The Royals are so bad, that I'll admit I kind of half-assed their preview.
Now that we're moving into teams that actually have a shot to contend, I'm gettin serious. As serious as the 300-pound, fat-ass, Twins-hating lefty seen at right.
The Indians have probably the best collection of young talent in the division. Most of their best players have yet to reach their full potential.
They finished last year on fire, narrowly missing the playoffs at 93-69, so of course, they're a hip pick in the AL.
I don't see it. In fact, I think they're maybe the most overrated team in the league, and I expect them to drop off some from last year.
They've lost their No. 1 starter, their centerfielder and leadoff hitter, their fifth starter and two key relievers. The shakiest parts of their team; third base, right field and closer, all got a year older.
If the core of this team takes another step forward those things may not matter, but I'm predicting that the Indians will disappoint.
Probable Starting Lineup:
CF Grady Sizemore
SS Jhonny Peralta
C Victor Martinez
DH Travis Hafner
LF Jason Michaels/Todd Hollandsworth
1B Ben Broussard/Eduardo Perez
2B Ronnie Belliard
RF Casey Blake
3B Aaron Boone
Starting Rotation:
LH CC Sabathia
RH Paul Byrd
LH Cliff Lee
RH Jake Westbrook
RH Jason Johnson
Closer: Bob Wickman
The trade of Coco Crisp to the Red Sox for 3B prospect Andy Marte was a good one for the Tribe, but not short term. Crisp is a very underrated player who they'll miss at the top of the order. Meanwhile the bottom of their order has the potential to be terrible, as Broussard, Blake and Boone are more likely to fall further in decline than to step up. Jason Michaels could turn out to be a find in LF, but he could also end up being just a guy.
Make no mistake, though, Sizemore, Martinez, Hafner and Peralta are all offensive studs. Sizemore has a shot to be the next Griffey Jr.
The starting pitching will be pretty good even with the loss of Kevin Milwood, but the bullpen could be a weakness.
If Danny Graves can get back the magic that made him an All-Star in Cincinnatti that would help a lot, because I don't expect Bob Wickman to be as good as he was last year. He's way too hittable.
The Good: Terrific top half of the order, deep starting rotation.
The Bad: Bullpen is full of questions, corner infield and outfield spots are below par, Peralta is a below average fielder at SS.
Best Case Scenario: The core of the Indian lineup continues to blossom, with Sizemore, Martinez and Hafner all putting up MVP numbers. Michaels siezes his chance to be an everyday player, while Boone, Broussard and Blake re-establish themselves. Bullpen comes together and Wickman has another 40-save season. Indians win the pennant.
Worst Case Scenario: Young players experience a small hiccup in their development, Boone, Wickman and Blake fade badly, Michales fails as a regular, starting pitching is inconsistent. Similar to last year's Twins, they fall back near .500.
Cleveland Indians
Manager: Eric Wedge
Offense: B+
Defense: C
Starting Pitching: B
Bullpen: C-
Bench: B
Prediction: 81-81 4th in AL Central
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