After a disappearing act over two years featuring injuries and disappointing play, Travis Hafner's return is one of the biggest stories of the Indians 2009 season.
However, it isn't the most important factor that could lead them on the path to success this year. The bullpen and situational hitting were problem areas for the Tribe in '08.
Hafner's stardom rose to its peak in 2006, then fell off the tracks some time after signing a major contract extension. His injury troubles have forced him off the field and into the DH spot of the lineup.
With power bats in the lineup such as Victor Martinez, Grady Sizemore, and Jhonny Peralta, Hafner provides another solid bat in the middle of the lineup.
However, his injury situation and lack of production in the last two years have raised questions about Hafner's ability, with some people thinking steroids.
Hafner still remains a fan favorite and many fans believe if he returns to his old form, the Indians may challenge for the World Series.
However, even with this being one of the factors to Indians' success, it's not the most important for 2009.
One word—bullpen.
After a great season in 2007, the bullpen struggled, especially in the earlier part of the season, blowing lead after lead.
Pitchers such as Joe Borowski and Masa Kobayashi were called upon, and failed to close the deal several times.
Even Rafael Betancourt, who was nearly unhittable in '07, seemed to struggle last season. Rafael Perez and Jensen Lewis showed some promise, but weren't enough to stabilize this bullpen.
Adding Kerry Wood and Joe Smith should help to strengthen the horses in the pen, while Kobayashi, Betancourt, Perez, and Lewis are among those returning. The remaining bullpen spots are still up for competition.
The other major flaw in the Tribe in recent years is hitting with consistency. The team finished in the top 10 in most strikeouts in 2008, most coming in situations with runners on second and third.
Peralta is one of the biggest victims of strikeouts, grounding into 26 double plays on the season.
Three Indians hitters finished in the top 30 in most strikeouts.
To sustain success, they must be more patient at the plate and jump on good pitches in the strike zone.
The second half of the year looked more like the 2007 model, but by then the damage had been done. They were knocked out of the playoff race and could never recover.
Getting a good start in 2009 is crucial to their hopes of making the playoffs.
However, odd years have been good to the Tribe, with a 93-win season in 2005 and an ALCS appearance in 2007.
Time will tell, but playing in the Central requires great pitching and solid hitting.
If the bullpen can lock teams down and hitters have timely RBI, the Tribe could be looking at big things in 2009.
Travis Hafner is obviously a big reason for potential success, but he is not the most important to their success.
But he, like everyone else, has a role to play in 2009.
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