Hello Tribe fans everywhere!

First Fausto Carmona shuts down the Yankees for six innings. And now he outduels Johan Santana, arguably baseball's best pitcher, in the Twins' own backyard. The Indians bounce back from getting swept at Yankee Stadium last week to win four of their next five on the road --including a 2-game sweep of the Twins.

Now, back in first place by a few percentage points over the White Sox, the Tribe is sitting pretty. Of course, it's only April, and Chicago, Detroit and Minnesota are breathing down the Indians' necks.

Even more interesting for the Tribe, though, is: What to do about Carmona? With Cliff Lee ready to come off the disabled list, does the club send Carmona back to the minors? I don't think so, and neither, I suspect, do the Indians believe they should take this step.

Carmona's only 23, but he pitches like a seasoned vet. I'd definitely keep him on the big league club, and I'd also keep him in the starting rotation. With C.C. Sabathia set to become a free agent after the 2008 season, and the Indians, based on past performance, unlikely to re-sign him, the Tribe would be wise to get Carmona ready now. Plus, from all that I've seen, he is ready now. What more is to be gained by shuffling him back to Buffalo?

The problem is there's no spot for Carmona in the rotation once Lee returns. But with Adam Miller ready to advance to the majors, as well, the Tribe should begin clearing some places. It's funny, but I wonder if Cleveland would have moved so quickly to re-sign Jake Westbrook if the club had seen Carmona pitch these last two games?

I'm not complaining about Westbrook, mind you. He's only 29 and, considering the high cost of pitching these days, he might eventually be thought of as a "deal."

Many teams need starting pitching, and the Indians are rich in that department at the moment. Paul Byrd would be the likely candidate to go, and he's pitched pretty well so far this season. His new split-fingered pitch looks quite promising.

But, say the Indians can't get much in return for Byrd. What do they do then? If there were holes in the bullpen, you might think either he or Carmona would be candidates for relief. But the bullpen has been solid thus far. Still, I'd keep Carmona in the rotation and, if a possible trade doesn't work out for Byrd, I'd try him in relief.

Byrd's a veteran and it seems pitching in relief might agree with him. He seems to have the stuff and the mental makeup for such a role. But, as I say, the Indians don't need much help in the pen at this moment.

I have to admit that every time I catch a Giants game on TV, Omar Vizquel, who's about to turn 74 (just kidding), is still making amazing plays in the field. Wouldn't it be great if he still played for Cleveland? And to think he wanted to re-sign with the Indians three years ago for $3 million a year. Now, that was a big blunder by Mark Shapiro.

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The answer to yesterday's quickie quiz is: George Hendrick. Because he never spoke to the media, Hendrick was dubbed "Silent George."

Today's quiz: Name the man who preceded John Hart as president and general manager of the Indians. He served in the job from 1987-1991.

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-- Kevin Cuneo