Can the Cleveland Indians Contend with Their Offense

Continuing the assessment of the Cleveland Indians, another aspect is to really look at the offense as a whole. Last season, it showed one particular that stood out, they are extremely too dependent on Travis Hafner and Grady Sizemore. Yes, when they are healthy, they can be productive but for them to be the end all, be all of the team really is a sign of weakness. Nevertheless, it's going to be fair to give an evaluation of what the team has from each area of the field and even the designated hitter.

First Base

Right now, it looks to be an area that could be a glaring weakness. Matt LaPorta has not emerged as the first baseman that they had been hoping for since the C.C. Sabathia trade. In between him and Carlos Santana, it's a matter of trying to get the right one. Will they trade for one? It won't be for lack of trying but that has to be resolved to give them a chance.

Second Base

Maybe they found their guy in Jason Kipnis. Only time will tell once he becomes more adjusted to the Major Leagues and how he responds to other teams since they will have footage of him. All he has to do is simply show what he can do.

Short Stop

Asdrubal Cabrera had a really solid year in 2011. All he has to do at this point is build on it. The Indians should do whatever it takes to keep him with them for a longer period of time. The reason for that has more to do

Third Base

It looks to be a potential competition between Lonnie Chisenhall and Jason Donald if he is not on the bench. The reason for that is because they are the only ones that are there that could play that position at the moment. Could that change? Perhaps it could but only time will tell.

Catcher

Carlos Santana was a key piece that was acquired in the Casey Blake deal. Since the one major injury in 2010, he has looked a little bit lost at the plate. In 2011, it became obvious that with him, it was either going to be hit a home run or strike out. In that regard, it was very frustrating to watch. For him to be become a better player, he'll need to boost his average up. Yes, there is potential with him but

Left Field

Michael Brantley seems to be back to this position since it's probably going to be apparent that Sizemore is going to be playing Center Field. Of course, there is the chance of actually of it being switched around.

Center Field

Grady Sizemore was resigned by the Indians despite declining the option for 2012 that would have paid him $9 million guaranteed. He has been one that has been hit with a major amount of injuries and had surgery. Like Travis Hafner, he can be effective when healthy but can the Indians count on him to be healthy for a majority of a season as an outfielder? Perhaps they should consider him and Hafner splitting DH time.

Right Field

Sin-Shoo Choo really had a bad year. From a DUI to just being distracted, it just seemed like a down year from him in contrast to the years of him hitting well. He appeared to be getting out of that slump that slowed him down early in the season but injuries piled up on him. Right now, it has to be written as a bad year and hopefully not a sign of things to come because they are going to need him to produce as well.

Designated Hitter

Travis Hafner is the likely candidate to be the DH for the team. It is known that when he is healthy, he is effective but can he be counted on? Most likely, it is expected he will probably wind up on the DL at least once if he is playing too much. Yes, he has been hitting a bit and can produce but the health is the bigger concern. If they put all the pressure and reliance on him to be the hero of the Indians, they are in deep trouble because they will not win the division.

Bench

There's Lou Marson, Shelly Duncan, and Jason Donald as the most recognized names on that area. Assessing that, it comes down to the fact that they can be effective when playing. Whether it ends up happening is another story.

Overall

Cleveland has a chance but it's going to come down to more than two players getting out there and getting those hits. If they continue to be dependent on Hafner and Sizemore, it's going to cost them in games and possibly winning the division.