The Indians had playoff hopes last season after a surprisingly strong 2005 campaign in which they won 94 games. But the pitching staff fell from the best in the AL in '05 with a 3.61 staff ERA to a mediocre 4.41 ERA in '06.
The offense didn't disappoint, however, as Travis Hafner, Victor Martinez and Grady Sizemore led them to an 80-run increase from '05 to '06, making them the second-most prolific offense in the majors behind the Bronx Bombers. They also got a little younger this season, with Josh Barfield and Andy Marte taking over at second and third base respectively for Ronnie Belliard and Aaron Boone.
The pitching staff has some young arms that could pay big dividends by midseason. Jeremy Sowers is already entrenched in the rotation, but Fausto Carmona and Adam Miller aren't too far behind.
C.C. Sabathia returns as their ace and has been a plump model of consistency. He has thrown over 190 innings in each of the past five seasons and last year, he hit career-bests in strikeouts (172) and ERA (3.22).
Spring position battles
First bat off bench -- Ryan Garko vs. Jason Michaels
Doesn't it seem like the Indians brought in everyone else's fourth outfielders over the past two seasons? Michaels, Shin-Soo Choo, David Dellucci and even Trot Nixon have had turns as reserve outfielders. Garko is a much better Fantasy hitting prospect, so grab him in AL-only play for his power. If Blake gets injured, or even if an outfielder gets injured and Blake moves to the outfield, Garko would benefit from additional starts.
Closer -- Keith Foulke vs. Joe Borowski
Foulke likely has the edge entering spring training, but Borowski has performed well over the past couple of seasons in that role for both Florida and Tampa Bay -- yet he always enters spring in a battle on a new team. Both are worth drafting in AL-only play for saves help. If you are desperate in a mixed Rotisserie league, grab whichever one is left late in your draft.
| | Rookies/Prospects | Age | Pos. | 2006 high | Destination |
| 1 | Adam Miller | 22 | RH SP | Triple-A | Triple-A |
| Sowers is ahead of him, but he's a bigger prospect due to K potential |
| 2 | Trevor Crowe | 23 | OF | Double-A | Triple-A |
| Had he been able to transition to 2B, he would be a bigger Fantasy target |
| 3 | Brian Barton | 24 | OF | Triple-A | Triple-A |
| Has tough time vs. lefties, but has nice speed/power |
| 4 | Scott Lewis | 23 | LH SP | Class A | Double-A |
| TJ surgery survivor has solid K totals and led minors in ERA |
| 5 | Tony Sipp | 23 | LH RP | Double-A | Triple-A |
| Borowski, Foulke allow future closer more seasoning |
| Best of the rest: LHP Chuck Lofgren, 20; SS Asdrubal Cabrera, 21; OF Brad Snyder, 24; 3B Wes Hodges, 22; OF John Drennen, 20; RHP J.D. Martin, 24. |
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