Jun
22
Written by:
Matt Underwood
6/22/2010 1:06 PM
'Tis the season. The trading deadline is a little over a month away and the rumor mill is starting to gather momentum. The NY Mets are reportedly interested in Indians starting pitcher Fausto Carmona. I don't see the Indians trading Carmona for a couple of reasons.
Carmona is signed, including club options, through 2014 and the deal is very club friendly. Even in the final year of his deal Carmona is scheduled to make $12 million which is a bargain in this day and age. He finally appears to be back on track throwing strikes and attacking hitters with a good sinking fastball and change-up. If the Indians front office feels they can be a contender in the next 3 years then it makes sense to keep him.
The other side of the argument is trade him now because he IS pitching well and his trade value may never be higher. If he falters again then the Indians will be stuck with a large contract on a pitcher they cannot count on. Plus if the Indians feel like contention is still 4-5 years away then they may be inclined to move him in order to stockpile more young players that will be ready to help when the window of returning to a playoff caliber team is opened.
Personally I would keep Carmona. He is still a young pitcher who can be the cornerstone of a pitching staff that is still looking for an ace. Trades are always risky business. The jury is still out on the haul garnered from the Sabathia and Lee trades but, initial assessments are less than glowing.
Carmona is not the only player the Indians could possibly move by next month. Jake Westbrook and Austin Kearns could potentially draw interest from contending clubs. The Indians will not shop Westbrook and could potentially re-sign him at the end of the season. Kearns would be a good fit for the Indians beyond this season but, he is standing in the way of left fielder Michael Brantley. The same is true of Russell Branyan at first base. As long as he is on the roster he is impeding the progress of Matt LaPorta. The problem is that I don't see much interest from other clubs trading for Branyan.
Rumors will persist until the trading deadline comes and goes. It is the busiest time of the year for bloggers everywhere.
Tags:
5 comment(s) so far...
Re: Carmona on the block?
Every july we have a salary dump,Westbrook at 11mil, I dought it. But Carmona I think has great interest to many teams, and we always get rid of your best pitcher, and our best position player ( choo ). No body in the stands nor will there ever be with DOLAN as owner, all our good prospects end up playing for other teams!!
By dave douce on
7/7/2010 1:48 PM
|
Re: Carmona on the block?
Trade him and throw in Peralta, Shoo, Cabrera and Sizemore - give these kids a chance to play on a MAJOR league team . . .
By Bill Salmi on
7/7/2010 1:48 PM
|
Re: Carmona on the block?
Now is the time to Trade Wood, Kearns, Johnny, and Jake, but now is not the time to trade Carmona if we plan on winning in the the next decade. I say this if we can sign Austin Kearns to a small deal I would like to keep him around the other 3 gotta go though. Lets trade away the Old guys and try and get some bullpen help. I honestly think if we get healthy, and whos to say that Gradys injury, I know it was bad, but maybe the time away from swinging his bat can allow that shoulder to heal, and the same with Cabrera. KEEP CARMONA....keep up the good work Matt....GO TRIBE!!!
By TJ on
7/7/2010 1:48 PM
|
Re: Carmona on the block?
I'm a Indians fan have been for 44 of my 50 years I truly love the Indians, just ask my wife, sometimes she says I think I'm part of the team. That being said, all this b.s. caside you would think the tribe learned it's lesson with c.c. and Cliff, the need to keep Carmona and Westbrook we need a core staff and they are it.
By Andrew Plavny Sr. on
7/7/2010 1:49 PM
|
Re: Carmona on the block?
Yes I agree withyour accessment of the tribe and Carmona I agree we keep him. Branyan is now back in Seattle ..Laporta has three homers in as many days ....the pitching has been awesome during the five game win streak and they are playing good defense. I say we hold on to who we have and let them delvelope other than Dunn and Westbrook who do we dare move?
By Mark Snyder on
7/7/2010 1:49 PM
|