#8 - Cleveland Indians - The Spice Is Back

I use the term "guilty pleasure" too much. For example, I may refer to a mediocre album (such anything by Aerosmith) as a guilty pleasure even though there is SOME redeeming quality to the art (well, maybe not "Dude Looks Like a Lady," but I digress). A guilty pleasure should have NO redeeming qualities, but they are enjoyed nonetheless (example - any of the Seagal films with three-word titles). One of my true guilty pleasures is hot dogs, which I all think we can agree have no redeeming qualities.

However, there is one exception to my hot dog craving that takes the "guilty pleasure" title away from the miscellaneous meat product - Cleveland Stadium Mustard. It's the perfect hot dog mustard - strong, tangy, with just a hint of sweetness. The greatest stadium hot dog that I've ever had was a foot long with stadium mustard and onions at Jacobs Field in 2001. Is it bad that I'm still smiling at the thought of a footlong that I ate almost six years ago? Paging Dr. Freud?

The Indians are a team that usually can't cut the mustard (pun entirely intended). In 2006, big things were expected from the Tribe after their 2005 campaign that should have netted a playoff berth but for the fact that they played with their hands around their throat over the last week of the season. However, the Indians were the most disappointing team of 2006, finishing with a 78-84 record. This year, the Indians are back with largely the same young core of players, with a few notable upgrades. In the tough AL Central, the Indians will have their hands full, but the lack of attention being paid to them should let them play with less pressure. Their great hitting and steady pitching will lead them to the AL Central crown and to a team worthy of their stadium's mustard. Here's what to expect from the Indians in 2007:

Biggest reason for hope: People forget how good this lineup is. Grady Sizemore may now be the best leadoff hitter in the game. Travis Hafner will start winning MVP awards very soon. Victor Martinez is the best hitting catcher in baseball. Newly acquired (or should I say stolen) second baseman Josh Barfield will be a 25-25 guy. If the triumverate of C.C. Sabathia, Cliff Lee, and Jake Westbrook perform to expectations , and Jeremy Sowers follows up a successful rookie campaign by capably filling the #4 starter role, the Tribe could dominate.

Biggest potential nightmare: Did I mention that Sabathia is knicked up, and bears a striking resemblance to Fat Albert and David Wells? Did I mention that Lee will start the season on the DL? Did I mention that the Indians haven't won the World Series in 59 years? Did I mention that I'm nervous abot my pick?

Player to watch: Jhonny Peralta. In 2005, Peralta's first full season in the bigs was a smashing success. He batted third for the Tribe and had a solid .292-24-78 campaign with a .366 OBP and .520 SLG. However, in 2006 those numbers sunk to .257-13-68, with a .323 OBP and ugly .385 SLG. Perhaps as bad, he got a reputation as being lazy and out of shape, and was dropped to ninth in the order. So will Jhonny be Good in 2007? He's still only 25, and there's time to recover before he turns into the next "fat Elvis" Carlos Baerga.

Why do we still have to watch this player?: Trot Nixon, but only because I wanted him to retire as a Red Sox player. Be good, Trot - I expect you to have the Indian on your cap pine tarred out by Game 2.

Telling Statistic: Looking for a good reason for Cleveland's 15 game decline from 2005 to 2006? In 2005, the bullpen ERA was 2.80 with 15 blown saves and a 77% save percentage. In 2006, the pen's ERA was 4.66, with 23 blown saves and a ghastly 51% save percentage.

Interesting fact signifying nothing: Who has the best lifetime average in Tribe history? Would you believe that it's Shoeless Joe Jackson? Before he was a victim of the Black Sox scandal, he amassed a .374 lifetime average in Cleveland. Just mentioning this fact makes Kevin Costner's nipples a little more erect.

Projected record & finish: 90-72, 1st place, AL Central - lose in ALDS

Prediction that won’t come true but should: Albert Belle comes out of retirement in midseason. His bat has slowed, but he becomes adept at stealing signs via the GPS that he attaches to each visiting manager.