2013 Cleveland Indians Preview

October 6, 2012 marked the beginning of a historical offseason for the Cleveland Indians—perhaps one of the most significant in the organization's history. On that day back in October, the Indians announced the hiring of future Hall of Famer Terry Francona as their new manager.

The announcement of Francona's four-year contract with the Tribe was just the tip of the iceberg as the Indians front office began to roll up its sleeves and attack the 2012-13 offseason like most fans in Cleveland have never seen before.  

After the the 2012 season was complete, the Tribe had hit an organizational all-time low—losing at least 90 games in three of the past four seasons. They haven't had a winning season since 2007.

Could one offseason really make a difference? Are the Indians ready to compete for the entire season, or will they simply fade back into the AL Central's cellar come July?

2013 Cleveland Indians Preview: New Faces

Terry Francona—Manager

When the Indians hired Terry Francona as their new skipper last October, they weren't just hiring a manager with two World Series rings (2004, 2007).

Francona is no stranger to the organization. His father, Tito, played for the Tribe between 1959 and 1964 and the young Terry was often in the clubhouse at the old Cleveland Municipal Stadium, building the foundation for a manager who would later go on to World Series glory with the Boston Red Sox.

Francona also spent one year as a player (1989) and in the Indians front office (2001) under now-team president Mark Shapiro and GM Chris Antonetti. Destiny may be too strong of a word—however, there couldn't have been a better candidate for the job after the Indians fired former manager Manny Acta after last season.

When asked by Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer about his father's influence when deciding to take the Indians job, Francona had this to say:

"I'd be lying if I didn't say it made it extra special. The day he was there for my press conference in October, I was really proud. He's fired up. You can't take a job because of that, but I'm excited about it."

2013 Cleveland Indians Preview: New Faces

Michael Bourn—OF

Back on February 15, the Indians sent shockwaves around the MLB and Cleveland area by signing All-Star center fielder Michael Bourn to a four-year, $48 million contract. Bourn will bat leadoff and play center field for the Indians in 2013.

Nick Swisher—1B/OF/DH

Christmas came just a few days early last year for Nick Swisher and Indians fans. On December 23, the Indians and Swisher agreed on a contract that would pay him $56 million over the next four years—making it the largest free-agent deal in team history.

Swisher had a solid spring for the Indians—batting .389 (21-for-54) with three home runs and 11 RBI.

Mark Reynolds—1B/DH

On December 9, the Indians agreed to a one-year, $6 million deal with slugger Mark Reynolds who will split time between DH and first base for the Tribe in 2013.

Although he only hit 23 last year—Reynolds hit 37 home runs in 2011, 32 in 2010 and 44 in 2009.  

2013 Cleveland Indians Preview: New Faces

Drew Stubbs—OF

On December 11, the Indians traded Shin-Soo Choo, Jason Donald, Tony Sipp, Lars Anderson and $3.5 million in cash to the Cincinnati Reds and Arizona Diamondbacks in a three-team deal that got them two former first-round picks (Drew Stubbs, Trevor Bauer) along with relievers Bryan Shaw and Matt Albers.

Stubbs is considered one of the elite defensive outfielders in the game; however, he must improve upon a dismal .213 batting average in 2012 if he wants to be an every-day player for the Indians this year.

Brett Myers—SP

On January 4, the Indians signed RHP Brett Myers to a one-year deal worth $7 million. Myers will serve as the Tribe's No. 3 starter even though he hasn't been a starting pitcher since 2011.

In 70 appearances with the Houston Astros and Chicago White Sox last year, Myers posted a combined 3.31 ERA as a reliever. He had his best season as a starter with the Astros back in 2010—ending the season with 14 wins and an ERA of 3.14.

Scott Kazmir—SP

The Tribe may have found their diamond in the rough with their acquisition of former ace Scott Kazmir, who is only 29 years old. Due to injury, Kazmir only appeared in one game for the Los Angeles Angels last season but out-performed the competition this spring to land the Indians' final spot in the rotation.

2013 Cleveland Indians Preview: New Faces

Additional new players to the Indians' 25-man Opening Day roster include:

Mike Aviles—OF/IF

Ryan Raburn—OF/IF

Jason Giambi—DH

Bryan Shaw—RP

Matt Albers—RP

Rich Hill—RP

Cody Allen—RP

***Cody Allen appeared in 27 games for the Indians during the second half of 2012. He ended the season with a strong 3.72 ERA in 29 innings of work.

