Game 56: Twins 11, Indians 3
by Ryan on Jun 4, 2009 7:04 PM EDT
in Game Recaps
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The time has come for Fausto Carmona to go to the minors. There isn't much to replace him, but at this point "not much" is better than "no chance," for that is the odds of the Indians winning a Carmona start. Today the Indians faced Scott Baker, a talented but struggling pitcher, and even with the Indians' emasculated lineup, had a good chance of winning the game had the game been in doubt. But since Carmona handed Baker an early 7-0 lead, there were no difficulties for the Twins starter to overcome, and nothing to worry about.
As much as it pains me to say this, having Tomo Ohka make a month's worth of starts is a better option for the team's short-term prospects and Fausto Carmona's long-term prospects. If this season is a lost cause (and it's looking like it with every passing day), then keeping him at the major-league level is even more of a waste. And let's face it, pretty much every scenario that had the Indians being a relevant team this year included Fausto Carmona having at least a good year. Losing CC Sabathia and Paul Byrd to free agency and Jake Westbrook to injury meant that the margin for error in the rotation, as deep as the rotation appeared to be, was nil. And although the bullpen derailed the first month of the season, fixing it won't turn the season around as long as the Indians have a rotation two pitchers deep. Cleveland might be "just" 7.5 games back, with no team in the Central running away with the division, but the pitching talent just isn't there to propel even an illusory turnaround. It might be July until help arrives in the rotation, and by that time it will have been much too late to salvage anything from this season. Carmona was the key to the rotation, and he's been one of the worst starting pitchers in baseball through the first two months.
Next Up: Pavano vs. Danks, 8:11 PM
| Highest WPA | Lowest WPA | ||
| Luis Valbuena | .010 | Fausto Carmona | -.374 |
| Ben Francisco | -.039 | ||
| Jhonny Peralta | -.029 |
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Comments
Wow. What happened to Fausto Carmona?
Ride on ye fearsome Horsemen of the Basketball Apocalypse. We got this.
Maybe Ohka can go 3-1 with a 3.75 ERA in 5 or so starts and we can trade him to the Yankees in July.
FE WEE
by westbrook on Jun 4, 2009 7:39 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Ohka’s doing a great job in long relief. Let’s keep him where he is. When we send Fausto down, let’s have a look at Hector Rondon.
by ken from alexandria on Jun 4, 2009 7:58 PM EDT reply actions
With all due respect, I’d like to see what Rondon can do it AAA for at least a month before we think about that. No reason to stunt the growth of a prospect for the sake of it.
"I gotta be honest, I dunno much about the climate in Japan." - Matt Underwood
Absolutely agree.
Rondon got lit up tonight in Akron … and actually has regressed from his great start since the bullpen incident.
Of course, it’s also normal regression as well.
Also, while I’m not a big service time wonk … I see no reason to start his if this season is lost.
by FallsTribeFan on Jun 4, 2009 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions
See
Even talking about pitching in Cleveland will get you hurt
by world dictator on Jun 4, 2009 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions
In all seriousness though, if the same thing had happened to him after a callup in Cleveland, every board, including this one, would have lit up with the notion that we “ruined” him.
Eh, TINSTAAPP
Ride on ye fearsome Horsemen of the Basketball Apocalypse. We got this.
by Turkmenbashi on Jun 4, 2009 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Are you really concerned about Ohka’s development?
by world dictator on Jun 4, 2009 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions
When do we sign Pedro?
Case of the beet bandit. Missing beets from all over the farm, no footprints. Inside job. Mose in socks. Boom. Case closed. -Dwight Schrute
I really hope you aren’t right.. but I agree with you.
"I gotta be honest, I dunno much about the climate in Japan." - Matt Underwood
It’s just a feeling I have … Fausto seems to be an emotional pitcher … and his emotions get the best of him … which leads to his body getting out of whack.
I think that’s why Vic catches him … to be both taskmaster … and hypnotist.
Either way, they need to figure out a way to get him right … or else he’s Daniel Cabrera 2.0.
by FallsTribeFan on Jun 4, 2009 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Glavine. Let him eat innings. If he can. With the Braves picking up tab, why not give him a shot?
I just wanted to believe.
If I’m Glavine … the question for me is this.
I want to pitch. I’m a HOF’er.
Do I want to ride out (possibly) the last year of my career eating innings and serving as a pseudo-coach for a last place team?
Nope. I want one last shot at a ring … time to find a contender with some starting pitching holes (if there is such a thing) … and go there.
If I’m thinking of pitching in 2010 … then yes, going to Cleveland makes sense if I’m trying to re-establish my worth.
by FallsTribeFan on Jun 4, 2009 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree with all of this.
You figure he’d like to stay in the NL to a) avoid the DH and b) glare at Wade after a big game, right?
by JulioBernazard on Jun 4, 2009 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Oddly enough, Baseball Reference lists Scott Baker as the second most similar pitcher to Carmona — after, of all people, Marty Bystrom. The list is not impressive and underlines how he’s deteriorated from a major talent to an enigma to a problem. He shows no signs of improving at the major league level. I agree he needs to be sent to AAA. How long until Laffey or Westbrook is ready to start games?
Westbrook – injury
Clifton – genius
Victor – genius
Grady – hard to imagine it as something other than great
Hafner – well..injury…and…
DeRo – too early…
Wood – too early…
Peralta – maybe not genius, but certainly not bad
Betancourt – not bad, really
Fausto – I have a hard time condemning any contract that includes 3 (!) club options
Well I can narrow down my complaints to 3+ year deals signed after the 2007 season. That leaves us with Westbrook, Hafner, Wood and Fausto. I like all of the deals signed prior to that. The counter-argument of course is that I have to be patient and let the length of the contract take its course before judging.
by supermarioelia on Jun 5, 2009 7:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Westbrook and Hafner’s deals were not signed after the 2007 season.
Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
by Jay on Jun 5, 2009 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Gahhhh meant after 2006 including the 2007 season. I had Cot’s open and everything when I typed that, and I still screwed it up.
by supermarioelia on Jun 5, 2009 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions
We didn’t sign DeRo to any extension, did we?
by JulioBernazard on Jun 5, 2009 8:43 AM EDT up reply actions
no – I should not have put him on the list. He’s on a multi-year contract, but not one we signed him to.
by APV on Jun 5, 2009 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions
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