Cleveland Indians Tickets

2010 Cleveland Indians Season Preview The Cleveland Indians were a disappointment in 2009, winning just 65 games, but see better things on the horizon in 2010.

It has to be painful being an Indians fan. The team traded away two top starters in Cliff Lee and C.C. Sabathia in consecutive seasons and watched each win a World Series. Ouch.

Can you imagine having those two guys at the top of your starting rotation for years to come? I just can't get over that.

As for the players currently on the roster, Grady Sizemore is the main attraction. The All-Star centerfielder is fantastic with the glove and can do just about everything with the bat.

After Sizemore, it's tough to find too many impact bats on this team. The Indians traded away catcher Victor Martinez at the deadline last year to pile up more prospects in their minor league system.

Designated hitter Travis Hafner can hit the ball a mile, but he has struggled the past few seasons, mostly because of back problems. There are also whispers that his abrupt decline coincided with the crack down on performance-enhancing drugs.

The team has high hopes for second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera, and he finally showed signs of life in 2009 after struggling the previous year.

Two players that the Indians are really hoping can make a difference at Matt LaPorta and Andy Marte. Both players came over in trades that sent established, veteran players to other teams.

Marte has been a tremendous disappointment at third base after coming over in a trade with the Braves, but the team isn't quite ready to give up on him. LaPorta was a top prospect with the Brewers and is expected to make an impact in left field.

The starting rotation is a major question mark as well. Fausto Carmona is inconsistent at best, but has the ability to be a quality starter. Justin Masterson, who was acquired in the Martinez trade, will get a chance to show what he can pitching every fifth day.

While things shouldn't be quite so bad in 2009, don't expect this team to be competing for anything other than avoiding last place in the American League Central. They still have a ways to go before competing for a playoff spot, even in a division filled with parity.