After getting so close to the World Series in 2007 and the mediocrity that usually exists in the American League Central, there was reason to believe that the 2009 Cleveland Indians could make the playoffs. They added closer Kerry Wood to stabilize the back end of the bullpen that included lefty Rafael Perez, and righties Jensen Lewis and Rafael Betancourt. That didn’t work out. They added utility fielder Mark DeRosa, who never really produced offensively, and he was traded to St. Louis. With the Indians battling the KC Royals for the bottom of the AL Central, AL reigning CY Young winner Cliff Lee was traded to Philadelphia for four prospects (Carlos Carrasco, Lou Marson, Jason Donald, and Jason Knapp). Victor Martinez was traded to the Boston Red Sox for Justin Masterson, Nick Hagadone, and Bryan Price. Betancourt was traded to the Colorado Rockies for minor league pitcher Connor Graham and first baseman Ryan Garko was traded to the SF Giants for minor league pitcher Scott Barnes. The Indians bolstered their minor league system (where Double-A Akron won the Eastern League title) though by getting rid of top major league talent. However they still have talent at the big league level and some who are just about ready for the big leagues. Marson and Wyatt Toregas will share catching duties, keeping the spot warm for top prospect Carlos Santana. The Indians also have quite a few arms coming up through the upper levels like starters Hector Rondon, Jeanmar Gomez (who threw a perfect game for Akron in 2009), Eric Berger, Barnes, and Graham; and relievers Josh Judy, Steven Wright, and Vinnie Pestano. Youth should be served in the next few years for the Indians. Here’s a wish list:

1. 

   Rafael Perez

   Bullpen help: It seems as if there is a curse in the Indians bullpen that started in 2008. Whoever enters the game from the pen struggles mightily. Kerry Wood did not solidify the back end. The only positive (Rafael Betancourt) was traded away. New acquisition Joe Smith fought injuries all year. Chris Perez and Jess Todd, who came over from St. Louis for Mark DeRosa, couldn’t hold leads. It seemed like every week the Indians were shuttling relievers back-and-forth between Triple-A Columbus trying to find a combination that could consistently get hitters out. Rumors are that Wood is on the trade block but if he can regain his form that he had with the Cubs, Rafael Perez can setup him up from the left side, and Jensen Lewis can setup up from the right side like they did in 2007, the Indians could have a dominant bullpen. There are quite a few arms on the free agent market or they have the minor league talent to make a deal.

2. Consistency: The Indians were plagued by inconsistencies from every aspect of the game-offense, defense, starting pitching, and relief pitching. Every offensive player went through prolonged slumps. The bullpen was inconsistent all season. The rotation went through 11 pitchers, all struggling at some point. Only Cliff Lee had an ERA under 4.00. If the Indians could put all of their talent together all at once, the AL Central title is theirs.
3. 

   Grady Sizemore

   Healthy players: Grady Sizemore, the face of the franchise, battled through injuries all year, finally succumbing to elbow surgery. Sizemore put together his worst year as a professional: .248 in just 106 games with 18 homeruns and 64 RBIs. He only stole 13 bases (and was caught 8 times). Travis Hafner has missed significant time the last two seasons with shoulder problems, thus zapping his power. He hit just .244 in the last two seasons (in 151 games) with just 21 homeruns and 73 RBIs. If the Indians can get Sizemore and “Pronk” healthy in the middle of the order with Asdrubal Cabrera, Shin-Soo Choo, and Jhonny Peralta around them (and some combination of rookies), they could have one of the best lineups in the AL. When the Indians signed pitcher Jake Westbrook to a contract extension, they envisioned 200+ innings each year. Westbrook had become a workhorse, but all of those innings added up as he had Tommy John surgery in 2008 and setbacks during his rehab. If healthy in 2010, Westbrook could be the veteran starter to anchor the young rotation.