SuperStar worries

As i mentioned yesterday one of the topics I wanted to focus on was Sizemore, the leadoff spot in the Tribe's lineup , and whats gonna happen when Hafner's contract runs out.

My biggest concern is not for this year or the next, but right now the Indians have a huge lack of star potential as far as position players are concerned in the minor leagues. Baseball Prospectus doesn't show any potential upcoming offensive starts to take the place of when Hafner's contract runs out in 2008. Now the Indians obviously could attempt to resign him, but there are two problems that are associated with that. One is a 32 year old player with a "old-player" skillset is a big risk to take even if it is Hafner. So the Indians will have to decide whether or not they want to take a big risk with a big contract on Hafner, or try and fill that void with someone else. However, Hafner was one of the best offensive players in the league period...his VORP total of 79.7 compared with the likes of Howard and Pujols (both over 80) and he missed the last month of the season. So Shapiro will have a pretty big decision to make when Hafner's contract runs out.

Then lies the next problem, if Hafner goes, where will that missed offensive production come from? I think Sizemore's next couple of years could tell us what we will need. If Sizemore gets even a little bit more power you can envision him being a 3 or 4 hitter in the lineup, however then you need to find someone with a good OBP to top the lineup. Trevor Crowe possibly could have those qualities, but hes a centerfielder( a position we got locked down for quite some time) and unless he starts hitting for more power himself hes not gonna be suited for a corner.

However, if Sizemore's production stays the same then we will need someone with lightower power to take Hafner's spot in the lineup. Where the Indians will find it, I really don't know. It would be pretty easy if Marte turned into the superstar he was thought to be a couple years ago, but his production has yet to match those expectations in the majors.