Indians Starting Rotation

Before I get into the nitty gritty, I want to apologize for not updating in about a week. Between battling the flu, working and preparing for a final in my management class, I just could not find the time to update. Hopefully we wont have anymore weeks like this past one so I can get back to talking about what I love, the Indians.

There have been many times this off season I have been asked how do I think the Indians will do in the 2009 season. I am going with a different approach to that question this year. Instead of saying “Oh the Indians are going to win the AL Central” or “they are going to end up in this place or that place”, I am going with “The Indians have the potential of being a good team this year”. My biggest concern is not the bullpen, which is surprising, its the starting rotation.

1. Cliff Lee – “the Ring Leader” - The 2008 Cy Young Award winner only deserves to win the title of the ring leader for the 2009 season. Some people are saying that Lee’s 2008 season was a fluke only because of the down season in 2007. When looking at his career stats, however, it proves that Lee is a consistant pitcher. Since becoming a starter for the Indians in 2004, Lee has had 4 seasons of 10+ wins, 2 of th0se season being 15+ wins. Is it possible for Lee to have another year like the 08 season, yes. Unfortunately, his Spring Training stats aren’t supporting the idea of Lee for the Cy in 2009.  In only 2 games, Lee is 0-1 with an 11.25 ERA. In 4 innings pitched, he’s given up 8 hits, allowed 6 runs and struck out 3. Lets just hope that Lee gets back to his regular season form before he makes the 1st start of the season.

2. Fausto Carmona – “The Wild Child”  – After a disappointing 2008, mainly caused by injuries, fans are expecting Carmona to bounce back. However, you never know which Fausto you are going to get at the beginning of the season. Remember the 2006 season when Carmona was a starter and in the bullpen. In 2006 Carmona had a 1-10 record. Then a new light was shined down on Tribe fans in 2007 when Carmona had a 19-8 record and a 3.06 ERA. Carmona threw some of his best stuff in 07 and with the Indians 1,2 starters Sabathia and Carmona, the Indians could easily have been unbeatable. After facing a hip injury in 2008 and nursing the hip for most of the year,  Carmona had an 8-7 recordn with a 5.44 ERA. As the trend shows, Carmona should be unstoppable. With his most recent Spring Traning start, Carmona only gave up 1 run in 4 innings pitched.

3.  Carl Pavano – “The New Guy”  – Pavano is set to prove himself with the Indians in the 09 season. Before joining the Indians in the offseason, Pavano had 3 disappointing seasons with the Yankees with his ERA each season being over .400. Pavano has not had a great season since 2004 when he was with the Marlins, when he had an 18-8 record and a 3.00 ERA. Luckily for the Indians, Pavano was not an expensive addition and if, for some reason Pavano were to continue to repeat his below average season, it wont be financially costly for the Indians. In 3 games pitched so far this spring training, Pavano has a 0-0 record with a 7.71 ERA with 8 hits, 6 runs and 2 strikeouts in a total of 7 innings pitched.

4. Anthony Reyes – “The Starting Rookie” – Even though his stats do not consider him to be a rookie, he will be with an Indians, if he chosen to be the 4th starter. In 6 games in the 08 season, Reyes put up some impressive numbers before going down in September with soreness in his throwing arm. He had a 2-1 record with a very low 1.83. In 31 innings pitched, he allowed 7 runs and struck out 15. The Indians are hoping that Reyes comes out of spring training showing now soreness so he can be the 4th starter in this rotation. So far this spring traning, Reyes is proving the point that he should be in the starting rotation. He has not given up an earned run in 5 innings pitched in 2 games. He has given up 3 hits and has struck out 5.

The 5th position is still up in the air, but it appears that Aaron Laffey is in the front running for the final position. Even though this spring training Laffey has a 1-2 record and a 7.00 ERA. Another canidate for the 5th position is Zach Jackson. Jackson had a short stint with the Indians at the end of the 2008 season and so far this spring training, Jackson 1-0 with a 4.35 ERA.

In other pitching news, Westbrook threw off of a mound for the first time since having tommy john surgery in the 2008 season. Westbrook has been plagued with injury in both the 2007 and 2008 seasons. Westbrook has stated that he is happy to be back to pitching and the fact that his pitches were not conisistant. He was just happy to be back out there.

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