"The Indians' lineup hasn't been nearly as robust since Travis Hafner was regularly hammering pitches into the seats in 2006.

That was the year Hafner hit 42 home runs, amassed 117 RBI and batted .308. Then came the mysterious on-and-off slump of 2007 (.266, 24 HR, 100 RBI), followed by the injury-filled season of 2008, ending in October surgery to repair a shoulder injury.

This season was spent regaining strength in the shoulder. When Hafner finally returned to the team for good in early June, he was required to rest the shoulder every three or four days, hindering his ability to recover his batting eye and his swing.

''I still think I got a lot out of this season,'' Hafner said. ''But to have a full offseason will be a big benefit to me. I need to get on my regular offseason workout routine.''

Hafner finished the schedule with a .272 batting average, 16 homers and 49 RBI in 338 at-bats. Optimistically, using those numbers to project a full 550-at-bats season, Hafner would hit 26 homers and drive in 80 runs.

But even those numbers don't add up to being the Hafner of old. So can he ever again be the hitter he once was?

''All these experiences can make you stronger and smarter,'' he said. ''I guess injuries are part of the game. I've had surgery before, but the shoulder is different. It's tougher to go through.

''So every time I get injured, I have a newfound respect for being healthy and getting to play the game.''

Physically, there probably is no reason Hafner can't recapture the form that made him a discerning hitter willing to take a walk and a lethal run producer.

''I felt like my swing was a lot better for seven or eight weeks after I came back,'' he said. ''Then I struggled with consistency for the next couple of months. My plate discipline has not been where I wanted it to be.''

Not hitting the ball hard and far after an injury is one thing; swinging at bad pitches is another, something that Hafner seldom did before the injury."