Four Keys for the Indians Offseason to Be Successful and Still Make a Title Run in 2019

After the Indians came out and stated that the payroll will not be increased in 2019, and more so that the team might have to trade a superstar or two, fans are shaking their heads about what direction this team is truly going in.

It's easy to pile on and say that the team should add payroll, stay status quo with the players they already have, and try to make another run with the team as is.

That's the easy way out.

But the team isn't built to have payroll sitting at $135 million, which is where it was last season, this after a payroll of $124 million in 2016.

If you think money will simply buy your way into a title, it's not that easy. Yes, the Boston Red Sox with the highest payroll of $235.65 million won the World Series this past season, but if you look before that, it wasn't necessarily always the big money teams winning championships.

The Astros at $124 million won the title two years ago, two years ago it was the Cubs at $116 million winning the title, and in 2015 the Royals won the title with a payroll of $113 million.

So before you assume money always means wins, that's not always the case. Today we take a look at four things that the Indians have to do and do it right, if they are going to stay in the mix for a title in 2019 despite the changes that are coming.

1. Fix the Bullpen

The team will have to figure out a way to take the bullpen's failures of last season, and make sure they are not duplicated in 2019.

With Cody Allen and Andrew Miller two players that won't be back (most likely) with the team in 2019, there's going to be both a transition as well as opportunity for players to step up next year.

Brad Hand will be the teams' closer, and the following players will all be in the mix: Adam Cimber, Neil Ramirez, Tyler Olson, Dan Otero, Nick Goody and Evan Marshall.

There's also a chance someone else on the roster pitching wise might end up in the pen - those pitchers include Cody Anderson and Danny Salazar (coming off injuries) and possibly Adam Plutko if he's not in the rotation.

Look also for a number of players to come in with non-guaranteed roster deals that can compete for a spot in the pen, and hopefully one if not two of those might work out.

2. You'll Need Two Bodies in the Outfield

The two corner outfield spots are basically empty after the departure of Michael Brantley in left, as well as a hole in right field that was filled by the likes of Melky Cabrera and others last season.

If the team can't find a trading partner for Jason Kipnis, the team might just throw him out there in some regard, as he's had the last two late/postseasons to play in the outfield, so it's not a reach to say that he'll play more outfield in 2019, and possibly Erik Gonzalez will play second base.

As stated earlier this offseason when we looked at the free agents, don't be stunned to see this team bring back a couple holdovers, that being Lonnie Chisenhall and Mekly Cabrera, both who could come to the team cheap.

Bringing one of them back might fill the void in right if they can stay healthy and be productive, and also just like with the pen they will likely look as cheap as they can at other free agents that are interested in competing for a spot in the outfield.

3. If You Make a Deal - Make it the Right One

It's going to hurt to part ways with the likes of Corey Kluber or Carlos Carrasco, but with the way the AL Central lines up, the Indians can win it without one of those guys coming out every five days, and it might be worth it if you get a boatload in return.

While the last thing you want to do is make anyone else in the American League better, you may not have a choice if you want to grab future prospects as well as stay competitive this season.

If you can get a decent outfielder to fill one of the voids as well as a bullpen arm, it's almost a given that you would have to give serious consideration to making a deal at this point.

The Indians front office has made some tremendous deals the past few seasons, and while this time they are more so the seller than the one buying, this might be the most important deal the team has made in a number of years.

It could be one to get at no less than one Major League ready player, and hopefully a couple high profile prospects that can help you in the very near future.

4. Find a Diamond in the Rough

The Indians front office has no issue with giving chances to players that are interested in coming in, working hard, and trying to boost this team with a hard work ethic.

They have found certain players over the years in free agency, ones that slip through the cracks of other teams and end up sitting out there - even last season there was one in Rajai Davis, who while he wasn't the impact player he was in 2016, he did add a veteran presence.

Two years ago they found Austin Jackson, and another from last season was Cabrera, who wound up hitting .280 after he was on the roster, was let go, and then came back.

It will be interesting to see what players they can get to come to this team in 2019, but let's not forget there's two things the Indians can offer a vet - a chance to play, and even more so a chance to play in the postseason if you take care of business in the AL Central.

There's not many other teams, if any, that can almost ensure that you will play as well as be on the postseason roster if you can produce.