2008 Woodie Awards
Tribe inks starter Carmona to a new four-year deal
By: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Issue date: 4/11/08 Section: Sports
CLEVELAND - Fausto Carmona, a surprising 19-game winner last season, agreed to terms of a $15 million, four-year contract with the Cleveland Indians on yesterday.
A person familiar with the negotiations says Carmona's deal will be announced later in the day. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the contract has not been finalized.
The deal runs through 2011 and includes club options from 2012-2014.
The 24-year-old Carmona went 19-7 with a 3.06 ERA and emerged as one of the AL's top starters in 2007, one season after he went 1-10.
His signing gives the Indians protection in case they are unable to re-sign C.C. Sabathia, the defending Cy Young Award winner, who is eligible for free agency following this season.
The Indians announced a 3 p.m. press conference at Progressive Field with "exciting news about a member of the Indians pitching staff [NOT C.C. Sabathia]."
Sabathia rejected a preliminary offer from the Indians, and during spring training he suspended negotiations with the Indians until after the season. There's no guarantee he'll be back, and if he's not, Carmona will ascend into the No. 1 role.
Carmona joins a core group of young players - along with Grady Sizemore, Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez - who have signed long-term deals with the Indians.
The right-hander, whose signature sinker is as good as any in the majors, pitched 215 innings last season. He and Sabathia were the first Cleveland teammates to win at least 19 games since Bob Lemon, Herb Score and Early Wynn did it in 1956.
A person familiar with the negotiations says Carmona's deal will be announced later in the day. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the contract has not been finalized.
The deal runs through 2011 and includes club options from 2012-2014.
The 24-year-old Carmona went 19-7 with a 3.06 ERA and emerged as one of the AL's top starters in 2007, one season after he went 1-10.
His signing gives the Indians protection in case they are unable to re-sign C.C. Sabathia, the defending Cy Young Award winner, who is eligible for free agency following this season.
The Indians announced a 3 p.m. press conference at Progressive Field with "exciting news about a member of the Indians pitching staff [NOT C.C. Sabathia]."
Sabathia rejected a preliminary offer from the Indians, and during spring training he suspended negotiations with the Indians until after the season. There's no guarantee he'll be back, and if he's not, Carmona will ascend into the No. 1 role.
Carmona joins a core group of young players - along with Grady Sizemore, Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez - who have signed long-term deals with the Indians.
The right-hander, whose signature sinker is as good as any in the majors, pitched 215 innings last season. He and Sabathia were the first Cleveland teammates to win at least 19 games since Bob Lemon, Herb Score and Early Wynn did it in 1956.
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