Barring Trades, 2010 Lineup Looks OK

As it appears right now, the Indians look as if they will have a decent everyday lineup for 2010. Even without a trade, which is possible, or free-agent signing, which is highly unlikely, Cleveland could get an infusion from younger players with a bit more athletcism than recent teams. That youth, however, will likely lead to inconsistent play. Tribe fans will need patience when watching in 2010.

A very big key to the entire offense will be if outfielder Grady Sizemore returns to All-Star form after two surgeries. Bothered all season by an abdominal strain and sore elbow, Sizemore went under the knife in mid-September to repair both injuries.

If he returns as the player who averaged 116 runs, 27 homers and 29 stolen bases with a .282 batting mark over the previous four years, then the Indians have a chance offensively.

Those numbers would look very nice in the third spot in the order -- not leadoff, where the 27-year-old has batted most of his career.

Sizemore hitting third could happen if young Michael Brantley continues to perform the way he has since being called up from Triple-A Columbus on Sept. 1. In 22 games, the 22-year-old has hit .326 with seven runs, nine RBI and four steals.

In 499 games in the minors, the lefty hit .300 with 149 stolen bases. He also had 258 walks to 190 strikeouts. Though he totaled only 12 homers (six of them this year at Columbus), he had 74 doubles, scored 318 runs and drove in 194.

Throw out Brantley's season at Triple-A this year and then compare his minor-league numbers to what Kenny Lofton accomplished before being called up. Why? Because without Brantley's 116 games at Columbus, the numbers are remarkably similar.

Kenny Lofton & Michael Brantley before MLB callups (without Brantley's "extra" time in minors)

PLAYER	G	AB	H	AVG	R	2B	HR	RBI	SB/CS	BB	SO
Lofton	358	1,405	423	.301	249	46	6	116	168/54	158	263
Brantley	383	1,392	433	.311	238	53	6	157	103/29	199	142

Brantley clearly has superior leadoff skills to Sizemore. That's not meant to knock the three-time All-Star, but to point out the future worth of both to the ballclub: Brantley as the No. 1 hitter, getting on base and scoring runs, Sizemore hitting third, and driving him home while giving others behind him in the lineup RBI opportunities, too.

Brantley and Matt LaPorta were the key players acquired in the July 2008 trade that sent CC Sabathia to Milwaukee. Now, they have become the most important to Cleveland's hopes in 2010.

The Indians need LaPorta provide some pop in the middle of the lineup, most likely as the first baseman. Right now, the prospective slugger is merely OK on defense as a left fielder. He's not very good around the first-base bag, though he goes out a few hours before every game and works with the coaching staff.

Here's how the 2010 lineup will likely look on opening day, again barring an off-season addition:

1. Michael Brantley, CF
2. Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
3. Grady Sizemore, LF
4. Jhonny Peralta, 3B
5. Shin-Soo Choo, RF
6. Matt LaPorta, 1B
7. Travis Hafner, DH
8. Lou Marson, C
9. Luis Valbuena, 2B

Brantley in center over the gold-glove winning Sizemore?

That makes sense, at least to start the season, in order to give Sizemore's arm a break from having to make long throws from deep center. Brantley can cover the ground in center and Sizemore would be a terrific left fielder, too. In fact, with Choo in right, the outfield defense could be the best in town in years.

The infield defense should be better, too. Cabrera is smooth at short, and every time he makes an outstanding play, it seems Valbuena hustles to match him at second on the next one. Peralta at third and LaPorta at first must work, work, work and work some more on defense. Both have the raw skills needed to play each spot. Neither have played there much and the coaching staff must drill them daily to improve.

Peralta hitting cleanup?

Again, it makes sense, but only if Sizemore is dropped down to third in the order. With the switch-hitting Cabrera batting second, it gives the lineup a very nice left-right balance all the way through.

With Brantley's speed, should he get on, the chances of every other player in the order getting just a tad more fastballs to hit will increase. That could make each player incrementally more productive.

Choo, LaPorta and Hafner hitting fifth, sixth and seventh, gives the club a "secondary" supply of production. Choo has the most speed and with him on base, the other two would likely see a bit fewer off-speed pitches.

Valbuena batting ninth provides a "secondary" leadoff man, a guy with just enough speed to not clog up the bases should he get on ahead of Brantley and the rest.

Hafner's complete return to health would be a huge boost. After averaging .308, 33 homers and 109 RBI over a three-year stretch, he's been hampered by severe shoulder issues the past three seasons. He was better in 2009 than his woeful 2008, but not as good as he was in 2007, when he started to slip.

Don't expect the huge numbers, but should Hafner get back to 2007 production (.266, 24 homers, 100 RBI), the club will certainly benefit.

The only real weak spot appears to be at No. 8 in the order where Marson is very unproven. He's been a decent hitter in the minors without any pop. The other options at the position are veteran Kelly Shoppach, who has pop but is prone to high strikeout totals and low contact; Chris Gimenez, who had a fine on-base percentage in the minors but who has really struggled in Cleveland; or Wyatt Toregas, a good defensive catcher most suited to backup duty. Toregas will get a big hit from time to time, but has seldom had long stretches of production.

The Indians may try to trade for a starting catcher and use one of the four incumbents as the reserve.

More likely is that the club will go with that group, mixing and matching throughout the season until top prospect Carlos Santana is ready. The switch-hitter was MVP of the Double-A Eastern League and is considered certain to hit at the big-league level. He needs plenty of work on defense and will likely start 2010 at Columbus.

Utilityman supreme Jamey Carroll is a free agent. He wouldn't mind coming back and the Indians would love to have him in that role -- but if another club offers him more, he would be foolish not to take the money. Chances of him returning are not great, since the Indians really cannot afford to spend money on a spare part -- no matter how good that player with "insurance clause" abilities may be.

Jason Donald, acquired with Marson and right-handers Carlos Carrasco and Jason Knapp from Philadelphia in July for Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco, could fill the jack-of-all-trades role.

Donald was considered one of the Phillies' top prospects before missing much of 2009 with a series of injuries. He can play short, second and third and could likely step in to play any of those positions on a regular basis if needed.