For a true baseball fan, one of the things you look forward to is the phase "Pitchers and Catchers Report Today". That is exactly what is happening today in Winter Haven, Florida, where the Cleveland Indians set out to return to the post season for the first time in five seasons. Here are some reasons why they will do it:
1). Based on runs scored and runs allowed, the 2005 Tribe actually underachieved. The Indians outscored their opponents by 148 runs last season, the largest differential in the American League. Based on that total, Cleveland should have won 96 games. They won 93. Usually, that evens out in the long run.
2). The Tribe had the worst record in games decided by one run in 2005. That is more an indication of bad luck than bad managing as many would insist. Conversely, the White Sox had the best record in the AL in one run games. History shows this evens out over time. Cleveland should improve in this category in 2006.
3). With Andy Marte on board, Tribe fans will not have to endure no production out of third base for the first two months of the season. If Aaron Boone is hitting .140 at the end of April, Marte will be called up. Either way, Cleveland will get more production out of the position than it did early in 2005.
4). Many fans are worried about the bullpen, but really the make up of the relief corps is a crap shoot every season. Cleveland needs another lefty out of the pen, but replacing David Riske with Guillermo Mota is a plus. Eric Wedge will have to find someone to take Bob Howry’s place, but Fernando Cabrera and Rafael Betancourt have the potential to do that. The fly in the ointment is really how productive Bob Wickman can be again this year. GM Mark Shapiro has signed Steve Karsay and Danny Graves as insurance policies, and the guess here is one of them will play a key role for the club.
5). Coco Crisp had two very good seasons for the Indians, but he is hardly a superstar in the making. Jason Michaels has shown the ability to get on base consistantly, but young players like Grady Sizemore, Jhonny Peralta, and Victor Martinez should still be on the upside of their careers. Their natural progression will make up for any loss going from Crisp to Michaels.
6). The 2006 Indians should have better depth if Wedge knows how to use it correctly. New backup catcher Kelly Shoppach is an upgrade over Josh Bard, and righthanded hitting Eduardo Perez will be more useful than Jose Hernandez. Todd Hollandsworth and/or Lou Merloni will also be good tools to have coming off the bench. Wedge has to figure out how to keep them sharp for when they are needed.
7). Barring injuries, the starting rotation should provide the quality innings to keep the club in ballgames. C.C. Sabathia, Cliff Lee, Paul Byrd, and Jake Westbrook all are consistant in nothing else, and I think Lee is an All-Star in the making. Even if Jason Johnson falters, and there are some health issues, Jason Davis and Jeremy Sowers will be ready in Buffalo.
The 2006 Tribe will have the added pressure of knowing they are expected to win this season. Getting off to a mediocre start in April will not be acceptable. This team has to get out of the gate quickly to impress the fans. Will this be an Indian Summer? The answers will begin to reveal themselves today.
MW
Cleveland Sports Perspective 