(2) Jeremy Sowers pitches the most innings as the #5 starter.

-

(3) Lee is gone. Milwaukee, NYM, and Arizona all need starting depth after their front two.

-

(4) Gutz - 20HRs, .290/.350/.480

-

(5) The Indians give Marte more than 57 ABs and he wins the job!

-

(6) The Dellucci/Michaels platoon will stay healthy and productive in 2008.

-

(7) Jeremy Sowers will be awesome in 2008.

-

(8) Jordan Brown comes up with some big hits during the stretch run.

-

(9) Wes Hodges cracks BA's top 50 prospects this year.

-

(10) The Indians will acquire a left field project, either in the form of Carlos Quentin or one the Rangers' minor league OFs

-

TIEBREAKER: The Royals will finish 2008 in 4th place.

1.  No, I don't think CC will sign before the season.  I think he wants to go to the West Coast.  The Giants are a danger, as he'd be able to bat there (and they're willing to spend crazy money).

2.  I agree; Sowers will pitch the most innings among 5th starters.

3.  I agree that Lee is the most likely to be traded.  They've obviously grown weary of his act and he's marketable.

4.  Gut will hit .260 to .270 with around 20 HR's and 50-60 RBI's.

5.  Marte

6.  Indians LF will be either Ben Francisco/Choo/Michaels combo or an outfielder not currently on the team.

7.  Marte.  I think Sowers will be adequate but not high impact.

8.  Adam Miller

9.  Wes Hodges. I agree.

10. A left fielder

Yes. A lot.

-

(2) __ will pitch the most number of innings as the Indians' #5 starter.

Can a brother get a lil' laff up here?

-

(3) Who is most likely to be traded this offseason - Barfield, Lee, Shoppach, Borowski, Sabathia? Where does this player go?

-Lee. NYM.

(4) What kind of numbers (HRs, AVG/OBP/SLG line) will Franklin Gutierrez put up in 2008?

-.275/25

(5) Who will be Tribe's thirdbaseman by season's end - Marte, Blake or mystery player?

-Marte

(6) __ will be the Tribe's left fielder by season's end.

-Dellicheals

(7) The 2008 version of Fausto Carmona will be __ (High impact, makes it on the 25 man roster before May)

-Marte

(8) The 2008 version of Asdrubal Cabrera / Kenny Lofton will be __ (Fills a void on the roster and arrives sometime after August)

-JVE!

No. Uhh. Kenny Lofton, reacquired in a trade for McBride.

(9) __ will rocket up the ranks of minor league prospects by the start of spring training (only Adam Miller wouldn't qualify since he's the only Tribe prospect consistently in the top 25)

-Beau Weglarz.

(10) The Tribe's biggest offseason trade acquisition will be a __ (give the player's position)

-Minor League OF.

TIEBREAKER: The Royals will finish 2008 in 3rd place.

1. No.

2. Aaron Laffey.

3. Cliff Lee to Milwaukee.

4. 22, .282/.335/.485

5. Casey Blake.

6. Ben Francisco.

7. Ben Francisco (by the way, I don't think he, or anyone will have close to the impact Fausto had this past year).

8. Adam Miller.

9. Jeff Stevens.

10. Already happened - a RP.

-Yes, he will sign. 5 (additional) yrs., 100 mil., no trade clause, incentives

(2) __ will pitch the most number of innings as the Indians' #5 starter.

-Laffey

(3) Who is most likely to be traded this offseason - Barfield, Lee, Shoppach, Borowski, Sabathia? Where does this player go?

-Lee, Arizona

(4) What kind of numbers (HRs, AVG/OBP/SLG line) will Franklin Gutierrez put up in 2008?

-22/.270/.340/.480

(5) Who will be Tribe's thirdbaseman by season's end - Marte, Blake or mystery player?

-Blake (Hodges will tear it up, Marte becomes expendable, Blake-Wedgie man crush continues)

(6) __ will be the Tribe's left fielder by season's end.

-Quentucci

(7) The 2008 version of Fausto Carmona will be __ (High impact, makes it on the 25 man roster before May)

-Stevens

(8) The 2008 version of Asdrubal Cabrera / Kenny Lofton will be __ (Fills a void on the roster and arrives sometime after August)

-Carlos Quentin

(9) __ will rocket up the ranks of minor league prospects by the start of spring training (only Adam Miller wouldn't qualify since he's the only Tribe prospect consistently in the top 25)

-Matt Whitney

(10) The Tribe's biggest offseason trade acquisition will be a __ (give the player's position)

-LF

TIEBREAKER: The Royals will finish 2008 in _4th_ place.

