Cleveland Indians: Does the Team Want to Win in 2016?

While many contending teams continue to strengthen their roster, the Cleveland Indians–who may or may not be one of those teams–continue to sit on their hands while others improve. Is there a grand plan in play here, because it doesn’t seem like it.

You can’t necessarily look at what other teams in the league are doing and say that your team is having a terrible offseason–but in the case of the Cleveland Indians, you pretty much can. Fans have even started to justify signings for guys like Collin Cowgill. Now, nothing personal against Cowgill or his skills, but this isn’t the answer that Indians’ fans are looking for. If this team is looking to do something, the timing might be right, and it’s because another team with the only championship drought longer than the Tribe. The Chicago Cubs.

The Cubs are making an all-out effort to end their drought. Winning an offseason doesn’t translate to winning the World Series, but they’ve improved a team that won 97 games and in the process stole two of their division rivals best players in John Lackey and Jason Heyward. Word is they are looking for another starting pitcher, which is likely to come via trade. It’s clear Indians’ fans don’t want to see one of the starters traded, and the front office isn’t going to give them away. But now might be the time to capitalize, and not for Trevor Bauer or Cody Anderson.

The Cubs have had their eye on Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar (who hasn’t?), and while the Indians don’t want to move either, they could have the best chance at scoring a key return. The Tribe isn’t going to get Kris Bryant or Kyle Schwarber–the Braves tried, that failed–but now on the cusp of being an NL juggernaut if they aren’t already, the Cubs may see one of those as the one to put them over the top.

Jorge Soler and Javier Baez have been tossed about heavily this offseason. Some feel Soler is “expendable” with Heyward signing as he’s a right fielder, although the Cubs forecast a move to centerfield. With the trade of Starlin Castro to the Yankees, others feel Baez is staying as he becomes the safety net should something happen to Addison Russell (missed time with injury during season, NLCS). But for Carrasco? The could potentially part with both.

These aren’t the only talented players the Cubs have. The farm system is littered with talent. The one place the Cubs lack top-tier prospects is on the mound. But with the possibility of acquiring Carrasco, the Cubs could potentially send one of the aforementioned players, as well as Kyle Hendricks, last year’s fifth starter. The team thinks highly of him, comparing his stuff and his methods to Greg Maddux. (Does not translate to “will be the next Maddux). But if the Indians are willing to trade Carrasco or Salazar they will likely want an arm in return.

Next: More ho-hum deals for the Tribe

You’ve heard all the rumors, and much of this is speculation. But in covering each of these teams, this is a very viable solution for both teams. For the Indians, it’s coming down to keeping their rotation, making minimal moves, and hoping for the best next season. Is this really the winning formula? No, no it is not.