Offseason Issues Facing the Cleveland Indians

What Moves Should the Indians Make Before the 2008 Season?

The Cleveland Indians had quite the successful season in 2007. They won the American League Central and finished the regular season with an overall record of 96-66. They also defeated the New York Yankees in the ALDS and even won the deciding game at Yankee Stadium. However, the Tribe cannot help but feel disappointed heading into the spring of 2008 after losing the American League Championship Series to the Boston Red Sox after jumping out to a 3-1 series lead.

The Indians will once again be a playoff contender in 2008. There are several issues facing the Tribe that must be addressed before the season begins. Do the Tribe need another big bat in the outfield? Who should be the closer for the Indians next season? Here are just a few of my thoughts on the Indians' off-season.

There are some in Cleveland who believe that the Tribe should consider shopping Travis Hafner. Pronk was below average at the plate during the regular season, at least for his standards. Hafner finished with a .266 batting average, 22 home runs and 100 RBI. Hafner was downright awful in the 2007 postseason, hitting .186 with only two homers and four RBI. The stats only tell half the story. Hafner was behind on almost every pitch during the playoffs and looked like a player who had aged a decade right before our eyes.

I was as disappointed as any Cleveland fan by Hafner's terrible performance at the plate this past October. It is ridiculous, though, for the Tribe to even thinking about letting Hafner go at this point. For starters, his 100 RBI during the regular season aren't anything to be taken lightly. There is a better than good chance that Pronk is going to rebound in the 2008 season. Giving up on Hafner right now would be just plain stupid.

Closer Joe Borowski was arguably the most underrated relief pitcher in baseball last season. Yes, it is true that Borowski had a 5.07 ERA during the regular season. Borowski's ERA doesn't change the fact that he was the American League leader in saves in 2007, finishing with 45. Borowski did give fans and teammates a scare during the ninth inning one too many times last season. Do the Indians want to go that again in 2008?