"Hordes of Indians fans have written off Travis Hafner.

''He's over the hill,'' or ''Injuries have taken too much out of him,'' or ''I don't know why, but it's time to get over him and move on.''

In other words, if Hafner rebounds from one slump-ridden season (2007) plus two more (2008, '09) ruined by an injury that included shoulder surgery, he will instantly return to being the beloved strong-armed hero who could hit soaring drives over every part of the fence and walk 100 times.

That's the fun part of being surprised.

Keep in mind that few Tribe partisans believe that will happen. But the facts might be otherwise. Not that facts always lead to logical conclusions in baseball.

Asked whether there was any reason he shouldn't have a productive year, Hafner said, ''If I'm healthy and able to get back to my approach and mechanics, I think I'll have a good season.''

Manager Manny Acta wasn't around to see Hafner struggle intermittently in 2007 for no apparent reason, then have a comeback undermined by a shoulder injury that required arthroscopic surgery after the 2008 season.

Acta was not yet the Indians' manager in 2009, when Hafner made a halting return to the lineup, but he did watch Hafner play several games on television, so he has some perspective.

''Last year, what you saw was a guy favoring his shoulder,'' Acta said. ''He was not 100 percent. But I could tell from Day One of spring training he was swinging a lot better, using the whole field.

''He's the key for us. I think if he's healthy, he'll have a good year. He doesn't have to have a year like 2006, just a normal 30 [home runs], 100 [RBI].''

The reference to 2006 is telling. It was Hafner's most productive season, including 42 home runs, 117 RBI, a .308 batting average and 100 walks in only 454 at-bats.

Why should anyone in his right mind think Hafner's troubles are behind him? During the spring exhibition season, he has looked more like the 2006 Hafner than the guy who stumbled around trying to recover his skills the past three years.

He is batting .300 with two home runs, four doubles and 12 RBI in 40 at-bats. Maybe most importantly, he has walked 11 times.

So what? Are Larry and Paul Dolan paying Hafner more than $11 million to trot to first? In a way, yes. When Hafner is taking pitches - especially close pitches - he is at his best as a hitter.

As Acta said, ''That means he trusts his hands now. He didn't do that last year.'' Hafner is able to wait longer on a pitch because he knows his repaired shoulder will generate enough bat speed to catch up to the pitch.

''I used to hit one way, and all of a sudden I started to hit a little different,'' Hafner said. ''Baseball is all about consistency, doing things the same way. That's how you develop a good eye.

''At no time last year was I swinging the way I wanted to. It was important for me to get back to that [drawing walks]. I feel like I'm