6th starter

[consigliere]

Interesting.

Wedge was interviewed on TV today during the game and raved about Carmona. He then went on to mention that Carmona is leading the race for the 6th starter's job. Mentioned it would then be Sowers (7th), Stanford (8th) and then Guthrie (9th). Wedge stated that Davis looks like a reliever now.

Also, Wedgie called Shoppach "Shopvac." Nice nickname for a catcher......

[swerb]

On WTAM a couple days ago, Schwab mentioned that people from other teams were horrified that the Indians sent Carmona down.

I'm anxious to see this kid pitch. He hurled each of the 1st 3-4 Captains games I went to, which were also my first minor league games I ever attended. Kid was dominant. Rarely went 2 balls on anyone.

Knock on wood for similar health to our rotation in '06 ... but I feel alot better about the reinforcements.

[Steve Buffum]

On WTAM a couple days ago, Schwab mentioned that people from other teams were horrified that the Indians sent Carmona down.

Why?

I see some value in the Earl Weaver / Santana / Liriano "break 'em in the bullpen" model, but who's to say getting a regular turn as a starter isn't at least as valuable? Is Carmona going to displace any of the rotation, at least out of the box? No. Is he likely to pitch meaningful, or even regular, innings in front of Miller, Betancourt, Mota, Cabrera, and Wickman? No. So what's the horror?

You could make the argument that he'd outperform Johnson (for example), but prepping him as a starter hedges your bet in case Byrd goes down (which isn't a bad bet given his history), and he'll get called up then. I just don't see the bigness of the deal here.
.

[swerb]

On WTAM a couple days ago, Schwab mentioned that people from other teams were horrified that the Indians sent Carmona down.

Why?

I see some value in the Earl Weaver / Santana / Liriano "break 'em in the bullpen" model, but who's to say getting a regular turn as a starter isn't at least as valuable? Is Carmona going to displace any of the rotation, at least out of the box? No. Is he likely to pitch meaningful, or even regular, innings in front of Miller, Betancourt, Mota, Cabrera, and Wickman? No. So what's the horror?

You could make the argument that he'd outperform Johnson (for example), but prepping him as a starter hedges your bet in case Byrd goes down (which isn't a bad bet given his history), and he'll get called up then. I just don't see the bigness of the deal here.
.

Buff, they obviously were either thinking along Francisco Liriano/Brandon McCarthy "too good to keep in AAA" lines ... or were just envious that the Indians had such a talent waiting in the wings.