They don't have any "best" players, which would lead one to question the value of owner Larry Dolan's $81 million payroll.

Several of their "best" players aren't doing their best.

Two of the Indians' best players, at least in terms of paychecks, are on the disabled list. Starting pitcher Jake Westbrook is in Goodyear, Ariz., coming back from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. Designated hitter Travis Hafner, accompanied by head athletic trainer Lonnie Soloff, visited Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., on Monday to have his sore right shoulder checked out.

Here's what the best of the rest are doing (stats do not include Monday's game):

Catcher Victor Martinez: He's rebounded well after missing most of last season with right elbow surgery. Martinez is hitting .388 (38-for-98) with five homers and 13 RBI. He leads Tribe regulars in hits, total bases, slugging and on-base percentage.

Closer Kerry Wood: The only complaint about Wood is the Indians haven't given him enough games to save. He's 5-for-5 in save situations with 15 strikeouts and four walks in nine innings.

Center fielder Grady Sizemore: He leads the club with six homers and is tied for the team lead with 17 runs and 19 RBI, but Grady hasn't been Grady. He's hitting .240 and ranks fifth in the AL with 27 strikeouts. He's hitting .222 (6-for-27) with runners in scoring position and .184 (9-for-49) at home.

Last year, lefties dominated Sizemore. This year, he's hitting .280 (7-for-25) against them, but only .228 (18-for-79) against righties.

Sizemore continues to play Gold Glove defense.

Shortstop Jhonny Peralta: Last year Peralta flourished when he replaced the injured Hafner in the No. 4 spot. This year he's hitting .209 (18-for-86) with one homer and eight RBI. His 28 strikeouts lead the team and rank fourth in the AL.

Peralta is hitting .148 (4-for-27) with runners in scoring position, .190 against lefties and .215 against righties.

Starter Cliff Lee: He hasn't been Cy Young-like, as he was last year, but in his last three starts, he's pitched well. It's not his fault the Indians have scored two runs in his last three games.

Reliever Rafael Perez: He has a 13.50 ERA and the opposition is hitting .348 against him. He was shut down for several days in late April so he could rediscover his mojo. He's still looking for it.

Reliever Rafael Betancourt: He hasn't been bad, he hasn't been good. The Indians need a lot more than mediocre right now.

Third baseman Mark DeRosa: It might be unfair to say DeRosa is one of the best players on the Indians . He's here on a one-year deal, but he's making $5.5 million and playing every day at third base. On the Tribe's roster, that meets all the needed requirements.

DeRosa is tied for the team lead with 19 RBI, but he's hitting .235 (24-for-102) and his defense has been shaky at third. He's hitting .300 (9-for-30) with runners in scoring position with 14 RBI.

So there you have it. The cream of the crop in the Indians world. Right now, with the exception of Martinez and Wood, the cream is a bit spoiled.

Protest lodge: The Indians did file a complaint with Major League Baseball over a scoring decision that cost second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera a double and three RBI in Saturday's game against Detroit.

It's a game of fractions: Manager Eric Wedge believes the Indians are this close to turning things around.

"We've been so close to winning three or four series," Wedge said. "It's been one at-bat, one pitch, one play that's maybe made the difference. That's the big leagues. More times than not, you're playing tight Baseball games.

"We have the people to do it. It's just a matter of us being more consistent. I've got a better feel for this team's personality. They're starting to come together as a ballclub. . . . We're just a fraction away of being a much better ballclub in a hurry."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: phoynes@plaind.com, 216-999-5158