Indians' Kluber, Brantley Finalists for BBWAA Honors
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Indians' Kluber, Brantley finalists for BBWAA honors Right-hander up for AL Cy Young; outfielder in AL MVP discussion By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com | @MLBastian | November 4, 2014 + 0 COMMENTS CLEVELAND -- The opinion around Cleveland is unanimous: the Indians would have been lost this past season without the right arm of Corey Kluber. For his work, an American League Cy Young Award would be a fitting final piece to a fantastic season. Kluber will indeed be in the running for that prestigious honor. On Tuesday, it was revealed that Kluber is one of three finalists for the AL Cy Young Award and Indians outfielder Michael Brantley is a finalist for the league's Most Valuable Player Award in balloting by members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Of the two, Kluber appears to have the best chance at bringing home some hardware. AL Cy Young finalists revealed AL Cy Young finalists revealed 4:42 MLB Network reveals Felix Hernandez, Corey Kluber and Chris Sale as the finalists for the 2014 American League Cy Young Award "It was an incredible year," Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said at the end of the season. "He was, in our view, the best pitcher in the American League this year. His consistency, and his consistent dominance, was a big part of the reason we were able to win as many games as we did. It's not an accident why that happened. It's because of the work he's put in." Kluber, who is up against Seattle ace Felix Hernandez (15-16, 2.14 ERA) and White Sox lefty Chris Sale (12-4, 2.17 ERA) for the Cy Young Award, finished the season 18-9 with a 2.44 ERA and 269 strikeouts in 235 2/3 innings. His 7.4 Wins Above Replacement ranked first among AL starting pitchers, and he ended the season with a league-best 2.35 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching). Kluber's strikeout total marked the sixth most in a single season in Cleveland history, trailing only Indians greats Bob Feller and Sam McDowell on the all-time list. Kluber became just the third pitcher in Indians history to have at least 21 starts with eight or more strikeouts and the fourth pitcher in team history to post at least 11 double-digit strikeout performances in one season. Following his last start, Kluber was asked what aspect of his season brought him the most pride. "I'd say just the consistency," he said. "Taking the ball every time and going out there and, for the most part, giving the team a chance to win." In team history, the Indians have had three Cy Young winners: Cliff Lee (2008), CC Sabathia (2007) and Gaylord Perry (1972). "We think he should win the Cy Young, but it isn't up to us," Indians closer Cody Allen said at the end of the season. "I think he's put in a pretty good body of work. He's pretty deserving of it." The AL and National League Cy Young Awards will be announced on Nov. 12. Hernandez, who took home a Cy Young for the Mariners in 2010, won the AL's Outstanding Pitcher honor in this year's Players Choice Awards, which were announced on Monday night. Hernandez, Sale and Kluber were all finalists for that award, too. "Every fifth day, he's been going out there and doing what he is doing," Brantley said after Kluber's final outing of the season. "You see how hard we works. He doesn't smile much and is very focused at his job. As a position player playing behind him, it's awesome. You know what you're going to get -- a competitor each and every day that is going to pound the strike zone." AL MVP Finalist: Brantley AL MVP Finalist: Brantley 1:07 Outfielder Michael Brantley paced the Indians' offense in 2014 with a .314 avg and 25 home runs to go along with 83 RBI Brantley joins Angels outfielder Mike Trout and Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez as the finalists for the AL MVP award, which will be announced on Nov. 13. Trout is considered the favorite to win the honor, though Brantley's breakout season -- one of the best all-around showings in franchise history -- was essential for Cleveland's injury-marred lineup in 2014. The Indians' only MVP winners in team history are Al Rosen (1953), Lou Boudreau (1948) and George Burns (1926). In a career-high 156 games, Brantley finished third in the AL with a .327 batting average and posted 20 home runs, 23 stolen bases, 45 doubles, 94 runs, 97 RBIs and 200 hits for Cleveland. The 27-year-old Brantley made his first All-Star team, recorded 12 outfield assists and was also named a finalist for an AL Gold Glove Award for his work in left field. Brantley became the first player in Indians history to finish with at least 20 homers, 20 steals, 40 doubles and 200 hits in a single season. "He's a complete player," Antonetti said at the end of the season. "And we think he's deserving of MVP consideration with the year he had. He was a huge part of our success and we think one of the best players in the American League." Brantley became only the ninth player in Major League history to end a season with at least 20 homers, 20 steals, 45 doubles and 200 hits. The others on that short list include Jacoby Ellsbury (2011), Handley Ramirez (2007), Alfonso Soriano (2002), Craig Biggio (1998), Larry Walker (1997), Ellis Burks (1996), Vada Pinson (1959) and Chuck Klein (1932). During his final game of the season, Brantley collected his 200th hit and was showered with "M-V-P!" chants from the Cleveland faithful. Hearing that from the fans meant a lot to the outfielder. "It's a remarkable feeling," he said. "I want to thank the fans for that. That's something that's not thrown around. It was a special moment and I appreciate that." Francona signs through 2018, affirms long-term goals By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com | @MLBastian | November 4, 2014 + 79 COMMENTS CLEVELAND -- The Indians brought Terry Francona to Cleveland to help reshape the culture both on the field and in the clubhouse. In just two seasons at the helm, the manager has done his part in turning the Tribe back into a contending ballclub. On Tuesday, the Indians rewarded Francona's success with a contract extension, adding two years to the manager's deal and including team options for the 2019 and '20 seasons. Francona was originally signed to a four-year pact prior to the 2013 campaign, in which he earned the American League's Manager of the Year Award. Francona wants to help keep the Tribe's transformation going over the long haul. "Being a part of the solution is really what I wanted to be, and long-term," Francona said on Tuesday. "I just didn't want to come for a couple years and move on. That was never my goal. I wanted to come and stay." In his two years with the Indians, Francona has guided the team to a 177-147 record, reflecting the fourth-highest winning percentage in the AL during that span. Only the A's, Tigers and Orioles have won more games than Cleveland since Francona took over as manager. Under Francona, the Tribe has also enjoyed consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 2000-01. In August, Indians general manager Chris Antonetti approached Francona about the possibility of piecing together a contract extension. Francona was all in. "It actually wasn't a very long process," Antonetti said. "We were able to reach a resolution relatively quickly." Antonetti initially asked Francona to send the Indians a contract proposal. There was just one problem. "I e-mailed him," Francona recalled with a laugh, "and said, 'Chris, before I can send you a proposal, you need to write me back and tell me what I'm making now,' because I didn't know. On one hand, I don't think that's terribly intelligent on my part. But on the other hand, I think it shows that, once I sign a contract and I'm comfortable, I don't look back. That's where I wanted to be with this one, too." Cleveland brought the 55-year-old Francona into the fold after a terrible 2012 season, during which the team lost 94 games. Francona, who worked with team president Mark Shapiro and Antonetti previously as a special assistant to baseball operations in 2001, jumped at the chance to be reunited with the Indians' front-office leaders. Antonetti declined comment when asked if Francona's contract included an opt-out clause in the event that either Shapiro or the GM leave the organization during the length of the deal. Per team policy, the financial terms of the manager's new contract were also not disclosed. "It's something we're really excited about," Antonetti said of the extension, "because of how much Tito has meant to the organization over the last couple years and his role moving forward with us. He's made an incredible impact not only on our culture in the Major League clubhouse and Major League team, but he's had an extraordinary impact throughout the organization." The Indians underwent a dramatic roster overhaul after hiring Francona, who has played a key role in convincing a number of players to sign with Cleveland. In his first season, the team won 92 games to match the largest one-year improvement in wins (24) in team history, excluding strike-shortened campaigns.