Countdown to Opening Day: #20 Cleveland Indians

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#20: Cleveland Indians: Tribe trying to repeat '13 success

PROJECTED LINEUP
CF Michael Bourn
SS Asdrubal Cabrera
2B Jason Kipnis
DH Carlos Santana
1B Nick Swisher
C Yan Gomes
LF Michael Brantley
RF David Murphy
3B Lonnie Chisenhall

PROJECTED ROTATION

Justin Masterson
Corey Kluber
Danny Salazar
Zach McAllister
Carlos Carrasco

PROJECTED BULLPEN

Closer: John Axford

Set-up: Vinnie Pestano

Top Prospect: Francisco Lindor (SS)

Corey Kluber

The year after a team breaks out has to be the toughest. I am not saying the Indians do not have enough talent to repeat their 92 win campaign in Terry Francona's first season, but Tribe is just not going to sneak up on anybody this season.
Not only have the lost Ubaldo Jimenez and Scott Kazmir from the rotation, Corey Kluber and Zach McAllister both sported ERAs under 4, something that these pitch-to-contact arms may not be able to duplicate.
Maybe a full season from catcher Yan Gomes or starters Danny Salazar, Carlos Carrasco, and Trevor Bauer helps the Indians stay in contention, but remember, they also went 21-6 in September, winning 10 in a row to get to 92 wins and make the playoffs. A step back in 2014 is quite possible.

THEY CALL ME MR. SUNSHINE - The Indians prove last year was not a fluke season, in fact just the beginning. The emergence of a trio of young arms in Bauer, Carrasco, and Salazar solidify the starting rotation to go along with that potent offense. Jason Kipnis puts his name in the MVP race and Carlos Santana hits whether he is playing catcher, first, third, or DH. Even the back of the remade bullpen with John Axford is excellent.

REAL TALK - Check back with this blog in 2015 and you could see the Indians as my pick to win the

Jason Kipnis

Central, but a year after emerging as a contender I like to pick a drop-off season. They will not be terrible, but some of the breaks they caught last season will fall in the gaps and result in a down year. I think the Indians are short one middle-of-the-order hitter and one top of the rotation starter. Maybe that comes at the deadline if they are in the mix, but I am not in the business of betting on trades.

Breakout: Danny Salazar (RHP)

Bust: John Axford (CL)

Fantasy Baseball Sleeper: Yan Gomes (C)

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 92-70 (2nd in AL Central)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 80-82 (3rd in AL Central)

**Check back tomorrow for the Milwaukee Brewers*