The Cleveland Indians flirted with being a contender in the A.L. Central this year before finally falling apart in September due to injuries.  They finished in second place in the A.L. Central with a 80-82 record, 15 games behind the Tigers.  Here is a look at the things that stood out to me in 2011:

TEAM MVP:  25-year old switch-hitting shortstop was the starter in the All-Star Game for the American League (after Derek Jeter bowed out) as he was outstanding in the first half of the year for the Tribe.  He faded late in the year but his overall numbers were very solid.  Cabrera played in 151 games for the Indians last year and he was 165 for 604 (.273 avg, .792 OPS) with 87 runs scored, 25 homers, 92 RBIs and 17 stolen bases.

BEST PITCHER:  26-year old righty starting pitcher Justin Masterson turned in an outstanding year for the Tribe in 2011.  He pitched in 34 games (33 starts) for the Indians last year and he was 12-10 with a 3.21 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP.   Masterson was a workhorse for the Tribe as he worked 216 innings in which he gave up 211 hits (only 11 homers), walked 65 batters and he whiffed 158.

PLEASANT SURPRISE:  The bullpen was outstanding for the Indians in 2011.  26-year old righty closer Chris Perez worked in 64 games out of the pen last year and he was 4-7 with 36 saves, a 3.32 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP.  26-year old righty Vinnie Pestano (1-2, 2 saves, a 2.32 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP in 67 games) and 27-year old righty Joe Smith (3-3 with a 2.01 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP in 71 games) really did well for the Indians from the right side.  From the left side it was 29-year old Rafael Perez (5-2, 3.00 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP in 71 games) and 28-year old Tony Sipp (6-3, 3.03 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP) were also very effective for the Indians.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT:  27-year old righty starting pitcher Fausto Carmona gets this dubious honor.  The Indians were hoping that Carmona was going to build on a very effective 2010 season, but he certainly didn’t as he regressed big time!  Carmona pitched in 32 games (all starts) for the Indians in 2011 and he was 7-15 with a 5.25 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP.