Cleveland Indians Spring Preview!!! (Part 2)

Although the Tribe suffered through such a disappointing season last year nobody can put the blame on the offense; the Indians were second in the majors in runs scored and put pressure on the opposition all season. The lineup is mostly intact, with Josh Barfield replacing the Luna/Inglett platoon at second base and Trot Nixon and David Delluci bolstering the outfield depth. Lets see how the offense stacks up this year:

Catcher- Victor Martinez appears to be entrenched at the catcher's position, despite his well-documented struggles defensively and the presence of up-and-coming backup Kelly Shoppach. Although V-Mart got a few opportunities at first base last season, the presence of David Dellucci and Trot Nixon will force Casey Blake to get more at-bats at first, likely keeping Martinez behind the plate. The Indians are hoping that continued work with ex-catchers and current coaches Eric Wedge and Joel Skinner will improve Martinez's footwork and throwing accuracy. With that said, there are few catchers as offensively gifted as V-Mart, who hit a robust .316 with 16 home runs and 93 RBI, with an on-base percentage of .391. His power numbers were actually slightly down last season, the first year since 2003 that he did not hit 20 home runs, but his double rate still stayed consistent. Only 28 years old, there is no reason Martinez should not remain one of the best offensive catchers in baseball.

1st base- Young first baseman Ryan Garko impressed last season in his first extended stint in the majors, but he will likely be platooning this year with "supersub" Casey Blake. The right-handed Garko hit .333 against lefties last year vs. .281 against righties, while Blake hit .286 against righties and .272 against lefties. Thus Blake will play first against right-handed pitchers while Garko will take over against lefties, although Blake may still get at-bats in the outfield against left-handers. This platoon should generate a high overall average and on-base percentage, although Blake has only average power and Garko has not been able to translate his immense strength into home runs as of yet. This should still be a position of strength.

2nd base- A relative weakness for the Indians, Josh Barfield had a strong rookie season in the National League but now has to adjust a whole new league this year. A good fielder with a quick bat, Barfield has great upside but has to make a quick transition or he will start very slowly. If he can learn the pitchers and the league, he has a chance to be a very solid hitter at the bottom of the lineup.

Shortstop- Probably the biggest X-Factor for the Indians roster, the Tribe need to see the Jhonny Peralta of 2005 and not of last season. Consider that at age 22 and in his first full season the phenom hit .292 with 24 home runs and 78 RBI, solidifying the middle of the lineup. Last year Peralta hit the dreaded "sophomore slump," and posted a measly .257 average with 13 homers and 68 RBI, along with a paltry .323 on-base percentage that crippled the lineup. If Peralta can return to form he can make an already dangerous lineup extraordinary.

Third base- The hot corner will belong exclusively to one-time uberprospect Andy Marte, who struggled in his rookie season last year. He hit only .226 with 5 home runs last year, although his plate discipline and defense improved dramatically over the course of the season. Blessed with enormous physical tools, Marte needs to channel some of that potential into production this season and become at least a serviceable major league hitter.

Outfield- After General Manager Mark Shapiro re-signed Jason Michaels and signed outfielders Trot Nixon and David Dellucci, the outfield could shape up in any number of ways. The only constant is star Center Fielder Grady Sizemore, a player White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen called "the best in the American League," and the de facto leader of the outfield. After a stellar rookie year, Sizemore's 2006 campaign was off-the charts; hitting at the top of the lineup, he hit .290 with 28 home runs and 76 RBI, with a .375 on-base percentage. He added 53 doubles and 11 triples, which means he had a total of NINETY-TWO extra-base hits, by far leading the league. He also was easily the Indians best defensive player, contributing a number of eye-popping "web gems" that saved games. Oh yeah, he is still 24 years old.

Left Field should be a platoon of the right-handed Jason Michaels and the left-handed David Dellucci. Michaels struggled as a regular last season, but as a platoon player he could be a valuable contributor as he was for the Phillies in 2005. Dellucci has experience and has been extremely productive in part-time roles before, most recently last year for the Texas Rangers.
Right Field will be another platoon between newly acquired Trot Nixon and Casey Blake. The well-respected Nixon will face right-handers, off of whom he hit .288 last season, and Blake will move from first to right to face left-handers.

The Indians outfield is very solid although it still lacks power outside of Sizemore, although Nixon and Dellucci should improve that to an extent. But that power outage is made up for by one of the most dangerous hitters in the American League...

Designated Hitter: Travis Hafner. Hafner, affectionately known as "Pronk" in the Cleveland area, has become something of a cult hero. His Pronk-bars are sold in area candy shops and the Indians named the right-field mezzanine at Jacobs Field "Pronkville" in his honor. But Pronk (the origin of the name is credited to former Indians utility-man Bill Selby, who observed that Hafner was 'half-project, half donkey,' and coined the nickname 'Pronk') when healthy is undoubtedly one of the most feared hitters in baseball. Limited to DH because of an arthiritic elbow, Hafner last year hit .308 with 42 home runs and 117 RBI in only 130 games. His on-base percentage was an absurd .439, and his OPS (on-base + slugging percentage) was second in all of baseball, behind only the incomparable Albert Pujols of the Cardinals. With all due respect to the incredibly clutch David Ortiz of the Red Sox, Hafner may well be the best hitter in the American League.


In short, the Indians offense is loaded this year. But that was the case last year, when the Tribe was second in the big leagues in runs scored yet still finished below .500. With an improved bullpen and more overall consistency from the pitching staff, the Tribe have to be considered a legitimate contender. However, the AL Central houses three other legitimate contenders, and only one or two will make the playoffs. Regardless of how it plays out, the race should go down to the wire and the Tribe should be in the thick of it all season.