Is Cleveland Losing Patience with Fausto Carmona?
Sources within the Cleveland organization were disappointed by Fausto Carmona's last start, as well as, presumably, everything he's done since winning 19 games with a 3.07 ERA in 2007, according to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer.
"There was a feeling that Carmona should have been able to get through the seventh or eighth inning," Hoynes wrote. "The fact that he didn't shows he is a long way from being a legitimate No.2 starter. And he's even farther from being a potential replacement for No. 1 starter Cliff Lee if he should be traded sometime during or after this season."
Boy, is that ever true. Since the start of the 2008 season, Carmona has a 5.52 ERA, with 168 innings pitched, 96 walks and 85 strikeouts. That's not number two starter material. That's not even number five starter material.
Carmona is only 25, but something is seriously wrong there.
Indians Rumors: Shoppach, Roberts, Street
Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer discusses the Indians’ offseason needs.
- With Victor Martinez, Kelly Shoppach, Carlos Santana, and others, the Indians have a surplus of catching (and mad guitar skills). The Red Sox, Marlins, Reds, and Tigers are known to be in the market, so maybe the Indians can deal a catcher to fill another need. Those other needs: an infielder, a late inning reliever, and a starter.
- Hoynes believes the Indians will fall short of meeting the demands of free agents Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, and Rafael Furcal.
- Hoynes implies the asking price for one year of Brian Roberts is Fausto Carmona and Asdrubal Cabrera. That won’t work for the Tribe; they are looking to add a starter. They might have the same problem if they try to acquire Garrett Atkins.
- As we’ve heard, the Indians are in on Huston Street.
- Hoynes tosses out a couple of possible free agent bargains that may come with the necessary price break: Joe Crede and Jason Isringhausen.
Odds and Ends: Hudson, Cano, Mariners GM
Links for Wednesday…
- ESPN’s Jayson Stark reminds us that Manny Ramirez could’ve been traded to the Phillies in July. But the Phils wouldn’t offer Lou Marson, didn’t like the idea of Manny in right field, and were concerned about Ramirez’s hustle.
- Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog gives his early sense of the team’s offseason approach. He doesn’t seem them splurging on one of the big free agent names.
- MLB.com’s Marty Noble heard Orlando Hudson "yearns to play for the Mets" (hat tip to MetsBlog).
- Jamey Newberg believes in the Rangers’ plan.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post doesn’t believe Robinson Cano will be traded, because the Yankees are valuing him as if 2008 did not occur. He names Fausto Carmona as an example of a pitcher the Yanks would not accept for Cano.
- Sherman also notes that Bobby Abreu and the ivy-covered brick wall at Wrigley might not be the best match.
- The Mariners will interview five people for their GM vacancy this week: Peter Woodfork (D’Backs), Jerry DiPoto (D’Backs), Tony Bernazard (Mets), Kim Ng (Dodgers), and Tony LaCava (Blue Jays).
- The Angels signed Korean pitcher Jang Pil-Joong, who just finished serving in the army.
- I did a couple of interviews recently: over the phone with MLB Interviews and over email with Pinstripes Published.
Indians Sign Carmona To Extension
11:46am: Rosenthal says it’s $15MM over the four guaranteed years; that’s about the going rate. That implies the free agent options average about $11MM per year.
My own opinion – the Indians still aren’t likely to re-sign Sabathia, but this deal has little bearing on that. Perhaps the cost certainty and discount increase the chances ever-so-slightly.
10:12am: Castrovince has some details. Carmona actually gets four guaranteed years. The total package could be worth $43-48MM over seven years.
9:34am: According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Indians have signed starter Fausto Carmona to a three-year contract extension with club options for 2012-14. A news conference is scheduled for this afternoon. MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince first suggested the possibility of a Carmona extension back in December. I’m guessing $8MM or so is guaranteed over 2009-11, but we’ll see.
Carmona, 24, broke out last year with 215 innings of 3.06 ball. He’ll inherit the ace title if C.C. Sabathia departs after the season.
Indians Asked About Miguel Cabrera
Anthony Castrovince has a few notes about the Indians this evening.
- For Miguel Cabrera, the Marlins asked for Asdrubal Cabrera, Adam Miller, and then some. Obviously the Tribe said no thanks.
- There’s not much going on with the Indians and Jason Bay. And rumors of their interest in Alex Rios proved false.
- Cliff Lee has been linked to the Mariners, Pirates, and Blue Jays. However no one has given the Indians an actual offer for Lee.
- Castrovince suggests the Indians may explore a long-term deal for Fausto Carmona this spring.