Yardbarker: Fausto Carmona

Blogging the Offseason: Cleveland Indians

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:00:00 -0500

Blogging the Offseason is a 30 team series in which I ask a blogging representative from each MLB team a series of ten questions about their desires and thoughts surrounding the offseason. Check out all of them here.

Today's AL team is the Cleveland Indians and our guest is Scott Sargent from the Cleveland Blog Waiting For Next Year.

1. What are you thoughts on the Manny Acta hire? Were you hoping for someone else?
I think the Acta hire makes sense. For one, he's used to working with a team that continually disappoints. Secondly, he's a very solid coach that I think gets a bum rap due to the record that continually hangs over his head. The down side is that if we revisit this number in a year or two, it won't be much better. I know that I a lot of Tribe fans wanted a big name. Don Mattingly would have been nice, but when you have a cheap owner that will already be paying Eric Wedge for another year, you're not getting the big name. If anything, Acta will be able to connect with the Latino contingent that Wedge seemingly just could not do after firing Luis Isaac. Couple all of this with his reputation for developing young talent, and it works for me. I just hope that our youth is actually talented...

2. Fausto Carmona has been a disaster the past two seasons, is there anyway he can be salvaged?
Take out the 19-game, Cy Young worthy season and Carmona has been a disaster essentially every year. His issues seem to be mental more than anything, so I definitely think he can be salvaged. If the staff can get Carmona to have a short-term memory and focus on his mechanics when things start to go awry, he could be right back where he was in 2007. The big question will be on who the pitching coach will be as this may be his primary goal.

3. Grady Sizemore is still just 27 years old but it appears as if the Indians might be in a rebuilding mode, would you entertain the thought of trading him this offseason?
Next to Shin-Soo Choo possibly having to serve military time in South Korea, this is the million dollar question. When the Lee/Martinez trades went down, I could have put money on the fact that Sizemore would have wanted out. He was promptly shut down with his elbow issues, and really hasn't been heard from since. He's signed through 2012, so his bat (and hopeful leadership) could definitely be used. However, as you said, the team needs to make a deicsion. If Sizemore is in the long term plans, they need to extend him yesterday. If not, he may need to be dealt as the team shouldn't expect to compete until his contract is about to be up. But that's just the Cleveland way, no?

4. What do you think is the Indians biggest area of need for the Indians to address in the offseason?
Hands down the starting rotation. As of now, Carmona or Jake Westbrook look to be opening day starter. Westbrook and Anthony Reyes are coming off of Tommy John's. Aaron Laffey has a ton of potential, but seems to get bit by the injury bug every season. Last year's fifth starter Scott Lewis was hurt for the majority of the year. Carlos Carrasco was lit up like a Christmas tree after his call-up. Alas, most of the Indians starters wouldn't be more than a fourth or fifth option on the majority of other MLB teams. I guess that's what happens when a team trades away to Cy Young winners for bats and bullpen options...

5. Who are a few logical free agents that you think the Indians will target in the offseason?
Jamey Carroll is a free agent, so the team may need a utility type infielder. Assuming that Andy Marte makes the squad, I can see Shapiro trying to squeeze out one or two more years out of someone like a Felipe Lopez or (ex-Indian) Johnny MacDonald. On the pitching front, I think that the team will try to nail down at least one starter, but tossing a name out would just be silly at this point as the front office could totally surprise and just roll with what they have. I could see another gamble a la Carl Pavano - so if I had to take a stab, I'd say Mike Hampton just for ***** and giggles. Odds are, though, that it will be someone more like Kip Wells.

6. Watching Cliff Lee and Sabathia in the World Series had to suck but from the assets you garnered in both deals, whom do you think will have the biggest impact to the Indians in 10? Beyond?
The year 2010 will likely only feature Matt LaPorta, Michael Brantley, Carlos Carrasco and (likely) Lou Marson. If I can add in Chris Perez/Jess Todd - from the Mark DeRosa deal - they too will have a sizable role. But of the four, I'd really have to say Brantley. In a small sample size, Brantley looked to be the leadoff guy that the Tribe have longed for since the days of Kenny Lofton. If Manny Acta realizes what countless fans do, then he will start things off with Sizemore batting third behind Asdrubal Cabrera. LaPorta could be the 35-40 HR guy that many had forecasted, but I'm still a bit cautious given his lack of progression to this point coupled with his age.

