Factory Of Sadness
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Indians: 3 players from the Eric Wedge Era who we wish played today

By Chad Porto

CLEVELAND - OCTOBER 16: Casey Blake of the Cleveland Indians hits a home run during the game against the Boston Red Sox at Jacobs Field in Cleveland, Ohio on October 16, 2007. The Indians defeated the Red Sox 7-3. (Photo by John Reid III/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND - OCTOBER 16: Casey Blake of the Cleveland Indians hits a home run during the game against the Boston Red Sox at Jacobs Field in Cleveland, Ohio on October 16, 2007. The Indians defeated the Red Sox 7-3. (Photo by John Reid III/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND – OCTOBER 16: Travis Hafner of the Cleveland Indians bats during the game against the Boston Red Sox at Jacobs Field in Cleveland, Ohio on October 16, 2007. The Indians defeated the Red Sox 7-3. (Photo by John Reid III/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND – OCTOBER 16: Travis Hafner of the Cleveland Indians bats during the game against the Boston Red Sox at Jacobs Field in Cleveland, Ohio on October 16, 2007. The Indians defeated the Red Sox 7-3. (Photo by John Reid III/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

DH/1B Travis Hafner

Now if Franmil Reyes is healthy, Travis Hafner does get the nod, as Reyes is having a solid season. Since he’s injured, however, the Indians don’t have a de facto designated hitter anymore and have had guys like Josh Naylor, Cesar Hernandez Owen Miller, and Jose Ramirez (among others) fill in at DH. So this isn’t an issue in swapping players, as the Indians don’t have anyone to swap out at the moment.

So you’re getting Hafner as is.

Hafner during his time with the Indians during the Eric Wedge Era was one of the most dominant hitters over a short span. From 2004 to 2007 he was a power-hitting machine when healthy. He averaged 31 home runs, 34 doubles, 108 RBI’s, all while hitting .298 and averaging 69 bases on balls (walks) against 115 strikeouts. Twice he had a 1.000+ OPS while finishing in the top eight and the top five of MVP voting respectively.

Hafner’s tenure during that Eric Wedge Era was cut short much like Sizemore’s by injuries. Neither man was ever the same again and the loss of both men sent the team into a tailspin but if you’re looking for a guy who can fit into this team and not take the spot of someone valuable, Hafner’s the guy to think about.

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