Around the League in 30 Days: Mistake by the Lake, IV or is it V?

The Jake by the Lake is back! And I am talking about Westbrook. The once hapless Indians became the once mighty Indians with an amazing run that not only produced a World Series appearance but also over a decade straight sold out games. The Tribe is in another rebuilding phase and they are slowly showing some signs of life, tricky when you consider they've lost two of the games top left handed starters (Sabathia and Lee) in the past two years. The pitching staff also needs Fausto Carmona to return to his once dominant form that has essentially disappeared over the last couple of seasons with injuries and lack of command besting him. Kerry Wood closes out games, if/when healthy and is a solid 9th inning weapon. 

Incoming! - This offseason did not have a lot of new faces come to the Jake. Russell Branyan is here to play 1B and strike out 150+ times. Re-tread players like Tom Mastny, Jamey Wright, Shelley Duncan, and Anderson Hernandez are all in camp to try and claim a spot on the roster that is void of holes for starting positions. Austin Kearns is in camp too and could win a spot and see time in the OF, DH, and possibly 1B assuming he latches on.

Positives - the OF is really good w/Choo in right, Sizemore (who MUST bounce back to form and stay healthy) in center, and Matt LaPorta in left. LaPorta is being given the chance to prove he's worth all the hype. Michael Brantley is lurking in case Sizemore gets hurt, again; LaPorta doesn't produce, or Choo needs a day off.

The rest of the story - The IF is weak, with Jhonny Peralta being the most reliable bat of the bunch. The pitching staff is even weaker with Jake Westbrook attempting to return from injury, throwing in 5 games since 2007 - which is, ironically, the last time Fausto Carmona was worth anything in the rotation. Carmona's K/BB ratio is nearly 1:1 for the last two seasons, over 240 IP and that just does not cut it at the big league level.

2007? - Something happened in Cleveland that would make for a good case for Robert Stack, et al, to peer into. Since then, not only have Westbrook and Carmona all but disappeared, but Travis Hafner has just not stayed healthy. Pronk anchors this offense and lacking his bat from the 4 hole spells trouble for a team that has very little pop outside of his presence.

Outlook - Strong division that had a lot of improvement. No chance to fight their way out of last place for Chief Wahoo's Tribe. Repeating 65 wins may prove to be difficult.