Players Making it Clear They Want to Play With The Cleveland Indians

The Indians continue to add to the “family”

There was once a time, when landing with the Cleveland Indians wasn’t the most ideal situation. In fact, you didn’t pursue the Indians, you waited till you didn’t have a choice. Oh my, how much things have changed in Cleveland.

Over the course of the past few seasons, it’s become common for Indians’ players to sign extensions, giving up their arbitration eligible seasons in order to stay in Cleveland. There’s a desire to be part of this franchise, to help it back to prominence. It won’t be done with high-priced free agent rentals, but players who have earned their stripes with the Tribe, and want to see it through.

“Honestly, the biggest thing is that I wanted to be here,” – Corey Kluber.

Pitchers Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco recently joined an ever-growing group, each signing extensions that will take them through their arbitration seasons. Last year Michael Brantley did so, and that paid dividends immediately for the Indians.

Kluber comes off a Cy Young winning year, and hit the ground running in the season opener–even though he took the loss in the 2-0 contest with the Houston Astros. He carried a no-hitter into the sixth, allowing only two runs on three hits in his 7 1/3 innings.

Carrasco in a bit more interesting, in that he essentially earned the extension in the last half of 2014. He was designated for assignment before eventually landing in the bullpen after a rough start to the year. But Carrasco never wavered, continued to do all that was asked of him–eventually finding his way back into the rotation. He made his case to never leave it again.

In his final 10 starts with the Tribe in 2014, he posted an ERA of 1.30. Flash in the pan? The Indians don’t seem to think so based on the four-year extension he signed with two option years in 2019 and 2020.

These two join Brantley, Yan Gomes and Jason Kipnis as part of the nucleus that the Indians are building for long-term success. There are still a few question marks, but every team has them, no matter how established they are.

The Indians have found treating players like family will do much more for them than treating them as assets.

Next: Indians Goodwill Pays Off With Marcum