Beyond 2010, I'd put Brantley right up there with Jason Knapp. After all, Knapp better produce if the Indians were willing to get rid of Cliff Lee (with a year still left on his deal) for a raw 20-year old with an alleged killer fastball. Of course, he's the same 20-year old that had to be shut down with shoulder issues, so I could be left with Brantley at the top of the list.

7. You've gassed your owner and have convinced him to spend like the Yankees, which three free agents do you sign?
Gassing the owner would be enough for me.

But if I also were able to convince him to pick three free agents... Matt Holliday, John Lackey and Chone Figgins. I was all about Holliday when the talks were swirling towards the end of 2008. Lackey could be signed and slotted at the top of the rotation just like that. Figgins would bump Brantley to the nine-hole which would take off some of the pressure and give Acta a very versatile infielder. I salivate thinking about a Figgins-Cabrera-Sizemore-Holliday lineup. And then I realize that we're talking about the Indians.

8. Which Indian prospect yet to find himself in a game are you most looking forward to in 2010?
Hands down, Carlos Santana. He'll likely start the season off in Columbus, but there's a solid shot that this kid can make the fan base forget about Victor Martinez. Leadership skills aside, Santana can flat out rake at the plate. I know that a lot of fans are still miffed that we traded Sabathia and Lee for perceived no-names, but they'll also need to remember that Santana came mid-year for Casey Blake. This is going to wind up being one hell of a deal in the favor of Shapiro. Let's just hope he can capitalize on it.

9. I'm giving you the option to cut players without any salary repercussions, which Indians do you part way with?
Travis Hafner and Jake Westbrook. Both players were extended around the same time, both make a ton of money, and both just can't seem to stay healthy. Hafner has committed grand larceny over the last three seasons - we (WFNY) still feel that the only way that Victor should have been traded was if the other team was willing to take Hafner as well; sort of like the NBA. Obviously, that didn't happen and one of the highest paid players on the Indians has absolutely zero trade value. I don't even think he owns a glove....

10. Final Question, you've got a crystal ball, the Cleveland Indians will make the playoffs in ________.
The fan in me says 2012. Mark Shapiro did it before in a three-year period (after the Bartolo Colon deal). However, Sabathia was here and the players he traded for consisted of Grady Sizemore and Cliff Lee. By 2012, Knapp should be ready. Nick Hagadone will be ready. Carrasco will still be young. It will take all of those named panning out along with LaPorta and Brantley turning into this decade's version of Albert Belle/Kenny Lofton for that mark to be met. Otherwise, we will be looking well beyond this date - especially if the Dolans are the ones cutting the checks at said date.

The Indians and Free Agent Starter Pitchers

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:35:30 -0500

More photos » by Mark Duncan - AP Staff ace Justin Masterson. Browse more photos » 12 different pitchers started games for the 2009 Cleveland Indians. The staff was led in starts by Fausto Carmona who took the mound 24 times despite spending part of the season with Indians' farm clubs. In creating the rest of the 2010 staff and it's depth options, all of those 12 pitchers will not be in the p...

2009, The Thank You Cleveland World Series

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:21:00 -0500

If there is a single fan base that will suffer the most at the start of tonights game, it most certainly will be the Cleveland Indian fan. CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee are the two defending AL Cy Young award winners. They both are slated to pitch games 1,4, and 7 of the World Series. They both won their awards in an Indian uniform but never lead them to the World Series.

