What awaits Tribe fans as the 2010 season enters its second half?
View full sizeRookie catcher Carlos Santana is earning a spot in Tribe fans' hearts with his bat.Cleveland, Ohio -- The Indians finished the first half of the 2010 season so deep in the AL Central cellar that they have to look up to see down. The Tribe stumbled into the All-Star break with a 34-54 record, 15 1/2 games behind the division-leading Chicago White Sox.
But there are some bright spots on the horizon. Catcher Carlos Santana is emerging as a star. All-Star Fausto Carmona seems en route to regaining his 2007 form. Outfield Shin-Soo Choo's thumb injury isn't as bad as first was feared. Journeyman Jayson Nix is adding unexpected power from the second base position. And to top it off, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera is on a whistlestop tour through the Tribe farm system en route back to the big club later this month.
What's more, skipper Manny Acta seems to know how to handle a young, inexperienced -- and OK, admit it -- not-so-talented team and get the best out of it. By way of proof, we offer the entertaining baseball the Indians were playing going into the break.
So we ask you, what lies ahead for the Tribe for the next 74 games? Who will be traded and why? And beyond that, does it seem as if maybe, just maybe, the 2011 season holds a ray of hope? Be sure to use the comments section to offer advice to Acta, Paul Dolan and Mark Shapiro (and keep it civil, OK?).