There has been a lot of turnover in the Indians lineup in the recent years. This season will mark the fifth year since the whirlwind of a season that left Indians fans reeling after coming within one game of the World Series.

Looking at the roster the Indians put on the field in 2007, not many of the players are still in Cleveland. Some of the names are recognizable, and even memorable. But for most of the players, if they were with the Tribe beyond 2007, they probably weren’t there much longer.

It many respects, it’s easy to think of the 2007 Cleveland Indians and the 2012 Cleveland Indians as two entirely different teams, with completely unique identities. We have yet to see if the 2012 version has the ability to make a splash and have a magical season like the one of 2007.

Remember David Dellucci? Maybe, but do you know what he’s done since leaving the Tribe in 2009? He’s not the only member of that team who seems to have disappeared from the sport of baseball entirely and the faded from the memories of Indians fans. I doubt many future grandfathers will tell stories of the “great” Ryan Garko, but they will tell stories of that fateful October. It was one to remember, but it seems that many of the players weren’t.  So where are they now? (more…)

Theoretically, the Indians could try to hang in contention again without major upgrades. After all, injuries killed the Tribe’s chances this year – Travis Hafner, Carlos Carrasco, Grady Sizemore and Shin-Soo Choo all battled injuries at critical times in 2011, and then losing Michael Brantley and Josh Tomlin each for the final month of the season was the dagger. Detroit won the division with 95 wins this year, and I’d have to guess that’s around what the division winner would need next year as well.

Honestly, I don’t think having those players, along with full seasons of Jason Kipnis, Lonnie Chisenhall and Ubaldo Jimenez would mean 15 wins to this club. It would mean a winning record for sure, but I’m not sure it pushes the Tribe into serious postseason contender. Rather, I think standing pat and hoping for health is foolish and follows the timid line of thinking that got the Indians into this rebuilding effort.

Therefore, the offseason of 2011 must be one of action, as there are a few Indians players that got a little lucky in 2011 and probably won’t repeat their stats (Tomlin and Chris Perez are hiding their heads in shame right now).

The Indians don’t need to get rid of Grady Sizemore, but they can’t bring him back at $9 million a year.

Even healthy Sizemore playing at a diminished level is valuable to the club – just not $9 million-valuable.  Maybe the Indians can work out a performance-based contract for Grady that earns him close to that, but I’m not willing to hand Grady nine million off the rip and hope he’s able to play. Yes, he could command more on the free agent market from another team willing to roll the dice. But that team shouldn’t be the Indians, even with a payroll that will most likely increase in 2012.

Bullpens are fickle in nature – they can’t stand pat on the 2011 pen.

The Indians’ bullpen in 2011 was good, but not dominant. As many as four members of the “Bullpen Mafia” could be eligible for arbitration. Joe Smith, Raffy Perez and Chris Perez are all eligible, and Tony Sipp could qualify as a “Super Two” player. All four of those players put together solid seasons, and they are all due for raises in arbitration (if they actually get that far, but knowing the Indians, they won’t). I’d say Smitty and Raffy Perez are prime candidates to be traded, and unlike the Luis Valbuenas and Trevor Crowes of the organization, they actually have value. Really, I’d say the pen has only two “untouchables,” and they are Vinny Pestano and Nick Hagadone. Other than them, I’d listen to offers on anyone, including All-Star closer Chris Perez (because as much as I love “Pure Rage,” he was pretty lucky last season, with a 4.27 FIP, and you have Pestano to replace him).  Offense should be the primary target in any deal, particularly for a corner outfielder or first baseman, because …

Matt LaPorta is not the answer.

I hate being wrong. But I know when to jump off a player’s bandwagon (unless said player is Andy Marte, of course, sorry for the shameless self-promotion). When the Indians acquired LaPorta in the CC Sabathia deal, I was excited, because I thought they were getting a right-handed Adam Dunn lite. I was right, I just didn’t think they would be getting the 2011 version of Adam Dunn (OK, so LaPorta wasn’t that bad, as Dunn posted a -2.9 WAR and LaPorta was “only” -0.8). LaPorta has been handed a starting job for two straight seasons, and for two straight seasons he’s failed to produce.  There’s no need for the Indians to outright cut LaPorta, as he has options and isn’t eligible for arbitration, but to believe he’ll finally “get it” is foolhardy.

