Fourth in our American League Central season previews are the Cleveland Indians. Don't count them out just yet. One thing is for sure, the outfield is stocked at Jacobs Field. Grady Sizemore, who led the AL with 92 extra base hits last season, will be patrolling center, Jason Michaels in left and the ever-adaptable Casey Blake in right, backed up by utility outfielders Franklin Gutierrez and Shin-Soo Choo.
Newly acquired David Delucci and Trot Nixon will be set to cover the corners against right-handed pitching.
The addition of Nixon gives the Tribe a bat to follow Sizemore, setting up designated hitter Travis Hafner quite nicely. Dellucci, who signed to a three-year, $11.5 million contract, may also be a threat at the heart of the lineup, as he hovered around .300 with the Phillies last season.
New second baseman Josh Barfield, coming off a stunning rookie season with the San Diego Padres, will share the middle infield with shortstop Jhonny Peralta, who is coming off somewhat of a sophomore slump. Shifting infielder Hector Luna will back things up along with Joe Inglett. This team could live and die up a shaky middle, relying on strong defense and pitching rather than big blasts from the plate.
On the corners stand the inexperienced, yet promising Ryan Garko at first and Andy Marte holding down third, neither with any real competition for the every-day spots.
C.C. Sabbathia will lead a talented pitching staff consisting of Jake Westbrook, the allegiant Cliff Lee and veteran Paul Byrd. Second year players Jeremy Sowers and Fausto Carmona will vie for the fifth spot, unless Carmona ends up back in the bullpen.
He would then join closers Keith Foulke and the recently signed Joe Borowski from the Florida Marlins. Roberto Hernandez, Rafael Betancourt, Fernando Cabreara and Jason Davis highlight the rightys in the mix with the only proven lefty being Aaron Fultz.
Youngsters Edward Mujica along with leftys Rafeal Perez and Juan Lara will also compete for spots in the pen.
Victor Martinez remains the main man behind the plate, serving as a second designated hitter and backed up by second-year Indian Kelly Shoppach.
While Cleveland admittedly took a dive last season (78-84) after nearly coming back to take the division title from the Chicago White Sox in 2005, they will be looking to improve in 2007 with better defense and a younger, stronger offense.
1 comment:
Sooze, there is just no way the Tribe has a prayer in that division.
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