In 2007 the Indians led by CC Sabathia and Fausto Carmona won the AL Central and with the help of some handy midges defeated the Yankees in the ALDS. Unfortunately for them that would be as far as they would go. Unlike in 2009 CC Sabathia did not pitch 16 innings while just giving up 2 runs, he instead took two losses. Meanwhile, Cliff Lee didn't discover his brilliance until 2008 and didn't even pitch in the playoffs.

At the start of the 2008 season the Indians were the AL Central favorite and had a rotation which consisted of both CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee. Unfortunately for them, Fausto Carmona shat the bed and after a few key injuries and the spontaneous shrinking of pronk, the Indians shopped and sold CC.

2009 started off much like 2008 for the Indians. Cliff Lee like CC in 08 struggle some out of the gate, in part due to some horrendous run support, and the Indians dug themselves a very early hole. At the all star break as the Indians had already began to accept their poor reality, the Indians once again sold off their defending Cy Young Award winner to the highest bidder.

Now just a few months removed from the Lee deal, Indians fans are forced to watch potentially 3 games in the World Series in which the only starting pitchers are former members of their rotation. It must suck to be an Indians fan.

Image Courtesy of the Very Depressed Waiting for Next Year

Breaking Down Acta: The Press Conference

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:15:00 -0500

HOLY CRAP

Has this guy been in the organization longer than one day or something?

He talked as if he's been here for awhile.

He dropped a Hector Rondon mention! I mean, who does that?!

He even dropped Nick Weglarz!

Um he was asked about Fausto Carmona specifically and he narrowed in to his final two starts as if he was in the dugout for them.

I mean, does this guy do his homework or what?

Let's start going over things... I'm going to talk quotes, but I'm just going through the presser and giving you my opinion as I hear it, I've pretty much listened to this thing twice now. I'll throw in specific quotes from Hoynes and AC's articles.

He recognizes a lot of things: the history of this franchise for the most part (the 455 sellout streak), the passion of the fan base, the weaknesses of the team (the starting pitching), the effort is going to take and the division they play in. He was sort of kind on it though calling it the "most balanced."

"These people over here are very good poker players." Got a chuckle out of me. It would hard to not be aware of you not being a favorite. I think this directly speaks to how aware he is, but only of the things that matter. He cares about Aaron Laffey taking the next step, but not necessarily the media reports that he himself is the favorite for the job. Sure he could be aware of that, but I think it just says a lot about what he values. Baseball is first with this guy.

He talked about not being a Youtube highlight. This isn't going to go over well with the people that wanted Wedge to show fire. Acta sounds like he is just like Wedge in the instance that he's a competitive individual, but not one to wear his emotions on his sleeve. I think a manager needs to know when to speak up and I think Wedge didn't do the greatest job at this.

Acta comes off as someone and given what he's said, as having that quiet competitive spirit that Wedge did. We'll have to see if he has the knack to know when to speak up. Shapiro called him an elite communicator, so remember that.

"If you give people the opportunity to choose between, say, Joe Torre after his first three years with the Mets or the Joe Torre now, I believe everyone would pick the one from now," Acta said. "I think we have to look back and know that not everybody who is a big shot now was a big shot when they started. I think big shots are just little shots who keep shooting, and I'm not willing to quit shooting until I become a big shot."

The response to his question about the record with the Nationals was brilliant. He made it all about the Indians and not about the Nationals. Yeah it was a rebuilding process and whatever, but this is where I'm at now and that's what I'm focused on. Then he referenced Joe Torre specifically as you can see above and gave this funny thing about big shots and little shots. I loved it. It shows he realizes this is his second chance to prove what happened in Washington happened in Washington and that he's far better than what that showed. Brilliantly handled.

He talked about the influence of Frank Robinson. That is not a bad guy to learn from.

"I battled this organization for years in the Minor Leagues," Acta said. "This is a place where a lot of people want to be. In 2007, I worked as an analyst during the playoffs [for Spanish-language FOX Sports] and fell in love with the Indians back then."

It really sounds like this guy eats, sleeps and breathes baseball. He talked about the 2007 stint as an analyst and how he fell in love with the team. He talked about seeing it from the other side when he was in the minors. So he is aware of some of the current guys just from that perspective.

