Stubbs, acquired from Cincinnati last winter in the Shin-Soo Choo trade, is arbitration eligible. The Indians might have determined that Stubbs, although still young (29), is not going to get much better and therefore non-tender or seek to trade him. His name frequently has been mentioned in trade rumors this offseason. Stubbs, a good defender with above-average speed, struggled at the plate during the playoff push in September, batting .192 (10-for-52) with 21 strikeouts.

Certainly a logjam there. I think Stubbs, at the least, is gone. Even without him there's a logjam IMO. I can't see Raburn being relegated to nothing more than the RH side of a platoon. He was too good last year.

Maybe they're willing to eat some of Swisher's or Bourn's contract in a trade. They underperfomed for the dollar amount of their contracts but there's a sucker born every minute.

Indians add five players to 40-man roster

By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com | 11/20/2013 4:28 P.M. ET

CLEVELAND --

It is not a deadline that generates much national attention, but it is a key day on the calendar for many players striving to reach the big leagues.

Wednesday marked the deadline for teams to add eligible players to 40-man rosters in order to protect them from exposure to December's Rule 5 Draft. First baseman Jesus Aguilar headlined a select group of Cleveland's prospects who made the cut, putting them one step closer to the Major League stage.

The Indians purchased the contracts of Aguilar, outfielder Carlos Moncrief and right-hander Austin Adams from Double-A Akron, infielder Erik Gonzalez of high Class A Carolina and right-hander Bryan Price of Triple-A Columbus. All of the players on the 40-man roster will be in camp with the Indians during Spring Training.

"There were a lot of tough decisions," Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said. "We felt there were another handful of guys who were very deserving of being on the roster, but unfortunately, we only have so many spots that we can use to protect guys."

In order to fit all five players on the roster, the Indians designated Cord Phelps for assignment, giving the team 10 days to trade or release the infielder, or send him outright to a Minor League affiliate, if he clears waivers. Cleveland's 40-man roster is currently at capacity.

When the Indians finalize their two-year contract with free agent David Murphy -- possibly by the end of the week -- the team will need to clear a spot on the roster for the outfielder.

Not all players in a farm system are eligible for exposure to the Rule 5 Draft, which is held annually at Major League Baseball's Winter Meetings.

Players first signed at age 18 must be added to 40-man rosters within five seasons or they become eligible to be drafted by other organizations through the Rule 5 process. Players signed at 19 years or older have to be protected within four seasons. Clubs pay $50,000 to select a player in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 Draft, slated to take place on Dec. 12. If that player doesn't stay on the 25-man roster for the full season, he must be offered back to his former team for $25,000.

In other words, an international player or high school draftee signed in 2009, assuming they were 18 or under as of June 5 of that year, must be protected. A college player taken in the 2010 Draft is in the same boat.

Among the Rule 5 eligible players for the Indians are right-handers Joseph Colon, Tyler Holt, Bryce Stowell, Enosil Tejeda and Giovanny Urshela; lefties Elvis Araujo, Matt Packer and Giovanni Soto; first baseman Chun Chen; outfielder LeVon Washington; and catcher Alex Monsalve. Washington (No. 13) and Monsalve (No. 18) are among MLB.com's Top 20 Indians prospects.

The 23-year-old Aguilar -- listed as the Indians' 17th-best prospect by MLB.com -- established an Akron franchise record with 105 RBIs in 2013. The first baseman also hit .275 with 16 home runs and 66 runs scored in 130 games. Through 33 games in the Venezuelan Winter League this offseason, Aguilar was batting .313 with 10 homers and 31 RBIs.

"He made a lot of progress from last year to this year," Antonetti said of Aguilar. "The Double-A level is always a good test, especially for position players, and Jesus did a really good job of anchoring that lineup. He's continuing his work down there in winter ball and is off to an extraordinary start."

Out of necessity due to team injuries, Aguilar has actually played some third base in Venezuela this winter. Antonetti made it clear that, while the organization has an open mind, Aguilar is still viewed as a prospect for first base.

