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| Prince Fielder (Photo: AP) |
Yes, the Tigers are a major favorite to win the division now, but just ask the Boston Red Sox if throwing a bunch of money around in the offseason is any sort of guarantee for the postseason.
So while it does feel like a major punch to the gut, it does not in any way preclude the Indians from making the playoffs in the 2012 season. Here are the Top 10 reasons the Indians can still be contenders this season:
1. Expanded playoffs. As of this writing, Major League baseball is still debating whether to add a second Wild Card team in 2012 or 2013. There is significant momentum towards the expansion happening in 2012. Should it come to fruition this year, the Indians won’t even need to beat out the Tigers. As long as the Tribe takes care of their own business, they can sneak into the playoffs while the Yankees, Red Sox, and Rays beat up on each other in the East and the Rangers and Angels do the same in the West. At that point, anything is possible.
2. The Arizona Diamondbacks. Going into the 2011 season, the Dbacks were an afterthought in the National League West. The team was given no chance to contend. Of course when the dust settled on the 2011 regular season, Arizona had won their division over the defending World Series champion San Francisco Giants and preseason favorite Colorado Rockies. With the Fielder signing in Detroit nobody is giving anyone in the American League Central a shot at unseating the Tigers. Who’s to say the Indians won’t become this season’s version of Arizona.
3. Ubaldo Jimenez. For the first half of the 2010 season he was arguably one of the five best pitchers in the Major Leagues. That sort of talent just does not go away, particularly when a player is still in his 20s. He is still only 28, and he has dedicated this offseason to finding that old form. He may not be Justin Verlander, but when right Jimenez is not far behind and better than anything else the Tigers can put out on the mound.
4. Justin Masterson. If Jimenez is better than 4/5 of the Tiger starting rotation, it can be argued that Masterson is as well. Coming off of a breakout season, Masterson is bound to improve upon his win/loss record with just a little more run support. Even with a slight regression, 15-18 wins are well within the reach of the lanky right-hander.
5. The Bullpen Mafia. Their closer has a self-proclaimed arm like a cannon. That is some pure rage to throw at any late inning threat. To get to Chris Perez, opposing offenses must go through the matchup nightmare that is Vinnie Pestano, Rafael Perez, Tony Sipp, Frank Herrmann, Joe Smith, and emerging family members down on the farm. Games can get short rather quickly if these guys get a team where they want them.
6. Jason Kipnis. In the brief time between his call-up and unfortunate injuries, Kipnis was a shooting star in the Tribe lineup. What he showed was a tantalizing glimpse at the potential this second baseman poses. The man is filled with grit and armed with a swing that makes the ball explode off the bat. He should be a doubles machine. Kipnis will quickly become a fan favorite, making all of Cleveland "Kipnisses".
7. Shin-Soo Choo. Throw 2011 out the window, it was a season of bad luck and bad decisions. To get a true feel of what to expect from the Indians’ right fielder, look to the previous two seasons. In 2009 and 2010, Choo hit .300 with 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases. In the post-steroid world of baseball, those are simply beautiful numbers. Expect a return to form this season.
8. Grady Sizemore. Yes Grady Sizemore. Every year, the world of sports is witness to a feel good story of someone overcoming countless injuries to put together a season nobody thought was possible. Isn’t it about time Cleveland had one of those stories? It is already known what is possible when Sizemore can stay healthy, just look at what he did last season before the injury bug hit again. His speed might be gone, but Grady can still hit for power.
9. Carlos Santana. He is 25 years old and coming off an impressive first full season in the Major Leagues. And he is only going to get better. He already gets on base and hits for power. Chances are he increases his run production, reduces his strikeouts and becomes an elite offensive weapon this season.
10. Asdrubal Cabrera. On one hand it can be argued 2011 was a career year for the Tribe’s shortstop. On the other hand, Cabrera is still only 26 years old and should still have his career in an ascending state. He may never hit 25 homers again, but he is still one of the best hitting shortstops in the game and may only get better.
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6 comments:
I've watched Jimenez pitch for years now, and he's every bit capable of being better than Verlander. I remember opening day 2010, Jimenez was pitching against Milwaukee and threw a fast ball up and in to Ryan Braun who thought he could handle it... The pitch ended up being caught behind his right shoulder. Jimenez, when on, has sick velocity and movement.
After the game Fielder was quote as saying that Jimenez was the toughest pitcher they were going to see all year. Masterson could end up being a solid #2 starter if he can show us that last year wasn't a fluke, Jimenez could show us that he truly is an ace coming off a bad year.
We're definitely in it, hopefully we can keep the Tiger's lead off and two-hole hitters off the bases so we can have more flexibility pitching to the 3-4 combo of Miggy and Prince.
Love it. Clear, concise, and easy to read...made my morning a pleasure.
Can't argue with any of them.
The 2012 Indians Slogan:
"Why Not!"
10 reasons the Tigers are better
1. Verlander
2. Cabrera
3. Valverde
4. Fister
5. Fielder
6. Scherzer
7. Peralta
8. Avila
9. Benoit
10.Porcello
The Tigers have more talent and added Fielder, plus they'll have Fister and young for the entire season. The Indians are going to make up 15 games against a Tiger team that's better than last year's team? Doubtful, highly doubtful.
Tigers definitely have the top three guys in Cabrera, Verlander and Fielder. After that though, their players are pretty equal to the Indians and the Indians are probably more talented. The three big guys at the top could be the difference though.
It's always a great source of entertainment to read how much the fans and beat writers of a local team consistently overestimate the level of talent on their team, and know so little about opposing teams. Jimenez is as good as Verlander? Tigers are no good except for Verlander, Cabrera and Fielder? Grady Sizemore is always just on the verge of "coming back" and being good again, and nobody ever seems to notice that he never actually makes it. Santana is going to magically reduce the strikeouts and be as good as Miguel Cabrera or something?
Keep sniffing the happy dust, folks. The Tribe will probably be better than last year, but 18 or 20 games better? You people actually, truly, seriously, really believe that nonsense? Get in touch with reality. The only way they catch Detroit this year is if two or three of the Tigers stars go down with major injuries, or the front office finally opens up the checkbook and pick up a couple of genuine stars, instead of selling foolish people on the idea that Grady Sizemore is still a meaningful presence, or that picking up Ubaldo was the magic moment that put them over the top. This team is mediocre, and will be at best a distant second in the division.
Don't recall anyone saying the Tigers are no good outside of their big 3. What was said is the Indians have a very comparable team to the rest of the Tigers' roster (and better). But that's the separator, is the big three for the Tigers. They'll go as those guys go, and if healthy and producing as expected, will be tough to beat unless the Indians have health and their young players finally start playing up to their potential.
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