The point when he starts naming players. Jake Westbrook, Peralta, Laffey, Carmona, Huff, Rondon, Santana, Weglarz, Mills. Just floored me. Okay he knew Jake Westbrook was good and needed him to get back and that Fausto and Jhonny have struggled. But to pull out Laffey and Rondon and Weglarz! WEGLARZ!

The lineup discussion is interesting. We'll get to that later, but it sounds the normal run of the mill perspective. You want a lineup but if changes need to be made, changes need to be made.

Big on pitching and defense was something he mentioned specifically as "big." You know I like that.. At this point he mentioned for the second time how athletic the team was.

With that he talked about the starting rotation and he fielded a question directly about Fausto Carmona. I mentioned it above, but he sounded like he was with Fausto with the two starts when he looked better. It's good to know they have a prior relationship though.

He tackled his favorite stat, which seemed to be OBP. Big on getting on base because that provides you chances to score. He threw in a little OPS love for Shapiro, but he was big on getting on base.

I loved when the woman in the press said the "1997 Indians" and he immediately corrected her. I don't even want to address what she said though because it wasn't really a question worth anything.

He isn't even waiting till winter to reach out to his players. He said it starts tomorrow. Beautiful, beautiful. He follows it up with his first joke about how he sucks at golf, so why do that? Again he eats baseball.

"It was very tough day for me emotionally," said Acta, who grew up in the Astros organization. "That being said, we have to do what's best for us. I felt Cleveland was perfect for me."

Acta confirmed he made his decision Saturday night and talked a little bit about making the decision between his "dream job" and the Indians. I think he made it clear this was a better situation.

Tackled Peralta. He said he has a higher ceiling and that he's going to reach out to him, which makes me happy if he's going to be around. He realized how important Peralta is to the success of this club offensively.

Acta said he will use the first few weeks of spring training to get a feel and take a look at guys, but that the last few weeks, it is "all out." You gotta love that Anti-Wedgeites.

Ah the Grady leadoff question... Knew that was coming... Of course Acta said he'll look at things. He keyed on LaPorta though saying it might rely on him and where they put him.

Acta said what I've been thinking.. Things aren't totally bad if this rotation is fixed. The problem is the rotation is really lacking that it really hurts. You put together a rotation you can do some things.

Um wow he's reference two reporters (David and Terry Pluto) by name. Seriously has this guy been around?

"People are always going to say the same things when things don't work out," said Acta. "I really don't worry about my reputation. Reputation is only what people think and say about you, and I can't control that."

Terry Pluto by the way brought up the discipline issue with Washington. Again, Acta said the right things. Things were said, by Washington of course and he's moving on. He mentioned how nothing was said when they exceeded expectations and he isn't worried about what went down.

I love the fact that he has that same sort of demeanor. It's what I liked about Wedge. Yeah I don't care about my reputation. I'll take the brunt and the blame, I can't control it. Let the players do the work type of mentality. Wedge protected his guys, I think Acta will do the same. He did it in Washington.

Mark Shapiro chimed in... At that point he laughed and said "this has been the best press conference ever."

Anyway Shapiro mentioned the elite communicator thing and said there was an "ease" talking to him. Shapiro wouldn't comment on Valentine specifically when asked. He made a general statement about insights gained from the guys they brought in to talk to and the ones they talked to on the phone.

"Every decision in life is tough," Acta said. "I wanted to come to a place where I can grow with the front office and the good group of young, talented players we have here, and become good for a long time. ... I consider myself a blessed human being. Both jobs were offered. It was a very tough day for me, emotionally. But that being said, you have to do what's best. And I felt that Cleveland was best."

Back to Acta... He was up front about not knowing much about the city itself. He said fans want to win just as much as everyone else and they don't come to see him, but the product on the field. But he did realize the passion and how could you not? Every city has it. He just might not know that this fan-base is a little crazy.

Manny wants someone in a bench coach that is managing with him, someone who is thinking and he can turn to and ask.

