Expect even more fantasy production from Indians in 2017

As the 2017 fantasy baseball season approaches, we take a look at the biggest news and storylines from each club. We'll feature one team each weekday ... and we'll finish up on Feb. 15, the first day all teams will have their pitchers and catchers on the field for workouts.

The defending American League champion Cleveland Indians will bring back just about everyone from the team that ended up one win away from the franchise's first World Series title since 1948. With only their outfield depth a question mark, the Indians will be tough to dethrone in the AL.

2016 at a glance

Record: 94-67 (1st in AL Central)
Hitting: 4th (4.83 R/G)
Pitching: 7th (3.84 ERA)

Arrivals

1B Edwin Encarnacion

The only real hole in the Indians roster came when 1B Mike Napoli's contract expired. Waiting until the market cooled on Encarnacion, the Indians pounced on their new cleanup hitter. We explored his impact in depth after he agreed to terms.

Edwin Encarnacion will remain a fantasy star in Cleveland

Players to watch

SS Francisco Lindor 
3B/OF Jose Ramirez
SP Corey Kluber

There were some skeptics who thought Lindor couldn't duplicate the offensive numbers he put up in little over half a season as a rookie. But the 22-year-old was up to the challenge, hitting .301 with 99 runs, 15 homers and 19 steals. In addition, he improved both his walk AND strikeout rates from 2015.

Ramirez was a breakout multiposition star who helped lead many fantasy teams to titles thanks to a .312 average, 84 runs and 22 steals. He's now an everyday starter at third -- and an elite contact rate says he should be able to repeat.

Kluber's a top-5 starter in any format and a leading contender for the No. 1 pitcher in AL-only leagues. He checks all the boxes: durability, strikeouts, control and he should get plenty of run support.

Sleepers

SP Danny Salazar 
OF Michael Brantley

Salazar may have the best raw stuff of anyone on the pitching staff. He struck out 10.6 batters per nine innings and had a 48% ground-ball rate -- a fantastic combination. He could put up stats comparable to Kluber's or Carlos Carrasco's, but at a lower draft-day cost.

Brantley, 29, missed nearly the entire 2016 season with shoulder problems, which still aren't completely resolved. The prognosis is that he'll be ready for opening day ... but that's what everyone was hoping last season. If he is anywhere close to 100%, his 2014 numbers (.327, 20 HR, 97 RBI, 23 SB) show a tantalizing upside.

Bullpen

Closer: Cody Allen
Next: Andrew Miller

Manager Terry Francona used his bullpen masterfully in the Indians' run to the World Series, but he won't be able to lean on Miller for multiple innings anywhere near as frequently during the regular season. Allen should still get the majority of save chances, with Miller getting a few to go with his stellar ratios and strikeout numbers. In a Roto format, it's hard to tell which one will be more valuable. Get both if possible.

Position battles

The Indians are fairly well set in their everyday lineup, with a platoon in right field of Lonnie Chisenhall and Brandon Guyer as the only position that's likely to change fairly regularly. Chisenhall hit .295/.333/.451 against right-handed pitchers last season and Guyer hit .333/460/.553 against lefties.

The biggest question is whether Tyler Naquin can be an everyday option in center field. Switch-hitting Abraham Almonte is a steals-only backup.

Behind the plate, Yan Gomes will sit a couple times a week in favor of defensive-minded Roberto Perez.

ALCS hero Ryan Merritt could give the Indians a lefty starter if injuries hit or Josh Tomlin falters.

Prospects

OF Bradley Zimmer 
C Francisco Mejia

The Indians traded away their top prospect, OF Clint Frazier, to add Miller in a move that helped their playoff push greatly. Zimmer, 24, now moves into that leading role. His ascent to the majors stalled a bit as he hit Class AAA, but he maintained his excellent batting eye -- one that's resulted in a .372 on-base percentage in his three minor league seasons. He'll benefit from a full year at the AAA level.

Mejia, 21, put together an amazing 50-game hitting streak that spanned his promotion from Low-A to High-A ball. He finished with a .342/.382/.514 slash line in 407 at-bats.

Projected batting order

1. 1B Carlos Santana
2. 2B Jason Kipnis
3. SS Francisco Lindor
4. DH Edwin Encarnacion
5. LF Michael Brantley
6. 3B Jose Ramirez
7. RF Lonnie Chisenhall*
8. C Yan Gomes
9. CF Tyler Naquin

* Platoon with Brandon Guyer

Projected rotation

1. RHP Corey Kluber
2. RHP Carlos Carrasco
3. RHP Danny Santana
4. RHP Trevor Bauer
5. RHP Josh Tomlin