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Indians believe surprise awaits
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TRIBE DIEHARD: Sarah Welsh holds a baseball during a visit by three Indians players to Akron Children’s Hospital on Market Street in Boardman on Tuesday. She was among the 100 Indians fans who listened to pitchers Aaron Laffey, David Huff and Chris Perez speak on the team’s chances for 2010.
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Aaron Laffey
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David Huff
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Chris Perez
By Tom Williams
Three Indians pitchers visited fans in Boardman on Tuesday.
BOARDMAN — Coming off their second straight disappointing season, Indians pitchers Chris Perez, David Huff and Aaron Laffey believe the Tribe could be this summer’s surprise team of the American League Central Division.
“Minnesota is always competitive,” said Perez, who was in Boardman on Tuesday along with Huff and Laffey as part of the Indians’ press tour at Akron Children’s Hospital Beeghly campus.
“Chicago has made some moves and will have [pitcher Jake] Peavy for a whole year. They are probably the favorites,” said the 6-foot-4 righthander who was traded from the Cardinals last June for infielder Mark DeRosa,
“Detroit has a great lineup ... but when it’s all said and done I think we might have a chance to finish second,” Perez said. “Hopefully, we’re going to compete for first.
“I think we’re going to be a lot more competitive than people think we’re going to be,” said Perez who made 32 appearances for the Indians in 2009, compiling a 4.32 earned-run average.
Huff, who was 11-8 and made 23 starts, agrees that the Tribe has rebound potential.
“The Twins and Tigers are looking strong,” said Huff who was a Mahoning Valley Scrapper in 2006. “I can honestly say that we could be a sleeper. A lot of teams are probably going to overlook us after the way we finished the last two years.
“As young as we are, I think we are going to surprise a lot of people,” Huff said.
The Indians will be led by new manager Manny Acta, who has replaced Eric Wedge.
“I had a long talk with him this morning,” Huff said of Acta, the former manager of the Washington Nationals. “Everything you have heard about him — the fire, the passion, a competitor — it’s all true.
“I talked with him for 20 minutes today and honestly I was motivated for the season to start today,” Huff said. “He’s a great guy, he knows what he’s doing.”
During spring training, Huff and Laffey are hoping to join Fausto Carmona and Jake Westbrook in the Indians’ rotation.
“I think we’re going to be good, that we are going to have a strong rotation,” said Laffey, who became a starter for the Tribe in 2007. Last year, he went 7-9 with a 4.44. ERA. “Jake is the number-one guy when he is healthy and Carmona is one of the best in the big leagues.
“As for the rest of us, we have some guys who have shown some flashes of some good things,” Laffey said. “I think we are going to open up some eyes this year.
“A lot of people are counting us out because we are young and rebuilding. I don’t believe in that.
In 2007, the Indians won the AL Central then eliminated the New York Yankees in the first round of the playoffs.
Cleveland had a 3-1 lead over the Boston Red Sox in the AL Championship Series before the Red Sox rebounded for the pennant and a World Series sweep of the Colorado Rockies.
After a slow start in 2008, the Indians finished 81-81 for third place. Last season, the Tribe again stumbled at the start, finishing 65-97 for fourth place.
“There are jobs to be won and we’re all competing for spots,” Huff said. “It’s going to be a fun spring training.”
Asked about his memories of being a Scrapper, Huff said, “I remember the pink jerseys. One of my best games was when [we wore the] pink jerseys and they sent [the tape] to Cleveland. I thought, ‘Wow! This is awesome. I’ll probably be the only pitcher [they see] in a pink jersey.
“It was a great year. The town was great, the fans were great, the host families were unbelievable.”
williams@vindy.com
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Aaron Laffey
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Chris Perez