The Cleveland Indians were one of the nicest surprises in baseball in 2013, finishing only one game behind the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central Divison and clinching the top Wild Card spot in the American League Playoffs.

At a time when the future of competitive baseball in Cleveland looked bleak, newly-crowned Manager of the Year Terry Francona took over the reins and boosted the morale of baseball fans in northern Ohio.

Unfortunately, the Tribe was knocked out of the playoffs in the Wild Card Game by the Tampa Bay Rays, leaving Cleveland to look to the future and try to improve.

The Tribe's strong suit last season was offense. While the Indians finished in the top ten in baseball of almost every offensive category, they peaked at sixth in total runs scored. This scoring outbreak was due in part to no particular individual, but rather a team effort that led them to many impressive wins.

The offense was spearheaded by Jason Kipnis, Carlos Santana and Michael Brantley, with occasional late-inning pinch-hit heroics from veteran Jason Giambi.

The Indians' discipline at the plate also set them apart from most other teams, as they finished fifth in the Major Leagues in total walks with 562. This not only allowed them to reach base often, but it also allowed them to chase opposing starters and work deep into bullpens during the earlier innings of games.

While there are still holes in the lineup (*cough* third base *cough*), no offense can be perfect. Cleveland's hitting talent alone is what led the Indians to their first playoff berth since 2007, but in order to go further, the pitching needs to get much, much better.

The Indians were 27th (out of 30) in quality starts; a number that just won't cut it if they want to be a contending team. This offseason, the Indians desperately need to pick up a starter or two, especially since Ubaldo Jimenez looks like he will not be returning.

Getting a better rotation is essential because the Cleveland bullpen was also below-average. The Indians went around the closer carousel last season as Chris Perez, recently released by the team, could not convert several important save opportunities. They finished in the bottom-five in save percentage, which led to the Tribe losing some games it should have been able to wrap up.

This cements the idea that Cleveland's offseason focus should be nothing other than pitching. Starting pitchers, middle relievers, long relievers, setup men and closing pitchers would all be welcomed if they could upgrade the Indians' chances of success.

But what was the biggest reason that the Indians could not go the extra mile this season? The team that finished one game ahead of them.

In the regular season, the Detroit Tigers were an incredible 15-4 against the Indians, giving them an eleven-game advantage over their Central Division rivals. The Indians finished just one game behind Detroit in the end, but their futility against the Tigers proved to cost them as they were stuck in a winner-take-all Wild Card Game - which they lost.

Had the Indians been able to squeak out a 6-13 record against the Tigers this season, they would have been the Central Division Champions and it would have been the Tigers taking on the Rays in the Wild Card Game.

Who knows what the case will be in 2014, but with some upgrades at pitching and just a couple more wins against the Tigers, the Cleveland Indians could be in position to make some noise and prove that they were not a one-year wonder.