The Cleveland Indians

The Indians made some interesting moves this off season. It was a good move to let Ubaldo Jimenez sign with the Baltimore Orioles and an excellent move to sign David Murphy, a possible lighting in a bottle. The Indians are also going to try catcher Carlos Santana at third base, a very interesting move, but I would much rather use him as a designated hitter.

The lineup for the Indians will look very interesting, well balanced to say the least. A cluster of switch hitters, balanced with power, speed, and high on base percentages. The combinatio
n of Kipnis, Swisher, and Santana will be a great one for the Indians. Here is how the lineup for the 2014 Cleveland Indians may look.

1. L. Michael Bourne CF 93 OPS+
2. L. Jason Kipnis 2B 133 OPS+
3. S. Carlos Santana DH 137 OPS+
4. S. Nick Swisher 1B 117 OPS+
5. S. Asdrubal Cabrera SS 98 OPS+
6. L. David Murphy RF 77 OPS+
7. R. Yan Gomes C 133 OPS+
8. L. Michael Brantley LF 107 OPS+
9. R. Mike Aviles 3B 84 OPS+

Nick Swisher

The pitching rotation will be without Ubaldo Jimenez a very important part to the team toward the end of the 2013 season, but a few players will need to step up in 2014. Trevor Bauer who was acquired in a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks last year will hopefully come to be the player everyone expects him to be. Justin Masterson and the word extension is being fluttered around, but he is set to hit free agency and make band given the current market for starting pitching. Here is how the rotation may look for the Indians in 2014.

1. R. Justin Masterson 109 ERA+
2. R. Josh Tomlin        61 ERA+ in 2012
3. R. Corey Kluber       98 ERA+
4. R. Zach McAllister   100 ERA+
5. R. Trevor Bauer      
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The bullpen will be without closer Chris Perez, but John Axford will be filling the position. Still part of the Bullpen Mafia is Vinnie Pestano, but Joe Smith signed with the Angels. With a combination of several other relievers the Indians still have a bullpen sufficient to stay in games come the late innings.