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The Indians lineup needs to continue late-season success
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Outfielder Shin Soo-Choo is a key part of the lineup.
The 2009 Cleveland Indians have a chance to rebound after an up-and-down start to 2008 ruined their chance at contending. The Tribe's second-half offensive performance in 2008 gives promise that 2009 could be a year where the Indians can contend again.
The Indians lineup batted 30 points higher after the All-Star break than they did before. In what amounted to basically a tale of two seasons, the Indians saw rarely a consistent performer throughout the season, but still managed to finish eighth in total runs and ninth in OPS (on base percentage plus slugging percentage) for the season.
While the Indians lacked a thumper in the middle of the lineup due to injuries to Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez, the top to bottom production of the batting order was strong in the second half of the season. First basemen Ryan Garko and backup catcher Kelly Shoppach were key to the surge, both posting an OPS over .800, which is a key indicator for a great season at the plate.
As the season progressed, the Indians saw great production from outfielder Shin Soo-Choo, who has given the Tribe a legit option in either the three, four, or five spots in the lineup. His production helped ease the loss of third baseman Casey Blake to the Dodgers. Taking Choo's numbers over the course of the season, it projects out to be: 168 H, 48 2B, 5 3B, 24 HR, 113 RBI, 117 R, 75 BB. If Choo can continue his success, it will give the Indians a great contact-hitting threat to compliment a healthy Martinez and Hafner in the middle of the lineup. He has shown an ability to hit no matter where he is placed in the lineup.
Another unsong contributor in 2008 was shortshop Jhonny Peralta. He produced his finest season as a professional. His penchant for solo home runs diminished in the second half, but his run production increased. Peralta has a long swing that can be boom or bust at times, but his contact skills increased in the second half of 2008. His patience is growing at the plate and he should be a solid contributor in either the fifth or sixth slot in the lineup.
The bottom of the lineup should also be greatly improved, especially Asdrubal Cabrera. His splash run as the number two hitter in 2007 was more of an abberation than a starting point. Batting in primarily the bottom three spots in the lineup, he was able to improve upon the flaws in his swing. Cabrera was able to be more aggressive at the plate with lower pressure, and the results were positive. He may one day move back up near the top of the lineup, but for now he is able to help bridge the gap back to the top of the lineup and star center fielder Grady Sizemore. Cabrera is important to the Tribe's overall offensive success, so keeping his head in the game is a must this season.
As a unit, the Indians lineup functioned at a high level in the second half of 2008. They have added help in new third baseman Mark DeRosa, who is an ideal number two hitter. His contact skills will help give manager Eric Wedge the next piece needed to produce a consistent lineup.
With the variety of lineups used, it will be key for the players to produce consistently no matter what slot they are hitting. Given the finish to 2008, that should not be an issue for the Indians in 2009.
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