explanation of rankings and other team previews here
2008 Record: 81-81
Offseason Additions: Kerry Wood, Mark DeRosa, Carl Pavano, Joe Smith
Offseason Subtractions: Franklin Gutierrez
Ranks (MLB):
Line-Up – 4th
Rotation – 18th
Bullpen – 14th
Defense – 2nd tier (out of 5)
Baserunning – 1st tier (out of 5)
KEY PLAYER: JEREMY SOWERS
With their line-up, the Indians would be a shoo-in for the players, and perhaps the World Series favorite, if not for their shaky starting pitching. At the top, they have Cliff Lee, who might be amazing again, or might be a one-year wonder, and Fausto Carmona, coming off serious injury. After that, they have Carl Pavano (5.77 ERA in 2008, and running joke), Anthony Reyes (12-25 career record) and Jeremy Sowers. In 2006, Sowers was a big-time prospect for the Indians, with a 1.39 ERA in the minors and then a 3.57 ERA in 88 IP in the majors. However, poor performances in 2007 (6.42 ERA) and 2008 (5.58 ERA) have made the team wonder whether or not he can make it in the majors. Despite that 5.58 ERA last year, he is penciled in as the 3rd starter for the Indians this year. He dominated AAA when they sent him down in 2008, so this may be a Gavin Floyd type situation where he just has to get his head right. The Indians need him to do so sooner rather than later.
PLAYER TO WATCH: SHIN-SOO CHOO
The South Korean-born Choo came out of nowhere last season to stake his claim on the RF spot in the Indians line-up. After the all-star break, Choo put up the following line: .343 BA, 11 HR, 48 RBI, 20 2B, .424 OBP, .614 SLG%, 1.038 OPS. His OPS was the 3rd best in AL after the all-star break. It’s hard to say whether or not this was just a Ricky Ledee type anomaly or whether the 26 year old lefty has the makings of an solid everyday player. He’ll get his shot this season starting with Opening Day.
PHILLY ANGLE
Most miserable sports town
Before the Phillies won the World Series last year, you could argue that Philly fans were the most tortured in all of sports. Now? It’s no contest. Consider this… The Indians last won a World Series shortly after World War II, and were 3 outs away in 1997 before Jose Mesa destroyed their hopes. The Browns have never even been in a Super Bowl, and to make matters worse, their fans saw their team whisked away in the night by the evil Art Modell and go on to win the Super Bowl as the Baltimore Ravens in 2000. Finally, there are the Cavs, who have also never won a title and while they have LeBron right now, the entire city is petrified he will leave them in 2010 without a title. It’s about time Cleveland catches a break.
QUICK HITS
Worst Contract: Kerry Wood (2 yrs, $20.5 million, ends in 2010)
Best Pitch: Rafael Perez’s Slider
Best Player in a Contract Year: Victor Martinez, C (team option for 2010)
Top Prospect: Matt LaPorta, 1B
Best Individual Season: “Sudden” Sam McDowell, 1965 (17-11, 2.18 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 273 IP, 325 K)
Worst Uniforms: 1964
Where’d They Come From?
– Trade, 7
- Draft, 3
- Amateur FA, 3
- Free Agent, 2
2009 OUTLOOK
2nd AL Central, 6th AL, 9th MLB
The Indians will probably be the popular pick to win the division, but I just can’t bet on a team that actually has Carl Pavano in their rotation and is betting on Kerry Wood to be healthy for 2 straight seasons. However, they are going to win a lot of games because their line-up is stacked. Grady Sizemore is a top-10 player in the league, Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez are big-time run producers when healthy and Jhonny Peralta, Asdrubel Cabrera and Mark DeRosa are all above average infield producers. The Indians are a pitcher or two short away from being a great team, but, as evidenced by the CC Sabathia trade last summer, they don’t quite have the finances to make that happen.
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Pete, Bob Feller ‘46: 26-15 (on 68-86 6th place club!), 42 GS, 36 CG, 10 shutouts, 4 saves, 371 IP, 153 B, 348 K, 2.18 (also) … ‘72 Carlton PLUS … hard to top that; was best pitcher in baseball through much of his career, though I did not see HIM play. As you’ve posited, Sudden Sam’s ‘65 was extraordinary too. As was Albert Belle’s ‘96 performance.
Wow, I didn’t realize their starting pitching was so bad. Is Jake Westbrook done? He was solid for awhile last year before being shut down, I assumed that he would be back. What are the chances LaPorta gets called up early this season?
jjg -