2012 Cleveland Indians Predictions
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
The Cleveland Indians are hoping they can build off an impressive turnaround last season. After winning just 69 games in 2010, Cleveland surprised a lot of people by finishing second in the AL Central with an 80-82 record. They are going to need a similar jump in wins if they want to contend with the heavily favored Detroit Tigers. In order for that to happen they are going to need their key offensive players to figure out a way to stay healthy, and for starter Ubaldo Jimenez to rebound from a horrific 2011 season. They aren’t exactly off to a good start, as they will be without Grady Sizemore until at least June. Let’s take a look at the Indians projected starting lineup, starting rotation, and closer situation.
Projected Lineup
Carlos Santana (Catcher) – Santana showed a glimpse of his potential in 2011. While the 25-year-old hit just .239 in his first full season, he smashed 27 home runs with 79 RBI. A lot to like going forward, as his best years are still ahead of him. Look for that average to improve with similar, if not better, power numbers in 2012.
Casey Kotchman (First Base) – The Indians decided they had seen enough of Matt LaPorta at first, and went out and signed Kotchman to take over. Kotchman is coming off one of his best seasons in the big leagues. He hit a career-high .306 with 10 home runs and 48 RBI in 146 games with the Rays last year. He looks to be a great fit in Cleveland.
Jason Kipnis (Second Base) – Kipnis impressed enough in just 36 games to earn a shot at the everyday job. The 24-year-old hit .272 with seven home runs and 19 RBI in a fourth of a season. If he keeps up that pace over a full season, he will instantly become of the premier second baseman in the AL.
Asdrubal Cabrera (Shortstop) - Cabrera came out of nowhere and blasted 25 home runs in 2011. Prior to last year, he had hit a combined 18 home runs in his previous 1,415 at-bats. He also set a career-high with 92 RBI and tied his career best of 17 steals. The future looks extremely bright for the 26-year-old, but it may take another 25+ home runs for everyone to buy in.
Lonnie Chisenhall (Third Base) – Whether he’s ready or not, Chisenhall is expected to open the season at 3rd base. The 23-year-old hit just .255 with seven home runs and 22 RBI in 212 at-bats last year. The fact that he had just eight walks over that stretch, has me thinking he is still probably a couple years from a breakout season.
Shelley Duncan (Left Field) – With Sizemore out of the lineup, Duncan figures to get an opportunity to start in left, while Brantley moves to center field. Duncan is someone to keep your eye on. He hit just .260 in 76 games with the Indians last year, but his 11 home runs and 47 RBI are worth noting. If given a full season, he could surprise and hit 20+ home runs with 90+ RBI.
Michael Brantley (Center Field) – Brantley’s 2011 season was ended early due to a broken bone in his hand. The 24-year-old ended up hitting .266 with seven home runs, 46 RBI, and 13 stolen bases in just 114 games. There is still plenty of time for him to take that next step. The Indians are just hoping it comes sooner rather than later.
Shin-Soo Choo (Right Field) - Choo will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2011 season that was limited to just 85 games. That put an end to back-to-back seasons with at least a .300 average to go with 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases, Cleveland is counting on Choo to return to form in 2012.
Travis Hafner (Designated Hitter) – Hafner owes it to Cleveland fans to do something worthwhile in 2012. After signing that huge contract extension, he has been mediocre at best. Last year he was able to play just 94 games. Hard to believe this is the same guy who hit .308 with 42 home runs and 117 RBI in 2006.
Projected Rotation
Justin Masterson (RHP) – Masterson took a big step in the right direction in 2011, now he must back it up with another strong season. After going just 6-13 with a 4.70 ERA in 29 starts in 2010, Masterson went 12-10 with an impressive 3.21 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. He turns just 27 at the end of March, so there is plenty of reason to be optimistic that 2012 will be even better.
Ubaldo Jimenez (RHP) – The Indians desperately need Jimenez to pitch like the ace that went 19-8 with a 2.88 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 33 starts with the Rockies in 2010. Last year Jimenez pitched himself out of Colorado and wasn’t any better after joining the Indians. If he can revert back to his old self, the Indians will have a potent 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation.
Josh Tomlin (RHP) – Tomlin appears headed in the right direction after a promising showing in 2011. In his first full season as a starter, Tomlin went 12-7 with a 4.25 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. That low WHIP is what has a lot of people excited about what the 27-year-old could bring to the table in 2012.
Derek Lowe (RHP) – Lowe had a horrible run of things in 2011. After winning 31 games in his first two seasons in Atlanta, Lowe went 9-17 with a 5.05 ERA and 1.51 WHIP in 34 starts. He has bounced back from bad seasons before, but that figures to be a stretch for someone who turns 39 in June.
Kevin Slowey (RHP) – Slowey comes over from the Twins and figures to get a shot at making the rotation. Slowey had three straight seasons with double-digit wins from 2008-10, but was demoted to the bullpen last season.
Projected Closer
Chris Perez (RHP) – Perez was a big part of the Indians improvement last season. The 26-year-old converted 36 of 40 save opportunities while posting a respectable 3.32 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. However, his low strike out totals, 39 in 59.2 innings of work, leave open the possibility that he could struggle to match last year’s performance.
| 2012 Cleveland Indians Odds | |
| World Series | +6000 |
| AL Pennant | +2800 |
| AL Central | +1000 |
| Total Regular Season Wins | O78.5 (-105) |
| U78.5 (-125) |
Over/Under Total Home Runs in the 2012 Regular Season
Carlos Santana – 27.5
Shin Soo Choo – 19.5
Over/Under BA in the 2012 Regular Season
Asdrubal Cabrera – .272
Over/Under Total Wins in the 2012 Regular Season
Ubaldo Jimenez – 13.5
Derek Lowe – 9.5
Justin Masterson – 13
MLB Predictions by Team
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