[Notorious C.L.E.]

Catchers
Victor Martinez’s production at the plate is a valuable commodity for a catcher. He is a gritty switch- hitter that just gets things done, but he possesses solid power, especially from the left side. While Martinez is one of the most promising hitting catchers in the business, his defense leaves a lot to be desired. He manages and handles pitchers from behind the plate well, but his spotty arm does not allow him to control the running game. Kelly Shoppach is a defensive-oriented catcher that has a superlative arm and glove, making him a useful substitution against teams that are deadly on the basepaths; however, he does not have the bat that Martinez does. Prospect Mike Rose is expected to start the season in the minor leagues.

Corner Infielders
According to general manager Mike Shapiro, Casey Blake will see time at first base this season. Blake is an average, patient hitter that has shown willingness to contribute to the ballclub in any capacity, as he will still play right field and third base at times during the season as well. Ryan Garko is expected to seriously contend for the starting job during spring training. He played towards the end of last season, and proved that he could hit while doing so. He could have a Chris Shelton-esque season at the plate, but his defensive inadequacies are troubling. Victor Martinez will likely slide to first base when Kelly Shoppach starts under the plate.

Third basemen Andy Marte has undeniable talent, but his first stint in the Major Leagues was met with mixed success. He already has signature power to all fields, and his lower body is still filling out. While being the prototypical power hitter, he still hits for a respectable average. More impressive still is the solid leather he brings to the hot corner. He went through the Major League jitters last season, and as he regains patience, he should become the stud he is supposed to be. Casey Blake is the fallback option at third base. After Blake, the Tribe is expected to use utility men for spot starts at third.

Middle Infielders
The Indians have a bevy of talented middle infielders going into spring training. Jhonny Peralta struggled at shortstop in 2006, but the Tribe is hoping that he can revert back to the form he showed two years ago. He has above average power, but his lack of patience is his biggest shortcoming at the plate. Defensively, he has solid leather to go along with a very strong arm, but lacks ideal range. Newcomer Josh Barfield is penciled in to be the starter at second base. Barfield has shown the ability to be above average in just one major league season with the San Diego Padres, as he has a compact swing made for driving in runs. Backing up the projected starters are Hector Luna and Joe Inglett. Luna does not have long-term potential, but he is a steady utility infielder that teams love to have on the bench. Inglett is a scrappy hitter and defensemen that is a more than adequate spot starter. Prospect Mike Rouse will likely start in Triple-A Buffalo. Veterans Keith Ginter and Luis Rivas were extended invitations to attend spring training.

Outfielders
Left field is certain to feature more platooning. David Dellucci was one of the more unheralded signings of the off-season, as he was inexpensive while proving he is stable both at the plate and in the field over his ten year career. He has earned the reputation of being a wrecking ball at the plate for right-handed hitters, and that is the capacity that the Indians will use him in when at all possible. Incumbent left fielder Jason Michaels was a free-swinger last season, but his sole responsibility over any extended period of time this season will be against southpaws.

Grady Sizemore has center field locked down for the next few years. He is a stud with unquestionable five-tool talent. He has deceptive power, as evidenced in his ninety-two extra base hits last season. He has tremendous athleticism that shines through in the outfield and on the bases. His hit placement has developed by leaps and bounds, and he still strives to be better. It may sound presumptuous, and premature, but I think Sizemore has more than punchers chance at making the Hall of Fame.

Trot Nixon was another low risk, sizeable reward signings that the Tribe has become notorious for over the past few off-seasons. All the Indians are asking him to do is platoon with Casey Blake in right field, saving him from the grind of an entire season. Overall, I like the move. The guy is hard-nosed and always put Boston first. He brings the championship experience that this team has sorely lacked, a serviceable bat, and depth to the twenty-five man roster. If injuries continue to be a problem, then it was only a one-year deal so no substantial harm is done. Adding Nixon gives the Tribe extra flexibility with daily lineups.

Thrown into the outfield mix are a host of prospects. Shin-Soo Choo came over last year around the trade deadline from the Mariners and produced fairly well, so he is expected to compete for the fifth outfielder job, with the potential to move up on the depth chart. Franklin Gutierrez and Ben Francisco are probably going to start the season in the minors. Trevor Crowe is slotted as the Tribe’s left fielder of the future, but he needs to add a few more layers of polish before being brought up with the big club.

Starting Pitching
C.C. Sabathia is already one of the better southpaws in the MLB, but he has the potential to be devastating. He has a live fastball that clocks in high nineties, but he varies its speed well. While he is primarily a power pitcher, his off-speed stuff has developed late, but it’s still streaky at times. If he can trim down and keep his cool at all times, he has the potential to be something special. Cliff Lee also has the potential to cement himself as one of the top number twos in the MLB, a valuable commodity as a lefty. He has a polished repertoire of pitches that he reaches into during games, but he struggled the latter half of last season because he relied too heavily on his fastball. Lefthander Jeremy Sowers got lost in the fray of talented young starting pitchers last season, but he proved that he can pitch too. He reminds me of a poor man’s Greg Maddux, as he overcomes an average fastball with smarts and command. Still needs mechanical work, but he has oodles of potential as well. Jake Westbrook is overrated, as he looks brilliant one start and marginal the next. His consistency relegates him to a back-of-the-rotation starter. Paul Byrd is a solid fifth starter guy, as he brings veteran experience to a young staff, but not much more can be expected of him.

Relief Pitching
The bullpen was the Achilles heel of the Tribe last season. They were worn out and couldn’t hold leads to save their lives. With the abrupt retirement of Keith Foulke, the closer role is expected to go to Joe Borowski, who is great by no means but should hold the fort down. Rafael Betancourt is a solid setup man. Fernando Cabrera has galactic potential as a reliever. Youngsters Jeremy Guthrie, Tom Mastny, and Edward Mujica are all decent middle relievers. Roberto Hernandez should have enough left in the tank to be productive. Aaron Fultz and Cliff Politte are decent depth. Fausto Carmona will be the designated long reliever due to a full starting rotation. Rafael Perez is a left-handed specialist. The bullpen will by no means be lights out, but they should be better than their 2006 counterpart.

Burning Question
The Cleveland Indians are riddled with potential all over the roster, but can the talented youngsters put together two consistent halves?

[Lefty Noob]

Sabathia's such an enigma. Like you said, he has the tools to be a real dominant pitcher, but he just hasn't done it yet. I worry about his conditioning, but moreover, his inconsistancy is mind-boggling. Also worried about the Tribe's bullpen with the Foulke retirement. Bet they wish they still had Bob Wickman.