Cleveland Indians: Will Wood Help Kerry the Indians in 2009?

Last year, Indians fans witnessed Cliff Lee win the AL's Cy Young Award and have a tremendous season, but saw little else.

He can only pitch one out of five games. For a team picked to win the World Series, the '08 brand can be considered an absolute disaster.

If the trend of odd-year success for the Tribe continues, Cleveland better be prepared for another October to remember.

The obvious new face for the Tribe is closer Kerry Wood, oft-injured but still capable of tossing fireballs. His arm will be relied upon to salvage a position that was the biggest cause for the Tribe's problems last year.

Gone is Joe "Gas Can" Borowski, who was unceremoniously released after repeatedly blowing leads in the ninth inning.

Gone is closer-by-committee, although fans did see flashes of brilliance from youngster Jensen Lewis.

The play of outfielder Ben Francisco was a pleasant surprise for the Tribe last season, while shortstop Jhonny Peralta showed he has clean-up ability. Unfortunately for the aforementioned Francisco, the corner outfield positions (lock Sizemore in at centerfield) will feature stiff competition.

Catcher Kelly Shoppach returns to backup Victor Martinez, who, depending on his health, may be shifted to first base. Shoppach had a great season filling in for Martinez, who was injured for half the season.

The biggest wild card in the lineup is Travis Hafner, who has not been himself since he was signed to a huge long-term extension. Like Martinez, he has been on the DL for long stretches over the last few years.

Newly-acquired infielder Mark DeRosa hopes to help fill the void at third base, a position of major uncertainty in Cleveland for some time.

Lee and Fausto Carmona return to anchor a pitching staff, which has a stable of capable lefties. Jake Westbrook looks to return from Tommy John surgery in June or July, while competition for the final two spots remains open.

Fighting for those spots are left-handers Aaron Laffey, Jeremy Sowers, and Zach Jackson, with minor league stud David Huff waiting in the wings. Right-hander Carl Pavano and young fireball Adam Miller will be in the mix as well.

Luckily for the Tribe, the Central is wide open, with every team except the Royals making the playoffs in the last three years. Anyone outside of Kansas City appears capable of winning the division.

But for the Indians to win it all, the bullpen will have to be locked own again, led by the Raffis, lefty Perez, and righty Betancourt. Cleveland hitters will have to be clutch in RISP situations as well, and Carmona must return to his 2007 form.

All of this is possible, but if past history has been any indication of success (World Series trips in 1995-1997, and division titles in 1999, 2001, and 2007) this team might be primed for success. That said, here are my projections for this team:

Lineup

CF Sizemore

3B Derosa

SS Peralta

C Martinez

DH Hafner

1B Garko

LF Francisco

RF Choo

2B Cabrera

Rotation

LHP Lee

RHP Carmona

LHP Scott Lewis

RHP Miler

LHP Laffey

(Westbrook and/or Huff ready as reserves)

Prediction: 95-67; Indians win the AL Central and lose to the Rays in ALDS.

Wow, what a difference a year makes.