Lowe Point

On the same day that the Indians declined their $9mil option on former face of the franchise Grady Sizemore, the organization also made two moves to "bolster" the starting five.  Frankly, neither move makes any sense whatsoever to me.

In a hotly debated decision, the Tribe picked up Fausto Carmona's $7mil option for 2012.  I could have done without that.  In an even more bizzare transaction, the Indians have acquired veteran RHP Derek Lowe from Atlanta for incosnsequential LHP Chris Jones.  The Braves will pick up $10mil of the $15mil owed to the 38-year old in the final year of his contract.

You might recall Lowe for his career 2.45 ERA against the Tribe, their struggles against him the '98 and '99 postseasons or, more recently, the rotten egg he laid for the Braves in September.  Derek posted 0-5 with an 8.75 as the Bravos mailed in the season's final month and ceded the Wild Card to the eventual World Champion Cardinals.

I can just hear my father now, ranting on about how the Indians feel like they can rehabilitate any formerly successful big league pitcher.  I can imagine him conjuring the names of Jim Johnson or Brendan Donnelly, of Carl Pavano.  I'll respond with Kevin Millwood and Paul Byrd.  And Manzo will just say "Another shit-ass move by a shit-ass team."  Still, $5mil for your 4th starter is not bad.

We'll see...