No .285 hitter among those qualified for batting title.
No one with 25 homers.
No one with 85 RBI.
No one with 15 victories.
No starting pitcher with a sub-3.25 ERA.
No reliever with 30 saves.
In sum: No stars.
Yet here they are, as October begins, preparing for a wild-card playoff game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday night at Progressive Field.
So who are these guys? Who comprises this crew that went 92-70, including victories in the final 10 games to secure the top wild-card spot on the final day of the 162-game season?
They are a blend of youngsters and veterans led by a senior-citizen role player (Jason Giambi, 42) and an endlessly optimistic manager (Terry Francona). They come from North, South and Latin America. They include a “Goon Squad.’’
And they like to have fun, on the field and in the clubhouse.
Here is a capsule look at notable contributors (listed in alphabetical order):
Matt Albers
Position: Right-hander reliever.
Acquired: Dec. 11, 2012. Albers, right-handed reliever Bryan Shaw and prospect righty Trevor Bauer came from Arizona in a three-way trade that also involved Cincinnati. The Indians sent Lars Anderson and Tony Sipp to Arizona and Shin-Soo Choo and Jason Donald to Cincinnati. The Indians received OF Drew Stubbs from Cincinnati.
Skinny: Struggled periodically but pitched well in September (11 innings, one earned run). Ability to work multiple innings has kept other relievers fresh. Known for daily wearing of T-shirt titled, “Swat Like Watt,’’ in honor of his favorite football player, Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt. Arguably the Tribe’s most affable player
Cody Allen
Position: Right-handed reliever.
Acquired: 23rd round in 2011.
Skinny: Dependable for most of season. Appeared to tire late. Led club with 77 appearances. Filthy when spike-curve is sharp enough to complement mid-90s fastball. Despises the nickname, “Chicken Al,’’ bestowed upon him by ex-teammate Frank Herrmann. Former prep QB standout.
Mike Aviles
Position: Utility man.
Acquired: Nov. 3, 2012. Aviles and catcher Yan Gomes came from Toronto for RHP Esmil Rogers.
Skinny: Veteran presence includes high baseball IQ and work ethic. Contributions rooted in versatility and intangibles more than aggregate stats. Had one of team’s biggest hits this season, a grand slam in ninth inning of 4-0 victory at Detroit on Sept. 1. Charter member of Goon Squad. Also known for his enormous calves
Michael Bourn
Position: Center fielder.
Acquired: Feb. 11, 2013, as free agent.
Skinny: Has underperformed, on balance, as leadoff man, especially with respect to contract (four years, $48 million). Led club in triples (six) and ranked second in steals (23). Dealt with finger and wrist injuries. Always hustles. Terrific defender. Teammates love his enthusiasm and gravitate toward him.
Michael Brantley
Position: Left fielder.
Acquired: Oct. 3, 2008. Player to be named in trade that sent CC Sabathia to Milwaukee on July 7, 2008. The Indians also received Matt LaPorta, Zach Jackson and Rob Bryson.
Skinny: A PTBNL has become one of Indians’ best players. Led team with .28417 average (among those who qualified for batting title). Lethal with runners in scoring position. Fat hitting streak in late September. Has started in each of first eight spots in order. Plus-defender in left field or, if necessary, center. Used to fly toy helicopter around clubhouse until it crashed near Asdrubal Cabrera’s locker. Nickname, “Dr. Smooth,’’ has gone national.
Cabrera
Position: Shortstop.
Acquired: June 30, 2006. He came from Seattle for Eduardo Perez.
Skinny: Disappointment for most of season but played better offensively and defensively in September. Had 12 hits during 10-game winning streak. Ranked third on club with 35 doubles. Made concerted effort to come out of his shell and mingle with teammates, who are fiercely loyal to him.
Position: Third baseman.
Acquired: First round in 2008 (29th overall).
