Indians' Kluber, Brantley finalists for BBWAA honors Right-hander up for AL ; 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 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 as the finalists for the 2014 American League Cy Young Award "It was an incredible year," Indians general Chris Antonetti said at the end of the season. "He was, in our view, the best 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 in 235 2/3 innings. His 7.4 Wins Above Replacement ranked first among AL starting , and he ended the season with a league-best 2.35 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching). Kluber's total marked the sixth most in a single season in Cleveland history, trailing only Indians greats 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 -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: (2008), CC Sabathia (2007) and (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 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 , 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 and Tigers 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 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 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 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. The Indians also earned the AL's top Wild Card seed, bringing a postseason game to Cleveland. This year, Francona helped the Indians win 85 games and kept the club in the AL Wild Card race until the final two games of the season. It could be argued that Francona did a better job managing in 2014, considering the number of injuries and trades involving key players. Cleveland also relied heavily on a group of rookies down the stretch, but still managed to remain in contention through 160 games. Antonetti, Francona on 2014 Antonetti, Francona on 2014 00:03:13 Indians executive vice president and GM Chris Antonetti and manager Terry Francona discuss the 2014 season and the future of the club "I think the job he did this past season was equally as good, if not better than the job he did in 2013," Antonetti said. "I think that consistency in the way he approaches each day allows him to be able to maintain that success year after year." For his work in 2013, the Baseball Writers' Association of America voted Francona as the winner of the AL Manager of the Year Award -- an honor he never won during his historic eight-year as Boston's manager. From 2004-11, Francona led Boston to two titles (2004 and '07), ending the franchise's 86-year championship drought. Combined with his time with the Red Sox, Francona has compiled 10 straight winning seasons as a manager, representing the longest active streak and the longest by a Major League manager since 's 14-year run with the Yankees and Dodgers from 1996-2009. Francona, who also managed the Phillies from 1997-2000, has won at least 90 games in seven seasons and has made the postseason six times in his past 10 seasons. Overall, Francona boasts a career managerial record of 1,206-1,062 (.532), making him one of only 41 managers in big league history to reach at least 1,200 wins. Among active managers, only 's (1,618), the Angels' (1,331) and Baltimore's (1,259) have more wins than Francona. Antonetti said having Francona in the fold for the foreseeable future can play a role in attracting players to come to Cleveland. "I know it absolutely helps us as we talk to free agents," said the GM. "I think if you surveyed the player community, Tito is as well-regarded as any manager for the environment he creates in the clubhouse and how much players enjoy and respect playing for him." Indians utility man Mike Aviles, who has played for Francona in Boston and Cleveland, said the manager goes to great lengths to protect his players. "Tito will stick up for you no matter what -- even if you're wrong," Aviles said. "There will be times where he'll stick up for people on the field and you know you're wrong, but he sticks up for you anyway. Having a guy in your corner, always knowing that he has your back, it makes you go that extra mile for him." Francona laughed when asked if this could be his final contract. "Well, if I die it will be, for sure," Francona quipped. "I've kind of been pretty honest about it, that I don't have any ambition to go anywhere else. ... As long as I feel like I can do the job, and I still enjoy doing it and I don't feel like I'm short-changing anybody, I'd like to do it."

Francona's genuine love for Tribe shows in results By Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com | @castrovince | November 4, 2014 + 9 COMMENTS Let's do something completely bold and discuss why Terry Francona is such a big deal for the . I know, I know. This is a topic nobody has had the courage to broach before, but I'm feeling brave.

