With Encarnacion signing, Cleveland will contend for AL Pennant

No one really thought Cleveland would get him, honestly not even the most ardent of Tribe supporters thought that they could do it. It just didn't fit with the Indians philosophy, they were a team that built a contender through the draft and rarely made a big free agent splash, seriously, their next biggest signing was Nick Swisher. Though with an influx of cash in thanks to their World Series run that nobody though they could do, and new ownership with a more cash to spend. Along with the team in a win-now mode, Mike Napoli's Free Agency gave them a hole to fill with Encarnacion, who most people consider to be still able to perform at a high level. Although the Indians have Carlos Santana, a player who can handle the responsibilities of catcher or first base, but that would mean starting Roberto Perez, a player who has yet to show a consistent bat. With the Encarnacion signing, Perez can go back to being a rotation player, who can play catcher while Santana and Encarnacion can be either first base or the designated hitter.

This signing will prove to be a big factor in the playoffs, as they will likely have to face the Boston Red Sox, who acquired Chris Sale in a trade with the Chicago White Sox to get to the World Series. As the signing of Encarnacion will give them a power bat when they need a big hit in crunchtime. Something Encarnacion has proven up to, as he hit the game-winning Home Run in the Wild Card round against the Baltimore Orioles. Edwin was also expected by many to be the heir apparent to David Ortiz's spot as the Red Sox designated hitter, although the Red Sox did not actively pursue the depth of their bench is depleted when they sent Yoan Moancada as a part of the Sale deal. Now they are considering putting Pablo Sandoval at third base, someone most known for now as the heaviest ballplayer around. This wouldn't be as big of a problem, until you consider that they signed to a 95 million dollar contract to lure him away from the San Francisco Giants, who are now thanking the Red Sox for taking him off of their hands.

Overall, Cleveland is a stacked team with Jason Kipnis and Francisco Lindor able to turn two at any time, Micheal Brantley was an MVP candidate back in 2014, and will finally be able to return for a whole year after missing last year by reinjuring his shoulder. Lonnie Chisenhall is a serviceable right fielder, and if they re-sign Rajai Davis, who led the American League in steals last year with 43, they will have a speed demon on the base paths once again. Corey Kluber is without question the team's ace, and Danny Salazar along with Carlos Carrasco will be healthy again, as they missed the entire postseason with arm injuries. Along with Trevor Bauer and Josh Tomlin, their rotation is among the best in baseball, with a lights-out bullpen headed by Andrew Miller, the 6-foot-7 giant who carved up postseason batter with ease. The pen isn't a one horse show, as Cody Allen has proven to be a top-tier closer in the major leagues.

Last year, the Tribe almost won the World Series down a star outfielder and two starting pitchers, this year they come back even more deadly than before, going after the best free agent in the class, Edwin Encarnacion. Now they figure to be the favorite for the American League Pennant and make a return trip to the World Series. The Red Sox might have made the biggest splash of the winter, but don't sleep on Cleveland, they are going to have a good chance of ending their championship drought this year with Encarnacion. Cleveland is going to be a sleeper only because no one is looking at them despite what they have accomplished, but they are ready. And coming.