First, there are very few components on this team that have a consistent track record. It is reasonable to expect solid seasons from the following players... RF Sin Shoo Choo, SS Asdrubal Cabrera, and CL Chris Perez.
There are also a few players on this team with consistent track records, which don't offer much promise... 3B Jack Hanahan and OF Travis Buck have been around baseball a long time but have never hit worth a lick. OF Austin Kearns is a proven mediocre commodity.
This leaves us with a whole bunch of question marks going into this season, and I'll address each of them and how I think they'll pan out...
- Travis Hafner. Once one of the best hitters in baseball, Hafner has been a shell of his former self over the past three seasons. He claims he is now fully healthy. I look for a partial rebound for Hafner... 20 HR, 85 RBI, .280 BA.
- Carlos Santana. He appears to be fully healthy and I would bet he rakes this season... 24 HR, 90 RBI, .300 BA.
- Grady Sizemore. Should be back before the end of April, but I doubt he'll ever be the same player ever again (and I thought he was a bit overrated to begin with)... 9 HR, 40 RBI, .220 BA, lots of strikeouts, and dumped by his girlfriend who proceeds to release naked pics he sent her.
- Matt Laporta. Hasn't shown much in his limited opportunities, but I believe he has potential but will need some time to show it. I'd compare him to Ryan Ludwick. Give him a chance... 18 HR, 70 RBI, .280 BA.
- Michael Brantley. Still only 23, and I think he'll take a step forward this season... 10 HR, 40 RBI, .280 BA, 28 SB.
- Fausto Carmona. A lot of people think he's an ace. I don't. I think he's a younger, harder throwing version of Jake Westbrook and will always be inconsistent and never strike hitters out... 13-11. 4.50 ERA.
- Justin Masterson. His stuff is terrific, just needs to get more consistent with it. I think he ends up our best starter this season... 15-9, 4.25 ERA, 160 K's.
- Carlos Carrasco. I'm hoping he stays healthy because he needs all the experience we can give him this season... 10-12, 4.75 ERA, 120 K's, and shows enough potential to secure a spot in the rotation next year.
- Josh Tomlin. Throws strikes and challenges hitters, will get rocked occasionally... 12-12, 4.50 ERA.
- Mitch Talbot. I expect the same season from a year ago... 10-13, 4.50 ERA
- The Bullpen. Bullpens are always hard to figure, but this pen should be decent and usually get the job done.
- The Defense. Jhonny Peralta is playing in Detroit, so the defense in Cleveland has improved.