This is what Francona said in a video released by the Indians in conjunction with the announcement Tuesday that he signed an extension through 2018 (with club options for '19 and '20, when we'll all be wearing spacesuits and will be tended to by robot butlers): "I really didn't want to move on from here. ... You watch every manager in their first press conference, they say all these things -- and they're all true, they all feel them -- but what's really cool for me is, two years later, I'm getting to live them out. And I still feel the same way two years [later], except maybe stronger than the day I was hired. And for that, I'm very grateful." I know the Indians -- from the guys in the front office to the players to the clubhouse staff -- are grateful, too. And I know fans ought to be grateful, because, two years later, it's still pretty amazing that a manager of Francona's caliber wanted to come here. Now, I hate writing something like that, because it only propagates the notion of Cleveland as flyover territory, as a small-market stepping stone. But it's true. The Indians, after the 2012 season, were a project waiting to be tackled, desirable only by the default setting that there are just 30 Major League managerial gigs to go around. I wrote at the time -- and firmly believed -- that Sandy Alomar Jr., who now functions as Francona's first-base , was the man for the job, because while I knew Francona, Chris Antonetti and Mark Shapiro were close, it simply never seemed realistic to me that Francona would take less than his market worth to come to a situation with clear payroll restrictions and no real panache. Frankly, I didn't know Francona well enough to appreciate how much he desired a situation purely about baseball, about development, about people. But when you look at the way things unraveled in a big market in Boston, with a Red Sox organization that admittedly strayed from some core development values in an effort to buy wins, it all makes sense. And here in Cleveland, Francona had the freedom to create a winning culture with people who he respects and cares about. I suppose you can't put a price on that (though I'm sure the Indians have tried). However, all of the above is empty talk if the Indians don't win games. Under Francona, they've won more than they've lost for two years running -- 92 wins in 2013, when they won the top American League Wild Card spot but lost the playoff game to the Rays (with Francona winning the AL Manager of the Year Award), and 85 wins last year, with an injury depleted and defensively dreadful club. We are groomed, in today's game, to understand managers have a limited impact on what transpires on the field, but it's hard to be around this club as much as I am and come away with the belief that either record would have been even remotely possible without somebody like Francona at the helm. I certainly don't think a rookie skipper would have guided that 2013 club to the playoffs, and I'm doubly convinced that 85 wins, with a club playing multiple rookies down the stretch, would have been impossible had Francona not kept his clubhouse in order. In terms of hiring practices, the manager role has largely been marginalized in today's game. Teams aren't afraid to entrust the inexperienced and unproven, so long as they have the respect of the players on the roster. That's why you see guys like , Robin Ventura, Mike Matheny, and Walt Weiss (that one nearly went to Jason Giambi) getting jobs that used to go to veteran skippers or coaching lifers. But we need look no deeper than October to see that managers still matter. Bruce Bochy cemented his Hall of Fame status with San Francisco's third title in five seasons, and the consistency of that club's key bullpen linchpins in each of those championship seasons is in no small part due to Bochy's expertise in employing those arms. Buck Showalter completely changed the attitude of an Orioles team accustomed to losing, getting a guy like Adam Jones to buy into the "no man is bigger than the ballclub" mentality that would help propel the O's to this year's AL Championship Series. Even Ned Yost -- for all the grief we've given him for certain tactical decisions -- deserves a big pat on the back. The young Royals have praised him for sticking with them through their struggles. And let's face it: Yost was right far more often than he was wrong on the postseason stage. Again, managers matter. That's why the Cubs showed no shame in dismissing Rick Renteria for this past week. Maddon, Bochy, Showalter, Francona and Mike Scioscia are probably on the short list of guys who could claim any opening they desire, and the Cubs have become a desirable job. The Indians after 2012? Not desirable. And with a static payroll and sagging attendance, perhaps it's still not a desirable situation in the grand scheme. But whether it has put fans in the seats or not, the Indians have eked the most out of their talent with Tito. For one, they've exceeded their Pythagorean win expectancy both years. The Tribe has also been at the frontline of a couple of trends, including aggressive bullpen usage and time-share situations to exploit matchups (and this stuff doesn't work without proper ego-massaging by the skipper). Guys play hard for Francona, which sounds simple, until you remember the effort level (and results) in August '12. None of this means the Indians have it easy from here on out. Until further notice, I'm still not convinced this is going to be a dramatically better defensive team in 2015, even after Francisco Lindor gets promoted. That alone will pose a challenge to a team with a burgeoning cost- controlled starting staff and some offensive upside if key guys stay healthy. But the window really could be wide open in the AL Central next season. The Tigers aren't getting any younger, and the Royals will face the challenge all World Series clubs face in recovering from the October toll taken on their arms. On the strength of the rotation alone, the Indians have an opportunity here. What the Tribe also has is a manager who is genuinely good at what he does and genuinely happy to be here, embracing every challenge that comes with this particular position. Two seasons later -- with several more in store -- that's still a big deal for the Indians.

