The Cleveland Indians are coming off a 2007 season that saw them tie the Boston Red Sox for the best record in the majors, knocking off the New York Yankees in the ALDS before losing to the eventual World Series Champion Red Sox in 7 games.
Will the 2008 season be much different? On paper, the Indians don't look that much different with the exception to the departures of outfielders Kenny Lofton and Trot Nixon as well as infielder Chris Gomez and the additions of Japanese pitcher Masahide Kobayashi and infielder Jamey Carroll.
Arrivals:
RHP Masahide Kobayashi
IF Jamey Carroll
Departures:
LF Kenny Lofton
RF Trot Nixon
IF Chris Gomez
With exception to that, not much has changed. The rotation still has ace and 2007 AL Cy Young Award winner C.C. Sabathia, right-handers Fausto Carmona and Jake Westbrook as well as veteran Paul Byrd occupying the front 4 with Cliff Lee, Jeremy Sowers and Aaron Laffey battling for the 5th spot in the rotation.
Offensively, not much has changed either. Victor Martinez, Casey Blake, Grady Sizemore, Travis Hafner, Jhonny Peralta and Ryan Garko are all familiar names in the Indians' batting order. There's no question that this team has definite pop, but is also very good defensively, one of the reasons they had the kind of season they had in 2007.
The Indians will definetely face a big challenge in the AL Central from the Detroit Tigers who made some big moves in their roster, adding left-hander Dontrelle Willis and 3rd baseman Miguel Cabrera who they obtained in a trade with the Florida Marlins. It should make the race for the AL Central title an interesting one between these 2 teams.
Prediction Time:
The one thing I question is, will the Indians' pitching staff make the same impact that they made in 2007, enough to keep them in front of the Detroit Tigers. Answer, yes.
Indians - 94-64
Will the 2008 season be much different? On paper, the Indians don't look that much different with the exception to the departures of outfielders Kenny Lofton and Trot Nixon as well as infielder Chris Gomez and the additions of Japanese pitcher Masahide Kobayashi and infielder Jamey Carroll.
Arrivals:
RHP Masahide Kobayashi
IF Jamey Carroll
Departures:
LF Kenny Lofton
RF Trot Nixon
IF Chris Gomez
With exception to that, not much has changed. The rotation still has ace and 2007 AL Cy Young Award winner C.C. Sabathia, right-handers Fausto Carmona and Jake Westbrook as well as veteran Paul Byrd occupying the front 4 with Cliff Lee, Jeremy Sowers and Aaron Laffey battling for the 5th spot in the rotation.
Offensively, not much has changed either. Victor Martinez, Casey Blake, Grady Sizemore, Travis Hafner, Jhonny Peralta and Ryan Garko are all familiar names in the Indians' batting order. There's no question that this team has definite pop, but is also very good defensively, one of the reasons they had the kind of season they had in 2007.
The Indians will definetely face a big challenge in the AL Central from the Detroit Tigers who made some big moves in their roster, adding left-hander Dontrelle Willis and 3rd baseman Miguel Cabrera who they obtained in a trade with the Florida Marlins. It should make the race for the AL Central title an interesting one between these 2 teams.
Prediction Time:
The one thing I question is, will the Indians' pitching staff make the same impact that they made in 2007, enough to keep them in front of the Detroit Tigers. Answer, yes.
Indians - 94-64
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