The biggest thing the Indians learned in 2008 is that you can't lose the two biggest hitters out of the middle of your lineup for three months without it dramatically affecting your record. That's what happened to the Indians, who played most of this season with designated hitter Travis Hafner and catcher Victor Martinez on the disabled list.
Having a bullpen in a constant state of turmoil also can torpedo a season. The Indians experienced all of that in 2008, a season in which they were expected to contend for a spot in the postseason but instead were trading away their veterans by midseason. The lost season did allow the team to further evaluate some of its younger players by giving them increased playing time. Some of those players took advantage of that opportunity, most notably outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, right-hander Jensen Lewis, and catcher Kelly Shoppach. Lewis emerged as the team's closer over the last two months of the season, and while Lewis performed well in the role, club officials say acquiring a closer in the offseason is one of the team's priorities.
The bullpen is the biggest weakness for the Indians going into the offseason. Only Lewis and LHP Rafael Perez performed well enough to be reasonably assured of having a spot on the Opening Day roster next year. The rest of the bullpen will have to be reconstructed.
Third base is another weakness. Andy Marte, a former top prospect whose star has fallen, failed to take advantage of the increased playing time he received when Casey Blake was traded, and because of that the team will have to address that position in the offseason. The in-house option would be to move shortstop Jhonny Peralta to third. The other option would be to sign a free agent or trade for a third baseman.
The trades of C.C. Sabathia and Paul Byrd mean the Indians will likely be in the market for a veteran starting pitcher to plug into the 2009 rotation behind left-hander Cliff Lee and right-hander Fausto Carmona.
A corner-outfield bat also could be on the team's offseason shopping list. The Indians have lacked a run-producing corner outfielder since the departure of Manny Ramirez seven years ago.
The Indians' strengths coming back next year start with Lee, a strong Cy Young Award candidate and a worthy successor to Sabathia in the No. 1 slot in the rotation. Peralta had a good year offensively, although his lack of range at shortstop remains an issue, to the point that switching to third base might be inevitable.
If that happens, second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera would move to short, his natural position. Cabrera is coming off a strong second half offensively, and many believe he has Gold Glove potential.
Backup catcher Shoppach, who hit 21 home runs while replacing the injured Martinez, played well enough to merit more playing time next season.