Inbox: Do Indians need more high-average hitters? By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com | @MLBastian | November 3, 2014 + 49 COMMENTS There is much talk about getting a "power" bat, but it seems that the bigger problem is getting some people who can hit for average instead of having a cleanup hitter who hits .230, and several others in the lineup in the sub-.240 range. Are the Indians shopping for some good on-base, good-average hitters? -- Mickey E., Washington, D.C. For starters, targeting good on-base hitters and good-average hitters are not necessarily linked. Carlos Santana, for example, has historically been a tremendous on-base hitter, but his average has lagged at times. Since you referenced a "cleanup hitter who hits .230," I'm going to use this answer to address Santana specifically. When evaluating Santana, it's best to focus on what makes him a great hitter and avoid putting too much weight on batting average. I loved average when I was a kid. I led my Little League in batting average and had dreams of one day piling up batting titles like . Instead, the only record I set was a high school hit-by-pitch mark, and now I spend time studying baseball and all that goes with it. That process has included learning that average is not the end-all, be-all in evaluating a batter. Santana's .231 average aside, he was one of the American League's top hitters in 2014. His 131 wRC+ (weighted runs created plus) ranked 13th in the AL, according to Fangraphs.com. For traditional stats, he led the Majors in walks (113), tied for second in the AL in second-half RBIs (48), and he was one of only 12 hitters in the AL this past season to end with at least 27 homers and 85 RBIs. He was good. Santana's two-run blast Santana's two-run blast 00:00:32 9/11/14: Carlos Santana connects on a line-drive homer to right, driving in Michael Brantley to give the Indians the lead Santana actually had one of the most productive .230 seasons in history. This marked only the seventh time in AL history that a batter had an OPS+ of at least 127 while batting .231 or lower. To put it more simply, that figure says that Santana performed 27 percent better than league average, and he did so with that low average. Overall, Cleveland's cleanup hitters posted a .237 mark in 2014, ranking 12th in the AL. There's plenty of room for improvement there, yes, but that group also combined for a 105 OPS+ (fifth in the AL) and .766 OPS (sixth in the AL). If the average climbs, so too will the production most likely, but getting hung up on a .230 average is not seeing the entire picture. Until last year, the Indians had gone almost 20 years without an arbitration hearing. With several key players eligible for arbitration this year, is there a chance the Indians could sign many of them before reaching a hearing? If so, which of the arbitration-eligible players are most likely to sign contracts before they reach a hearing? -- D.P. Roberts, Milford Center, Ohio The Indians have arbitration-eligible players in pitchers Carlos Carrasco, Marc Rzepczynski, Bryan Shaw and and third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall. Cleveland's history says that the club will try to settle with those in the 2015 plans prior to the hearings. I could see Carrasco and Chisenhall having interesting cases, considering the extremes of their respective seasons. Carrasco split his year between roles and Chisenhall excelled in the first half and faded offensively down the stretch. Such variables could lead to a gap in perceived value, making a hearing more realistic. Will the Indians re-sign Jason Giambi? He seems like more of a presence in the locker room than on the field at this point. -- Brandon B. (via ) A few days ago, Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said that the team would be willing to offer the 43-year-old Giambi a job in the organization (likely as a coach or instructor), but there does not seem to be a fit on the Major League playing roster. Giambi will likely explore his options throughout the game this winter, but coming back as a player for the Tribe does not seem to be in the cards. With their big league coaching staff being retained in its entirety, there wouldn't be a spot for Giambi on Terry Francona's staff at the moment, either. Is it possible that the Indians would consider trading a top prospect such as Jose Ramirez or Francisco Lindor? And would Cleveland try to trade Nick Swisher to free up salary? -- John M., Georgetown, Texas Lindor excited to work in AFL Lindor excited to work in AFL 2:15 Indians top ranked prospect Francisco Lindor talks about being excited to keep playing baseball and what he can work on in the AFL The Indians have a wealth of middle-infield and outfield talent, so the club could certainly float some prospects in trade talks. As of right now, though, Ramirez appears poised to be the Opening Day shortstop for Cleveland next year. Lindor is expected to be at -A to start the season, but will likely reach The Show in 2015. The Indians would certainly consider trading Swisher, but it's unlikely that other teams are jumping at the chance to acquire a veteran coming off two knee surgeries and his worst season in the Majors. What the Tribe needs is a healthy and productive Swisher next season. How does Ryan Raburn fit into the roster? I can't see a spot for him at all. -- Stephen H., Beverly, Ohio (via Twitter) Two seasons ago, Raburn gave Cleveland some thump in the lineup against left-handed pitching (1.020 OPS). He dealt with a injury-riddled season in 2014, but his career track record shows that he can offer power in a platoon-type situation. In an ideal world (with the current roster construction), Raburn and David Murphy would provide the kind of lefty-righty splits that create solid overall production out of right field. Where do you see Tyler Holt fitting into the 2015 plans? -- Anna S., Rocky River, Ohio With a fully healthy roster, there might not be room for Holt on the Opening Day club next season. The Indians appreciate his defense, speed and offensive spark, but Holt would probably open up the season as outfield depth at Triple-A Columbus. In the event of an injury at the big league level, Holt is a versatile option to have waiting in the wings. In closing ... How much of Mike Aviles' option salary goes to his calves? -- Patrick G., Cleveland Well, the team option that Cleveland picked up was worth $3.5 million. My guess is that each gigantic calf will earn $1.5 million in 2015.

