Notebook: Indians secure ace
The Indians tucked away one of their aces.
Fausto Carmona, a surprising 19-game winner who wasn’t bugged by swarming insects in his first postseason start last October, agreed Thursday to a $15 million, four-year contract with the Indians, a deal that potentially can earn him $48 million.
There was no rush to sign the 24-year-old, but the Indians are convinced Carmona’s best days are ahead and rewarded him with the highest guarantee to a pre-arbitration eligible starter.
“This is a guy who has shown he wants to be great,” Indians general manager Mark Shapiro said. “He has exceptional toughness, exceptional talent and intelligence. Those things combined with his work ethic made this a very easy decision.”
Carmona’s signing also gives the Indians protection in case they can’t keep reigning A.L. Cy Young Award winner C.C. Sabathia, who is eligible for free agency following this season. Sabathia rejected a preliminary offer from the club, and during spring training he suspended negotiations until after the season.
With a wicked sinker, Carmona – who was signed by Cleveland as a 17-year-old in 2000 – went 19-8 with a 3.06 ERA in 32 starts and emerged as one of the A.L.’s top pitchers in 2007.
Drug authority to remain split
Baseball players and owners plan to turn over most of the authority for testing for performance-enhancing drugs to the program’s independent administrator while keeping oversight over drugs of abuse with a joint union-management body.
The sides established a third-party administrator when they amended their drug plan for the second time in November 2005, and they split authority between the administrator and baseball’s Health Policy Advisory Committee, which has two members from each side.
Negotiators are nearing an agreement that would amend the drug plan for a third time, and the independence of the administrator would be strengthened by establishing a fixed term and allowing his termination only for specified reasons, sources familiar with the talks said.
However, the administrator is unlikely to have all authority over performance-enhancing drugs, with a different third-party entity likely to be created for some issues. In addition, the commissioner will retain authority over discipline.
Red Sox’s Lowell moves to DL
World Series MVP Mike Lowell was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained left thumb sustained in the field Wednesday, and the Boston Red Sox purchased the contract of infielder Jed Lowrie from Triple-A Pawtucket to replace him.