CLEVELAND, Ohio -- I expect the Cleveland Indians to pick up the $11 million option on Michael Brantley's contract for 2018.

The Tribe has until three days after the World Series to make a final decision on Brantley. But right now, they prefer to bet on Brantley coming back strong from major ankle surgery to repair damaged ligaments. He will need up to five months of recovery time.

It's been a very hard two years for Brantley:

1. He had shoulder and biceps surgeries in 2016, which limited him to 11 games.

2. He played 90 games in 2017 and made the AL All-Star team, batting .299 (.801 OPS) with 9 HR and 52 RBI.

3. He began having ankle problems in late June. He was on the disabled list for 10 days. By Aug. 8, the ankle was worse and he went on the disabled list until the final weekend of the regular season.

4. He was on the postseason roster and was 1-for-11 filling in at DH when Edwin Encarnacion was out with an ankle problem.

5. From 2014-17, Brantley is exactly a .300 hitter (.819 OPS). When healthy, he is an above average left fielder.

WHY KEEP BRANTLEY?

"The outcome with this (ankle) surgery is really good," Chris Antonetti said in a conference call with the media. The Tribe president expects Brantley to be ready by the opening of the season.

There are other reasons for the Indians to retain Brantley, who should be in his prime at age 30:

1. If they try to rework his contract, they believe Brantley will elect to become a free agent.

2. The average big league payroll is expected to be in the $145 million range for 2018. That means the average player will be paid nearly $6 million.

3. While an $11 million salary is a lot for a middle market franchise such as Cleveland, it's not especially high in the big league landscape.

4. After last season, the Yankees signed 37-year-old Matt Holiday for $13 million. He batted .231 with 19 HR and 64 RBI. The Astros signed 40-year-old Carlos Beltran for $16 million. He also batted .231 and had 14 HR and 51 RBI.

5. The Tribe believes Brantley would easily receive $11 million a year or more on the open market.

6. Brantley's shoulder had no problems this season after the 2016 nightmare.

7. Brantley is their guy. They believe in him. It's a one-year deal, so they can let him go after 2018 if there are more injuries.

8. If Brantley has a monster 2018 season, they can give him a qualifying offer for 2019. If he signs it, they can keep him. If he wants to be a free agent, the Tribe will receive a draft pick as compensation.

THE PAYROLL

The Indians raised their payroll from about $95 million in 2016 to $125 million in 2017. They probably will increase it a bit, but there won't be a huge jump.

The Indians are projecting at least $20 million in raises for players currently on the roster. That comes from long-term deals or what arbitration eligible players are expected to receive.

If the Indians pick up Brantley's 2018 option, he'll be the third highest-paid player on the team.

Here's the breakdown:

1. Edwin Encarnacion, $18 million.

2. Jason Kipnis, $13.6 million.

3. Brantley, $11 million.

4. Corey Kluber, $10.7 million.

5. Andrew Miller, $9 million.

6. Carlos Carrasco, $8 million.

A few other issues:

1. Carlos Santana and Jay Bruce are free agents. Both made more than $12 million annually.

2. Cody Allen was paid $7.3 million. He is arbitration eligible and could receive a raise approaching $10 million.

3. Josh Tomlin has a $3 million team option. Expect the Indians to pick that up.

4. Trevor Bauer also is arbitration eligible. He was paid $3.5 million in 2017. After his 17-9 record and 4.15 ERA, he could be in for a raise to at least $7 million.

THE OUTFIELD

1. The Indians aren't sure if the outfield or first base is the best spot for Brantley. If his ankle is a problem, then he can't play in the field, period. So first base isn't an automatic answer. Brantley did play 53 games in the minors at first base.

2. The Indians are loaded with lefty hitters in the outfield. I'm putting Jason Kipnis in that category. Here's a quick list: Bradley Zimmer, Lonnie Chisenhall, Tyler Naquin and Brantley. They have Abe Almonte and Greg Allen as switch hitters. The only pure right-handed hitter is Brandon Guyer.

3. Austin Jackson is a valuable right-handed hitter who can play the outfield, but he's a free agent. After batting .318 (.869 OPS) in 85 games, the 30-year-old Jackson could end up with a nice contract in 2018 from someone. He was on the disabled list twice in 2017 and had major knee surgery in 2016.

4. I really like Jay Bruce and prefer him to Carlos Santana. It's doubtful the Indians will keep both.

ABOUT MERCHANDISE SALES

The Indians say Block C caps represent 60 percent of all sales vs. 40 percent featuring Chief Wahoo.

1. The Indians have sold more Navy Block C caps compared to the Red Block C caps.

2. The biggest selling Chief Wahoo cap is the red/navy model worn at home.

Top 5 player jersey sales:

1. Francisco Lindor.

2. Kipnis.

3. Kluber.

4. Encarnacion.

5. Jose Ramirez.

Top 5 jersey style sales:

1. Lindor's alternate navy jersey.

2. Lindor's home white jersey.

3. Alternate navy jersey (no name).

4. 1975 Replica (red) jersey.

5. Road gray jersey.