When I think of an Ace, I think of someone that when you see their name in the line-up, you can bet the farm that he's going to win. Someone that is going to win the biggest game of the year. Someone that is going to beat any other number 1 pitcher in the league 1-0. You need to understand, it's not a word I throw around casually. Roger Clemens, Pedro Martinez, Greg Maddux were all aces in their prime. Clemens in 1990, had a 1.93 ERA, went 21-6, and had 209 strike outs in 228 innings. In 9 of his starts that year, he gave-up less than 3 runs and did not get the win. He only gave up more than 3 runs in two of his starts!! That is the definition of an Ace. That's someone I would count on winning every night he pitched. I don't even regard one of my all-time favorite pitchers, Nolan Ryan, as an Ace.
Yes, Sabathia has put up some great numbers this year. He's also has had some disaster starts. In his last two starts, he's given up 13 runs in 11 innings. In a start against Texas this year, he had a 6-0 lead, and gave up five runs on six straight hits in the sixth inning. In Oakland, he sailed for 6.2 innings and then gave-up 5 runs. That's hardly something a grizzled veteran should do. He hardly measures up to my definition of an Ace.
I don't think Sabathia has ever won a big game against another good pitcher. He will not pitch a shut-out against a good (hitting) team. Yes, he'll beat-up on bad teams, like the Reds, but, put him him in a big game and he will eventually implode.
This guy does not have the mental toughness to be a great pitcher. He will still lose his focus after he's made a mistake or after a mistake in the field. When the Tribe needs him to buckle down, is when he's at his worse. He needs to learn to control his emotions when he's pitching. I think that's part of the reason he's so bad when in pitches in Oakland.
If the Indians were to make the playoffs, which, I still don't think they will because of Eric Wedge of course, he should not be the starting pitcher. I would give the nod to Byrd, a veteran that knows how to pitch in big games. With the Dolans opening up their checkbooks, I'm worried that they are going to pay for a Porsche and only get a Ford.
Would I like to have him on my team? Sure. Do I want to pay him top dollar? No. We have Carmona showing that he is capable of being an Ace, Sowers who can be another dominating pitcher, Westbrook, Byrd, and others in the minors ready to come-up. I would rather trade him and get some much needed help. There are plenty of holes we need to address on this team and he can get a lot of help. Let another team overpay the Indians for him.
