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http://www.columbussports.com/content/writers/brian_white/indians_fans_patience_now_contend_in_2009.shtmlAll Star break for Indians fans - patience now, back to contention in 2009?
Indians fans should have patience the rest of this year, and then expect nothing less than a contender in 2009.
For Indians fans, this week offers at least some passing interest as Grady Sizemore and Cliff Lee make their All-Star appearances at Yankee Stadium. Grady's in the home run hitting contest tonight (often more entertaining than the game itself), and Lee is the starting pitcher, so this isn't exactly your token Kansas City Royal type of All-Star appearance.
Many fans forget that in 2005 Lee went 18-5, so he's enjoyed success before. The key for him is to stay consistent in the second half, and then learn to carry over that success into next year and beyond, something he's not been able to do so far in his career. If he has another poor season in 2009 I wouldn't blame the organization for cutting him loose and letting another of their young pitchers have a chance in the rotation.
The Tribe even heads into the All-Star break riding a 4 game winning streak after sweeping the sinking Rays 4 straight at Progressive Field (still hate the name). Too bad they lost 10 straight before that or else there may even have been a slight bit of excitement and hope for a wild card push up on the North Coast if they can remain hot after the break.
Once Fausto Carmona, Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner all return to the lineup soon, and assuming they are close to the form expected of them all along, it wouldn't have been out of the question to perhaps see a second half playoff push, even with Sabathia gone. Asdrubal Cabrera and Josh Barfield can also return to provide more speed, depth and defense.
A legitimate playoff push likely isn't in the cards, however, so Indians fans will need to be patient the rest of this season and give young players like Andre Marte, Jeremy Sowers, Aaron Laffey, Ben Francisco and others a chance to prove themselves over the long haul.
The real test for Indians fans and the front office will be this off season. Another winter of sitting around thinking they're good enough to contend without making any major moves just won't cut it. The current roster, with one or two major additions and the return to health of key players, can put this team right back where many expected them to be this year. The fan base will expect an honest attempt to bring in players to make the team much better in 2009, and anything short of that will put Eric Wedge and Mark Shapiro in a seat so hot they won't be able to sit down all year.