Skinny: Failed to take third-base job and hit with it. Was demoted to Columbus in-season. Has had issues at plate, in field and on bases. Trying to rediscover once-textbook swing. Francona has been strong proponent, insisting it will click for him someday.
Position: Designated hitter/pinch hitter.
Acquired: Feb. 9, 2013, as minor-league free agent.
Skinny: Undisputed clubhouse leader. Francona admits to having a “man crush’’ on him. Productive (nine homers, 31 RBI) despite limited at-bats (186) and sub-.200 batting average (.183). Hit two pinch-hit walkoff homers against White Sox, breaking Hank Aaron’s, then his, record for oldest MLB player with walkoff homer. Charter member of Goon Squad.
Position: Catcher.
Acquired: Nov. 3, 2012, in Aviles trade.
Skinny: Has gone from beginning season in Class AAA Columbus to becoming the regular catcher since August. Significant contributor offensively and defensively. Batted .294 in 88 games. First Brazilian native to play in MLB (debuted with Toronto). Charter member of Goon Squad. Assortment of nicknames include, “Obi Yan,’’ “Yanimal,’’ and “Yanny Bench.’’
Position: Left-handed reliever.
Acquired: Feb. 7, 2013, as minor-league free agent.
Skinny: Ranked fourth on club with 63 appearances. Finished with 6.28 ERA but held batters to .674 OPS with runners in scoring position. Inconsistency led Indians to pursue Marc Rzepczynski. Arguably the Tribe’s smartest player.
Position: Right-handed starter.
Acquired: July 31, 2011. He came from Colorado for four players, two of whom were first-round picks (Alex White, Drew Pomeranz).
Skinny: One of MLB’s best starters after All-Star break – his best stretch, by far, since becoming an Indian. Posted a 1.82 ERA in 13 starts post-break. Gave up five earned runs in six September starts. Finished with team lead in starts (32) and starters’ ERA (3.30) and ranked second in victories (13) and strikeouts (194). Enjoyed a renaissance at the most opportune of times given his likely status as free agent.
Position: Left-handed starter.
Acquired: Jan. 8, 2013, as minor-league free agent.
Skinny: Won fifth-starter job in camp. Went from pitching for Sugar Land Skeeters in Atlantic League in 2012 to becoming a solid MLB starter this season, with flashes of brilliance. Finished at 10-9 in 29 starts and struck out 162 in 158 innings. Texas schoolboy legend.
Position: Second baseman.
Acquired: Second round in 2009.
Skinny: One of Indians’ best players. Led club in hits (160), RBI (84), runs (86), steals (30) and ranked second in average (.2837). MLB player of the month for historically good June. Relentless in all phases. Provides Francona with Cleveland’s version of one of his Boston favorites, Dustin Pedroia. Connects with fans on Twitter (@TheJK_Kid).
Position: Right-handed starter.
Acquired: July 31, 2010. Kluber came from San Diego in a three-way trade that also involved St. Louis. The Indians sent Jake Westbrook to St. Louis.
Skinny: Began season in Columbus. Established himself in rotation by end of April. Recovered from middle-finger injury. Fastball velocity and command have enabled him to take next step. Nothing fazes him. Nicknamed, “Hans,’’ after “Die Hard’’ villain Hans Gruber.
Position: Right-handed reliever.
Acquired: July 31, 2009. Masterson and two others – Nick Hagadone and Bryan Price – came from Boston for Victor Martinez.
Skinny: Rebounded from subpar 2102 to be Indians’ best starter. Made All-Star Team. Led club in victories (14) and strikeouts (195). Suffered left-oblique injury in early September, came back much earlier than expected and has worked out of bullpen. Recorded last five outs of wild-card clincher Sunday in Minnesota. Implementation of slider as third pitch has enabled him to reclaim front-of-rotation status. Will stop at Taco Bell drive-thru after starts. Nicknamed, “Bat,’’ after Old West legend William Barclay “Bat’’ Masterson.
