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.