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2007 Answered a Lot of Questions

I think, even though the season ended not how we had hoped, we learned a lot about this club, and what it is capable of in the next 3-4 years.  While we all know this team will be great for a run like we had in the mid to late 90s, the emergence of talent has really shown through.  Top things to take away from '07:

  1.  We have a DOMINANT rotation, especially with the emergence of Fausto, regardless of what happened in the post season.  Even though CC and Fausto struggled, they threw a TON of innings, and I think next year they both will be stronger and tougher for it.  I also like how we have spare parts, if need be, for the rotation: Lee, Sowers, etc.
  2.  Asdrubal quite possibly may be the next Omar, but at 2nd.  Some of the plays he made in the post season were vintage Omar, and he is a joy to watch.  Once he gets more acclimated to big league pitching, I think he will put up similar numbers to Omar, as well.  He'll have a solid avg, get on base any way possible, and score some runs in that 2 spot.  *Side note: with his emergence, I do believe we can use Barfield as a bargaining chip to help get a corner outfielder (Chris Duncan on STL??).
  3.  Even with a down year from Hafner, and a "below expectations" from Sizemore in regards to average and OB %, we were still one game from the WS.  They are both too talented not to have better '08s.  Please don't think I am taking anything away from either one of them this year, but I forsee potential MVP-type years from both of them.
  4.  Our young pen is nasty (regardless of post season) and Borowski can be Mesa again next year - scares you when he comes in, but more often than not, he does what he is supposed to.  If we can keep them healthy - and hungry - they will again be a big source of strength next year.
  5.  Wedge is the right man for the job.  I won't lie, I was not a big supported of his hiring 4 years ago, and after last year, I was really upset with his approach.  However, after seeing how well the team responds to him and how well he manages the veterans and youth alike, I think he is a great fit for our team.  Sticking with what got them to the post season was a great approach, and as this team gets older and more cohesive, we'll see that pay dividends in years to come.  
  6.  Lofton is a great fit for this team, and should be brought back next year.  We were lacking a corner ourfielder, and his willingness to play LF, showed that he wanted to be here.  And after the support he received from the city, I think he'll want to end his career with the Tribe.
These are just some of the things I have been thinking of the last few days, because as we all know, the season is over.  Baseball for me doesn't start again until after Valentine's day.  Feel free to comment and add your own thoughts about what you learned this year.  It was a great run, and I am proud to be a member of the Tribe and a Clevelander!!

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Re: 2007 Answered a Lot of Questions
Josh Barfield does not net Chris Duncan.

by nickjs21 on Oct 23, 2007 5:23 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: 2007 Answered a Lot of Questions
He might, with a blow gun. Duncan's pretty slow.

by fleerdon on Oct 23, 2007 6:41 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: 2007 Answered a Lot of Questions
When I'm done being flippant, I might add that a lot of St. Louis fans consider Duncan one of two reliable bats in that lineup, and the other one's not for sale. I don't know his contract status, but I don't see how they can move Duncan in good conscience unless they fill quite a few Cardinal holes in exchange.

by fleerdon on Oct 23, 2007 6:47 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: 2007 Answered a Lot of Questions
What I should have said is Barfield, a pitcher to fill their holes in the rotation, and maybe a cheap prospect.  I am sorry if I implied straight up.  

I am also a Cards fan, and I know that if they can get 2 pieces that they need, they would move Duncan, especially for young middle infielders and starting pitching.  Again, this was merely a suggestion, not necessarily what I think will or should happen.  The main point was that I think we can move Barfield for a decent corner outfielder.

by joecardsfan on Oct 23, 2007 6:57 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: 2007 Answered a Lot of Questions
Why not offer Francisco/Choo and Barfield for him?

by talonk on Oct 23, 2007 7:13 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: 2007 Answered a Lot of Questions
Oh, I get you. I'm thinking they'd ask for more like Laffey/Barfield/Francisco. But I don't see how you move Barfield this off-season without replacing him. Guys get hurt, get out of shape, whatever. We've got three major-league middle infielders. Chancey.

by fleerdon on Oct 23, 2007 7:31 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: 2007 Answered a Lot of Questions
I agree with that trade, and think it would benefit both clubs.  I also see what you are saying about being down a middle infielder. I just think that with Barfield's youth and low contract, he'd be a great piece to build around to make a solid trade.  

by joecardsfan on Oct 23, 2007 8:07 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: 2007 Answered a Lot of Questions
Oh, I forgot one more thing.  Adding Francisco in there would be great bc the Cards are looking for speed.

by joecardsfan on Oct 23, 2007 8:08 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: 2007 Answered a Lot of Questions
Just to clarify, I see that as what St. Louis might come to the table asking for, not what the Indians ought to pay for Duncan. Even if you don't take into consideration the potential defensive bind you're leaving the Indians in vis a vis Barfield, you're also taking out the only legit RH depth outfielder and a potential future #3 starter . . . in exchange for Duncan, whose numbers would drop considerably against AL Central pitching, not to mention his stone glove. I actually like Duncan a lot, but I can't see this one working out.

by fleerdon on Oct 23, 2007 8:18 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: 2007 Answered a Lot of Questions
Fair enough.  But this is not to say the Cards wouldn't include another prospect also.  I do know though, if they trade Duncan, that they would want a potential #2-#3 starter (Laffey) and a solid piece (Barfield).  Who knows.  

