The Cleveland Indians competed for the first half of both 2011 and 2012; they were, in fact, among teams seen as "buyers" just before this year's trading deadline. Five days before the deadline the Tribe was 50-49 and just 3½ games out of first place in the A.L. Central.

Then the bottom dropped out -- the Indians have been Astros-like for the last two months. That 50-49 record was followed by a 10-game losing streak, a few wins, another long losing streak, and... well, the Tribe is 15-42 since July 26, tied for last place in the division with the Twins.

You know what happens when records like that are posted:

The Indians have dismissed Manny Acta as manager. Sandy Alomar Jr. is the interim manager. More soon on MLB.com.

— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) September 27, 2012

Bastian also reports via tweet that Alomar will be considered for the full-time position in 2013, and that the rest of the coaching staff will, for now, remain intact.

Acta was on the final year of a three-year contract; there was a club option for 2013 that obviously won't be exercised. Why the Indians felt they needed to make a move with six games remaining in the season is a mystery, but perhaps this is an audition of sorts for Alomar. Acta finishes his Cleveland tenure with a 214-266 record.

For more on the Indians, please visit Let's Go Tribe and SB Nation Cleveland.