After trading two Cy Young winners and an All-Star catcher in the last three seasons, the Indians are clearly in rebuilding mode. With three other teams making a push for the division, Cleveland is looking towards the future.

Offense

Grady Sizemore burst onto the scene five seasons ago, steadily improving his game on his way to becoming one of the best outfielders in the majors. He unfortunately had to end his 2009 season early after elbow surgery kept him out of the lineup.

Even though Sizemore had an off year by his standards, he still managed to hit 18 home runs and drive in 64 RBIS. Look for Sizemore to return to his All-Star form and be the heart of the Indians’ order.

Shin-Soo Choo, the Korean right fielder who broke onto the scene last season, is looking to maintain and build upon his solid numbers. Choo hit 20 home runs to go with 86 RBIs while hitting .300. The Indians are hoping that Choo is their right fielder of the future, and this season will be very telling as to whether or not he can play that role.

Russell Branyan, the 34-year-old first baseman, had the best season of his 12-year career last summer while playing in Seattle. His 31 home runs and 76 RBIs were by far the best of his career (he had not hit 20 home runs in eight seasons).

Branyan claims a vision-training program helped him get the bat on the ball more frequently, but we will have to see whether it will carry on into the new season. Branyan has not played in a spring training game because of a bad back and hopefully he will be ready for the beginning of the season.

Catcher Lou Marson and outfielders Matt La Porta and Michael Brantley were all dealt to the Indians in the trades that sent Cliff Lee and C.C. Sabathia out of Cleveland. Marson only played in 21 games last season, but is looking like the starting catcher for the tribe (after Victor Martinez was shipped out of town last season). Marson has some work to do on the offensive end if he is going to prove that he is the Indians’ catcher of the future.

La Porta hit seven home runs in 52 games last season. While he has all but locked up his spot in the lineup, he will need to look out for Brantley, who drove in 11 RBIs and stole 4 bags in 28 games (while hitting .313). As the season progresses look for both of them to get playing time in the outfield.

Travis Hafner, who hit 42 home runs four seasons ago, is looking to find his swing again as the designated hitter, Luis Valbuena will start at second, and Jhonny Peralta, who drove in 83 RBIs last season, will start at short.

Pitching

After missing most of the 2009 season following Tommy John Surgery, Jake Westbrook will take the mound as the Indians opening day starter. Westbrook has not played in a full season since 2006 (when he won 15 games). He will need to stay healthy this season as he tries to get his mechanics back into major league form.

Fausto Carmona, most remembered for his 19 win, 3.06 ERA season in 2007, has not lived up to the hype over the past two seasons. While he has only made 22 and 24 starts the past two summers, he has only won 8 and 5 games while his ERA has blown up to 6.32. Carmona will need to step up this season if he is going to keep his job and stop all the prospects the Indians picked up from breaking the rotation.

Justin Masterson, who came to the Indians in the Victor Martinez trade, will pitch in the third spot. The hard throwing Masterson struck out 119 batters in 16 starts, while winning 4 games. If he can work on his control and lower his ERA (4.52), Masterson has the potential to become a very strong major league pitcher.

In his first season in the major, David Huff won 11 games for the Indians. Like Masterson, if he can work on his control he could find a home in the Indians rotation for seasons to come.

Aaron Laffey, who won 7 games in 19 starts, will pitch in the fifth spot for the Indians.

Prediction

The Indians have a few strong bats in the lineup, but has no pitching to back them up. After unloading three of their best players over the past couple of years, even the Indians realize that they are nowhere near close to contending for the division.

Look for Sizemore to regain his form, but it will be for nothing, as the Indians will be battling it out with the Royals for last place in the AL Central.