The X-factor

In his 13 years playing shortstop, Shawon Dunston was one of the NL's hardest throwers. Now he'll be playing second for the first time. Not that Dunston is just an arm—he put up some of his best offensive stats last season at age 35, batting .300 with 22 doubles, 14 home runs, 57 RBIs and 32 stolen bases in 132 games for Pittsburgh and Chicago. If he gets close to those numbers and has only 14 errors (the total for Fernandez and Roberts at second last season), the Indians will be just as solid in the field and have a better bat in that slot. If not, we have one word of advice for Thome: Wear a cup, pal.