Let it go up or down? Kluber's wound places Indians at crossroads

The Cleveland Indians probably deserved more attention than they received for a no-record Hot Stove season. That's not to say that they should have been torn without mercy, but when things do not add up on the surface, it's always worth digging deeper.

Here is what we know: the Indians have not won a world series since 1948, a drought following a title that has lasted 71 years and is the longest major. They are working on a series of three consecutive division titles and six consecutive winning seasons. And although they were tempting in 2016, none of these campaigns resulted in a championship against drought.

Here is what we know more: the American League has evolved into a hellish landscape of haves and have-nots, a competitiveness inequality so cruel that you almost expect Bernie Sanders to campaign on the issue. The Indians have been one of the poorest, winning 284 games in the past three seasons, making it the third highest total in the LA. But with the Astros charged, the Yankees and the Red Sox vying for the same flag, the competition in the front row of the league has never been so fierce.

And finally: The Indian leaders of BWAR since the start of the .500 series in 2013 are Corey Kluber (33.6), Francisco Lindor (24.0), Jose Ramirez (22.1), Carlos Carrasco (19, 5) and Michael Brantley (18.6) Jason Kipnis (16.6), Trevor Bauer (16.3) and Carlos Santana (15.5). All of these players, with the exception of Brantley, are part of this year's lineup. Brantley, while the Indians were so silent, signed with the Astros.