Cloyd gets spring invite as part of series of Tribe moves By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com | November 3, 2014 + 18 COMMENTS CLEVELAND -- The Indians made some adjustments to their roster on Monday, beginning with re-signing right-hander Tyler Cloyd to a Minor League contract that includes an invitation to attend with the Major League club.

Cleveland also had outfielder J.B. Shuck claimed off waivers by the White Sox, and the Indians sent Chris Gimenez outright to Triple-A Columbus. Gimenez, who was eligible for arbitration, has the right to decline the outright assignment and elect free agency. Under the latter scenario, Cleveland would likely have interest in re-signing the catcher to a Minor League deal. The Indians' 40-man roster currently includes 36 players. Cloyd -- originally claimed by the Indians off waivers from the Phillies in October 2013 -- spent all of last season at Triple-A, where the right- hander went 10-8 with a 3.89 ERA in 166 2/3 innings. The 27-year-old Cloyd had 118 strikeouts against 31 walks with a 1.27 WHIP in his 27 games for the Clippers. He has a 5.98 ERA in 19 career big leagues games with Philadelphia (2012-13). The Indians acquired the 27-year-old Shuck from the Angels in exchange for cash on Sept. 5, but the outfielder went just 2-for-26 (.077 average) in his 16-game stint with the Tribe. In parts of three Major League seasons, Shuck has hit .264 (.640 OPS) in 204 games between stints with the Astros, Angels and Indians. He has experience in all three outfield spots. Gimenez, who was originally drafted by the Indians in 2004, was acquired from the Rangers on Aug. 23 to give the Tribe another versatile option off the bench. He hit .241 with 10 homers and 11 RBIs in 42 games with Texas and Cleveland last season, and has hit .210 (.599 OPS) in parts of six big league seasons with the Tribe, Mariners, Rays and Rangers. Gimenez has experience behind the plate, as well as at the corners in both the infield and outfield.

“You can’t return to where you’ve never left” By Anthony Castrovince/MLB.com Let’s do something completely bold and discuss why Terry Francona is such a big deal for the Cleveland Indians.

I know, I know. This is a topic nobody has had the courage to broach before, but I’m feeling frisky.

This is what Francona said in a video released by the Indians in conjunction with the announcement Tuesday that he has signed an extension through 2018 (with club options for ’19 and ’20, when we’ll all be wearing spacesuits and will be tended to by robot butlers):

“I really didn’t want to move on from here. .. You watch every manager in their first press conference, they say all these things — and they’re all true, they all feel them — but what’s really cool for me is, two years later, I’m getting to live them out. And I still feel the same way, two years [later], except maybe stronger, than the day I was hired. And for that, I’m very grateful.”

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I know the Indians – from the guys in the front office to the players to the clubhouse staff – are grateful.

And I know fans ought to be grateful, because, two years later, it’s still pretty amazing that a manager of Francona’s caliber wanted to come here.

Now, I hate writing something like that, because it only propagates the notion of Cleveland as flyover territory, as small-market stepping stone. But it’s true. The Indians, after the 2012 season, were a project waiting to be tackled, desirable only by the default setting that there are only 30 Major League managerial gigs to go around.

