Pessimistic Predictions for the Indians’ 2012 Opening Day Roster

The Bench

Aaron Cunningham: The progress Cunningham made last year proves to be a fluke. He walks less, he strikes out more, and he’s unable to harness his raw power. Thanks to some positive BABIP regression he hits about as well as he did in 2011, but this time there’s no excuse for his substandard performance as his problems are more fundamental. It doesn’t take long for the Indians to realize they’re better off with someone else to fill out their bench. (full profile here)

Lou Marson: Marson doesn’t show any growth in 2012—his walk rate and power remain stagnant while his strikeout rate continues its upward trend. Combine that with a healthy dose of BABIP regression and his numbers will resemble those he posted in 2010 (.195/.274/.286, 59 wRC+). Santana has to kneel behind the plate almost every day and Marson is essentially an automatic out when he makes an occasional appearances in the lineup. (full profile here)

Jose Lopez: It’s 2011 all over again. Lopez gets off to a molasses-slow start—after a few weeks, even his slugging percentage is under .300. With a ton of other potential utility infielders waiting in the wings, the Indians quietly release him by mid-May. (full profile here)

Jason Donald: ZIPS’ projections (.248/.314/.350, 86 OPS+) end up to be optimistic as his walk and strikeout numbers remain stagnant, and being constantly moved around the diamond doesn’t do his glove any favors. Cord Phelps passes him on the depth chart and by the end of the year it’s clear that he doesn’t have much of a future in Cleveland. (full profile here)

Don’t forget to subscribe to our RSS feed, Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter!