I have to admit, I kind of hate the Indians. Every year everyone talks about them like they’re the goddamm ‘27 Yankees, and every year they underachieve. For the record, Sports Illustrated has picked the Tribe to win the Central this year.
But you know, maybe they aren’t actually underachieving.
Maybe, if you’re like me, you looked at their team last year, picked by many, many morons to win the World Series, and said: “Gee, this team has no bullpen. And their shorstop is fat. And Aaron Boone sucks. Casey Blake should be a bench player. Their rotation is full of 4th starters after CC Sabathia.”
No, the Indians didn’t underachieve, it turns out. They played about like they should’ve under the above circumstances. That doesn’t mean they can be counted out this year. Boone is gone. The bullpen has been upgraded. The fat shortstop, Jhonny Peralta, might go back to his 2005 form. And a couple of those 4th starters look capable of being 2s or 3s.
Probable Starting Lineup:
CF Grady Sizemore
2B Josh Barfield
C Victor Martinez
DH Travis Hafner
SS Jhonny Peralta
RF Trot Nixon
1B Casey Blake/Ryan Garko
LF David Delluci/Jason Michaels
3B Andy Marte
Starting Rotation:
LH CC Sabathia
RH Jake Westbrook
LH Cliff Lee (DL)
RH Paul Byrd
LH Jeremy Sowers
RH Fausto Carmona
Closer: Joe Borowski
Sizemore is a stud at the top of the order and in CF. Truly one of the most dynamic players in the game. Victor Martinez is the only challenge to Joe Mauer as the AL's best hitting catcher, and Travis Hafner might be the most complete offensive player in the game. Those three alone make the Indians lineup a tough one. Josh Barfield is a quality player at second, and Trot Nixon is a good addition in RF. If Peralta gets his groove back, and young 3B Andy Marte proves ready, this will be a great lineup, regardless of how the platoons at 1B and LF work out.
The rotation has good potential. Cliff Lee opens the year on the DL, and will be replaced by Fausto Carmona (who isn’t very good). But Sabathia is still a legit No.1, and young lefty Jeremy Sowers might end up being their second best starter.
Paul Byrd and Jake Westbrook could be aces on a bad team, and are solid as middle-of-the-rotation guys.
The bullpen still isn’t very good. They signed Keith Foulke to a $5 million deal, and he promptly retired. Joe Borowski, who lost his job as Cubs closer to LaTroy Hawkins, is the closer. I never liked Bob Wickman, but he was much better. Former Twin Aaron Fultz, Rafael Betancourt, and 64-year old Roberto Hernandez, will also work out the Tribe pen.
The good: Strong lineup is still young, could rebound for a big offensive season. Rotation is solid top to bottom.
The bad: Not a great defensive team besides Sizemore, bullpen could be much improved and still be below-par.
Best-case scenario: The usual suspects keep mashing, while Nixon has a big year and Peralta returns to form. Marte develops into the game’s next great young 3B, the rotation stays healthy, and the bullpen holds up admirably. Tribe win the pennant.
Worse-case scenario: Aside from Sizemore, Hafner and Martinez they don’t get much offense. Defense costs them too many games, and the rotation is banged up. Bullpen is terrible again. Tribe lose 85 games.
Cleveland Indians
Manager: Eric Wedge
Offense: B+
Defense: C
Starting Pitching: B
Bullpen: D+
Bench: B
Prediction: 83-79, 4th in AL Central.
1 comment:
this is a cleveland indian fan speaking and wow you couldn't be way off. the indians are in 1st gold cup place. while your team is in 3rd bronze place. GO indians
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