Also I am not so sure that Duncan would struggle at the plate in the AL.  He'd be better protected in the Tribe's lineup than he was in STL and thus see good pitches.  Also he is still learning the OF (he was a 1B) and made enormous strides in his first full season in the bigs.

by joecardsfan on Oct 23, 2007 8:29 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: 2007 Answered a Lot of Questions
Moving Laffey is also a violation of fleerdon's 2007-2008 Totally Fabricated Kason Gabbard Rule: No young pitcher better than Kason Gabbard will be moved this off-season.

by fleerdon on Oct 23, 2007 8:21 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: 2007 Answered a Lot of Questions
I still don't think Duncan's going anywhere.  Shelly Duncan would be much easier, although completely undesirable.

FWIW, what happened to Chris Duncan in the second half?  Link.

by nickjs21 on Oct 24, 2007 12:31 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: 2007 Answered a Lot of Questions
maybe its due to the fact that they kept jerking him around in and out of the lineup against lefty starters.

by hans on Oct 24, 2007 8:44 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: 2007 Answered a Lot of Questions
Opening day lineup:

Today's starting lineups:

Tribe:
Sizemore, CF
Nixon, RF
Hafner, DH
Martinez, C
Blake, 1B
Dellucci, LF
Peralta, SS
Marte, 3B
Barfield, 2B

Sizemore-Shapiro 2008. The Official Red Bull of Let's Go Tribe Game Threads.

by Gradyforpresident on Oct 23, 2007 7:29 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: 2007 Answered a Lot of Questions
I can't believe I thought that team had a chance at the World Series.

I am only sort of kidding.

by CU Adam on Oct 23, 2007 7:48 PM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: 2007 Answered a Lot of Questions
Couple comments/corrections:

I don't think anyone was really disappointed in Sizemore's OBP (.390's was a jump from previous seasons), but instead we (or at least I) was hoping for a power surge that a lot players get in their third/fourth year, but instead his slg% and HR's were down.

I don't know if I'd consider our pen nasty going into next year.  Betancourt will probably regress towards his career numbers, which is still very good.  I think he probably starts as closer.  Borowski couldn't hold Mesa's jock.  Mesa as a closer for the Indians did not "scare" us when he came in, he scared the other team.  He was the closer for us for 2.5 seasons, made 2 all star teams and his 95 season ranks as a top season for a reliver ever (he was voted 2nd in Cy Young and 4th in MVP!!). Borowski might not even be back next year- I'd say there is a decent chance he'll retire (do I remember right that he is pitching with a pretty significant arm injury this year), and even if he doesn't he might not get brought back or could get traded (I dont' remember his contract/option status).  

Lofton won't be on the Indians to start 2008.  We can only assume he'll be brought back for the stretch run again (sarcasm).

by DaytonDogg on Oct 23, 2007 11:47 PM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: 2007 Answered a Lot of Questions
If we can't get Chris Duncan, how about Ryan Ludwick?

by plato on Oct 24, 2007 12:46 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: 2007 Answered a Lot of Questions
Two comments:

  1.  The funny thing is that a lot of Cards fans think that Ludwick is their third best hitter after Pujols and Duncan.  That's a pretty sad team especially with Carpenter out for the season.

  2.  In response to number 6:  I really love Lofton also and would want to bring him back, but for 2008 we seem to have too many LFers, and I simply don't see where to put him.  I think we may be stuck with Delluci/Michaels but expect Delluci to regress to the mean and for the platoon to not be so bad next year.

by Kenyafan on Oct 24, 2007 2:43 AM EDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: 2007 Answered a Lot of Questions
I would add only that you shouldn't hold your breath for any significant improvement from Michaels. I feel as though with him, what you're seeing is what you get.

by fleerdon on Oct 24, 2007 9:00 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Re: 2007 Answered a Lot of Questions
But that blow is softened by a healthy DD performing up to reasonable expectations and making a solid platoon.  I'm not sure why people are so quick to dismiss the two of them.  

by nickjs21 on Oct 24, 2007 9:24 AM EDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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