Cleveland Indians

The start of the baseball season is always highly anticipated.

Not only does it signal the end of winter, but fans can finally watch the game they love.

The shout of “Play Ball” is even more sought after in Cleveland this year.  Fans no longer want to hear about the doldrums of the NFL lockout, and the only thing worse than the Cavs' record is their effort. 

It has been announced that outfielder Grady Sizemore will begin the season on the 15-day disabled list. Although this was somewhat expected, it will shake up the batting order come Opening Day for the Cleveland Indians.

Manager Manny Acta has been quiet about where Sizemore will hit when he returns to the lineup, not wanting it to affect how the other players ready themselves for the season. 

After two disappointing seasons where he only played in 139 total games, Cleveland Indians outfielder Grady Sizemore seems primed and ready for a revival year. 

After only missing nine games from 2005 to 2008, Sizemore hit an unexpected injury bug in 2009, where he injured both his elbow and abdomen, and in 2010 where a microfracture surgery on his knee ended his season after only 33 games.

Back in early February, Texas Rangers third baseman Michael Young officially asked to be traded.

However, the Rangers have yet to be involved with any serious offers.

Part of the reason is that Young is set to make $48 million over the next three seasons. Also, Texas is asking for grade-A talent, which could only make matters more difficult.

With the status of Grady Sizemore uncertain for Opening Day, and Austin Kearns' off-the-field issues still pending, the Cleveland Indians have turned to a relatively unfamiliar face this Spring Training for stability in the outfield: Travis Buck.

Buck has logged 39 at-bats this Spring Training, tied for first on the team, while appearing in 13 games. 

Carlos Santana was only eight years old when the Cleveland Indians opened the doors to Jacobs Field in 1994. That team already featured Manny Ramirez, Jim Thome and others, and they would add and subtract All-Stars throughout the next decade as fans poured through the turnstiles in record fashion.

A decade and a half later, the park goes by Progressive Field, but little progress seems to be occurring. Cleveland fans led the league in staying home in 2010. Meanwhile, the team itself had no breakout stars, saw its only big-name prospect arrive and get hurt and won only 69 games.

Does the name Adam Miller ring a bell? It should.

Miller, 26, was the first-round draft choice of the Cleveland Indians in the 2003 MLB amateur draft, and just a few years ago was considered the future of the Indians pitching staff. Entering the 2007 season, Miller was Baseball America's No. 23-rated prospect in all of baseball. The 6'4", 200 lbs. flame-thrower was considered, at the time, to be the next Justin Verlander.

The Cleveland Indians can’t possibly be much worse than they have been each of the last two two seasons. After going 65-97 in 2009, Cleveland improved slightly last season winning 69 games. They once again finished in fourth place in the AL Central, but could be looking at a last place finish in 2011.

Just 24 days until Opening Day Indians fans.

In 24 days, we will finally begin our journey into another season of Cleveland Indians baseball.

Sure, expectations may be questionable by some, but who is to say the Tribe can't make some noise in the AL Central in 2011? In order to exceed expectations though, some players will need to step up when called upon and deliver in anyway they can during the 162 game marathon.

9 Innings Blog will be bringing you previews of every Major League Baseball team for the next 30 days. This is in accordance with our 30 teams in 30 days series. Today we’re bringing you the 2011 preview of the fledgling Cleveland Indians ball club. The Indians have prospects waiting to prosper in their organization, but I do not think this year will be the year each of them peak to their full potential.