Cleveland Indians: Ryan Merritt will remain the odd man out in 2018

The Cleveland Indians have a lot of talent available for the starting rotation, but Ryan Merritt will once again be the odd man out.

The optimism held by Cleveland Indians fans this time of year also extends to the players who are making the trek out to Goodyear for Spring Training.

Invitations can turn into roster spots for some, and Ryan Merritt is a player hoping to prove himself over the next two months.

Jordan Bastian of MLB.com wrote an article on Merritt and his chances of taking one of the final two rotation spots. The young cult hero has the confidence, but I don’t see him cracking the rotation in 2018.

The conversation for the final two rotation spots focuses on Mike Clevinger, Danny Salazar and Josh Tomlin. The only way Merritt jumps two of those names would be due to an injury or a trade. Or both.

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Merritt’s role will likely remain the same as it was last year when he was called up to make spot starts periodically throughout the year. He did have two nice starts in August last year, but he still doesn’t have dominant stuff to make him stand out in this competition.

The problem is that Merritt is out of minor league options, meaning he would have to clear waivers to be sent down to Columbus. The other option would be a bullpen spot, but I see that role going to either Salazar or Clevinger.

The good news for the left-hander is that he will enter the season as a 26-year-old and his name remains in the conversation for a starting spot.

So if the Indians decide to move on from Tomlin after the season and potentially trade Salazar or move him to the bullpen, Merritt remains next in line if he isn’t claimed by another team.

But knowing this team, if Merritt sticks around he will indeed make some spot starts throughout the year due to injuries or a doubleheader popping up in April or May due to weather.

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He will always be a cult hero for his start in the 2016 ALCS. I just don’t see that legacy translating into a permanent spot for him in the rotation, at least not in 2018.