Jason Davis

Davis played the Buffalo-to-Cleveland shuffle for most of the year, but capitalized on an opportunity in the second half of last season. After a 5.04 ERA before the break, Davis hit on all cylinders to a 2.16 ERA after and enters 2007 as a big part of the Tribe's pen. As with most Tribe relievers, Davis also figures to be in the closing mix as well.

Davis had a nice season in Triple-A, striking out 77 in 95 innings and reaching the upper 90s with his fastball. However, when he ascended numerous times to the big leagues, he stunk, walking 20 in 40-plus innings. The Indians continue to try him as a starter, but his stuff seems destined for the bullpen. No matter how he is used, there is plenty of competition for pitching spots in Cleveland, and Davis might be in for another year bouncing between Buffalo and Cleveland.

In retrospect, the Indians may have brought Davis to the majors too soon. He skipped Triple-A and spent all of 2003 in the majors, coming down with a tired shoulder late in the year. He was hit hard out of Cleveland's rotation in the first half of 2004, righted himself in Triple-A, then pitched well out of the bullpen in September. Davis has a great fastball, but his mechanics are inconsistent. He is a huge wild card for 2005: he could shine out of the bullpen, get hurt, or fall somewhere in between. Watch his role in spring training, and don't count on him for 200 innings.

Very much ahead of schedule, Davis progressed very well in 2003. Manager Eric Wedge treated, or "prehabbed" him very well and Davis should be that much stronger in 04 as a result. He will be a mainstay in the Tribe's rotation for years to come, but because of his team, he will lose more than he wins this year.

Davis threw very well during his cup of coffee in September, and will vie for a job in Spring Training. We tend to think he'll bounce back and forth between Cleveland and Buffalo, earning a permanent major league job in 2004.