Cleveland Indians: How the Indians should fill the Bryan Shaw void

The Cleveland Indians have a hole to fill in the bullpen before the 2018 season begins now that Bryan Shaw has signed with the Colorado Rockies.

The Cleveland Indians bullpen took an early blow at the Winter Meetings. Bryan Shaw was presented, and eventually did accept, a deal with the Colorado Rockies.

The deal leaves Cleveland with a big hole to fill in the ‘pen. Shaw was an innings eater in Cleveland and a real workhorse.

His dependability and versatile use will force others to step up. In his post game interview after elimination from the 2017 postseason, Terry Francona said it would likely take two guys to replace Bryan Shaw, according to cleveland.com’s Paul Hoynes in his article outlining the Shaw signing.

Because of Shaw’s departure, guys like Nick Goody and Tyler Olson will get chances to prove their worth this spring. Veterans Zach McAllister, Dan Otero, Cody Allen and Andrew Miller will also need to step up their game.

Finding a new Shaw will be a tall task for the Indians. In his five years with the Tribe he amassed a 21-22 record in 358.2 innings with a 3.11 ERA. He pitched at least 64 innings in every season, surpassing 70 innings three times.

Shaw brought the term workhorse new meaning in Cleveland. Whenever he could pitch he was available and if it was up to him he would pitch all 162 games at some point.

The Indians have a few options when it comes to filling the hole left by Shaw. The task will not be easy but there are players who should be up to the challenge.

Dan Otero is the pitcher who immediately pops into mind to help replace Shaw. Otero has put together an impressive two-year stretch in Cleveland.

In his two years, he has thrown 130.2 innings, going 8-1 with a 2.14 ERA. Those numbers are much of the reason the Indians gave him a deal to avoid arbitration.

Otero’s veteran status coupled with his ability to enter high-leverage situations and stay poised provides the perfect storm for a Shaw replacement candidate. However, he will not have to do it alone as I am sure there will be multiple players helping out.

Tyler Olson and Nick Goody both had stellar seasons in 2017. Olson did not allow a single run and his WHIP was at 0.950 in 20 innings pitched.

Goody was used more than expected in 2017 and fared well for a young MLB pitcher. He threw 54.2 innings with a 1-2 record and a 2.80 ERA and amassed an 11.9 K/9 ratio.

There are two unexpected guys who could also get looks in the bullpen for high-leverage relief. Danny Salazar and Trevor Bauer are those guys.

Salazar has had an up and down career thus far and just when you think he has it together, it all falls apart again. He may not have the arm for starting six-plus innings, so a look in the bullpen wouldn’t be the worst idea ever.

His ability to throw high velocity pitches and mix in a nasty change-up is a very intimidating thought in the late innings of a game. It would take some adjusting but a move to the pen may work for Salazar like it did Carrasco.

Trevor Bauer is a less likely option for the spot but an intriguing one nonetheless. Like Salazar, he also has high velocity capability with dangerous off-speed pitches that would intimidate hitters late in a game.

Bauer is not likely to make the move, however, due to his performance down the stretch behind Corey Kluber. He could build on that to keep the top three of the rotation intact and a force to be reckoned with.

The Tribe also saw Joe Smith agree to sign with the Houston Astros on Wednesday. Smith could have filled the role well as he was the kind of workhorse Shaw was in his last stint in Cleveland.

The Indians have a lot of work to do before 2018 to build the front-end of the bullpen back up to set up the back-end. Any of the guys mentioned above could do it or the team could find a veteran from outside.

Next: Indians reportedly in trade talks with the Chicago Cubs

The offseason has only just begun and we have a long three months to go before Opening Day. The front office has a lot to do to prove to the fans they still have a “win now” mentality.