Indians season in review
10/23/2007 1:06 PM ET
By Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com
Five years after general manager Mark Shapiro tore up a perennial playoff contender and began the painful process of rebuilding, the Indians delivered on Shapiro's long-stated promises in 2007.
Not only did the Indians contend for the American League Central Division crown, they ran away with it by eight games.
And not only did they reach the postseason for the first time since 2001, they toppled the team everybody loves to hate -- the New York Yankees -- and its huge payroll.
The fresh memory from this '07 season is the 3-1 ALCS lead the Indians squandered against the World Series-bound Red Sox.
But so much more that happened in a year in which the Indians finally got over that playoff hump and created a new wave of Jacobs Field magic worth recapping.
2007 RECAP
Record: 96-66, first in AL Central.
Defining moment: This was a team that overcame many a challenge, both in the larger context of a season schedule altered by snow and a roster altered by injuries and ineffectiveness, and the smaller context of in-game deficits. Though the Tribe had jumped out to a seemingly comfortable AL Central lead in early September, that lead was very much in jeopardy when the second-place Tigers came to town on Sept. 17 and were within 4 1/2 games of the Tribe at the outset of a three-game set. The Indians trailed, 5-2, heading into the bottom of the eighth, but a rally capped by Jhonny Peralta's two-run homer tied it. And the defining moment of the season came in the 11th, when Casey Blake deposited a Zach Miner curveball into the left-field bleachers for the walk-off solo shot in the 6-5 win. It was one of 44 comeback wins and one of 26 last at-bat wins notched by the Tribe, and it proved this club was legitimate. That proof carried into the AL Division Series win over the Yankees.
What went right: In the rotation, C.C. Sabathia lived up to his ace billing and was joined, shockingly, by young Fausto Carmona in notching 19 victories. In the bullpen, the Rafaels -- Betancourt and Perez -- were two of the most dominant setup men in baseball, and closer Joe Borowski saved 45 games. In the lineup, Victor Martinez had a career-year, Asdrubal Cabrera rose from Minor League obscurity to take over second base and the two-hole, Peralta righted himself after a wayward '06, and Ryan Garko proved his outstanding last two months of '06 were no fluke. In the field, the defense was markedly improved over a season ago. All this added up to the Indians finally making good on the organizational expectation to regain supremacy in the Central.
What went wrong: In the postseason, a 3-1 lead on the Red Sox in the ALCS went to waste, with the October troubles of Sabathia and Carmona leading the way. As far as the regular season is concerned, designated hitter Travis Hafner wasn't quite himself all season, and his struggles at the plate continued into the playoffs. Starters Cliff Lee and Jeremy Sowers ended up in Triple-A Buffalo, as did Opening Day third baseman Andy Marte. Relievers Roberto Hernandez, Jason Davis and Fernando Cabrera ended up on the waiver wire. Corner outfield additions David Dellucci and Trot Nixon didn't pan out as planned.
Biggest surprise: Take your pick between the emergence of Carmona, who wasn't even slated to be on the Opening Day roster until Lee got hurt in Spring Training, as a bona fide Cy Young candidate, the spark Cabrera provided in the lineup, the punishment the rookie Perez laid upon opposing batters or the sheer fact that four home games were played outside Jacobs Field.
FORECAST FOR 2008
Lineup: Aside from left fielder Kenny Lofton, the entire composition of the Tribe's regular starting lineup from the end of '07 is under contract for next season. It will be interesting to see if Hafner's wayward '07 dictates a bump from his usual No. 3 spot. If the Indians decide to deal from their position of pitching strength, they could seek a middle-of-the-order-type bat for one of the corner outfield spots.
Rotation: Sabathia, Carmona and Jake Westbrook are all locks. The Indians have to decide if they want to exercise the '08 option on 15-game winner Paul Byrd, who would make $8 million if it's picked up. Rookie Aaron Laffey pitched himself into consideration for a full-time rotation job. Lee and Sowers will have something to prove in Spring Training. It's possible that Lee and the two years that remain on his contract could be dealt to another club.
Bullpen: The Indians will have quite a bit of stability in the back end of what was a solid relief corps. Borowski's $4 million option for '08 will likely be picked up, bringing back the AL's reigning saves champ. Betancourt and Perez will continue to work the eighth and Jensen Lewis can be expected to aid their cause. It's doubtful left-hander Aaron Fultz will return, especially in light of what Perez has accomplished.
Biggest need: The Tribe's offense has a way of falling into sleepy spells that can drag on for long stretches of the season. A consistent, corner outfield bat should be this club's offseason top priority.
Prospect to watch: Adam Miller was expected to burst onto the big-league scene in 2007, but injuries derailed his progress at Triple-A Buffalo. First, he missed about six weeks with a ligament strain in his finger. Then he missed several more weeks with inflammation in his right elbow. The latter injury is alarming, given that Miller was shut down with a similar injury in 2005. When healthy, he has the best and most dominant stuff in the farm system. The Indians can only hope Miller helps them in '08, either as a starter or out of the 'pen.
