Cleveland Indians Season Preview

The Cleveland Indians were a dull,bland team that lacked in personality and showing little hope for an imminent arrival from the farm system to change anything soon.

The Tribe front office attempted to change that with a few splashy free agent signings and holding onto shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera when it was thought that the team would trade him elsewhere and as a result,Indians fans have a season to look forward to that may be unexpectedly exciting.
The hiring of Terry Francona has jump started Indians interest and having Francona wanting to be in Cleveland is an asset....

Rising star Carlos Santana continues his development behind the plate.
Santana's bat will carry him,although I have reason to believe improvement defensively is more than possible.
Santana will see the occasional start at first base to keep his bat in the lineup without the demands of catching.Defensive specialist Lou Marson backs Santana up as the reserve.

Nick Swisher signed as a free agent when other teams backed off for either financial reasons or an unwillingness to sacrifice a first round draft pick under the new draft system.
In any case,Swisher brings a switch hitting power bat to a team in desperate need of power.
Swisher was signed to play right field,but a later signing moved Swisher to first base by a decision that I have some questions on.
Swisher's bat would be well above average for a corner outfielder,but ranks in mid pack among first basemen.I would have rather kept him in right field.
Mark Reynolds will be the regular DH and backup Swisher at first.
Jason Kipnis returns at second after a up and down rookie season.
Kipnis is expected to improve off the campaign,the Indians hope,but just in case ,Terry Francona favorite Mike Aviles is available if needed.
Aviles will also backup Asdrubal Cabrera at short,who it was thought had played his final game in Cleveland.
Cabrera's numbers dipped from his breakthrough 2011 year as expected,but still finished with 16 homers.
Lonnie Chisenhall won the third base job in Tucson after a injury riddled rookie season.
If Chisenhall can offer an average bat at third,the Indians would have to be thrilled.
Aviles,Ryan Rayburn and Mark Reynolds all could see the occasional start at third.

The Indians outfield should be a tremendous defensive group,but the bats all have questions.
Michael Brantley will start in left.
The Indians have always thought more of Brantley than I have and he always strikes me as a player that looks to have more ability than he shows in game play.
Michael Bourn was signed as a free agent when the same procedure that hampered Nick Swisher limited the marker for Bourn.
Because the Indians first round pick was inside the top ten,only the Indians of suitors for Bourn did not have to give up a first rounder,therefore giving them the inside track in signing him.
Bourn will leadoff and add excitement to the lineup,but strikes out more than I would like from a leadoff hitter.
Drew Stubbs was part of the three team trade over the winter that saw Shin Shoo Choo sent to the Reds.
Stubbs strikes out a ton,but does have power.
Considering the strikeouts and low average,Stubbs has to hit twenty or more homers to be of value in the lineup.
I see him as more of a fourth outfielder.
For now the Indians are not carrying a true fourth outfielder as Nick Swisher and the backup infielders can all play the outfield.

Major problems with the rotation.
Justin Masterson reverted to previous form after an excellent 2011.
Masterson is very erratic and had a increase in walks last season.
If Masterson is the same pitcher as last season,Cleveland has problems.
Ubaldo Jimenez has never been the pitcher in Cleveland that he was in Colorado as his velocity has decreased and his command has never been a strength.
The issues do not get better as the rotation follows.
Brett Myers was signed to give stability at the three spot,but concerns over a awful spring after a year spent relieving are troubling.
Zach McAllister showed flashes last season in his starts,but still has plenty to prove.
Former All-Star Scott Kazmir was solid in Arizona after being signed from independent baseball,but I'll still believe an Atlantic League with a five plus ERA can be successful when I see it.
Carlos Carrasco is on call as the spot starter and long man from the bullpen....

I feel better about the bullpen.
Chris Perez is solid as the closer and I like Vinny Pestano as the setup man.
Sidearmer Joe Smith fills his role well and Cody Allen was effective last season in his opportunities.
Power armed Brian Shaw and journeyman Matt Albers were added from Arizona in the Choo trade,with Francona favorite Rich Hill and the returning from injury Nick Hagadone finishing the corps.
The bullpen should be a strength all things considered.

If the rotation holds up,the Indians could be a real contender.
I don't know think that they are to the level of the Tigers,but could be a solid second and a wild card contender.
I can also see major issues with the rotation and tons of strikeouts from the lineup occurring.
Split the difference and call it 86-76.....