Position: Right-handed starter.
Acquired: Aug. 20, 2010. Player to be named in trade that sent Austin Kearns to Yankees on July 30, 2010.
Skinny: Decent season interrupted by middle-finger injury. Has relied heavily -- perhaps too much so – on fastball since return. Tremendous work ethic. Can throw a football long distances with ease.
Position: Right-handed reliever.
Acquired: June 27, 2009. Perez and Jess Todd came from St. Louis for Mark DeRosa.
Skinny: Led Indians with 25 saves (in 30 opportunities), but struggled mightily after making All-Star teams in 2011 and 2012. On- and off-field issues included bad pitches, shoulder injury and marijuana bust. Banished from closer’s role in final week. Shut down Twitter account during season. Declined to speak with reporters for most of season.
Position: Utility man.
Acquired: Jan. 21, 2013, as minor-league free agent.
Skinny: Became one of MLB’s best non-regular players after being discarded by Detroit Tigers. Batted .272 with 16 homers and 55 RBI in 243 at-bats over 87 games. Lethal against lefties (1.020 OPS). Played through leg pain in September. Charter member of Goon Squad.
Position: Left-handed reliever.
Acquired: July 30, 2013. “Zep’’ came from St. Louis for minor-league infielder Juan Herrera.
Skinny: “Scrabble’’ has done exactly what he was acquired to do: handle lefties.
Position: Right-handed starter.
Acquired: July 3, 2006, as undrafted free agent.
Skinny: Will start wild-card game. Made MLB debut this season. Went 2-3 with a 3.12 ERA in 10 starts for Cleveland, striking out 65 in 52 innings. Dominant fastball, improving change-up and ice-cold demeanor. Projects to be a rotation cornerstone for years.
Position: First baseman/catcher/DH.
Acquired: July 26, 2008. Santana and John Meloan came from Dodgers for Casey Blake.
Skinny: Has not let loss of regular catching duties affect his offense. Doesn’t always seem comfortable at the plate but continues to be one of Tribe’s most productive hitters. Works counts and draws walks (team-leading 93). Extra-base pop included 20 homers and team-leading 39 doubles. Led Tribe regulars with .832 OPS (on-base + slugging).
Position: Right-handed reliever.
Acquired: Dec. 11, 2012, in Choo trade.
Skinny: Quietly goes about his business. Wants the ball as much as possible. Dominant in September (5-0, one save, 15 1/3 scoreless innings).
Position: Right-handed reliever.
Acquired: Dec. 10, 2008. Smith came from Mets in a three-team trade that also involved Seattle. Franklin Gutierrez went to Mariners.
Skinny: The Indians’ most consistently effective reliever over the past three years. Only charter member of “Bullpen Mafia’’ who continues to pitch well. Took over eighth-inning role this season when Vinnie Pestano faltered. Finished at 6-2 with three saves, 25 holds and a 2.29 ERA in 70 appearances. Free-agent-to-be probably has priced himself out of Cleveland. Always accessible to reporters. Wright State product.
Position: Right fielder.
Acquired: Dec. 11, 2012, in Choo trade.
Skinny: Prone to nasty slumps but has contributed in spots. Speed has been an asset in field and on bases. Will ambush with power. One of Tribe’s most polite and physically fit players.
Position: Right fielder/first baseman.
Acquired: Jan. 3, 2013, as free agent.
Skinny: Signing (four years, $56 million) showed Indians were willing to spend to try to win. Has not performed to contract-based expectations, or his own, but rallied in September. Had 10 hits during 10-game winning streak, including two-run homer in first inning Sunday. Led club in homers (22) and ranked fourth in runs (74). Team-oriented. Keeps clubhouse loose. Has played through left-shoulder pain since April but refuses to use it as an excuse. Hit much better from right side than left, in large part because of the shoulder. Known as “Swishalicious’’ to MLB Network analysts and others.
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