Now or never for Tribe, C.C.

By ED PUSKAS Tribune Chronicle Sports Editor
One way or another, 2008 will be a pivotal season in Cleveland Indians history.

The Tribe could end generations of baseball misery and finally win the World Series title that has eluded Cleveland since its 1948 championship.

The Indians could again hold on to a star through the end of his contract and hope for the best, only to lose him to free agency.

The Indians could get off to a slow start and decide to deal free-agent-to-be C.C. Sabathia during the season, in the hopes of acquiring some talent to extend their current window of opportunity in the American League.

Or maybe the best-case scenario happens, and the Indians win the World Series and Sabathia signs a contract extension during the post-October euphoria and remains in Cleveland for the rest of his career.

Well, OK, that’s a bit optimistic, but it is baseball season and hope springs eternal this time of year.

One way or another, this figures to be a year to remember for the Indians.

More than likely, however, the window could be closing on the Tribe and Sabathia, at least in terms of togetherness.

Indians fans have seen other stars enter their contract seasons amid talk of how Cleveland is their second home, only to have them play out the string and sign with teams willing to add a few more zeroes or a couple more seasons to a contract offer.

Albert Belle? Took the money and ran after the Indians and their fans put up with a decade of his anti-social behavior.

Jim Thome? Decided Philadelphia was the place to be because the Phillies were willing to add more years to a deal.

Manny Ramirez? Bolted for Boston as fast as one of his laser shots used to leave Jacobs Field.

Indians fans would like to think Sabathia will be different, but he is a dominant left-handed starting pitcher coming off a Cy Young season. The Red Sox, the New York Yankees or one of the West Coast teams are going to throw the kind of money at Sabathia that Indians general manager Mark Shapiro probably won’t be able to match.

The New York Mets overpayment for Johan Santana during the winter probably ensured Sabathia — barring injury — is in line for a paycheck the Tribe won’t sign.

So unless C.C. decides to accept a hefty hometown discount, 2008 could be his final season in an Indians uniform. That’s how it is for small-market teams. They develop the talent and, eventually, Boston, Los Angeles and New York pay to reap the rewards.

But that fact of baseball life doesn’t have to cast a shadow over the season, especially if Indians perform as expected. If they’ve recovered from October’s ALCS meltdown against the Red Sox, the Indians are certainly talented enough to win the AL Central again, or at least qualify for the playoffs as a wildcard.

From top to bottom, the Indians’ lineup is as potent as any in baseball. This team will score runs. Grady Sizemore, Victor Martinez and Travis Hafner are all MVP candidates, and the rest of the lineup is solid.

Sabathia and Fausto Carmona didn’t pitch well in the playoffs, but they match up against any AL team’s 1-2 punch. Veteran right-handers Paul Byrd and Jake Westbrook are consistent, and if lefty Cliff Lee regains his form in the fifth spot, the Tribe’s rotation could be the AL’s best.

The bullpen was a strength last season, and the Indians tweaked it even more during the offseason.

The Tribe resides in what could be the AL’s strongest division, and Detroit figures to be improved with Miguel Cabrera’s bat and Dontrelle Willis’ arm in the mix, but the Minnesota Twins don’t have Santana anymore and the White Sox were awful last season.

This could be Sabathia’s final season with the Indians, but it could be one to remember, just the same.

epuskas@tribune-chronicle.com'>epuskas@tribune-chronicle.com