Cleveland Indians

Contributor: James Pete, Tribe Report

2007 Record: 96-66

2007 Summary: The Cleveland Indians reclaimed their 1990's position at the top of the A.L. Central Division. Whereas those 90's teams were led by incredible offense, this version of the Indians was dominated by starting pitching, and arguably the best bullpen in baseball.

Cleveland boasted Cy Young Award winner C.C. Sabathia, who won 19 games, and was the horse of the league, and staff with 241 innings. Fausto Carmona also burst upon the scene as an ace-in-waiting, winning 19 games as well, with a team leading 3.06 ERA, which was 2nd in the league. A mid-season offensive slump cost both 20+ wins. Paul Byrd also surprised many by winning 15 games with smoke and mirrors. Jake Westbrook, and the combination of Cliff Lee and Jeremy Sowers were underwhelming as the #4 and #5 starters, although Aaron Laffey came on at the end of the year to claim the #5 slot.

The bullpen boasted two of the best set-up men in baseball in righty Rafael Betancourt and lefty Rafael Perez. Betancourt pitched nearly 80 innings, boasting a 1.47 ERA as the main set-up man to closer Joe Borowski. Joining him in the set up role was Rafael Perez, who brought a 1.78 ERA in 60 innings pitched. Joe Borowski was the new Tribe closer, and rewarded them with 45 saves that overshadowed his worse-than-pedestrian 5.07 ERA. Jensen Lewis also came on strong in August and September as a new presence in the pen.

The stars of the offense were undoubtedly Grady Sizemore and Victor Martinez. Martinez ascended to the captain of this team. His defense was much improved, and no doubt coincided with the improved pitching staff. Offensively, Martinez led the team in batting (.301), slugging (.505), doubles (40), HR's (25), RBI (114) and OPS (.879). What Martinez didn't lead, Sizemore did, leading in OBP (.390), Runs (118), hits (174), triples (5) and SB's (33). Ryan Garko (21 HRs, .289 ave.), Asdrubal Cabrera, Franklin Gutierrez and Jhonny Peralta also helped pick up the offensive slack. Kenny Lofton and Chris Gomez were re-added to the mix at the trade deadline to help fix a struggling offense.

The big news for the offense was that Travis Hafner had a let-down season, after becoming a perennial MVP candidate over the previous three seasons. His struggles seemed to accentuate an enigmatic Tribe offense that at times, seemed to either walk, or strike out, with nothing in between.

In the playoffs, the Indians breezed through the Yankees, and took a 3-1 lead against the eventual World Series champion Boston Red Sox, before their starting pitching couldn't match up against the meat of the Boston offense, and lost in 7 games.

2008 Key Losses: None of any significance. Kenny Lofton and Chris Gomez, 2 mid-season replacements, were allowed to leave, as was the diminished Trot Nixon.

2008 Indians Starting Lineup:
1. Grady Sizemore, CF
2. Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B
3. Travis Hafner, DH
4. Victor Martinez, C
5. Ryan Garko, 1B
6. Jhonny Peralta, SS
7. Franklin Gutierrez, RF
8. David Dellucci/Jason Michaels, LF
9. Casey Blake, 3B

2008 Indians Starting Rotation: C.C. Sabathia, Fausto Carmona, Jake Westbrook, Paul Byrd, Cliff Lee

2008 Indians Closer: Joe Borowski

2008 Indians MVP: Grady Sizemore—Sizemore is a superstar now, but is on the cusp of becoming something incredibly successful. Right now, Sizemore is on the verge of becoming a 30-30 player. Look for Sizemore to score over 130 runs, push 200 hits, hit at least 10 triples, 35 doubles, 30 HR, 80 RBI, 30 SB, with a .300 average and a .400 OBP. Sizemore walked a career high 101 times last season, but also struck out a career high 155 times. Sizemore came into camp this year looking to cut down on his K's, while remaining aggressive at the plate. Look for a slight drop in K's, which will improve all other categories. A resurgent Travis Hafner should help Sizemore become the pre-eminent offensive player in baseball. Sizemore will continue to be one of the top two defensive center fielders in baseball.

The Indians will be successful if: C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona continue as aces, while Jake Westbrook and Cliff Lee pitch to their potential, unlike last season. The bullpen will need to continue their excellence, and someone will have to step up and take the closer's role from Joe Borowski for when he inevitably starts giving up too many runs. Travis Hafner will need to return to form, with the rest of the offense continuing the status quo of last year. Franklin Gutierrez, Ryan Garko, Asdrubal Cabrera and Jhonny Peralta will need to continue their development offensively as well. Cleveland must figure out a better option for left field other than the Jason Michaels/David Dellucci platoon. Perhaps Ben Francisco, the AAA International League's batting champ last year, and Shin-Soo Choo can muscle their way onto the club as mid-season replacements. Still, this team is built around their rotation, and their bullpen. Without it, there's no way the Indians can take the next step to the world series.

2008 Season Prediction: The Indians are the most overlooked team in baseball. The team that won the same amount of games as the Red Sox, and took them to 7 games last year, is just an afterthought to the Detroit Tigers, and their vaunted offense. The truth of the matter is that this team is built to win. The pitching will be better than last year, as will the offense. If healthy, look for the Cleveland Indians to take the next step in their development, and make it to the World Series.

Standings Prediction:
1. Cleveland Indians
2. Detroit Tigers
3. Chicago White Sox
4. Kansas City Royals
5. Minnesota Twins