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Time For Cleveland Baseball – 3-30-08
Opening Day is Upon Us; What to Expect this Season from the Tribe

In one of the most anticipated seasons in recent memory, fans are anxiously awaiting the first game for the Tribe in 2008 which kicks off at approximately 3:05 p.m. Monday. There has been so much eagerness to begin this year, since Cleveland came within one win of the World Series last year. They won 96 games in 2007 and have another year of experience and knowledge under their belt. Most importantly, they know what it takes to win it all and are hungry to build upon 2007.

But the 2008 team is almost exactly the same as last year’s squad. You could refer to the idea of “if it’s not broken, why fix it?” if it’s perplexing why a team that couldn’t get over the hump would stand pat. We are told over and over again that this team is built on cohesiveness, teamwork and chemistry. The core of this squad is intact, and that, according to Cleveland officials, is enough to win.

And hopefully they are right. But it’s hard to not feel discouraged when names like Scott Rolen, Miguel Cabrera, Jason Bay, Erik Bedard, Dan Haren, among others are available and apparently intrigued about providing their services in the great City of Cleveland. Going after big names that have a huge upside, but also a potential risk, in exchange for promising prospects, is not the “Cleveland Way.” But watching as division rivals Detroit and Chicago have the spending power to bring in players that can help now is also difficult to swallow. Cleveland has to look in the rear-view mirror now with Detroit adding Cabrera along with Dontrelle Willis and Edgar Renteria. And the White Sox improved their bullpen and enhanced their order and defense with additions Orlando Cabrera and Nick Swisher.

The Indians made no significant moves. Masahide Kobayashi was a slight gamble with no MLB experience and Jamey Carroll was brought in to serve as the utility infielder, but no other impacting moves were made.

The mindset is again, understandable: Keep this group together that won 96 games, and with another year together, they can make a run at a title. Will Travis Hafner respond from his disappointing 2007? Can Franklin Gutierrez and Asdrubal Cabrera be productive everyday players? Will C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona have fantastic seasons again? Will Cliff Lee, Paul Byrd and Jake Westbrook provide enough? How will the bullpen shake out? Will they get production out of leftfield?

It is imperative that the “Cleveland Way” of building a team filled with homegrown talent can outplay teams that pay big bucks and can afford to give up big prospects in the spirit of “this season” for proven players. It is time for the constant underdog – Cleveland - to take a superb team to the next level, and topple the clubs with unlimited payrolls. This group can certainly win it all, and they have the backing of the Cleveland faithful. But bringing in another slugger or starting pitcher was a very appealing concept. With Opening Day hours away, that move just wasn’t made.

Hopefully 3:05 p.m. tomorrow will signify the beginning of the end for something that has eluded the Indians for 60 years.

Tags: asdrubal cabrera, cc sabathia, cliff lee, franklin gutierrez, jake westbrook, jamey carroll, masahide kobayashi, paul byrd, travis hafner