The Indians' 2016 season ended in heartbreak, a valiant effort to overcome a great many obstacles falling short by the smallest of margins in extra innings of Game 7.
But this Indians team has a chance to make 2016 more of a beginning than an ending. Thanks to some aggressive long-term deals and a wealth of young talent, the front office has set up this core group to be contenders for the foreseeable future, and not one-hit wonders.
Consider the control the Indians hold over that wealth of talent. Most of the Indians' core group of players are locked up for at least the next two years, and much of it has the potential to stay in Cleveland for the next four.
Shortstop Francisco Lindor, second baseman Jason Kipnis, third baseman Jose Ramirez, catchers Yan Gomes and Roberto Perez, outfielder Tyler Naquin and starting pitchers Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar and Trevor Bauer are under club control through at least the 2020 season, including team options. That list now also includes manager Terry Francona.
Several other key pieces are under club control through at least the 2018 season. That list includes outfielder Michael Brantley, starting pitcher Josh Tomlin and relief pitchers Andrew Miller and Cody Allen. Not to mention a handful of complementary players such as outfielders Brandon Guyer and Lonnie Chisenhall, and relief pitchers Zach McAllister and Jeff Manship, as well.
That's the all-world, 2016 All-Star shortstop, the heart-and-soul second basemen, the former MVP-finalist outfielder, both talented catchers, the Rookie of the Year candidate, the utility player who in many ways saved the 2016 season, the entire starting rotation including three Cy Young-caliber pitchers and two 2016 All-Stars, most of the back-end of the bullpen _ which along with the rotation now stands among baseball's best _ and a very likely future hall of fame manager.
Some of those names are included because the Indians were proactive in signing their younger stars, such as Kipnis, Brantley, Kluber and Carrasco, to long-term deals. Most of their deals also include one or two club-option years, giving the front office additional flexibility.
Other names listed are some of the higher-value players in the game _ such as Lindor and Salazar, if he can remain healthy, and others _ owing to their recent production and low-service time. And not included is outfielder Bradley Zimmer, the club's No. 1 prospect, who was promoted to Triple-A last season, and one of the top 30 prospects in baseball.
Baseball can be a fickle sport, perhaps to a greater degree than basketball and football. What is supposed to happen on paper doesn't follow the plan too often from year to year. The Indians just spent the last month proving that point. Then again, the Cubs were supposed to win it all this year, and they did.
Teams rarely really know. Contention windows can close much faster than they open. Often a little luck is a necessary ingredient. The Indians just tried to prepare a five-star, 11-course meal without it and came to within the last bite of dessert of pulling off.
But this club has confidence it can remain a legitimate contender for the foreseeable future. At least on paper, the Indians are set up that way, and they have a good reason to feel positively about their future, as they already know they can keep most of their core group in Cleveland through 2020, or at least through 2018, if they choose.
The Indians still aren't a finished product, so they'll still have to be aggressive. For the next two years _ and in large part, the next four _ the Indians have built a stable base, which gives them the potential for something special beyond 2016.
"We believe we're in a position to contend for a while," Indians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said. "I think one of the things we're most encouraged about is the nucleus of our team will be here for the foreseeable future.
"We are potentially losing key guys in (Rajai Davis and Mike Napoli) but beyond that, we've got a lot of guys that are going to be here for a while. And that was a group of guys that found a way to win a lot of games this year and win the American League Central and advance deep into the postseason."
The Indians' teams of the mid-90s are held in such high regard and remembered with such fondness for their two trips to the World Series. Fans in 2016 wear jerseys of players from 1995 and 1997 because they became Cleveland mainstays. This core group has the chance to do something similar, and possibly overcome the final obstacle.
The entire starting rotation. The face-of-the-franchise shortstop. The four leaders in the clubhouse. And on and on.
These Indians could hang around for a while. And, as they hope, make 2016 only Chapter 1.