I wrote at the time – and firmly believed – that Sandy Alomar Jr., who now functions as Francona’s first-base coach, was the man for the job, because, while I knew Francona and Chris Antonetti and Mark Shapiro were all close, it simply never seemed realistic to me that he would take less than his market worth to come to a situation with clear payroll restrictions and no real panache. Frankly, I didn’t know Francona well enough to appreciate how much he desired a situation purely about baseball, about development, about people. But when you look at the way things unraveled in a big market in Boston, with a Red Sox organization that admittedly strayed from some core development values in an effort to buy wins, it all makes sense. And here in Cleveland, Francona had the freedom to create a winning culture with people who respects and cares about. I suppose you can’t put a price on that (though I’m sure the Indians have tried).

Well, anyway, all of the above is empty talk if the Indians don’t win games. Under Francona, they’ve won more than they’ve lost, two years running – 92 wins in 2013, when they won the AL top Wild Card spot outright and lost the playoff game to the Rays (with Francona winning AL Manager of the Year honors), and 85 wins last year, with an injury depleted and defensively dreadful club.

We are groomed, in today’s game, to understand managers have only limited impact on what transpires on the field, but it’s hard to be around this club as much as I am and come away with the belief that either record would have been even remotely possible without somebody like Francona at the helm. I certainly don’t think a rookie skipper would have guided that 2013 club to the playoffs, and I’m doubly convinced that 85 wins, with a club playing multiple rookies down the stretch, would have been impossible had Francona not kept his clubhouse in order.

In terms of hiring practices, the manager role has largely been marginalized in today’s game. Teams aren’t afraid to entrust the inexperienced and unproven, so long as they have the respect of the guys on the roster. That’s why you see guys like Paul Molitor and Robin Ventura and Mike Matheny and Brad Ausmus and Walt Weiss (that one nearly went to Jason Giambi) getting jobs that used to go to veteran skippers or coaching lifers.

But we need look no deeper than October to see that managers still matter. Bruce Bochy cemented his Hall of Fame status with San Francisco’s third title in five years, and the consistency of that club’s key bullpen linchpins in each of those championship seasons is in no small part due to Bochy’s expertise in employing those arms. Buck Showalter completely changed the attitude of an Orioles team accustomed to losing, getting a guy like Adam Jones to buy into the “no man is bigger than the ballclub” mentality that would help propel the O’s to this year’s ALCS. Heck, even Ned Yost – for all the grief we’ve given him for some tactical decisions – deserves a big pat on the back. His young players praise him for sticking with them through their struggles. And let’s face it: The guy was right far more often than he was wrong on the postseason stage. Again, managers matter. That’s why the Cubs showed no shame in dumping Rick Rentaria for Joe Maddon this past week. Maddon, Bochy, Showalter, Francona and Mike Scioscia are probably on the short list of guys who could claim any opening they desired, and the Cubs have become a desirable job.

The Indians after 2012? Not desirable. And with a static payroll and sagging attendance, perhaps it’s still not a desirable situation in the grand scheme. But whether it has put butts in the seats or not, the Indians have eked the most out of their talent with Tito. For one, they’ve exceeded their Pythagorean win expectancy both years. They’ve also been at the frontline of a couple trends — the aggressive bullpen usage patterns and the effective use of time-share situations to exploit matchups (and this stuff doesn’t work without proper ego-massaging by the skipper). Guys play hard for Francona, which sounds simple, until you remember the effort level (and results) in August 2012.

None of this means the Indians have it easy from here on out. Until further notice, I’m still not convinced this is going to be a dramatically better defensive team in 2015, even after Francisco Lindor gets promoted. That alone will pose a challenge to a team with a burgeoning, cost- controlled starting staff and some offensive upside if key guys stay healthy. But the window really could be wide open in the AL Central next season. The Tigers aren’t getting any younger, and the Royals will face the challenge all World Series clubs face in recovering from the October toll taken on their arms. On the strength of the rotation alone, the Indians have an opportunity here.

What they also have is a manager who is genuinely good at what he does and genuinely happy to be here, embracing every challenge that comes with this particular position. Two seasons later –with several more in store — that’s still a big deal for the Indians.

Francona helps turn around culture in Cleveland

By TOM WITHERS (AP Sports Writer)14 hours agoAP - Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) -- In two seasons, Terry Francona helped turn the Cleveland Indians back into contenders.

He'll get more time to make them champions.

Francona and the Indians agreed Tuesday to a two-year contract extension, a deal which carries through the 2018 season and includes team options for 2019 and 2020.

