Fansided

Each MLB team’s season success or failure?

By Nathaniel Reeves

Nov 1, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Jarrod Dyson shows off the Commissioners Trophy to fans after defeating the New York Mets in game five of the World Series at Citi Field. The Royals win the World Series four games to one. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Jarrod Dyson shows off the Commissioners Trophy to fans after defeating the New York Mets in game five of the World Series at Citi Field. The Royals win the World Series four games to one. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cleveland Indians

May 28, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Cleveland Indians pitcher Corey Kluber (28) throws against the Seattle Mariners during the fourth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
May 28, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Cleveland Indians pitcher Corey Kluber (28) throws against the Seattle Mariners during the fourth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

81-80, 3rd in AL Central

Cleveland was a trendy pick to take the AL Central and possibly even win the World Series before the season began. With a starting pitching staff that figured to put up huge strikeout numbers and featured reigning Cy Young winner Corey Kulber, the Indians certainly looked like the best team on paper in the division.

The starting pitching delivered, but not much else went right for Cleveland, which never really showed any threat of contention. Cleveland’s offense was poor for much of the year, as veterans like Michael Bourn, Nick Swisher and Brandon Moss all struggled mightily.

However, it may have been a very bad defense that hurt the Indians the most at the start of the year. Cleveland did improve after calling up Francisco Lindor and Giovanny Urshela to shore up the right side of the infield, but the Indians didn’t have enough to make a serious run at the Wild Card.

There are reasons to be optimistic about the Indians’ current group of players for 2016. Kluber and Carlos Carrasco will be back to lead what should again be a very good starting rotation.

Lindor’s performance was the biggest positive for the Indians in 2015, as the 21-year-old put up 4.6 WAR in just 99 games per FanGraphs. Still, this season was very disappointing overall for a promising roster.

Failure. This pitching staff should have made the playoffs and done some damage.

Next: Colorado Rockies

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