I look into the crystal ball and see....

Pre-amble: With the Indians leaving a huge question mark at the end of the season, they are really fogging up the brains of many Tribe fans. We all wonder "Who is this team, and what is their identity?" And no one knows this question. But we do know this, our team is strong and is one. We "will" be one of the best teams in the league in years to come. You count on it.

The rebuilding process has brought up Michael Brantley who has showed everyone how he can dazzle at the plate, and on the base paths. The people who disbelieved his batting eye quickly shut up at the sight of his extraordinary performances. But what really is in the crystal ball? What information can we really find out? Here we go.

** What are the conditions for success?

The way I see it, the pitching needs to hold up for any so called "success." The offense is their already, but the pitching his holding the team down. If you look at the past two years, we had two Cy Young's. If we can continue to get guys contributing on the mound as a whole, I think we have a great shot competing again for the Central title.

If guys like Aaron Laffey step up and have a big year, they can really prove the "non-believers" wrong. He is a strike thrower, who attacks hitters and pounds the outside corner's. He usually goes 6 strong giving up around 3 earned runs when at his best. He really needs to get going in order for us to be considered "top tier" again.

Other needed contributors include Fausto Carmona, who really has "lowered" his game since the 07 season. If the sinkerballer can get back into form, maybe he can dazzle us into the postseason. His groundball/flyball ratio needs to climb again, as he performs at his best when doing so. If he can start to get ahead of hitters, and really work batters, look for a contending year.

** Who are going to be the biggest contributors?

Michael Brantley will be "the biggest," in my mind, as the speedster will sit atop the lineup and will be the ignitor for years to come. He will make or break the offense, as his speed will make pitcher's have to get him out. Brantley's great eye, can prove alot as he will be able to get a ton of walks leading to long innings for opposing pitchers. This kid is good.

If there were any contributors at all, Asdrubal Cabrera pops into my head, as he really can hit the baseball. This year he has made up for his numbers last year as he is hitting .306 with 17 SB. He can really play, and is showing the Indians that he deserves to be the guy to "build around." AC will be lodged in the two spot next year, and will need to contribute "big" in order to contend.

Pronk has had a fair season, and is getting to be closer to normal than he has been in years. I think next year will be his breakout year, as he will be mashing balls into Pronkville all year long. Travis has already gotten some of his stroke back as he has been hitting the ball even to opposite field this year. Although his stats don't account for it, he has had a stellar season offensively. Look for him to open a few eyes!

I think a guy that needs to keep on contributing is Jamey Carroll. He has really been a key factor in this lineup this year, making for a tough out, and a nuisance at the plate. He goes with pitches and slaps them the other way when needed, and never strikes out. He is the guy who you don't ever get credit for, and he goes un noticed. Its time for him to get some respect, and Jamey, you are a great hitter buddy!!

** Who is most likely going to contend with us?

The team that has the chance for most success in my eyes are the White Sox. They have traded for "ace" Jake Peavy and Alex Rios to really jump start a poor offensive team. With Gordon Beckham in the lineup maturing fast, it looks like this could be another potent offensive year for a club that hasn't been too strong in the category.

If they continue to add onto an already "stacked" team, this could get even worse. The Indians sure aren't going to have it easy. The White Sox are stuffed in the rotation with Buerhle, Contrares, and Peavy. It looks like they are really going to shine in the starting rotation as well in the bullpen with Bobby Jenks. Its looking very bright for the White Sox as they keep building up their already "huge" tower.

If they don't contend, the Tigers will. With Verlander, and now Porcello in the rotation, they are looking to mow down hitter's next year. The offense already has it, with Cabrera doing his "thing" and Granderson spraying the ball all over the "triples" park. They look like they just keep growing as a club, and they are getting to be better and better every year.

If the bullpen collapses, we are screwed. Like I said before "Not having a bullpen in Cleveland, is like not having a pencil in school, it sucks!" And that is completely true showing that years the Indians have been successful, the bullpen has been as well. Guys like Tony Sipp have really shown up as his numbers stand at ERA 3.12, 41 appearances, with 12 earned runs given up in 34.2 innings pitched.

He is a guy that I really like personally. He throws strikes and pounds the strike zone. And last but not least, he doesn't let inherited runners score. He is just a monster and terrorizes other teams at will. I am telling you this guy is money. The bullpen could be great, but we "do" need a consistent closer. Kerry Wood doesn't get the job done time in and time out.

If I were the Indians I would put in Chris Perez as closer, making Wood into a setup guy. Perez had a 13 innings scoreless streak going before giving up a three run bomb to Marlon Byrd for the Texas Rangers. Perez also is a strike thrower, and really relies on his slider as a strike out pitch. I think he would fit the role perfectly and we will succeed if he is in the position.

Picking up someone in the offseason would be huge. A young team added onto a tough veteran, or someone with experience would be huge to the ego of this team. One contributor alone could jumpstart this team that hasn't been the life of Cleveland since the 90's. If we can start getting some key free agents, then I will believe we "have a chance."

A pitcher even, maybe a good relief pitcher, could really make the bullpen "that much better" giving them maybe more of a chance to win games. It really goes like that in this game, one player can really prove big on one's team, example: Mark Teixeira. Look at the Yankees now! So we need to go and find someone to really hold onto and cherish.

Its been a tough season and it was fun to look into the crystal ball and ask questions. The Indians have had it rough these past few years, and if they follow these rules, they will succeed magnificently. I can feel the playoff fever rush through my body as if it were yesterday. I can hear the beat John Adams is booming on his drum.

We do have a shot in Cleveland, just like the Rays. We are young and talented, and have a ton of speed. Heck I wouldn't be surprised if the Rays and us play the same style of baseball: steal after steal after steal. We Clevelanders haven't seen a fast team since Omar and Kenny were together. Now that was a fun team to watch. Could happen again Cleveland!!

Predictions are fun, but if you get too caught up in them, they can break your heart. So make predictions often, but don't get crushed when they are wrong, or you aren't right. The Indians might be horrible next season, or they might win 100 games. Who knows. Just ask me in September and I will tell you how the season is going okay?