Financial terms of the extension were not immediately known.

Francona has been worth every penny since the Indians hired him following a disastrous, 94-loss season in 2012. He's helped reshape the team's culture, infused enthusiasm into the organization and made Cleveland a more attractive destination for free agents. Players want to play for Francona.

''As excited as we were on the day we hired him, we're even more excited today, having the benefit of working alongside him for the last two years,'' said general manager Chris Antonetti, who believes Francona can help sell the Indians to free agents. ''If you survey the player community, Tito is as well regarded as any manager for the environment he creates in the clubhouse and how much players enjoy and respect playing for him.''

The Indians approached Francona about the extension late last season, and it didn't take the sides long to reach an agreement.

''I always wanted to be part of the solution,'' Francona said. ''I just didn't want to come for a few years and move on. That was never my goal. I wanted to come and stay.''

The Indians have gone 177-147 under Francona, who won two World Series titles with the Boston Red Sox. The Indians went 92-70 in

Francona's first season, winning a wild-card spot and making the postseason for the first time since 2007. He was named AL manager of the year. “Being here is something that I’m really grateful for,” Francona said. “If you don’t enjoy it, it can run you into the ground. And I know that every morning when I wake up, I’m excited to come to work. Even when things aren’t going the way they want to, I’m excited to tackle those challenges because I know the people I’m doing it with, they care about me and I care about them.” Francona actually checked with several current Indians players before signing the extension to make sure everyone was on the same page. “That’s a little bit of a sensitive subject because you’re trying to keep it semi-private when you’re doing a contract, but I checked with a couple of guys,” Francona said. “Because I wanted to make sure. I believe this is about the players. Certainly, this is the way I make my living, and it’s important to me, but what’s the most important is the players. I wanted them to be comfortable knowing I was going to be here also, or I wouldn’t have done this.” Francona grew up in New Brighton, Pa., about 100 miles southeast of Cleveland. He says the location, and the atmosphere of the city, are one of the things that keep him wanting to come back. “Cleveland, I think, is a little bit like our team and maybe even myself,” Francona said. “You get pushed around a little bit, kicked a little bit, now you’re ready to kick back.” He also cited a tight-knit organizational ladder, all the way from the players and trainers up to president Mark Shapiro and owner Larry Dolan. Throughout his 14-year managerial career, Francona has a record of 1,206-1,062 — the fourth-most wins of any active manager. Francona-led teams have posted winning records in 10 consecutive seasons, dating back to 2004 Boston Red Sox. That’s the longest such streak since 2009, when Joe Torre accomplished it with the and . Francona also has two World Series titles and six postseason appearances Akron Beacon Journal LOADED: 11.05.2014

Locking up Francona allows Indians to continue moving forward Joe ReedyFOX Sports Ohio CLEVELAND -- Terry Francona's contract extension would have been completed earlier if it weren't for one slight hitch -- he didn't know what his proposal to general manager Chris Antonetti should be since Francona didn't know how much he was making. If only other bosses had that luxury. "I thought about it for a couple days and I emailed him, 'Before I send you a proposal I need you to email me with what I'm making now.' I didn't know," said Francona in a conference call on Tuesday after he agreed to a two-year extension that carries him through 2018. "On one hand that's not intelligent on my part but on the other it shows once I sign a contract I'm comfortable and don't look back. That's where I wanted to be with this one too. "It was sort of a funny way of saying once I sign it I don't care about it and do baseball. I'm not good about it or how to do it. I don't want to be in an adversarial role. Chris was great about it. He did all the work. I know Mark (team president Mark Shapiro) had a ton to do with it too and walked me through it and made it very easy for it." Besides the two-year extension to the original deal, there is a club option for 2019 and '20 which would mean if Francona sees the duration of the contract, he would be 61. Antonetti would not address if there are out clauses similar to the ones that existed for Joe Madden when key executives moved on. When Francona was hired on Oct. 8, 2012, even the most hearty of optimists wouldn't have predicted consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 2000-01 and an appearance in the AL Wild Card game. Francona, who is 177-148 the past two years, is also the first Indians manager since Charlie Manuel to have a winning record in his first two years at the helm. Manuel though inherited a postseason contender. What did Francona inherit? A club that lost 94 games in 2012 and went 18-41 the last two months. The only team that had a worse record in the American League over the same stretch was Boston, who fired Francona the year before. The Red Sox though had a veteran core and money to spend as a big-market club which could bring a quick turnaround. The Tribe had a lot of youth and a small-market reputation that had alienated fans who had seen stars shipped away for prospects that had produced minimal results. Francona though welcomed that. Last season he won AL Manager of the Year honors after leading the Tribe to the postseason and a 24-win improvement. There are many, including me, who would say he did an even better job this past season considering the rotation was shaky until the last months and that 12 rookies saw significant playing time. Dating back to 2004, teams that Francona has managed have posted winning records 10 consecutive seasons (eight in Boston, two in Cleveland). That is the longest such managerial streak since Joe Torre had 14 straight with the Yankees and Dodgers from 1996-2009. "We've talked about how many challenges that come with this job. Not just on the field, but in the organization. Being part of the solution long term is what I really wanted to be," Francona said. "I just didn't want to come here for a couple of years and move on. That was never my goal." Added Antonetti about Francona's first two seasons: "That consistency and the way he approaches each day allows him to maintain that success from year to year. I know our record wasn't as good this year. Maybe we had a few more things go our way in 2013 but Tito's effort and the way he obsessed about putting players in position to be successful was the same."

Also, to show how the upheaval in Cleveland sports the past four years, Francona is the longest-tenured pro coach in town. Francona remarked about how when he went to his first with the organization that it was "rough duty". Next month's trip to San Diego should fare much better. With Francona's extension, that also means that the core group which includes Michael Brantley, , Yan Gomes and Corey Kluber are under team control through 2018. "We're not the finished product and we know it. But we're getting better and we still want to get a lot better," Francona said. "We're going in the right direction. There is a core group of guys that are not only really good players, but exceptional people. That bodes well for us." Headed into free agency that core and Francona's reputation as a player's manager should serve as valuable recruiting tools. Before signing this extension, Francona surveyed the clubhouse to make sure the players were on board. With the desire to fortify the pitching staff, team defense and possibly add a power bat, Antonetti continues to see Francona as an asset in attracting free agents because of the environment he fosters in the clubhouse. At first, Francona discounted his role, saying it ultimately comes down to money for players. However he later said: "I do hope this is a place where players want to come. That we're competitive in offers and guys know that they and their families are going to be treated well and we're going to enjoy playing there." When it comes to next season, Francona already sounds like he is ready to go, which surprised him a little bit since the older you get, the longer it takes to recuperate from the year. Francona and bench coach Brad Mills were on a golfing trip in San Diego a couple weeks ago where most of the conversation was about Spring Training. Francona has also built quite a staff. Sandy Alomar and interviewed for managerial openings last month while pitching coach could get some interviews the next couple years if the staff continues to develop. Alomar, who many thought would get the job after 2012, has learned a few things from Francona that should serve him well when he gets his shot. "He lets them play and tries to maximize their abilities. He doesn't put them in situations to fail. He's calm and collected, doesn't panic," said Alomar of Francona. "The most difficult part of what I see managing is getting guys motivated to play for you and he does that very well."

Brantley, Kluber among AL award finalists Joe ReedyFOX Sports Ohio Corey Kluber is officially a Cy Young finalist while Michael Brantley will be the first Indians player to finish in the top three in MVP voting in 15 years. The Baseball Writers Association of America announced the finalists for their awards on Tuesday. Finalists is a little bit of a misnomer since balloting was conducted prior to the first postseason game. Kluber is trying to become the Tribe's fourth Cy Young winner, joining Gaylord Perry (1972), C.C. Sabathia (2007) and Cliff Lee ('08). The right- hander went 18-9 with a 2.44 ERA in 34 starts. He finished tied for first in the AL in wins and starts and was second in strikeouts with 269, which was the sixth-most in club history, along with being third in ERA and (235 2/3). Kluber is just the fourth Major League pitcher since 1987 to post 18 wins and a sub-2.50 ERA while recording at least 260 strikeouts, joining Pedro Martinez, and in the last 28 seasons. The only other Indians to accomplish that feat were Bob Feller (1946) and ('68). Seattle's Felix Hernandez and the White Sox Chris Sale are the other finalists. Brantley is trying to become the first Indians AL MVP winner since Al Rosen in 1953 (Lou Boudreau was AL MVP in 1948). Brantley made the AL All-Star team for the first time this season and became the first Indians player to collect 200 hits, 45-plus doubles, 20-plus homers and 20- plus stolen bases in the same year. Brantley was second in the AL in hits (200) and third in batting average (.327) and doubles (45). The last time an Indians player finished in the top three was when Manny Ramirez and Roberto Alomar tied for third in 1999. The Angels' Mike Trout and Detroit's Victor Martinez are the other finalists. The Cy Young will be announced on Nov. 12 and the MVP the following night.

