[情報] Sporting News 2009 Indians preview
Cleveland Indians preview
The 2008 season was memorable for a couple of Indians -- Cliff Lee went 22-3
and won the A.L. Cy Young Award, and Grady Sizemore had 33 homers and 38 stolen
bases -- but thoroughly disappointing for the team. Cleveland fell 10 games out
of first place by June 30 and never was a factor in the A.L. Central race. But
optimism reigns in their new Arizona spring training home, and a run at the
division title is possible.
THREE QUESTIONS
1. Cliff Lee is an ace, but can the Indians count on any other starting
pitchers?
Fausto Carmona is a lock for the rotation, but the Indians need him to find his
dominating 2007 form. He was second in the A.L. with a 3.06 ERA that year and
won 19 games. Last year, he had eight wins and a 5.44 ERA because of injuries
and a complete lack of control. Progress reports from winter ball and spring
training have been good, though. The oft-injured Carl Pavano also has a spot in
the rotation, but he is just 9-8 in the past four years. Anthony Reyes,
penciled in as the fourth starter, has the talent, and getting out of St. Louis
worked wonders for him last season. Lefthander Aaron Laffey is another talented
arm with a taste of major league success, but he had elbow issues in 2008. Good
news on the horizon: Cleveland hopes to have veteran Jake Westbrook (Tommy John
surgery) back by the second half.
2. What about Pronk? And Victor?
Designated hitter Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez, the Indians' primary
sluggers, combined for 58 homers in 2006 and 49 in 2007. Last year, it was
seven. No wonder the team never got on track. Hafner had 198 at-bats, but never
looked comfortable before the shoulder issues that zapped his strength were
repaired with surgery. He says he is healthy; all of Cleveland wants to believe
him. Martinez's return to being a productive player is considered more of a
sure thing. He had bone chips removed from his elbow, and the former full-time
catcher will get playing time at first base and maybe even DH to save his body
from more wear and tear.
3. What about the corner outfielders?
The Tribe is set with Sizemore in center, but there isn't a ton of experience
at the corner spots, with Ben Francisco (146 career games) in left and Shin-Soo
Choo (159 career games) in right. In 2008, the lefthanded-hitting Choo hit .343
after the All-Star break with 11 homers and an eye-opening 1.038 OPS. For the
season, he hit .317 against righthanded pitchers and .286 against lefties. He
is a solid fielder, and though he doesn't have a ton of major league at-bats to
his credit, he has spent parts of four seasons in the big leagues. Meanwhile,
Francisco was hitting over .300 as late as June 24, but a late slump -- he hit
just .188 in September -- dropped his season average to .266. Should either
falter, the Indians could turn to prospects Matt LaPorta, Trevor Crowe and
Michael Brantley.
PROJECTED LINEUP
1. CF Grady Sizemore.
Perhaps the best five-tool player in the game.
2. 3B Mark DeRosa.
Excellent player, better clubhouse guy.
3. DH Travis Hafner.
Playoff chances could hinge on Pronk's comeback from shoulder surgery.
4. 1B Victor Martinez.
Club hopes less time behind the plate means more time off D.L.
5. SS Jhonny Peralta.
Much better with the bat than with the glove.
6. RF Shin-Soo Choo.
Hit 14 homers with .397 on-base percentage in 2008.
7. LF Ben Francisco.
Slumped after a strong first half.
8. C Kelly Shoppach.
His development allows Cleveland to play Martinez at 1B.
9. 2B Asdrubal Cabrera.
Hit .320 in second half after horrible first half (.184).
PROJECTED ROTATION
1. LHP Cliff Lee.
The A.L.'s best pitcher last season.
2. RHP Fausto Carmona.
Has to throw strikes consistently after a year of wildness.
3. RHP Carl Pavano.
It has been a long time since his 18-win campaign of 2004.
4. RHP Anthony Reyes.
Change of scenery worked wonders last year
(1.83 ERA in six starts with Indians).
5. LHP Aaron Laffey.
Had a 2.83 ERA through 11 starts before elbow trouble.
PROJECTED CLOSER
RHP Kerry Wood.
Changing leagues shouldn't hurt him.
GRADES
Offense: B. Sizemore is an elite talent at the top of the lineup, and DeRosa
was an excellent acquisition. But are Hafner and Martinez healthy and ready to
produce at their former levels? Can Shoppach repeat his 21-homer performance?
Are Choo and Francisco ready for full-time jobs?
Pitching: B. There's a ton of talent in the rotation, but also many questions.
If Carmona finds his 2007 form, the Indians will be the favorites in the A.L.
Central. It was a huge offseason for the bullpen, which added Wood and setup
man Joe Smith to refresh an overworked unit.
Bench: B. The Indians have options in the field, especially with the versatile
DeRosa. Jamey Carroll can play all over the field, and Josh Barfield is
learning the outfield and third base. Ryan Garko appears to be the odd man out
in the C/1B/DH trifecta, but he can be a valuable power source off the bench if
he adjusts to his new role.
Manager: B. Eric Wedge went from the A.L. manager of the year in 2007 to a man
without enough answers last season. He'll have more options this season, which
is what every manager wants when making decisions. Expect a season much more
like 2007 and less like 2008.
Sporting News prediction: There is an opportunity for the Indians, as there is
for every team in the A.L. Central. If things go right for the Tribe, Cleveland
fans could be celebrating a division title in October. Realistically, however,
the Indians have as many or more questions as any team in the division;
Minnesota is the favorite.
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