Hello Tribe fans everywhere!

Hey, it might be 27 degrees outside in Erie, Pa., with more snow on the way, but deep down inside I feel toasty warm. It's because the pitchers and catchers have arrived in Winter Haven, Fla., and spring training is about to officially open for the 2008 Cleveland Indians. In late October, we pined after the Tribe blew a 3-games-to-1 lead against Boston, and missed out on going to the World Series for the first time in a decade. But, all and all, it was a wonderful season.

Except for a couple of low-profile transactions, the Tribe mostly stood pat during the off season. That was OK with me, because I didn't want the Indians to make a lousy trade in reaction to all those blockbusters the Tigers pulled off. It would be better if Cleveland would simply do what it takes to re-sign C.C. Sabathia.

One reason why I'm optimistic about '08 is the state of the Indians bullpen. Heading into last season, it was full of question marks. But the emergence of youngsters such as Rafael Perez and Jensen Lewis helped turn the relief corps into one of the ballclub's strengths.

I met Lewis in the spring of 2004 at Vanderbilt University, where he'd been one of the Commodores' top pitchers. Jeremy Sowers, another talented young hurler for the Tribe, who also pitched at Vandy, is a year older than Lewis. In personality and disposition, however, they are worlds apart.

While Sowers is quiet and reserved, Lewis is loud and emotional. Both players are extremely bright, though, and they each went back to finish their degrees at Vanderbilt. Lewis, in fact, still makes his home in Nashville, although he often returns to Cincinnati, where he grew up.

After a somewhat shaky start, Jensen quickly became a go-to guy out of the Tribe's pen. In 26 games, after his July 23rd callup, he posted a 1-1 record in 26 appearances, with a 2.15 earned run average. He also pitched well in the playoffs against the Yankees and Red Sox. If not for one bad outing against Boston, when he surrendered two runs in two-thirds of an inning, Lewis would have finished with and earned run average under 3.

Lewis throws hard, and he fanned 34 batters in 29 innings. That's what makes him so valuable, in my opinion. Eventually, I can see Lewis as a closer, although that job is likely to fall to Rafael Betancourt after this season, when Joe Borowski's contract expires.

I think what I like most about Lewis is his supreme confidence in his ability. Yet he's not the stubborn, John Rocker-type of idiot who refuses to make changes.

Yes, this should be a very interesting season, and I look forward to sharing my thoughts about it with you, my fellow Tribe rooters.

Be well, and dream of Chief Wahoo tonight.

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Quickie quiz: Name Jensen Lewis' favorite Christmas movie. Is it "It's a Wonderful Life," "The Santa Claus," "A Christmas Story," or "Miracle on 34th Street"?

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-- Kevin Cuneo

Hello Tribe fans everywhere!

Because the Indians made so few moves in the off season, the tendency is to think the club will perform about the same as it did in 2007. Most Tribe fans would love it if that were only true. It would be a mistake, however, to think that the Indians may not improve in 2008.

Personally, I don't think it will happen unless Ben Francisco puts up such impressive numbers in spring training that he forces his way into the Indians outfield. Francisco has much greater upside potential than, say, David Dellucci.

The other player who could make an impact -- but who probably won't -- is third baseman Andy Marte. The 24-year-old Marte came to the Indians in 2006 in the big deal with Boston for Coco Crisp. The Red Sox had acquired Marte, then a top prospect, from the Braves in exchange for Edgar Renteria. Tribe GM Mark Shapira thought Marte would anchor the hot corner for Cleveland well into the next decade, but, of course, it hasn't happened.

Marte is a talented player, but his swing is too long and he strikes out too often. He's also very streaky and can spend weeks in a slump. That's pretty much been his experience in the big leagues, where he's averaged only .201 during 94 games.

The Indians handed him the starting third baseman's job out of spring training in 2007, but he played like a complete stiff in the early-season cold weather and, after suffering an injury, was promptly replaced by Casey Blake. Marte spent almost all of the rest of the season at Buffalo.

Marte hit 16 home runs in 96 games for the Bisons, but batted only .267. It was virtually a duplicate of his numbers in Buffalo in 2006.

So, what's the story? Is Marte an overrated bum? Perhaps. But he might also be another Brandon Phillips, a talented young player the Tribe gave up on way too soon -- sending him to Cincinnati. Now he's a star.

Like Phillips, Marte is out of minor league options, which means unless the Indians keep him on the big league roster, they would likely lose him to another club. Already, Cleveland Plain Dealer baseball writer Paul Hoynes is writing that Shapira and Tribe manager Eric Wedge are underwhelmed by Marte's physical condition. He wasn't exactly as big as a house when he reported to camp at Winter Haven, but you might say he's as large as a garage.

Yes, it's disappointing, but the Indians learned their lesson when they jettisoned Phillips. They need to find a way to get into Marte's head and prepare him for the big leagues. Nobody cares how they do it. Perhaps they could put Travis Fryman on the job. He's part of the organization now, and if anybody knew the right way to play third base in the big leagues, Fryman did.

By the end of March, the Indians need to know if it's worth keeping Marte. If not, so be it. But if they move him out, they'd better be darned sure he's the next Russell Branyan.

Think of what it could mean to the club if Marte finds maturity and fulfills the promise that's always been predicted of him. At times, he's shown signs of being a pretty good glove man. If he can hit .265 in the big leagues, with, say, 20 homers and 75 runs batted in, that would be huge bonus for the Tribe.

Blake could help out in the outfield and at other positions, and the team would have much greater depth.

Realistically, Marte will probably turn out to be a disappointment, but this is spring -- a time of hope and dreams. If I was in Indians management, I'd push this guy as hard as humanly possibly to learn what he's made of. They might find they like what they see. And maybe Marte, unlike Phillips, will turn out to be a keeper.

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The answer to the last quickie quiz is: "A Christmas Story" is Jensen Lewis' favorite Christmas movie.

Today's quiz: Name the country where Andy Marte was born.

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-- Kevin Cuneo