MLB Preview Day 8, Cleveland Indians

Indians RF Shin-Soo Choo has emerged as one of the best rightfielders in baseball over the past 3 years

2010 Record- 69-93, 4th place AL Central
2010 Triple Crown Leaders- Shin-Soo Choo, .300 AVG (12th AL), Shin-Soo Choo, 22 HR (t-23rd AL), Shin-Soo Choo, 90 RBI (t-15th AL), Fausto Carmona, 13 Wins (t-18th AL), Fausto Carmona, 3.77 ERA (20th AL), Justin Masterson, 140 K (26th AL)

Key Additions- Adam Everett (SS), Austin Kearns (OF), Paul Phillips (C), Orlando Cabrera (SS), Chad Durbin (RHP), Matt Lawson (IF)

Key Losses- Aaron Laffey (LHP)

2011 Projected Record- 70-80 wins, 4th place AL Central
Manager- Manny Acta (2nd year, 69-93)
Best Player- Shin-Soo Choo
Best Pitcher- Fausto Carmona
Biggest Breakout Candidate-Carlos Santana
Biggest Potential Impact Rookie- Lonnie Chisenhall

Projected Lineup/Projected Stats
Michael Brantley, LF- .280/6 HR/40 RBI
Shin-soo Choo, RF- .295/20 HR/85 RBI
Grady Sizemore, CF- .260/30 HR/95 RBI
Carlos Santana, C- .270/25 HR/80 RBI
Travis Hafner, DH- .250/18 HR/70 RBI
Matt LaPorta, 1B- .275/22 HR/75 RBI
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS- .290/9 HR/60 RBI
Orlando Cabrera, 2B- .255/5 HR/40 RBI
Jayson Nix, 3B- .235/10 HR/40 RBI

Projected Rotation/Projected Stats
Fausto Carmona- 14-14/3.85 ERA/115 K
Justin Masterson- 8-11/4.70 ERA/150 K
Carlos Carrasco- 9-10/4.65 ERA/120 K
Josh Tomlin- 10-13/4.20 ERA/110 K
Jeanmar Gomez- 5-8/4.80 ERA/90 K
Chris Perez- 2.20 ERA/30 Saves

Team Outlook: A team that is still in the midst of a tremendous rebuilding effort.  After winning 69 games last season, they should improve, eclipsing the 70 win mark with a lineup that gained experience in 2010.  Guys like Michael Brantley, Matt LaPorta, and Carlos Santana should have breakout seasons, while Jason Donald and Trevor Crowe will provide some help coming off the bench.   Prospects Lonnie Chisenhall and Cord Phelps will get a good number of at bats as well as the as the season goes on.  The rotation is headed by veteran Fausto Carmona, but still has tremendous youth and inexperience behind him.  The team will be a small bit improved, but will still struggle and most likely remain in the basement of the American League.