32-year old DH Travis Hafner had huge problems last season with his shoulder and it showed in his play. Hafner played in 57 games in 2008 and he was 39 for 198 (.197 avg, .628 OPS) with 21 runs scored, 5 homers and 24 RBIs. Hafner has not been 100% healthy this season as he has missed his fair share of games but when he has played he has looked good. Hafner has played in 86 games for the Tribe this season and he is 83 for 310 (.268 avg, .817 OPS) with 41 runs scored, 15 homers and 43 RBIs. The Indians hope that with another winter of rest that Hafner will be able to shoulder a full workload in 2010.

Indians’ GM Mark Shapiro was mining the Seattle Mariners farm system a few years ago and he came up with 27-year old lefty swinging outfielder Shin Soo-Choo and 23-year old switch hitting shorstop Asdrubal Cabrera. Choo has really stepped up this season as RF will be his in the future. He has played in 139 games for the Indians this season and he is 157 for 523 (.300 avg, .870 OPS) with 77 runs scored, 16 homers, 78 RBIs and 19 stolen bases. He just seems to be scratching the surface of his potential. Asdrubal Cabrera is now the full time shortstop for the Indians and he has a outstanding glove. That’s not all he does though as he has truly had a breakout season in 2009. Cabrera has played in 118 games for the Indians this season and he is 147 for 477 (.308 avg, .803 OPS) with 74 runs scored, 6 homers, 63 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. Now the Indians just need to find a 2B as Luis Valbuena has proved this season that he might not be up for the job. He was another player who came over from the Mariners in a trade.

When Ryan Garko and Victor Martinez were traded away last month the Indians needed someone to step up and play 1B. That guy has been 25-year old righty swinging Andy Marte which has come as a surprise. That’s because Marte came into this season having played in 174 games in the majors where he was 108 for 513 (.211 avg, .602 OPS) with 47 runs scored, 9 homers and 52 RBIs. In fact, the Indians even designated him for assignment and he cleared waivers which was a surprise as Marte was considered a top prospect up to just a couple of years ago. Marte has played in 23 games this season for the Indians and he is 22 for 80 (.275 avg, .771 OPS) with 12 runs scored, 3 homers and 15 RBIs. We’ll see in September if Marte keeps up the good work or proves to be a mirage.

Starting DH Travis Hafner is looking healthy for the first time in a couple of seasons and the Indians are benefitting from it. Hafner has played in 52 games this season for the Indians and he is 50 for 176 (.284 avg, .908 OPS) with 27 runs scored, 11 homers and 28 RBIs. At least the Indians didn’t trade Hafner so the fans will have one legit major leaguer to go see play when they go to Progressive Field.

26-year old lefty swinging outfielder Shin-Soo Choo is becoming a force in the middle of the Indians’ batting order. Choo has played in 81 games this season and he is 89 for 296 (.301 avg, .889 OPS) with 49 runs scored, 12 homers, 53 RBIs and 13 stolen bases. Choo is proving that the second half of last season was not a fluke as he is turning into GM Mark Shapiro’s better acquisitions during his time in Cleveland.