Deep Left Field | A Cleveland Indians Blog

Carmona Could Be Indian Through 2014

The ceiling for Fausto Carmona’s potential is incredibly high at this point.  In just one full season as a starter, Carmona was able to notch 19 wins - tied (C.C. Sabathia also reached this mark) for the most by a Tribe pitcher since 1984 - and have the second-lowest ERA (3.06) in the American League.  For that, the Indians wouldn’t mind seeing how Carmona plans to top that.  The team has signed the 24-year-old pitcher to the highest-ever guarantee to a starter with only one full year of service time in the Majors.

The first four years of the deal are guaranteed with the team holding options for the 2012, ‘13, and ‘14 seasons.  With all the escalators added, the potential earnings for Carmona could reach $48 million.  With the contract status of C.C. Sabathia still up in the air, it was a smart move to secure Carmona for so long; a World Series championship and maybe a Cy Young or two would make this nearly a steal.

Will this signing have any sort of effect on Sabathia’s decision to stay after this season?  Probably not, because there is no way the Indians will be able to match some of the biggest offers out there.  If C.C. is truly after the money, he will be gone, unwilling to take the mythical “hometown discount” that so few players actually adhere to.  However, it has to be in the back of his mind that with Carmona in the rotation, the Indians will have one of the best 1-2 punches in the league.  And with the added depth of the rotation, there are few teams built to win for so long.

But for some reason, few players consider these little tidbits of common sense.  Either way, the Indians will have a legitimate ace for a long time.