AL Central Predictions - 5th Place Cleveland Indians

As the days of spring training dwindle down the excitement for the new season to begin is overwhelming. Here at Copa Times this can only mean one thing. It's time to make some predictions. I'm going to start right off with the AL Central. I'm going to start with last place and move forward. Check back everyday for another installment. (Hey before you know it it'll be opening day!)

The AL Central is going to be a tough division for the 2010 season, well at least on paper. There have been some big changes made by most teams and its really could be anyone's division this year. Now on to my 2010 AL Central Predictions.

AL Central 5th Place - Cleveland Indians

It seems like yesterday that the Indians were the up and coming team in the AL Central. Trades the past few years have sent some of the Teams best major league talent packing for up and coming prospects.

Grady Sizemore and Shin-Soo Choo are solid in the outfield, and Cabrera is a talent at shortstop.

There pitching staff is the big question mark! Fausto Carmona has pitched well this spring and the Indians will need a big season from him. Last year was very disappointing going 5-12 with a 6.32 ERA.

After Carmona the next known starting arm would be Jake Westbrook and he didn't even pitch in 2009.

Another injury that I feel Cleveland never really recovered from is the Travis "Pronk" Hafner shoulder injury. He was such a great run producer in the middle of the line-up and never was replaced.

Cleveland has a strong nucleus of Sizemore, Choo, & Cabrera, however there pitching is something that will make or break them in 2010. Unless alot of the teams in the AL Central struggle I really don't see Cleveland making much noise in the Standings. Cleveland might struggle to get to 60 wins this year.

Maybe the Indians will use the kind of magic seen from the Indians in the Movie, Major League, it looks at least on paper that they could use Rick "Wild Thing" Vaughn in the rotation.