Cleveland Indians: What happened to '08? Plus a look at '09

Besides the success of starter Cliff Lee, the Indians have gone below all expectations this year.  Injuries to Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner was a big reason for the slump, but that wasn't the only reason.  The Starting Pitching at the beginning of the season was great, but the hitting just couldn't deliver.  

Yes, the middle of the lineup delivered a huge blow when it lost those two, but no one seemed to be able to step up.  The Indians don't have a big salary cap so when players go down we don't have much depth to back them up.  Another back breaker was the struggles of the bullpen.  

The starters did a great job, and usually when that happens the bullpen does a pretty good job as well because the starters go deep into games and the relievers go into their normal roles.  

Joe Borowski had a great 2007 season, but he always gave people white knuckles when he came into games, put runners on base and game up runs. Even though he always gave us a scare he always seemed to get the job done.  

Borowski however, wasn't the ideal closer Shapiro wanted because he didn't have overpowering stuff.  Since his fastball was in the high 80s and low 90s he had to rely on control.  Once Borowski struggled, went on the DL, and came back he just wasn't himself.  

When he did go on the DL they were forced to put dominate Rafael Benacourt into the closer role.  Bentacourt couldn't cut it as closer and he went back to being a setup man, but he hasn't been the same since.  Various relievers have been put in the closer role, but no one has been able to fill the role with effectiveness.  

After the Trade of Sabathia, the focus was clearly on next year.  Laporta was a great pickup for the future and depending on who Shapiro selects they probably will get a pretty good reliever prospect.  

Of course many expected the Indians to contend this year, but like 2006 when they failed to contend, they are retooling for a comeback in 2009.  The lack of hitting and failure of the bullpen killed this year's club, so as a fan i can only hope Shapiro picks up a nice bat either corner outfield or third base depending on Laporta's rate of maturity.  

The closer role has to be a priority this off season and we can only hope Bentacourt returns to his 2007 form.  Losing C.C. Sabathia was a blow, so hopefully they will be able to pick up a veteran to fill his place while Cliff Lee and Fausto Carmona lead the 2009 staff.  

The lineup will be another "if" and it depends on the success of Martinez and Hafner.  The 2009 Indians will be filled with question marks, but all we can do as fans is watch the team hopefully mature this season, and watch this off-season as the front office hopefully makes some moves to help this team get a title.  Something the city hasn't seen since 1964 and the team since 1948.  We can only watch and hope.