2013 Cleveland Indians Preview: Keys to Success

Ubaldo Jimenez is no longer the flame-thrower who won 19 games for the Colorado Rockies in 2010. However, the Indians, specifically manager Terry Francona and new pitching coach Mickey Callaway, believe Jimenez still has the right "stuff" to help the Indians contend in 2013.

Since being acquired by the Indians before the MLB trading deadline on July 31, 2011—Jimenez has worked with four different Indians' pitching coaches. This is one of the reasons why new coach Callaway traveled to the Dominican Republic on two different occasions this winter to hit the ground running with Jimenez in preparation for the 2013 season.

If Callaway cannot get both Jimenez and ace Justin Masterson back on track, the Indians will have a very tough time contending in the American League.

In 2012, Jimenez led the American League in losses (17), wild pitches (16), stolen bases allowed (32) and was second to Masterson in walks allowed (95). Although Jimenez posted a 3.70 ERA at Progressive Field last year, he struggled on the road, posting a 6.82 ERA in away games.

Overall, the Indians posted the highest ERA (4.78) in the American League in 2012.

2013 Cleveland Indians Preview: Keys to Success

According to statistics guru Bill James, the Indians were the third-worst baserunning team in all of baseball in 2012. The Tribe also ranked 13th in the AL in runs scored and 12th in home runs.

Last year, only Shin-Soo Choo (21) and Jason Kipnis (31) had more than 20 steals, and Carlos Santana led the entire team with just 18 home runs.

Since 2008, Michael Bourn has stolen 257 bases, the most in all of baseball during that span. Drew Stubbs stole 30 bases with the Reds last year and has averaged 33 over the past three seasons.

With the acquisitions of Michael Bourn, Drew Stubbs, Mark Reynolds, Nick Swisher and Jason Giambi, the Indians should see a significant rise in both runs scored and home runs in 2013.

2013 Cleveland Indians Preview: Who Is Ready for a Breakout Season?

Lonnie Chisenhall—3B

Barring injury—the Indians' 2008 first-round pick (29th overall) is looking to have a breakout season in 2013. Chisenhall had arguably the best spring of any Indian, batting .400 (24-for-60) with four home runs and 12 RBI.

Chisenhall has shown glimpses of what he can do at the MLB level over the past two seasons, but his defense and injuries have held him back.

The Indians strongly believe Chisenhall is ready to be their every-day third baseman and start to showcase his middle-of-the-order potential at the plate.

2013 Cleveland Indians Preview: Opening Day Lineup

Here is how the Indians Opening Day lineup will look Tuesday night against the Toronto Blue Jays:

1. Michael Bourn—CF

2. Asdrubal Cabrera—SS

3. Jason Kipnis—2B

4. Nick Swisher—1B

5. Michael Brantley—LF

6. Carlos Santana—C

7. Mark Reynolds—DH

8. Lonnie Chisenhall—3B

9. Drew Stubbs—RF

***The only remaining players from last year’s Opening Day batting order are Brantley, Cabrera, Santana and Kipnis.

2013 Cleveland Indians Preview: Prediction Time

It's no secret that the Indians have made significant improvements from top to bottom since October. Besides adding one of the best managers in baseball, the Tribe now boasts an Opening Day payroll just above $77 million—an increase of over $12 million compared to this time last year.

The Tribe should continue to have one of the best bullpens in the MLB and could compete for the best defensive outfield with Bourn, Brantley and Stubbs. I would also argue that the Tribe has six potential All-Stars on their Opening Day roster: Michael Bourn, Asdrubal Cabrera, Jason Kipnis, Carlos Santana, Vinnie Pestano and Chris Perez.

On the other side of the coin, the Indians still have holes in their starting rotation.

GM Chris Antonetti has done a great job securing SP depth at Triple A with Carlos Carrasco, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Trevor Bauer. However, if the Indians are going to seriously contend all year long, they need their starting rotation to make significant strides from last season.

Projected 2013 Cleveland Indians Record: 84-78

Follow Jim McCarthy on Twitter: @JimMcCarthyJr

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