It’s too early to start throwing out possible trade targets, as we don’t have a very clear picture of who the Indians plan to try to sign long-term, nor do we know how Sizemore’s surgery on Monday will affect the Indians’ plans to sign him, but one thing is crystal clear to me: standing pat is asking for a letdown.

Wow, this is awkward. I thought it would be at least May until you knew I was coming. No, I know it was stupid of 0f me to think I could sneak around and watch you, especially with how few people are coming to visit you. I kinda stick out like a sore thumb in my red holiday hat and my nerdy-but-still-proud-to-rock-it “CARROLL” jersey. You knew I wasn’t going to stay away forever, right?

Am I stalking you? Jeez, what a harsh word, “stalk.”  I mean, yeah, I’ve been keeping tabs on you. You really didn’t move around too much this winter, I was able to forget about you every once in awhile. But I really didn’t stalk you, I mean, I made a comment about that bogus rumor that you were flirting with the Nationals about trading Grady Sizemore and Fausto Carmona, but I was defending your honor, baby, I knew you’d never trade around like that. But really, other than that, you haven’t heard from me. I needed some “me” time. I just needed to work on me.

Why didn’t I say “hi” to you when I was here on Opening Day? Baby, I don’t know, there were a LOT of people here to visit you. You were busy. I didn’t want you to waste your precious time on me. Most of those people won’t visit you again for awhile, if at all, this season. I knew I’d be back. They don’t love you like I love you.

Well, I have your attention now, and you have mine. You going to listen to what I have to say, or not? I really don’t care for some of the people you’re associating with this season. Like that Jack Hannahan jerk you’ve been meeting up with at The Hot Corner. I know, I know, he’s hitting well so far, playing solid defense, yada, yada. Four games doesn’t make a season, you know that right? Don’t you dare bring up 2007! Those were four games in October, not April. And that was back when you associated with players like CC Sabathia, Kenny Lofton, and before Grady got hurt. And now look at you. You’re with Jack Hannahan now? I mean, was Andy Marte busy?  You do realize that Hannahan has only had over 400 ABs just once, right? And that year he had a .305 OBP? I know you only use him because Jason Donald got hurt, but don’t fall in love with the guy. He’s not a long-term solution for you. Save yourself for Lonnie.

I like being back here with you, though. And I mean, not everything you’ve done lately has been stupid. You wisely shuffled Trevor Crowe out of the picture for the big-league roster. That injury sure was convenient, wasn’t it? I know it’s hard for you to admit you made a major mistake with Crowe, wasting a first-round pick on that worthless head of hair, but you’re doing it, and I’m proud of you for that.

I’ve liked some of your other decisions lately, too. I like that you didn’t kick Lou Marson out and into Columbus. He’s got nothing for him there. I’m glad you gave David Huff a chance to show that he doesn’t suck (although I was totally right that the blabbermouth didn’t belong with you). And I thought the Travis Buck and Nick Johnson signings were savvy under-the-radar signings that wouldn’t hurt you in the long term.

Are the kids OK? Are you treating them well? I know Michael Brantley has had a strong start and Carlos Santana looks he was never hurt by that bastard Ryan Kalish kid from Boston, but I must admit Carlos Carrasco’s start the other day worried me. And don’t get me started about Matt LaPorta. That kid really needs to grow up and start hitting. If he doesn’t begin to earn his keep for you I say you should kick him out after this season. But, as always, I’ll leave that up to you.

I gotta go now though. No, this has been great seeing you, you’re great. But I can’t let myself fall in love again over one game. I’ll be around though, watching and listening to you, and I’ll check in with you. But I just don’t think you’re ready for a serious, contending commitment to me. Who knows, maybe you’ll prove me wrong. But next year seems more realistic.

Take care, Tribe. See you soon.

-E