Alrighty, let’s see who’s next in the division previews…

Go Tribe!

Cleveland Indians

The Indians greatly underachieved last season, going from possible Division winner to cellar dweller in the course of two months, thanks mostly to the implosion of their bullpen.  The Indians heavily invested in rebuilding the setup corps and return the majority of their young team and should be dramatically better.

Starting Rotation

1. C.C. Sabathia (LHP) – Sabathia has ace quality stuff, but his bulk on his frame results in a lot of questions about his durability.  Sabathia enters 2007 with a lot on his shoulders, as he’s now going to be depended on, more than ever, to lead this rotation that lost a certain something when Kevin Millwood left town.
2. Jake Westbrook (RHP) – Groundball pitchers are neat in that they don’t require a lot of work.  They pretty much let the defense do it’s thing.  Though there are a lot of cracks on how bad the Indians’ defense is, I think they’re good enough to allow the three groundballers on the staff to do their job.  Westbrook, however, is unique in that he can rely on four pitches at any time to help him out of trouble.
3. Paul Byrd (RHP) – Another groundball pitcher, Byrd had a explosive relationship with former Indians closer Bob Wickman, who was traded last season.  Byrd is also like Westbrook in that he’s dependant on the defense, though Westbrook has four pitches he’s able to utilize in the event of trouble. 
4. Cliff Lee (LHP) – Lee is another solid lefty in the rotation that can eat innings and is capable of dominating at times.
5. Jeremy Sowers (LHP) – Sowers was solid last season after joining the Indians in late June and making 14 starts after Jason Johnson imploded.  Now he’s got to prove he can do it for the whole season.

Bullpen

• Joe Borowski (Closer) – With Keith Foulke now out of the picture, Borowski wins the closer’s job by default.  Borowski is far from a overpowering closer.  In fact, he’s similar to Bob Wickman, the Indians’ ex-closer, in that he outmaneuvers batters instead of blowing them away.
• Rafael Betancourt (Setup Man) – One of the more solid relievers in the rotation, Betancourt will likely setup Borowski, plus spot close when necessary.
• Roberto Hernandez (RHP) – Trying to build some semblance of a rotation, the Indians signed Hernandez to help bridge the gap to whoever will be their closer.  Hernandez returned to the Mets in a late season deal and is a competent setup man.  Despite his age, he still hits the low 90's on his fastball and he's got a solid splitter and slider.  He's most likely the 7th inning reliever for the Indians.
• Aaron Fultz (LHP) – Fultz is more or less a lefty specialist, as he gets killed by right-handed hitters.
• Jason Davis (RHP) – Davis became one of the most reliable relievers out of the Indians bullpen as the year wound down.  With the lack of relievers in the system, he’ll likely make the big club.
• Rafael Perez (LHP) – Perez is a tall southpall that excelled once moved into the pen.  Perez has a low 90’s power sinker that misses plenty of bats and tends to get hammered into the ground when contact is made.  However, he lacks a complimentry pitch to go with it, making him a one pitch pony.  However, Perez has little to prove in the minors and he should make the Indians’ opening day roster.

