The 2007 Cleveland Indians were a good team. They won 96 games, and beat the Yankees in the ALDS, but could not quite get past the David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez-led Red Sox in the ALCS. The Cleveland rotation had a good rotation, with two 19-game winners in CC Sabathia and Roberto Hernandez, and a 15-win season from Paul Byrd. But it is tempting to think what would have happened if Cliff Lee would have been a productive member of that rotation.
Cliff Lee went 14-11 with a 102 ERA+ in 2006, but in 2007 the wheels totally came off. He would go 5-8 with a 72 ERA+ and would spend part of the season pitching in AAA. Then, in 2008, Lee would go 22-3 with a league-leading 167 ERA+, earning him his first All-Star selection and the AL Cy Young award. Of course, while Lee was having a career year the rest of the Cleveland rotation was a hot mess, with no player winning more than eight games. The Tribe, who were favorites to win the AL Central, would end the season with a .500 record.