If Jamey Carroll returns, he'll have to pick yet another new number as Acta is taking 11. 14 was retired (Uh Doby!!!) so 11 it is after his birthday.

Okay.. Now Acta did a follow up with Bruce Drennen on STO. You can view that video here.

My impressions, because of course Bruce has to be nice and ask about his family.

Lefty/Righty... He used that "common sense" guy thing. He's a stats guy of course, so yeah he'll do what he needs to do. I loved his "bikini" comparison, brilliant.

Acta clarified a comment he made in the press conference when talking about the lead-off spot. I was kind of confused but he did say Choo was like LaPorta that he could change who does hit there based off where he hits.

Let's revisit the coaching discussion because this is something big that Bruce brings up. Acta said nothing will be forced on him and that they will make the decision as a team. They've already begun the process and according to Hoynes, they hope to have a staff finalized in the next two to three weeks.

Bruce brought up Luis Isaac specifically. Yaaaa.

Acta went back to the athletic point when Bruce brought up the national league style of ball. Acta seems like a guy who is going to manage to what his team's skill set is. I don't think he's a guy set on some sort of approach or mindset. He goes with what his team can do and I like that.

And because I didn't even bring it up, the whole thing with his 800-word English book. That's just fantastic.

And that would do it.

Overall.. I was impressed, just as much as I was with the initial media session. The guy has a way with words. He may be from the Dominican but he has a good grasp on the English language and knows his way around it, perhaps better than some Americans even do.

It all comes down to the field though. This is all well and good and I can sit here and praise him for his press conference and his interviews. But we're about to get into the testing of Manny Acta. Let's see what he's got. It was a good day for the Cleveland Indians right now and hopefully when we look back on it in a few years, it turns into a fantastic day.

Watch (part of) the press conference here.

Listen to the entire press conference here.

Game 150: Indians 11, Athletics 4

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 18:41:56 -0500

More photos » by Dino Vournas - AP Fausto Carmona only gave up runs in two innings. But what innings they were. Browse more photos » I suppose the one saving grace of this hideous September is that it will force major changes in the Indians organization. The Indians are now tied for last place in the AL Central, and just one game ahead of Baltimore for the worst record in the American League. Now they aren...

Another Heartbreaker as Tigers Sweep Tribe

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 09:00:58 -0500

A somewhat old version of Fausto Carmona came to play Thursday afternoon, unfortunately so did the bad old Rafael Perez. This was yet another game in which the Indians had plenty of chances to win, but came up short as they ended their stay in Detroit by getting swept. This loss was a 4-3 extra [...]

Fausto Turns Back the Clock

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:00:46 -0500

On a mild Sunday afternoon at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario, Tribe starter Fausto Carmona jumped into his own personal time machine and set the clock to 2007. He gave himself, and the fans who came out to Progressive Field a real treat in the Indians 6-1 win over Seattle. Fausto, who hasn’t won [...]

What Is Going On With Fausto Carmona?

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 23:06:38 -0500

More photos » by David Richard - AP What does this all mean? Why won't you tell us how you feel? Browse more photos » As I said in the recap earlier, I'm pretty befuddled by what's going on with Fausto Carmona lately. I'm hardly alone in watching Fausto closely this season and primers on his performance thus far can be found here and here. In his start today, Fausto struck out 8 ...

Tribe’s Quiet Bats Lose to Rangers / Thursday Tribe Open Thread

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 11:00:28 -0500

Last night Fausto Carmona was a tough luck loser. Carmona who has looked infinitely better since returning to the bigs recently put up 6 frames of solid pitching. He gave up five hits and two earned runs while walking three and striking out three. His rough inning was the third. Fausto started out by hitting [...]

Is Fausto Carmona Calming Down?

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 11:00:45 -0500

With the Cliff Lee trade watch essentially an “advisory system” away from being full go, I felt it would be prudent to discuss the guy who could then be looked at as our “ace” come next season: Fausto Carmona. Assuming you’ve stopped trembling from reading that, it may be worth noting that he is only 25-years [...]

