Announced today, the Indians have decided NOT to exercise Grady Sizemore's option, while choosing to keep Fausto Carmona. What seems to be the bane of Tribe fans who are voicing their opinion overwhelming supports the Sizemore decision. What many fans are crying FOUL over is the decision to keep Carmona. Why bother keep Carmona?
Well, with his 7-15 record and abysmal 5.15 ERA, that is the multimillion dollar question. My take on this? They kept him, hoping for a just-above-par performance next season in order to facilitate a trade. Basically, I think the Indians are hoping he can improve enough before the 2012 trade deadline and work out a deal with some sucker. Of course, once Carmona does get traded off, he will become the darling of the MLB, as how things seem to turn out for many of the Indians players lately.
Okay, maybe "darling" is stretching it a bit.
What of Sizemore? I think he should retire from the MLB. Seriously. Take the injuries and head off to a career as a semi-pro player using his "what I used to be" history and help some club boost their numbers.
Of course, I may be in the minority here, but I see Hafner doing the same thing. The Indians cannot simply go one coddling players that used to be killer and who are now just injury-prone has-beens.
What of Thome? Well, evidently he has filed for free agency (along with several other Tribers). While I would love for Thome to get a World Series ring, I think his incredible (though mostly ignored) career should go out on top with this 600+ home runs.
Getting back to the original topic: What do you think? Was keeping Carmona and ditching Sizemore the right thing to do?