Cleveland Indians sign Terry Francona to two-year extension (UPDATED)

By Jim Ingraham, The News-Herald & The Morning Journal Saying he wants to be “part of the solution,” Indians manager Terry Francona is putting his mouth where his money is. Probably because he’s a little fuzzy on the latter. “Chris (Antonetti) asked me to send him a contract proposal,” said Francona, about the negotiations that ended with him agreeing to a two-year contract extension Nov. 4. “So I thought about it for a couple days,” Francona continued, “and I emailed him and said, ‘Chris, before I can send you a proposal, you need to write me back and tell me what I’m making now.’ ” Antonetti did, and the result was an extension for the 42nd manager in Indians history. His current contract ran through 2016. With the extension, his Indians contract now runs through 2018, and the Indians hold two club options for 2019 and 2020. Francona is now able to laugh at the notion of a manager who in his last 10 years as manager, in Boston and Cleveland, has taken his team to the playoffs six times and won two World Series not knowing how much money he is making. “On the one hand, I don’t think that’s terribly intelligent on my part,” he said. “But on the other hand, I think it shows that once I sign a contract and I’m comfortable, I don’t look back. ... Once I sign it, I don’t really care anymore. I want to do baseball.” Francona has done baseball exceedingly well for the Indians. In the four years before Francona’s arrival, the Indians were a combined 84 games under .500. In their first two years under Francona, they are 30 games over .500 (177-147). “He’s made an incredible impact on the culture of our team and our organization,’’ General Manager Antonetti said. “As excited as we were the day we hired him, we’re even more excited today, after working with him for two years and seeing how much he cares about his players and winning.” Signing Francona to a contract extension on the eve of the free-agent season should give the Indians a managerial leg up — if not a checkbook up — on the competition as they pursue free agents. “It absolutely helps us,” Antonetti said. “One of the things players consider when they look to sign with someone as a free agent is the environment of that team and whether the players enjoy playing for and respect the manager.” No less an authority than , in his last visit to Progressive Field last summer, was asked why, before stepping into the batter’s box, he always deferentially tipped his cap toward Francona. “From everything I’ve heard, he’s a great guy to play for,” Jeter said. “Tito is a huge asset for us,” Antonetti said. Francona, typically, downplays the role his reputation might have in whatever courting of free agents that might be done by the Indians. “I don’t know about that,” he said. “To be blunt about it, when it comes to free agents, money speaks the loudest to most of them. But I do hope this is a place where players want to come.” Francona, 55, has led the Indians to consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 2000-01. In 2013, he was named American League Manager of the Year after turning a 94-loss team in 2012 into a 92-win team that reached the postseason as the No. 1 wild card. This year Francona kept the Indians in contention for a spot in the postseason until the last weekend of the regular season. Despite trading No. 1 starter and shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera at midseason, and being hampered by the worst defense in the major leagues, the Indians, under Francona, still stayed in contention for most of the season, finishing with a 85-77 record, in third place in the Central Division behind Detroit and Kansas City. Francona, who also managed the Red Sox and Phillies before coming to Cleveland, has 1,206 career wins as a manager, the fourth-highest total among active managers behind San Francisco’s Bruce Bochy (1,618), the Angels’ Mike Scioscia (1,331) and Baltimore’s Buck Showalter (1,259). “When I came here, I wanted it to be for the long term. I didn’t want to come here for a couple of years and move on,” Francona said. “I wanted to stay and be a part of the solution. I don’t have any ambition to go anywhere else. We’re getting better. We want to get a lot better, but we’ve got a core group of guys who are really good players and really good people. That bodes well for our future.” With a long offseason still in front of him, Francona admits he’s already raring to go for 2015. “In the past, it was always hard for me to recharge after a season,” he said. “But this year it came quicker. That’s a good sign.”