1. Yes. Done creatively, but with base numbers of 5/96.
   
2. Laffey. Takes the job in spring training and doesn't give it up.
   
3. Lee, to some NL team willing to overpay for a FORMER 18 GAME WINNER!!!!!111
   
4. 24, .259/.316/.472
   
5. Marte, Inshallah.
   
6. Michaels/Dellucci.
   
7. LAFFEY TAFFEY (Mmm ... groundballs.)
   
8. Insert Minor League Relief Pitcher. Sean Smith?
   
9. Beau Mills, Wes Hodges.
   
10. Minor League OF, young starting pitcher(s).

Yes. 5 and 90, plus big incentives, plus vesting options for a sixth year based on innings pitched.

(2) __ will pitch the most number of innings as the Indians' #5 starter.

Laffey.

(3) Who is most likely to be traded this offseason - Barfield, Lee, Shoppach, Borowski, Sabathia? Where does this player go?

A package of Lee, Shoppach, Francisco, and David Huff for something bigger than any of us realists expect.  Team undetermined.

(4) What kind of numbers (HRs, AVG/OBP/SLG line) will Franklin Gutierrez put up in 2008?

.260/.320./.485, 22hr

(5) Who will be Tribe's thirdbaseman by season's end - Marte, Blake or mystery player?

Indians trade a can of bug spray and a death ball to the Cardinals for Scott Rolen, who does his best Brook Jacoby impression for us after the AS break, then participates in some sort of ALCS heroics.

(6) __ will be the Tribe's left fielder by season's end.

Michucci

(7) The 2008 version of Fausto Carmona will be __ (High impact, makes it on the 25 man roster before May)

Miami will be underwater by the time another Indian has a Faustian year.  

(8) The 2008 version of Asdrubal Cabrera / Kenny Lofton will be __ (Fills a void on the roster and arrives sometime after August)

Adam Miller in late relief?

(9) __ will rocket up the ranks of minor league prospects by the start of spring training (only Adam Miller wouldn't qualify since he's the only Tribe prospect consistently in the top 25)

Weglarz

(10) The Tribe's biggest offseason trade acquisition will be a __ (give the player's position)

...ham sandwich, which will then be duct taped to the back of CC's new contract

TIEBREAKER: The Royals will finish 2008 in __ place.

Shouldn't the tiebreaker be something with more than three possible answers?

4th

1. C.C. realizes he wants to be an Indian, about 5/100.
   
2. Jeremy Sowers because Laffey will get a lot of innings as the #4 pitcher.  Somebody gets injured.
   
3. Lee, Mets.
   
4. 18, .268/.305/.480
   
5. Marte
   
6. Milledge
   
7. Sowers has a nice bounce back year
   
8. Jeff Stevens
   
9. Josh Rodriguez, boosts the BA, continues to draw walks, hit for power, and moves to second, where he proves to be a capable defender.
   
10. Milledge

1. Will C.C re-sign with the Indians before the start of the season? If so, what do you expect the terms of the new agreement to be (years and dollars)?  No, he will resign in April.  5 years, $87MM?  Some kind of no-trade clause and a vesting option for the sixth year?

2. Jeremy Sowers will pitch the most number of innings as the Indians' #5 starter.

3. Who is most likely to be traded this offseason - Barfield, Lee, Shoppach, Borowski, Sabathia? Where does this player go?  Lee.  To the Mets or Cubs.

4. What kind of numbers (HRs, AVG/OBP/SLG line) will Franklin Gutierrez put up in 2008?  19, .271/.351/.474.  The prelude to a breakout 2009 where he finds that power stroke and lays off outside breaking balls.

5. Who will be Tribe's thirdbaseman by season's end - Marte, Blake or mystery player?  Andy Marte.  The guy autographed a ball for me and we chatted for a couple minutes.  I can't not root for him.  I'm a sucker like that.

6. Matt Murton will be the Tribe's left fielder by season's end.  I can dream.

7. The 2008 version of Fausto Carmona will be If I knew, he wouldn't be the same surprise Fausto was.  Let's say Marte.  "Miguel who?" signs fill Jacob's Field.

8. The 2008 version of Asdrubal Cabrera / Kenny Lofton will be Sean Smith.  Jeff Stevens.  I dunno.  See my last answer.

9. Nick Weglarz will rocket up the ranks of minor league prospects by the start of spring training

10. The Tribe's biggest offseason trade acquisition will be a left fielder.

Yes. 5/93.
-

(2) __ will pitch the most number of innings as the Indians' #5 starter.

