3 Cleveland Indians

ENEMY LINES

A rival scout sizes up the Indians

I'm a little worried about them. They played great last year, but they might have overachieved. You know what, though? They've got some young talent that's really coming on.... It hurt them that this Fausto Carmona thing [he's actually named Roberto Hernandez Heredia and is 31, three years older than he claimed] came up so late, in January. He wasn't pitching real good, and he makes a lot of money. It's almost to the point where they could release him.... Between injuries [broken left thumb] and a DUI, Shin-Soo Choo had everything go wrong last year. But he's a 20-to-25-home-run guy, he's going to hit .300 and he's got a real good throwing arm.... Ubaldo Jimenez's mechanics tend to break down. His front side will open, and he'll lose the strike zone. But he's bright, and their pitching people are good. They'll straighten him out.... Justin Masterson is going to start on Opening Day. Maybe that takes some pressure off Jimenez. Masterson's got filthy stuff—a heavy sinker. It's all come together for him.... I never anticipated that Asdrubal Cabrera would have the power he showed last year. And he's a magician with the glove.... Carlos Santana would be an elite hitter at any position, but especially for a catcher. Maybe they can get him out of games after six or seven innings, save his legs.... It's not like Lonnie Chisenhall is George Brett, but a lefthanded-hitting third baseman is really a valuable commodity. He uses the whole field, and he's got some pop. Hitting .280 or .300 and playing third—that's a nice package.

THE LINEUP

With 2011 Statistics

MANAGER MANNY ACTA

3rd season with Indians

[This article contains a table. Please see hardcopy of magazine or PDF.]

[This article contains a table. Please see hardcopy of magazine or PDF.]

NEW ACQUISITION