Forget comeback player of the year, Indians ace Cliff Lee would settle for nothing less than perfection. That is why Lee was awarded American League Cy Young Award last week, receiving 24 of the 28 first place votes.

Compiling a 2.54 ERA, Lee dominated opposing hitters all season long. Even more impressive than his miniscule earned run average, was his overwhelming 22-3 record for the losing Cleveland Indians.

After a disappointing 2007 season which he struggled to a 6.29 ERA, Lee had even the most optimistic Indians fans thinking his 2005 season was a fluke. He had to earn the respect of everyone from fans to teammates in ‘08 and work his way towards his spot in the rotation. He proved all doubters wrong, and now stands atop the ranks of American League starting pitchers.

While Lee ran away with the vote, the race probably should have been much closer than it was. Blue Jays starter Roy Halladay finished a distant second place with just four first place votes. His lack of votes does not fairly credit the season he had, however. Pitching to the tune of a 2.78 ERA and 206 strikeouts, the “Doc” was a workhorse for Toronto, as he stretched his arm to pitch 246 innings.

Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez finished a distant third place. The free agent set the Major League saves record at 62. While the Angels have admitted they will turn in another direction for the ninth inning role in 2009, several teams are hot on “K-Rod’s” heels, specifically the New York Mets.

Regardless of where Rodriguez lands, the potential Most Valuable Player candidate is sure to be carrying a much thicker wallet once he signs on the dotted line.

Trade talks are apparently being finalized between the Cleveland Indians and Milwaukee Brewers for reigning Cy Young award winner C.C. Sabathia. A move is imminent, and the Brewers have one foot in the door in negotiations with a deal that centers around minor league outfielder Matt LaPorta, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

The Journal-Sentinel has also reported that the Brewers are aiming to finalize the deal in time for Sabathia to make his next scheduled start at home against the Rockies.

A deal can only serve to benefit Sabathia, who is currently backed by baseball’s worst bullpen and an offense that struggles to generate runs. A move to Milwaukee would help in both areas, and he would have an opportunity to face the softer hitting, DH-less lineups in the National League. Read more »

Cleveland Indians right-hander Fausto Carmona and Colorado Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday were placed on the disabled list on Sunday, joining pretty good company as injured stars nursing early wounds. Carmona will miss four weeks with a strained right hip, according to the Cleveland Plain-Dealer, and the Denver Post reported that Holliday was deactivated with a strained left hamdstring.

Jake Westbrook will take Carmona’s spot in the rotation and start on Wednesday vs. the White Sox. Paul Hoynes at the Plain Dealer went on to say:

One more thing, Jake Westbrook is ready to reclaim his spot in the starting rotation. He’ll be activated for Wednesday’s start against the Chicago White Sox, which works out well considering Carmona’s left hip injury.

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Cleveland Indians right-hander Fausto Carmona is overcoming surprising control lapses to find success in his second season as a starter. Carmona threw a five-hit shutout and walked four in the first game of a doubleheader against the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday night, running his personal winning streak to three games and improving to 4-1 on the season.

It was the seventh time in eight starts that Carmona walked at least four batters. Rock bottom came in a home start against the Oakland Athletics on April 12, when he walked eight and was pulled in the fourth inning. Read more »

I was in Boston this past weekend to watch my friend run the Boston Marathon. It was a great road trip. Three friends and I drove seven hours, got a cheap hotel room and made t-shirts. We discussed things we could do while we were there and more than anything else, I wanted to see the Red Sox play in Fenway Park.

We decided that Sunday afternoon’s game against the Texas Rangers would be our best chance to get some tickets from a scalper for a decent price. About an hour before the game, we walked to Fenway and started looking for shady guys whispering, “Who needs tickets?” Sure enough, about 20 minutes later we found a guy with standing room seats that were in our price range of $50 or less.

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