10/23/2007 1:06 PM ET
By Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com
Five years after general manager Mark Shapiro tore up a perennial playoff contender and began the painful process of rebuilding, the Indians delivered on Shapiro's long-stated promises in 2007.
Not only did the Indians contend for the American League Central Division crown, they ran away with it by eight games.
And not only did they reach the postseason for the first time since 2001, they toppled the team everybody loves to hate -- the New York Yankees -- and its huge payroll.
The fresh memory from this '07 season is the 3-1 ALCS lead the Indians squandered against the World Series-bound Red Sox.
But so much more that happened in a year in which the Indians finally got over that playoff hump and created a new wave of Jacobs Field magic worth recapping.
2007 RECAP
Record: 96-66, first in AL Central.
Defining moment: This was a team that overcame many a challenge, both in the larger context of a season schedule altered by snow and a roster altered by injuries and ineffectiveness, and the smaller context of in-game deficits. Though the Tribe had jumped out to a seemingly comfortable AL Central lead in early September, that lead was very much in jeopardy when the second-place Tigers came to town on Sept. 17 and were within 4 1/2 games of the Tribe at the outset of a three-game set. The Indians trailed, 5-2, heading into the bottom of the eighth, but a rally capped by Jhonny Peralta's two-run homer tied it. And the defining moment of the season came in the 11th, when Casey Blake deposited a Zach Miner curveball into the left-field bleachers for the walk-off solo shot in the 6-5 win. It was one of 44 comeback wins and one of 26 last at-bat wins notched by the Tribe, and it proved this club was legitimate. That proof carried into the AL Division Series win over the Yankees.
What went right: In the rotation, C.C. Sabathia lived up to his ace billing and was joined, shockingly, by young Fausto Carmona in notching 19 victories. In the bullpen, the Rafaels -- Betancourt and Perez -- were two of the most dominant setup men in baseball, and closer Joe Borowski saved 45 games. In the lineup, Victor Martinez had a career-year, Asdrubal Cabrera rose from Minor League obscurity to take over second base and the two-hole, Peralta righted himself after a wayward '06, and Ryan Garko proved his outstanding last two months of '06 were no fluke. In the field, the defense was markedly improved over a season ago. All this added up to the Indians finally making good on the organizational expectation to regain supremacy in the Central.
What went wrong: In the postseason, a 3-1 lead on the Red Sox in the ALCS went to waste, with the October troubles of Sabathia and Carmona leading the way. As far as the regular season is concerned, designated hitter Travis Hafner wasn't quite himself all season, and his struggles at the plate continued into the playoffs. Starters Cliff Lee and Jeremy Sowers ended up in Triple-A Buffalo, as did Opening Day third baseman Andy Marte. Relievers Roberto Hernandez, Jason Davis and Fernando Cabrera ended up on the waiver wire. Corner outfield additions David Dellucci and Trot Nixon didn't pan out as planned.
Biggest surprise: Take your pick between the emergence of Carmona, who wasn't even slated to be on the Opening Day roster until Lee got hurt in Spring Training, as a bona fide Cy Young candidate, the spark Cabrera provided in the lineup, the punishment the rookie Perez laid upon opposing batters or the sheer fact that four home games were played outside Jacobs Field.
FORECAST FOR 2008
Lineup: Aside from left fielder Kenny Lofton, the entire composition of the Tribe's regular starting lineup from the end of '07 is under contract for next season. It will be interesting to see if Hafner's wayward '07 dictates a bump from his usual No. 3 spot. If the Indians decide to deal from their position of pitching strength, they could seek a middle-of-the-order-type bat for one of the corner outfield spots.
Rotation: Sabathia, Carmona and Jake Westbrook are all locks. The Indians have to decide if they want to exercise the '08 option on 15-game winner Paul Byrd, who would make $8 million if it's picked up. Rookie Aaron Laffey pitched himself into consideration for a full-time rotation job. Lee and Sowers will have something to prove in Spring Training. It's possible that Lee and the two years that remain on his contract could be dealt to another club.
Bullpen: The Indians will have quite a bit of stability in the back end of what was a solid relief corps. Borowski's $4 million option for '08 will likely be picked up, bringing back the AL's reigning saves champ. Betancourt and Perez will continue to work the eighth and Jensen Lewis can be expected to aid their cause. It's doubtful left-hander Aaron Fultz will return, especially in light of what Perez has accomplished.
Biggest need: The Tribe's offense has a way of falling into sleepy spells that can drag on for long stretches of the season. A consistent, corner outfield bat should be this club's offseason top priority.
Prospect to watch: Adam Miller was expected to burst onto the big-league scene in 2007, but injuries derailed his progress at Triple-A Buffalo. First, he missed about six weeks with a ligament strain in his finger. Then he missed several more weeks with inflammation in his right elbow. The latter injury is alarming, given that Miller was shut down with a similar injury in 2005. When healthy, he has the best and most dominant stuff in the farm system. The Indians can only hope Miller helps them in '08, either as a starter or out of the 'pen.