Projected Lineup

1. Grady Sizemore (CF) –Sizemore is quickly turning into one of the best players in the game, as he’s quick, has power, plays an excellent centerfield, and is, as my sister put it, a “hottie”.   That aside, Sizemore is quickly turning into the second most popular Indian, with only Hafner having more fans, and is the face of the franchise for years to come.  The only real flaw in Sizemore’s game is his arm isn’t the strongest, but aside from that he is a solid player that should continue to be considered among baseball’s elite.
2. Josh Barfield (2B) – Without any type of second baseman on the roster, the Indians were lucky enough to steal Josh Barfield from the Padres.  Barfield provides solid defense and has plenty of pop in his bat.  While he won’t be a run producer, he’s solid enough to hit at the number two spot.
3. Victor Martinez (C) –Martinez is capable of hitting.300 and knocking 20 homers each year.  On other teams, he’d be a primary run producer, but with the Indians deep in bats, that’s not necessary.  The problem with Martinez is that he’s only an average defender and isn’t quick enough to discourage runners for stealing on him.  I think that Martinez will be switched to first base permanently in the near future.
4. Travis Hafner (DH) – Hafner is, after David Ortiz, the most dangerous DH in the American League.  Hafner hits for incredible power and is extremely productive when he’s in the lineup.  The only problem is keeping him in there.  Hafner has never played more than 140 games in a season.  If the Indians are to contend, Hafner needs to stay healthy.
5. Andy Marte (3B) – Marte was once considered to be the jewel of the Braves’ farm system before he was dealt to the Red Sox, then to the Indians.  Marte destroyed Triple A this past year before crapping out in the majors during a September callup.  Marte is a solid enough defender to stick at third base and he’s got good power potential to be a solid fifth man in the lineup.  With nothing left to prove in Triple A, Marte will be the Indians’ Opening Day third baseman.
6. David Dellucci (LF) – Dellucci cashed in after performing well with the Phillies and will now roam left field for the Indians.  Dellucci can hit for power and is productive enough to hit in the heart of the line up, plus can leadoff on the days that Sizemore may be off.  The only problem is that Dellucci can get a little strikeout happy at times.  Dellucci is also a very vocal leader in the clubhouse and could help guide the young Tribe as they get more experience.
7. Trot Nixon (RF) –Nixon can still be a productive player, but the injuries are going to limit the amount of games he can play.  He’s going to platoon with Shin Soo Choo in right.
8. Casey Blake (1B) – Casey Blake uis likely going to be playing first base when Martinez is behind the backstop or resting.  He was very impressive during limited duty last season, but he’s not going to be the long term solution at first base.  Still, he should be very good for this season.
9. Jhonny Peralta (SS) – No Indian enters the season on the hot seat more than Peralta.  If Peralta doesn't show he's at least an average shortstop defensively, he’s going to be gone, even though he signed a five-year, $13 million deal in 2006. 

Bench

• Kelly Shoppach (C) – Shoppach is actually the more polished defender between him and Martinez and is no slouch with the bat himself.  There will be games that Martinez will move over to first to give Shoppach some playing time.
• Jason Michaels (OF) – Michaels is a useful fourth outfielder that hits for average with some pop and can play the entire outfield pretty well.  He’s a decent runner and should be a solid bench player.
• Shin-Soo Choo (OF) – Choo has the potential to be a solid major league regular that can hit for power.  He was impressive in limited duty with the Indians last season and he’s got the speed and field instincts to stick at right field.  Unfortunately, he’s blocked by Trot Nixon, though he’ll get playing time since Nixon isn’t the picture of durability.
• Hector Luna (INF) –Luna’s bat is decent enough to where he could start, so the Indians could use Luna as a threat to motivate Peralta at shortstop.
• Joe Inglett (UTIL) – Inglett can play several positions, including centerfield, and he’s got great speed as well.  Like Luna, Inglett could also be an option at shortstop should Peralta continue to struggle.

Down On The Farm…

The Indians are flushed with talent in their farm system, with several talented pitchers and outfielders that will contribute to them at some point in time.  Add this to the fact that there is already so much talent already on the team and what you have is a farm system that has done it’s job in supplying a team with young, cheap talent.

• Adam Miller (RHP) – Miller is one of the top right handed pitching prospects in the game that features a solid low-to-mid 90’s sinking fastball, a hard slider, and a changeup that gives him a full three-pitch arsenal.  He also holds his velocity deep into games and has the potential to be an ace as long as he can keep some consistency.  If he tears up Triple A, he could force the Tribe to give him a look and may even make one of the starting five expendable. 
• Brian Barton (CF) – Undrafted out of college, Barton has proven to be quite a find, dominating both high A and Double A competition.  Barton is an excellent athlete that has both raw power and speed, and is an above-average defender in center. With Barton already 25, the Indians figure to push him in order to see what exactly he’s capable of.  The only problem is, the outfield is very crowded for the Indians so any call up that Barton receives will be strictly to display his trade value. 
• Tony Sipp (LHP) – Sipp moved to the bullpen in the minors and did well.  He’s got a solid fastball/slider combination, but struggles at times with his consistency.  At the very least, he could be a solid setup man.
• Brad Snyder (RF) – Snyder is another excellent athlete that has a lot of raw power and speed, along with a strong arm in the outfield.  Snyder has problems making contact however, and his plate discipline is lacking, along with his pitch recognition.  Like Barton, Snyder is also running out of time to prove himself, so any call up he gets will be to showcase his value.

In Conclusion

I think that with the Twins faltering, the White Sox dismantling the 2005 World Series club, and the Tigers bound to take a step back, the Indians will have enough talent to finally win the division.  Plus, they’ve got enough talent in the minors to allow them to make a move at the deadline to acquire anything they might need, making things even more stacked in their favor.

Final Standing:  American League Central Division Champion