"Travis Hafner's value to the Indians' lineup has been underestimated for years.

One reason: Between 2007 and 2010, he was not himself, first because of an on-and-off slump four seasons ago and then because of a shoulder injury that required surgery. He was a nonfunctional power hitter whose importance to the club had waned. He was both a pleasant memory and a disappointment, written off by the fans as a bad investment ($57 million).

He just wasn't Travis Hafner anymore, so it was time to move on. But this year, somebody with a striking resemblance to the REAL Travis Hafner showed up when the season began. He was swinging at strikes, taking walks and driving balls with authority, all things he hadn't done consistently since 2006.

Suddenly, not only was Hafner a valuable part of the lineup, he was indispensable. He is indispensable.

Granted, the team went on without him after he strained his oblique two weeks ago. But it's no coincidence that the offense has sputtered since then, and Indians manager Manny Acta has had to become a master juggler to fill the huge vacuum created by Hafner's absence in the middle of the lineup.

I realize the ongoing slump of Carlos Santana - which might be abating, at last - also has been a headache for Acta, and Grady Sizemore's bat was missing during a 15-day stay on the disabled list, but he has been back for more than a week.

The most significant missing part and biggest reason for the inconsistent attack is Hafner. Acta has alluded to this often.

If Hafner were available, the manager wouldn't have to use Travis Buck and Shelley Duncan as substitute cleanup hitters while Santana clears his head from the less stressful No. 6 spot.

So isn't Santana the problem? Not really. There is no reason to think that he should be a finished product, with the wisdom and polish of a five-year veteran, when he has spent less than a season in the big leagues.

A period of adjustment is inevitable. The shock would have been if Santana had hit like an All-Star from Day One right through to the present. It would have been nice to count on Hafner as a guy who could minimize the impact of Santana's youth and inexperience."