Morning Update: Carmona Comeback Tour Hits Akron

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:09:00 -0500

Have you heard the news?

Fausto Carmona is coming back.

And after making a successful return to Lake County, the Fausto Carmona Comeback Tour took a stop in Akron last night.

What's the goal for Carmona?

After staying in his delivery last time out, the Indians wanted him to repeat that and turn in another good performance in a row.

That he did.

He didn't walk anyone and to me, that's awesome.

Now, I imagine they'll have him have one more go at it in Columbus before they consider getting him back to the big leagues.

Man if this is what he's needed, then I'll take it. We know what Carmona is capable of and if all it took was a hiatus away from the world and a little comeback tour throughout the minor leagues, then let's get that 19-game winning, nasty stuff Carmona back.

Or at least someone who can get hitters out.

Injury updates galore from yesterday, but thankfully these are starting to dwindle.

Rough set-back for Scott Lewis, who removed himself from a rehab start on the 21st after just four inning of work. Lewis will visit Dr. James Andrews for a second opinion after no structural damage was found. Who really knows what's up with him.

As it was pointed out in numerous places, Grady Sizemore will have surgery on that bothersome elbow, but not till after the season. No biggie right now, unless of course you are Grady, who's playing through the pain. He's a bit of a warrior though.

Tomorrow Jake Westbrook begins to throw again and apparantely he's feeling good. It's going to be another week of throwing just from flat ground before they put him back on the mound. What an irritating process this must be.

Rafael Betancourt might be on track to return soon. If all goes well on Thursday's session, he can be cleared to make his rehab assignment starting Friday.

He could join Aaron Laffey, who will make what he and most of us hope is his final rehab appearance for Columbus. Laffey is healthy and ready to go, but the performance of his last game left a lot to be desired and Eric and Mark want him to be coming in on a good note, not a shaky one. Laffey, given the volatile situation with the pitching staff right now, understands.

"We need to see more than that before we bring him up here," manager Eric Wedge said before Monday's series opener with the White Sox.

"I can't do the same thing everybody else is doing," Laffey said. "They need someone to come in and give them quality starts and not go to the bullpen after five innings. You want to get at least six innings out of your starter. With me walking six guys, I understand why they're tentative about bringing me back."

Finally on the injury front, it wasn't mentioned anywhere, but the great Mark Schwab mentioned it yesterday on the radio. Adam Miller is headed for his second surgery in his rehab process soon. This was that planned second surgery that is supposed to help fix something that they had to do in the last one to fix something else... Or something like that. In other words, this is really important and things need to go really well if Miller wants to pitch again.

Now let's get down to business.

There was a bee in the house, I think, earlier. I'm not at the house that usually has the stunned bees that are like half-challenged. This was a big-time bee man. I heard it buzzing and the dog was following it with his head. Fearing that he'd get stung, I yelled at him to get away from it. Well I wanted to hit it with a shoe, but he disappeared and now I don't know where he went. Was he outside or what? How did a bee get in without my knowledge? I'm the damn gate-keeper right now.

Anyway.... Real Business.

First off, Luis Vizcaino's era with Cleveland was short-lived as he was officially released yesterday after being DFAed a few days ago.

I listened to a lot of Eric Wedge yesterday, both on TV and on the radio and I heard a lot of interesting things.

The first thing he talked about that I want to say something on is the outfielder situation right now.

With DeRosa traded the Indians only really have three true outfielders. They've got Barfield who was optioned, Carroll, Gimenez and Garko to some extent who can all play out there, but still, this is a team that typically carried not four but five true outfielders for extended periods of time.

So now, Gimenez gets a few looks, Garko's been used there since the trade. But when Ben Francisco is hitting as poorly as he is, you can't run him out there everyday.

Wedge hinted that this won't be like this for that long, so Matt LaPorta better be up here soon and when he does, I'd expect him to be the everyday left-fielder.

