Preseason Indians Predictions We Got Wrong

The All-Star Break is a time to reflect on the first half of the season and look ahead to the three months of baseball that still remain. In that spirit, 17 Indians writers representing seven different sites took the time to offer their thoughts on the state of the Tribe, the ups and downs of the first half, and what’s still to come in the second.

As part of the survey I sent out, I asked our participants to reflect on their preseason predictions and see how they did. We’ve already patted ourselves on the back for the ones we got right, so what about the ones we got wrong? Most of our panelists were happy to own up to their mistakes.

Craig Lyndall (WaitingForNextYear): I’m disappointed in my belief that Grady Sizemore would actually get on the field before the All-Star Break. Couldn’t have been more wrong.

Steve Eby (Did The Tribe Win Last Night?): I regret my preseason All-Star picks. I said that Ubaldo Jimenez and Carlos Santana would make the team with Santana being voted in. Oops.

Nino Colla (The Tribe Daily): I said Shelley Duncan would be a regular member of the starting lineup, which was looking good until the Indians signed Johnny Damon and didn’t even give Shelley the opportunity.

Katie Hendershot (Wahoo’s on First): I regret expecting Ubaldo Jimenez to pitch as he has in the past. He has been improving, but not at the rate I’d like to see.

Andy Cooper: Unfortunately, Carlos Santana has flopped in a year where I thought he would break-out in a major way.

Lewie Pollis (Wahoo’s on First): I was wrong about Carlos Santana getting MVP votes (I assume) and Vinnie Pestano usurping Chris Perez in the closer’s role.

Ed Carroll (The Cleveland Fan): I regret writing off Michael Brantley. He’s really proven me wrong. Definitely an everyday player and potentially a really good one.

Geordy Boveroux (Wahoo’s on First): I regret not trusting Chris Perez. He’s totally changed my view of him, not just on the field but off. I said in the preseason bold prediction Wroundtable that Perez would struggle to get 30 saves, and he already has 23.

Vince Guerrieri (DTTWLN?): I thought Johnny Damon would be a better producer than he’s been.

Andrew Zajac (Indians Prospect Insider): I predicted Carlos Santana to have a breakout year and that I regret.

TD (WFNY): I think I said this would be Carlos Santana’s coming out party year.

Brian Heise (Wahoo’s on First): I regret saying Shin-Soo Choo would bounce back and have an MVP caliber impact. He’s been much better, especially since moving to the leadoff spot, but he’s not an MVP candidate.

Mike Brandyberry (DTTWLN?): My biggest regret was predicting the White Sox to finish dead last. Oops!

Merritt Rohlfing (Wahoo’s on First): I’d hoped Casey Kotchman would actually hit, and though he has a little, it’s been hideous at first base.