Is the Window to Contend for a Title Closing for the Indians?
Aging Key Players & Manager
Corey Kluber, Michael Brantley, Edwin Encarnacion and Carlos Carrasco were all great again this season and there’s little-to-no doubt that they could all repeat that kind of success in future years. However, all four are on the “wrong” side of their age-30 seasons and father time will catch up to them at some point. Yes, players aged 30 and over are more likely to have success in baseball compared to other sports, but all of this will ultimately be a waste if the Indians cannot make that push and finally win a title for the guys that most deserve it.
Kluber and Carrasco were late bloomers and the Indians are grateful for it. But, Encarnacion is in his mid-30s and nobody knows if Brantley will be able to repeat his batting wizardry from his last five full seasons (.304/.450/.812). We’ll see if these four can repeat productive seasons another year into their thirties next season. That is if Brantley is re-signed to a new contract in his age-32 season.
Another key player for the Indians is actually the manager, Terry Francona. Francona, affectionately known as Tito, has had his health problems in past seasons and with Tito turning 60 next season, who knows how much longer he will be in the game? God forbid anything happens to Tito, but he knows himself best and he will step down as manager if he feels his health is of more importance.
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