Wedge was forgiving of Chris Perez and said he deserves a mulligan. I felt the same way after watching him. A little too excited to be a Cleveland Indian bud, tone it down.

Wedge was hilarious yesterday talking about the reversed call and his ejections. Me repeating what he said doesn't do it justice, plus I can't remember everything he said. But it was all gold.

You know what else is gold?

I just heard something hit the sliding glass door downstairs and I went down to see what was going on. It was the dog standing over the stunned bee.

Yes, the bee was in the house and my dog stunned it enough for me to come in and knock it completely silly with a shoe and then throw it down the toilet.

How did my dog just stun a bee? What did he do without getting stung by it?

Unsolved Mysteries...

Finally on the Wedge front. He talked about getting Ryan Garko more time since he's coming around. I look at it as he's coming around because he's getting more time.

Of course, he was out of action last night because Cliff Lee was pitching.

However, Pavano pitched the previous night and Shoppach was not in the lineup. That's the one thing I've been saying for awhile now. Stop letting him catch Pavano. As you could see, it didn't matter, Pavano still pitched well.

Chalk it up to a bad outing for Cliff Lee last night. Actually, chalk it up to one of his worst starts ever. Lee hasn't turned in that short of an outing since early 2006.

"It was a bad outing," said Lee, who turned in his shortest start since a 2 2/3-inning effort against the White Sox on May 29, 2006. "That's not what my job description is. I need to go deep into the game, give up less runs and give us a chance to win the game. It was not a good game. Period."

Wedge kind of hit it though. Everyone has these types of games at some point, Cliff has had them before. But we've seen nothing but greatness out of the guy the past two years, and the fact of the matter is, it's the first time he's done something as bad as this since 2006, which was before he even had his meltdown.

I blame this all on the person who mentioned that stat about him being the second Indian to turn in a bunch of starts of at least five innings. I think it was Castrovince who brought it up, but whoever told him and the rest of the media about it needs to be talked to for jinxing things.

Even though the game was seven innings long, the Indians still managed to use three pitchers. If anything, I'm sure Wedge is glad the game got called, this way he didn't have to exhaust his bullpen for meaningless innings.

The bright spots last night were obviously the men who drove in all the runs.

Asdrubal Cabrera hit a three-run double and Travis Hafner hit his eighth home run of the year.

The biggest travesty about the All-Star game is the blind voting for Yankee and Red Sox fans and just people in general. How Jorge Posada and Jason Varitek are ahead of Victor Martinez in voting is known only to those nincompoops voting for them.

Joe Maddon will no doubt pick Martinez to the team when Mauer gets selected as the starter (at least the starter is a deserving player, which eliminates a snub from happening), but it's still frustrating to see Vic fifth in voting behind those two and.... Jarrod Saltalamacchia? Really?

Now is not the time. But when I do get my issue of SI, I'll talk about it. But there was a poll conducted and Wedge finished fourth as the "Manager ML's least want to play for."

Fausto Carmona Demoted to the Desert to Straighten Himself Out

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 11:30:46 -0500

by Pat LackeyFiled under: Indians, AL CentralFor some reason, I had it in my mind that Fausto Carmona was due for a big bounceback this year. After a shaky 2008, I figured he would shake off the heavy workload that the Indians' run to the ALCS in 2007 created and use his power sinker to help take the Indians back to the top of the AL Central. Boy, was I wrong. With 12 starts under his belt, Carmona's 2-7 with an ERA of over 7.00, and today the Indians announced they'd be sending h...

FIGHT!! Gary Sheffield Worked By Fausto Carmona, Tigers By Indians (w/video)

Sat, 20 Sep 2008 08:40:10 -0500

A big win for the Tribe and a bloody nose for Gary Sheffield. I couldn't ask for anything more...

A few quick hits

Sun, 20 May 2007 14:49:42 -0500

Today's Stiles Points deals with a few thoughts about Calvin Borel, the Yankees pitching staff, and someone named Fausto Carmona.....oh yeh, and my continuing frustration with my new computer....