Tribe Talk Installment 16

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2. Good news for Tribe fans: It appears Fausto Carmona may have finally found his way back from catastrophe after almost two years of control problems.

Last Sunday he got his first win since May 14th, striking out eight and allowing just one run over seven innings. Based on what we've seen recently, do you think Fausto is finally back to being the Fausto we all saw so much potential in when he splashed onto the scene in 2007?

Could the fact that Carmona surrendered just one walk while striking out eight indicate that he has finally kicked his control problems? If so, what do you think is, after all this time, the reason for Carmona's marked improvement?

Good news for Tribe fans: It appears Fausto Carmona may have finally found his way back from catastrophe after almost two years of control problems. Last Sunday he got his first win since May 14th, striking out eight and allowing just one run over seven innings. Based on what we've seen recently, do you think Fausto is finally back to being the Fausto we all saw so much potential in when he splashed onto the scene in 2007? Could the fact that Carmona surrendered just one walk while striking out eight indicate that he has finally kicked his control problems? If so, what do you think is, after all this time, the reason for Carmona's marked improvement?

3. The Indians organization was heavily criticized during the first half of the season for allowing Luis Valbuena to languish at second base while racking up a pathetic .195 average from the time he was called up in early May to the beginning of July.

Things look a little different now though, with Valbuena hitting .303 with a .851 OPS since July 1. Even his defense has improved. How impressed are you with Valbuena? Do you now agree with manager Eric Wedge's decision to stick it out with the youngster at second base, or are you still skeptical of what Valbuena brings to the table?

The Indians organization was heavily criticized during the first half of the season for allowing Luis Valbuena to languish at second base while racking up a pathetic .195 average from the time he was called up in early May to the beginning of July. Things look a little different now though, with Valbuena hitting .303 with a .851 OPS since July 1. Even his defense has improved. How impressed are you with Valbuena? Do you now agree with manager Eric Wedge's decision to stick it out with the youngster at second base, or are you still skeptical of what Valbuena brings to the table?

4. There is little dispute over whether Kerry Wood has been worth the $10 million contract he was signed to before the season started, but has he really been as bad as he's often made out to be? Wood has had just 20 save opportunities this season and has converted 15 of them.

While Wood's 4.70 ERA is certainly nothing to brag about, it doesn't look so bad when compared to that of, for example, Brad Lidge, who has blown 8 save opportunities, owns a very bloated 6.90 ERA, and for the record, is actually more expensive than Wood at $12 million.

So how bad (or good) is Kerry Wood? And how much is he to blame for the fact that his contract looks absurd now? Is there any chance that perhaps the contract turned out to be a huge dud not because Wood has pitched all THAT poorly, but because the team has given him so few opportunities to earn his paycheck by providing just 20 save chances over the course of the season?

There is little dispute over whether Kerry Wood has been worth the $10 million contract he was signed to before the season started, but has he really been as bad as he's often made out to be? Wood has had just 20 save opportunities this season and has converted 15 of them. While Wood's 4.70 ERA is certainly nothing to brag about, it doesn't look so bad when compared to that of, for example, Brad Lidge, who has blown 8 save opportunities, owns a very bloated 6.90 ERA, and for the record, is actually more expensive than Wood at $12 million. So how bad (or good) is Kerry Wood? And how much is he to blame for the fact that his contract looks absurd now? Is there any chance that perhaps the contract turned out to be a huge dud not because Wood has pitched all THAT poorly, but because the team has given him so few opportunities to earn his paycheck by providing just 20 save chances over the course of the season?

5. I've been hearing a slew of complaints about Chris Gimenez remaining on the Indians big league roster while Matt LaPorta waited in AAA. LaPorta has been called up now, but what of Gimenez?

The Indians seem to want to mold him into a Mark DeRosa/Jamey Carroll type utility player, but does Gimenez have the bat (or the glove, for that matter) to hold up even as a second stringer on a major league roster?

Considering his .161 average and .542 OPS through 35 games, are you frustrated that Gimenez continues to get playing time?

Do you truly think he can fill the role of the Tribe's go-to utility player for the future? Does it help his case at all that he can play the catcher's position?

I've been hearing a slew of complaints about Chris Gimenez remaining on the Indians big league roster while Matt LaPorta waited in AAA. LaPorta has been called up now, but what of Gimenez? The Indians seem to want to mold him into a Mark DeRosa/Jamey Carroll type utility player, but does Gimenez have the bat (or the glove, for that matter) to hold up even as a second stringer on a major league roster? Considering his .161 average and .542 OPS through 35 games, are you frustrated that Gimenez continues to get playing time? Do you truly think he can fill the role of the Tribe's go-to utility player for the future? Does it help his case at all that he can play the catcher's position?

6. Fun question of the week: As much as we still love the Tribe despite their many faults this season, it's tough to form attachments to players who are, for the most part, performing very poorly.

Thus, it might be a good time to allow ourselves to indulge in a bit of nostalgia. Who are your five all-time favorite Indians players and why?

Fun question of the week: As much as we still love the Tribe despite their many faults this season, it's tough to form attachments to players who are, for the most part, performing very poorly. Thus, it might be a good time to allow ourselves to indulge in a bit of nostalgia. Who are your five all-time favorite Indians players and why?