consecutive winning seasons since 2001, Antonetti and manager Terry Francona can count on Michael Brantley and Corey Kluber to be the foundation along with hoping for a bounce-back year from Jason Kipnis. However there do remain plenty of questions.
Nick Swisher will be coming back from surgery on both knees without knowing where he will be in the lineup. Carlos Santana found a home at first base in June that also helped his offensive numbers improve. Can a young rotation that was second in the Majors in ERA the final two months of the season continue to make progress?
Among matters that Antonetti and Francona touched on in their season-ending session:
On the defense, that led the Majors with 116 errors, which was the most since they had 118 in 2006: "We spent a lot of time talking about it during the season and will spend a lot of time talking about it over the next 4-6 weeks. The encouraging thing is it was better in the second half than the first," Antonetti said. "As you look around the diamond there is reason to think we will be better, but we do have to look at it critically for next year. We'll examine a lot of different ways."
On Kipnis' struggles: After batting .284 and leading the team in RBI (86) last season, Kipnis' average was 44 points lower as he struggled with an oblique injury for most of the year: "All guys when they're not hitting or pitching, they're going to think about it. He's handling stuff better this year and he had a lot to handle," Francona said. "He's maturing and he had a lot thrown at him. Not playing the game to his standards bothered him."
"With a guy like Kip our focus is on how to make him better. We expect him to be a cornerstone guy for us. We are looking at 2015 instead of dwelling on '14," Antonetti added.
On if an extension for Kluber is a priority for the franchise during the offseason: "That's probably a conversation for later in the winter. He is someone who we value incredibly high. The one thing he looks to do is constantly improve. Despite the incredible season he's had, whether that is working with coaches or the weight room it sets the standard for the rest of the staff."
Antonetti on Francona: "He deserves a ton of credit. His leadership and that of the coaching staff set the tone for the players. He shows up every single day with enthusiasm figuring out how to win. Players see that consistency every single day and it's hard not to have that rub off. I've had multiple players tell me when we had our exit meeting where guys referenced to that."
On other offseason matters: Francona said he expected no changes to the coaching staff but that there is a possibility that some will be interviewed for other positions during the offseason. First base coach Sandy Alomar, bench coach Brad Mills and pitching coach Mickey Callaway are possibilities.
The Indians also have to decide whether to pick up a $3.5 million option on Mike Aviles or whether to offer Jason Giambi another contract.
