AL CENTRAL Preview Part 1

1st place. Cleveland Indians (90-72)
Cleveland had nothing but bad luck last year, in the rotation, in the bullpen, and all over the lineup. Things will change this season however, as a revamped rotation and pen, along with a healthy lineup, win the Central for the 2nd time in 3 years. Pretty much everything went wrong last year for the Tribe's starters, save for lefty Cliff Lee (22-3, 2.54 era, 1.11 whip) who finally realized his potential and then some. Fausto Carmona (8-7, 5.44 era) won 19 games in 2007 but injuries and control problems plagued him the entire year. Management gave up early on for the club, and dealt CC Sabathia to the Brewers for top prospect, OF Matt Laporta. Due mainly to injuries to swithc-hitting catcher Victor Martinez (278 ba, 2 hrs, 35 rbis), a career 300 hitter with power from both sides of the plate, and DH Travis Hafner (195 ba,. 5 hrs), who has averaged 30+ hrs and 100 rbis for the last 4 years, the club flopped. Keep in mind this team was 1 game from the World Series in 2007 but could not close out Boston even with a 3-1 lead after 4 games. So to say they werent far off from winning it all is no stretch.
Gone is the worst closer in baseball who started last year out with a 7+ era before being released. Also replaced is fill-in closer Jensen Lewis (0-4, 3.82 era) whom the club never felt was a long term option in that role. Newcomer Kerry Wood (34 saves, 84 k/66.2 ip) will help the team win the division by moving one of 2007's best pens back into their original roles. As long as Wood stays healthy, the pen should not be a problem.
The team added Carl Pavano, who hasnt been healthy in years, but as a number 5 starter should be fine and serve the team well. If mideason acquisition Anthony Reyes (2.74 era, 4-2) can fulfill his expectations and continue his improvement, and if former prospect lefty Jeremy Sowers can be at least average, then the club will improve dramatically. And as long as Hafner and Martinez are healthy, this team should once again have a top 5 offense. Whether they win the division or not rests on the health of those two men alone.