Sowers.

-

(3) Who is most likely to be traded this offseason - Barfield, Lee, Shoppach, Borowski, Sabathia? Where does this player go?

Lee. Multi-player/prospect deal which brings us Carlos Gonzalez.

-

(4) What kind of numbers (HRs, AVG/OBP/SLG line) will Franklin Gutierrez put up in 2008?

22/280/340/460

-

(5) Who will be Tribe's thirdbaseman by season's end - Marte, Blake or mystery player?

Blake

-

(6) __ will be the Tribe's left fielder by season's end.

BenFran

-

(7) The 2008 version of Fausto Carmona will be __ (High impact, makes it on the 25 man roster before May)

Nobody makes the same impact, but Miller, Stevens, Laffey all get meaningful time.

-

(8) The 2008 version of Asdrubal Cabrera / Kenny Lofton will be __ (Fills a void on the roster and arrives sometime after August)

Miller. In the pen.

-

(9) __ will rocket up the ranks of minor league prospects by the start of spring training (only Adam Miller wouldn't qualify since he's the only Tribe prospect consistently in the top 25)

By ST? Noone, but by mid-season Weglarz and Goedart and Mills will be Carolina league all-stars.

-

(10) The Tribe's biggest offseason trade acquisition will be a __ (give the player's
position)

Carlos Gonzales, OF at AAA.

-

TIEBREAKER: The Royals will finish 2008 in __ place.

Last.

1. 5 yr / $95
   
2. Cliff Lee
   
3. Shoppach to somewhere. Someone makes an offer Shapiro can't refuse.
   
4. .280/.325/.480
   
5. Marte
   
6. BenFran/mystery LFer from Shoppach deal
   
7. Marte
   
8. Crowe
   
9. Beau Mills
   
10. LFer from Shoppach deal

(2) Laffey

(3) If laffey is ahead of Lee during spring traing , Lee has to be the obvious answer here. But i dont think any of the players above will be dealt before ST.

(4) 15 HRs 275 AVG 340 OBP 460 SLG

(5) I see blake holding down 3b.

(6) I think the platoon will hold in LF for 08.

(7) Someone for the bullpen, and my fantasy is A. Miller getting some time in the pen by midseason. Obviously wont be on pay w/ fausto in 07 though.

(8) I say we trade for kenny again at midseason

(9) j brown

(10) dont see another move on ML level to be honest. maybe some prospect wrangling.

TIEBREAKER: The Royals will finish 2008 in 4th place. (above santana-less twins)

(2) Aaron Laffey

(3) Cliff Lee.  Somewhere in the NL - maybe Mets or Rox

(4) 15, .277/.335/.465

(5) Blake, but I hope it's Marte or mystery player, and if it's not Marte, trade him.

(6) Choo

(7) Choo

(8) Hank Blaylock

(9) Wes Hodges

(10) Nothing else noteworthy

TIEBREAKER: 5th

I think closer to the season we should pool together community projections for the whole team, like Lookout Landing does.  Always fun to look back on.

1. Yes.  Five years, $85 million.

2. Byrd.

3. Cliff Lee to Pittsburgh or San Diego.

4. Can't think of any better answer than just using the Bill James projections, .275/.334/.445.  James projects 13 HR in about 430 PA -- I'll go along with rate but not the playing time, meaning he'll get more like 17 HR.  Also!  8 assists.

5. Marte.

6. Going for the longshot to win the bracket:  platoon of Blake and Snyder.

7. Nobody.

8. Scott Rolen.

9. Jordan Brown.

10. Reliever.

I'll throw my hat into the "trade" ring.

1. Yes 5/96
   
2. Laffey
   
3. Borowski to Brewers
   
4. .275/.340/.470 21 HR my aggressive prediction.
   
5. Brook Jacoby. close second is Marte.
   
6. Carlos Quentin
   
7. J.Stevens
   
8. BEAU MILLS BABY!
   
9. Werglarz "he'll be blocked by Mills at the ML level".
   
10. Brandon Lyon closer from ARI

1. No.
   
2. Sowers.
   
3. Lee, NYM. Hopefully not for Milledge.
   
4. 18, .270/.335/.480
   
5. Casey Blake.
   
6. Dellucci/J-Mike.
   
7. Jeremy Sowers.
   
8. Adam Miller.
   
9. Shin Soo Choo. If that is too much of a cop out, Brian Barton.
   
10. Hot dog eating champion.