Much as I hate to admit it, you pretty much nailed down the Indians depleted starting pitcher staff.

Typical of the Tribe — especially under the Dolan ownership — is, as soon as a player gets hot, it is time for a trade and finding new (and cheaper) prospects.

Had Mark Shapiro not fired prematurely, C.C. Sabathia would have been around for the Indians’ surge which began, ironically, when Sabathia was already dealt to Milwaukee. (Of course, he will now bolster the Yankees’ pitching staff and do to us what he used to do to New York.)

Come to think of it, Cleveland has also missed Bartolo Colon

Cliff Lee should be fine, Sowers and Pavano will probably run hot and cold.

But the key lies in Fausto Carmona, the winning pitcher in the famous “Bug Game” in 2007 in Cleveland against the Yankees. Unlike Joba Chamberlain, Carmona did not flinch when the Midgies, as they are called on the shores of Lake Erie, swirled about his face.

Let’s hope that won’t be Carmona’s claim to fame, and that he returns to his form and jumpin’ fast ball this year.

Reports out of Arizona are Contreras and Colon have been throwing bullpen sessions and feeling healthy before, during, and after the low pitch count sessions. If Don Cooper the pitching coach is optimistic about them then I will be too. Minor leaguers were taking BP against Contreras and Colon as well and writer Scott Merkin said Colon made them look foolish.

Both guys are supposed to throw an inning this weekend so only time will tell about these guys. It is possible they are both could be ready for the first week of the regular season, if they are healthy contributors is the question.

1. I will put Baker on par with Danks at an A-. Buerhle has been arguably the most valuable pitcher in baseball over that span, however, I won’t put him in the same class as right now as Lee (although I know you would disagree), so they all get A minuses. Its tough to deny Buerhle’s durability right now, but after so many 200+ inning seasons, its got to wear on him at some point. Call me crazy, but I actually kind of like Baker’s durability odds over Buehrle…I’m also born out of the school of thought where I throw out W’s and L’s, ERA is my driving formulaic statistic.

2. Good points. I’m really down on Richard and Colon as you can tell. If Contreras can perform anywhere near his last few seasons, I would suspect those grades would even themselves out.

3. You know I’m always happy when Detroit’s down.

4. I’m completely fine putting Cliff Lee at #1 in the AL. Consistency or not, I’m not going to deny a 2.5 ERA over 220+ innings, thats beyond world class. I understand you would not trade Mark Buehrle for him, likewise I would probably not trade Scott Baker for him…just a differing of opinions on Lee and Buehrle, though I’ll take either on my fantasy team. Would you rank Buehrle ahead of Lee on your fantasy depth chart?

1 – I like Scott Baker, but I think A- is too high, especially if that puts him on par with Mark Buehrle. Baker has yet to win more than 11 games in a season or pitch more than 173 innings. His ERA and peripherals were solid last year, and I think he is a solid B+ — so maybe I am nitpicking — but Mark Buehrle has been the most consistent pitcher in the AL this decade and deserves the nod over Baker, until the kid proves himself a little more. Mark has won at least 10 games every year since 2001 and has not pitched less than 201 innings. I realize you have a Twins bias, but come on…

2 – I agree with Danks over Floyd for the White Sox, because while Floyd can be more spectacular, he is not as consistent. And the back end of the White Sox rotation is a question mark, but they will get better than D production no matter who ends up in there. Jose Contreras will likely be back for Opening Day (as far as I know) and immediately upgrades one position to at least a C+ or B-, and maybe higher. And if Colon can’t get it done, Jeff Marquez, Aaron Poreda, or one of the other hot young arms will get a chance until someone sticks. I think people are underrating the depth of the pitching in the White Sox organization.

3 – I hate Justin Verlander and I hope he sucks again this year.

4 – Cliff Lee will be interesting. Sent to the minors in 2007 then dominates in 2008. Which one will show up? He was deserving of the Cy Young last year, but I would not trade Mark Buehrle for him. I like consistency. Lee needs to bring it again for another year before I’m ready to anoint him the best in the AL Central.

Nice breakdown though Tyler. The surprising staff could be KC. Meche and Greinke form an underrated 1-2 at the top.