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cleveland indians ‘Playoffs or bust’ is mantra of players
Photo
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Zack Cozart tags out Cleveland Indians’ Jason Kipnis (22) on an attempted steal of second in the first inning of Monday’s spring training game in Goodyear, Ariz. Kipnis is one of the Indians’ young players being counted on 2012.
Associated Press
CLEVELAND
Once the swelling subsided and the bumps and bruises healed, the Cleveland Indians reflected on their injury-scarred 2011 season with surprising affection.
Sure, it was cruel and painful. Disappointing for the team and its fans? Better believe it.
But in the end, it was worth it.
The spectacular start and the improbable come-from-behind wins that were overshadowed by a disastrous finish made the Indians better, stronger and ready for more.
“This team is built to win now,” said All-Star closer Chris Perez. “That’s the way we look at it. We know from a year ago how tough it is to win for an entire season. We’re better prepared to deal with that.
“It’s playoffs or bust.”
The Indians led their division for 95 days last season, but October baseball went on without them in the lineup. They’ve been hardened by the experience from last year, and after adding some veteran depth to plug some holes and handle injuries this time around, the Indians believe they can chase down Detroit in the AL Central and make the postseason for the first time since 2007.
“A year ago, we were supposed to be the worst team in the world,” said Justin Masterson, who went 12-10 last season and earned the opening-day start against Toronto. “Well, we believed in ourselves and snuck under the radar on some teams. We’re out to do that again. Why not? It’s like the NCAA tournament. A lot of the big teams end up losing to the guys who are hungry.”
The Indians made an 11-win jump in 2011 and they’ll need to make a similarly large leap this year to make up a 15-game deficit to the Tigers, who made a $214 million investment in slugger Prince Fielder this winter and have been penciled in to repeat as Central champs.
Cleveland’s not ready to concede anything just yet.
“Last year, the Tigers weren’t predicted to win our division and the White Sox were. How did that work out?” said Perez, who had 36 saves.
Beyond staying healthy — Cleveland used the disabled list 22 times in 2011 — the Indians need some of their core players to have bounce-back seasons. There’s not a comeback more vital than one by Ubaldo Jimenez.
Acquired at the trading deadline by general manager Chris Antonetti in a bold trade with Colorado, Jimenez went just 4-4 in 11 starts for the Indians, who hoped his addition might be the boost they needed to make the postseason. Instead, they went in the other direction and the right-hander failed to be Cleveland’s answer to Detroit’s Justin Verlander, the Cy Young and MVP winner.
Jimenez hasn’t eased any concerns with a sluggish spring, but the 28-year-old believes he’ll be much better following a season where injuries and a scenery change took their toll. He’s in better shape physically after conditioning during the offseason under the supervision of an Indians trainer in the Dominican Republic. Jimenez said he’s in a better mental state as well.
“The Indians gave a lot for me,” he said.
“As a player I understand that. Every time I take the mound I’m trying to give 100 percent. I wasn’t healthy last year. This year, if everything goes wrong, I’m going to be like, ‘OK, that was me. Sorry.”’
The Indians shouldn’t have to apologize for a four-man rotation of Masterson, Jimenez, Josh Tomlin and Derek Lowe.
“When I came to Cleveland, I was very excited because it was a pennant race,” Jimenez said. “It didn’t work out, but why can’t it this year? When the Rockies kept winning in 2007 to get into the playoffs and then the World Series, nobody believed in us but us.
“Why can’t that happen here?”