Carlos Silva (baseball)

Carlos Silva (born April 23, 1979) is a Venezuelan former professional baseball pitcher, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies (Template:By–Template:By), Minnesota Twins (Template:By–Template:By), Seattle Mariners (Template:By–Template:By), and Chicago Cubs (Template:By).

Professional career

Philadelphia Phillies

Silva signed with the Philadelphia Phillies as an amateur free agent in 1996. He made his major league debut in 2002, pitching the entire season out of the bullpen. Silva appeared in 68 games for the Phillies, going 5–0 with a 3.21 ERA and 41 strikeouts. In 2003, he went 3–1 despite an ERA of 4.43 in 62 games and 1 start.

Minnesota Twins

In December 2003, the Twins acquired Silva from Philadelphia along with Nick Punto and Bobby Korecky for starting pitcher Eric Milton.

With the Twins, Silva made a successful conversion from reliever to starter, in one of the biggest surprises in the 2004 season. He posted a 14–8 mark in 203 innings pitched and finished second in the rotation behind Cy Young winner Johan Santana. In 2005, he set the record for fewest walks allowed per 9 innings in the modern era with an average of 0.43 walks per 9 innings pitched.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On May 20, Silva set a record since 1957 for the fewest pitches thrown (74) in a nine-inning complete game.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2005, he also induced more double plays (34) than any other pitcher in the majors.Template:Citation needed

In May 2006, Silva was demoted to the bullpen after struggling through the beginning of the season. In June, he re-entered the rotation when struggling starter Scott Baker was demoted to Triple-A Rochester. Silva gave up a major-league-worst 1.90 home runs per 9 innings, giving up 38 (the most in MLB) and had a major-league-worst batting average against of .326.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> However, he issued only 32 walks. In the previous season, he gave up 25 homers and just 9 walks. Template:As of, Silva had two of the only 15 seasons in which a pitcher qualified for the ERA title and allowed more home runs than walks.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Through 2006, Silva posted a 42–32 record with 306 strikeouts and a 4.35 ERA in 743 innings. In 2007, Silva started as the fifth starter behind Johan Santana, Boof Bonser, Ramón Ortiz, and Sidney Ponson. In his final season with the Twins, Silva finished 13-14 in 33 starts with a career-high 89 strikeouts.

Silva allowed Frank Thomas's 500th career home run on June 28, 2007, at the Metrodome.

File:Carlos Silva 2008.JPG

Silva with the Mariners in Template:Mlby.

Seattle Mariners

On December 20, 2007, Silva signed a four-year, $48 million contract with the Seattle Mariners.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In his first season as a Mariner, Silva posted the worst ERA for a full-time starter in 2008 with a 6.46 ERA in 28 starts. He also spent time on the DL with a sore elbow.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He finished 4–15 as he managed to win just one game after the month of April.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> While playing poorly, Silva also publicly criticized some teammates for "being interested only in padding their stats."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Fresh off the WBC, Silva started the 2009 season slower than expected, with poor control and a high ERA. He sat out most of the season with a shoulder injury. Silva returned at near the end of the season for 2 appearances in relief, giving up one run in Template:Fraction innings to the Yankees on September 19 and one run in one inning on September 25 in Toronto.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Chicago Cubs

On December 18, 2009, Silva was traded along with $9 million to the Chicago Cubs for outfielder Milton Bradley.<ref name="Cubs trade Bradley">Template:Cite web</ref> Silva appeared to turn around his career around early in 2010, becoming the first Cubs starter since 1967 to begin a season with an 8–0 record.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Despite fighting a stomach virus on June 7, he held the Pittsburgh Pirates to one run over seven innings, picking up his eighth win of the year in a 6–1 triumph. It was the best start by any Cub pitcher since Ken Holtzman began the 1967 season with nine straight wins, a feat matched by Jake Arrieta in 2016.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> However, Silva's success was very limited for the remainder of the season, and he was cut from the Cubs towards the end of spring training in 2011.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

File:Carlos Silva on May 14, 2011.jpg

Silva pitching for the Trenton Thunder in Template:Baseball year.

New York Yankees

On April 9, 2011, the New York Yankees signed Silva to a minor league deal.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He was released on July 2 after pitching in seven minor league games and dealing with a shoulder injury.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Boston Red Sox

On January 3, 2012, Silva signed a minor league deal with the Boston Red Sox. He was released on March 17.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

International career

Silva pitched for Venezuela in the 2006 World Baseball Classic (WBC) and 2009 WBC. In 2006, he allows no runs in Template:Fraction innings in two games.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2009, he was 1–1, starting a blowout semifinal loss to South Korea, with a 5.11 ERA in a team-high Template:Fraction innings in 3 games.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Pitching style

Silva threw a low 90s sinking fastball, a slider, a changeup, and a splitter.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He was known for his relatively quick pace, taking very short breaks between pitches.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Personal life

Silva is married and has two children.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

See also

• List of Major League Baseball players from Venezuela

External links

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