2009 MLB Preview - Cleveland Indians

Cleveland Indians
Manager: Eric Wedge (7th season)
2008 Record: 81-81 (3rd AL Central)


Added: IF Mark DeRosa (CHC), SP Carl Pavano (NYY), RP Kerry Wood (CHC), RP Greg Aquino (BAL), RP Rick Bauer (TOR), RP Joe Smith (NYM)
Lost: OF Franklin Gutierrez (SEA)

Projected Lineup (2008 Stats)
1. CF Grady Sizemore (.268, 101 R, 33 HR, 90 RBI, 38 SB) 2. 2B Mark DeRosa (.285, 103 R, 21 HR, 87 RBI) 3. C Victor Martinez (.278, 30 R, 2 HR, 35 RBI) 4. SS Jhonny Peralta (.276, 104 R, 23 HR, 89 RBI) 5. DH Travis Hafner (.197, 21 R, 5 HR, 24 RBI) 6. 1B Ryan Garko (.273, 61 R, 14 HR, 90 RBI) 7. LF Ben Francisco (.266, 65 R, 15 HR, 54 RBI) 8. RF Shin-Soo Choo (.309, 68 R, 14 HR, 66 RBI), 2B Asdrubal Cabrera (.259, 48 R, 6 HR, 47 RBI)

Projected Starting Rotation (2008 Stats)
1. Cliff Lee (22-2, 2.54 ERA, 170 K) 2. Fausto Carmona (8-7, 5.44 ERA, 58 K) 3. Aaron Laffey (5-7, 4.23 ERA, 43 K) 4. Carl Pavano (4-2, 5.77 ERA, 15 K) 5. Anthony Reyes (4-2, 2.76 ERA, 25 K)

NOTE: Jake Westbrook returns in midseason due to injury

Bench
C Kelly Shoppach, IF Jamey Carroll, IF Josh Barfield, IF Andy Marte, OF David Dellucci

Bullpen (2008 Stats for Closer only)
Kerry Wood (34 SV, 66.1 IP, 54 H, 84 K, 3.26 ERA), Rafael Perez, Rafael Betancourt, Jensen Lewis, Joe Smith, Masa Kobayashi

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Fantasy Studs: OF Grady Sizemore, SP Cliff Lee
Fantasy Sleepers: OF Ben Francisco, OF Shin-Soo Choo, DH Travis Hafner, SP Anthony Reyes

Men In The Minors: IF Beau Mills, OF Matt Laporta, OF Trevor Crowe, OF Michael Brantley, P Adam Miller

Home Ballpark: Jacobs Field (Grade 8/10)

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Team Outlook: Analytical minds would say this will be a great season for the Tribe, considering in odd number years, the team has been good as of late. Baseball minds may be thinking the same. After a horrendous 2008 marred by injuries, the Tribe hope the young core that led a furious charge to finish at .500 will lead them to 2009 success. The lineup looks good from top to bottom, led by Sizemore, who is one of the top players in the game. The biggest question mark is Hafner, who hasn't been good since 2006. As far as the pitching goes, there is no C.C. Sabathia. But there is Lee, the defending AL Cy Young winner. Carmona is expected to bounce back from a injury-filled 2008. After that, there are some guys with some promise in Pavano, Laffey, Reyes, Jeremy Sowers and Zach Jackson. Until Westbrook comes back, those guys will have to pitch well. The best part of this team though is its bullpen, upgraded nicely in the offseason. Wood gives the team a bona fide closer. Smith and Perez provide two quality left-handed arms. Betancourt and Lewis are playoff-tested on the right side. In what is a wide-open race in the AL Central this season, the Indians have a good chance of reaching the postseason once again.

Next Preview: Colorado Rockies