Tribe hopes to learn from mistakes, rebound

An Indians' comeback will be tough to accomplish in such a strong division.
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (AP) -- Cleveland Indians players wore T-shirts emblazoned with the slogan "Easy To Be Average" at training camp Thursday, an indication the team is looking to rebound from a season of misfortunes.
One of baseball's biggest disappointments last season, the Indians know they must be much better than average if they want to return to playoff contention in 2007.
The Indians are a team with a lot to prove. After winning 93 games in 2005, they were a popular pick to win the American League Central last season, but a dreadful bullpen, sloppy defense and long stretches of lackadaisical play led to a disappointing 78-84 record and a fourth place finish.
"I think we learned a lot," said No. 1 starter C.C. Sabathia. "Everybody picked us to win the division. You'd watch TV and read the magazines and people were saying how great we were. I think it got to our heads a little bit."
Comeback won't be easy
Making a strong comeback won't be easy for the Indians, playing in a division where Minnesota, Detroit and the Chicago White Sox won 90 or more games last season.
"Some years are more difficult than others," said manager Eric Wedge. "Last season will qualify as that. If you keep your eyes and ears open, you can learn a lot, and I think we did."
Wedge was pleased with the first workout, which included batting practice, bunting and fielding drills, and pitchers throwing on the side.
"Our energy level was high," he said. "I will take every day like today."
General manager Mark Shapiro had a busy winter in an effort to fill the team's needs.
He signed relievers Joe Borowski, Roberto Hernandez and Aaron Fultz to bolster a bullpen that saved a major league low 24 games last season. The team also acquired second baseman Josh Barfield from San Diego and signed veteran outfielders David Dellucci and Trot Nixon to strengthen defense.
The Indians still have several question marks, particularly on the left side of the infield. Shortstop Jhonny Peralta's play fell off dramatically after a strong 2005 season, and not-proved Andy Marte will begin the season at third base.
Strong pitching corps
The team should rely on a strong corps of staring pitchers -- Sabathia, Jake Westbrook, Cliff Lee, Paul Byrd and Jeremy Sowers -- which combined for the third-lowest ERA in the league last season.
The lineup is headlined by leadoff hitter Grady Sizemore and designated hitter Travis Hafner, who hit 39 home runs, including a record-tying six grand slams, and drove in 110 runs, before missing the final 39 games with a broken right hand.
As the team opens training camp, it also is faced with several key players nearing the end of their contracts. Both Shapiro and Wedge are in the final year of their contracts, although Wedge has club options for 2008 and 2009.
Westbrook, 44-34 the last three seasons, also is in the final year of his contract.
Considering the deals less impressive starting pitchers received in the offseason, Westbrook could be out of the Indians' price range if he becomes a free agent. Should the Indians fall out of contention, it's likely he'll be traded by midseason.
Notes
The Indians signed one-year contracts with LHP Jeremy Sowers, RHPs J.D. Martin and Brian Slocum, INFs Ryan Garko, Hector Luna, Mike Rouse and Michael Aubrey and OF Brad Snyder. ... Wedge named Sabathia starting pitcher for the season opener on April 2 in Chicago. It's the fifth straight year Sabathia has been named to pitch the opener, although he missed the start in 2005 because of a pulled rib cage muscle. ... Wedge said Luna, competing for a utility job, needs to lose some weight. "He still needs to work hard to get in shape," Wedge said.