Cleveland Indians 2010 preview
Article By cbahr.tsn on 4th March, 2010
Chris Bahr
Just a couple of seasons removed from an ALCS loss to the Red Sox, the Indians are back in rebuilding mode. Last year's 97-loss campaign left Cleveland in a last-place tie with Kansas City in the A.L. Central. The Indians have a new manager this season, will have a new general manager after the season and have plenty of offensive potential, but their biggest problem from 2009 remains a glaring weakness in 2010: pitching.
Having a healthy Jake Westbrook is important for the Indians. 1. Will the rotation get some veteran leadership?
There isn't a CC Sabathia or a Cliff Lee, but there is a Jake Westbrook. A two-time 15-game winner, Westbrook missed the 2009 season after Tommy John surgery. But the better Westbrook pitches this season, the more likely it is that he will follow Sabathia and Lee out the door. Westbrook is in the final year of a contract that will pay him $11 million in 2010.
After going 19-8 with a 3.06 ERA in 2007, Fausto Carmona is 13-19 with a 5.89 ERA since. Further regression can't be tolerated, especially with a group of still-developing arms behind the two veterans. "Having Jake Westbrook healthy is huge for us. I think he proved in winter ball that he's ready to go. ... Not only him staying healthy, but for Fausto to come back and pitch well for us. He made some adjustments in winter ball and looks like he's on the right path," manager Manny Acta said.
2. Is it wise to remove Grady Sizemore from the leadoff spot?
All it took to make Sizemore's long-anticipated drop in the batting order a reality was a managerial change. Acta announced last week that Sizemore would hit second, after serving as the team's primary leadoff man the past five seasons. Given Sizemore's power -- he averaged 27 homers per season from 2005-08 before injuries limited him to 18 last season -- he no longer was an ideal fit atop the order.
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Having a healthy Jake Westbrook is important for the Indians. 1. Will the rotation get some veteran leadership?
There isn't a CC Sabathia or a Cliff Lee, but there is a Jake Westbrook. A two-time 15-game winner, Westbrook missed the 2009 season after Tommy John surgery. But the better Westbrook pitches this season, the more likely it is that he will follow Sabathia and Lee out the door. Westbrook is in the final year of a contract that will pay him $11 million in 2010.
After going 19-8 with a 3.06 ERA in 2007, Fausto Carmona is 13-19 with a 5.89 ERA since. Further regression can't be tolerated, especially with a group of still-developing arms behind the two veterans. "Having Jake Westbrook healthy is huge for us. I think he proved in winter ball that he's ready to go. ... Not only him staying healthy, but for Fausto to come back and pitch well for us. He made some adjustments in winter ball and looks like he's on the right path," manager Manny Acta said.
2. Is it wise to remove Grady Sizemore from the leadoff spot?
All it took to make Sizemore's long-anticipated drop in the batting order a reality was a managerial change. Acta announced last week that Sizemore would hit second, after serving as the team's primary leadoff man the past five seasons. Given Sizemore's power -- he averaged 27 homers per season from 2005-08 before injuries limited him to 18 last season -- he no longer was an ideal fit atop the order.
...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for MLB
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