Cleveland Indians 2009 Season Preview

Logan on 03 16, 2009

Cleveland Indians 2008 Review:

The Cleveland Indians were the definition of mediocrity in the 2008 season finishing 81-81, good enough for third place in the AL Central. A year after winning the division, the Indians found themselves in a rebuilding phase to some extent. C.C. Sabathia, a stalwart in the Indian rotation for over seven years, was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers midway through the season. The main return in that deal was Matt LaPorta, an exceptional hitting left field prospect from the Brewer farm system. This deal will be a positive for Cleveland in the long run, but obviously hurt their team during the duration of the 2008 season. The Indians struggled on the road finishing nine games under .500 ultimately leading to their demise. Offensively the Indians were lead by Shin-Shoo Choo who hit .309 with 68 RBI and 66 runs scored. Without a stolen base threat, the Indians found themselves one dimensional offensively with no player finishing with double digit steals aside from Grady Sizemore who had 38 on the year. Cliff Lee was the big story for the 2008 Indian team winning the Cy Young award finishing with a 22-3 record and a 2.54 earned run average.

Cleveland Indians 2009 Preview:

Aside from Cliff Lee and Fausto Carmona, the Indians head into 2009 with major questions regarding their starting pitching staff, questions that should lead to a poor finish in what should be a mediocre AL Central division. Whether Indians fans want to believe it or not, Cleveland is in a rebuilding phase. The Indians feature arguably the best centerfielder in all of baseball in Grady Sizemore. Sizemore hit only .268 in 2008, but managed to slug 33 home runs and produce 90 RBI, very impressive numbers. Sizemore and Choo should anchor an impressive outfield, but a lack of pitching depth will inevitably do in the 2009 Cleveland Indians. The 3-4-5 spots in the rotation will likely feature a mixture of Aaron Laffey, Jeremy Sowers, Anthony Reyes, Scott Lewis and Carl Pavano, a list of names that doesn’t exactly strike fear in the hearts of opposing hitters. Look for Cleveland to surprisingly finish dead last in what should be a very balanced but mediocre AL Central division due to a lack of pitching.

Cleveland Indians Surprise Player of 2009:

Matt LaPorta, acquired in a trade from the Milwaukee Brewers for perennial ace C.C. Sabathia, should become a solid outfield option for the Indians in the years to come. LaPorta features an exceptional bat, something he has become known for since being drafted 7th overall in the 2007 MLB draft out of the University of Florida. Matt was originally drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 2006 draft in the 14th round, but chose to stay at Florida which paid off as he hit .402 to go along with 20 home runs, earning him SEC player of the year honors. Look for LaPorta to make a few appearances during the course of the 2009 season giving a preview of what Cleveland fans can expect for years to come. LaPorta is an top-notch talent and should make an important impact for the Indians within a few years,

Cleveland Indians Projected 2009 Record:

5th place in the AL Central with a record of 76-86.