"It's always good to increase your versatility," Antonetti said. "It wasn't something that was top-of-mind for us as the season ended. But the fact that he's gotten an opportunity and experience down in winter ball, it's something we'll look to see and maybe continue as we head to Spring Training. But right now, we still view him primarily as a first baseman."

Moncrief and Adams also enjoyed standout seasons with Double-A in 2013. Moncrief -- a converted pitcher -- hit .284 with 17 homers, 26 doubles and 75 RBIs in 129 games, while posting an .824 OPS. Adams, who missed all of 2012 while recovering from right shoulder surgery, posted a 2.62 ERA with 76 strikeouts, 29 walks and a .215 opponents' average in 45 games (55 innings).

Gonzalez, 22, appeared in 132 games between stints with low Class A Lake County and Carolina last season, hitting .254 wth nine homers, 32 doubles, 12 triples, 75 runs and 76 RBIs. The versatile infielder manned third base (65 games), shortstop (55), second base (13) and first base (one) in his first full professional season.

The 27-year-old Price posted a 2.04 ERA in 47 games between Akron and Columbus last season. Across 75 innings, the right-hander compiled 92 strikeouts against 16 walks, and held batters to a .206 average. Price was acquired, along with Justin Masterson and Nick Hagadone, from the Red Sox in the July 2009 trade for Victor Martinez.

Phelps played in only 65 games during an injury-marred 2013 season at Triple-A and has a .159 average in 53 career games in the big leagues (2011-13) with the Indians.

Sure wish that Trevor Bauer would get his butt down to the Dominican or Venezuela before the winter ball season ends.

Indians add five players to 40-man roster

By Staff Report (IBI)

November 20, 2013

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The Cleveland Indians today announced that they have added right-handed pitcher Bryan Price, right-handed pitcher Austin Adams, infielder Erik Gonzalez, first baseman Jesus Aguilar and outfielder Carlos Moncrief to the 40-man roster. To make room on the roster, they have designated infielder Cord Phelps for assignment. The roster is currently full at 40 players.

Price, 27, enjoyed a breakout season in 2013 between Triple-A Columbus and Double-A Akron recording a 2.04 ERA and 4 saves in 47 games (75.0IP, 57H, 21R/17ER, 16BB, 92K). He limited hitters to a .206 (57-277) average against and averaged 11.0 strikeouts per 9.0IP during his tenure in Akron and Columbus. He is currently second in the Venezuelan Winter League in saves and is sporting a winter ERA of 1.89 in 15 games (1GS, 19.0IP, 8H, 4ER, 6BB, 19K, .133AVG). He was acquired by the Indians from Boston withJustin Masterson and Nick Hagadone for Victor Martinez in July 2009.

Adams, 27, spent the entire season in a relief role at Double-A Akron, going 3-2 with 4 saves and a 2.62 ERA in 45 appearances (55.0IP, 44H, 16ER, 3HR, 29BB, 76K, .215AVG). He averaged 12.44 strikeouts per 9.0-innings pitched and limited right-handed batters to a .158 (18-114) average against after missing the entire 2012 season due to right shoulder surgery. He owns a career ERA of 3.28 in 114 games/46 starts (340.0IP, 320H, 124ER, 348K).

Aguilar, 23, set the Double-A Akron franchise single-season record with an Eastern League-best 105 RBI, hitting .275 (137-499) with 28 doubles, 16 home runs and 66 runs scored in 130 games. His 105 RBI led the Player Development system and ranked 6th in all of Minor League Baseball. The Eastern League All-Star has carried his regular season success into winter ball where he is hitting .313 (41-131) in 33 games in his native Venezuela while ranking among league leaders in home runs (T1st, 10), RBI (2nd, 31), total bases (T2nd, 75) and runs (T4th, 25). He was originally signed by Cleveland as an amateur free agent in November of 2007.

Moncrief, 25, spent the entire 2013 season with AA Akron where he batted .284 (139-489) with 26 doubles, 7 triples, 17 home runs, 75 RBI and 77 runs scored in 129 games as he established new career Minor League-bests and led the Akron club in virtually every offensive category. His 17 homers were tied for 1st among Indians farmhands while his 75 RBI were 3rd in the system. The Eastern League All-Star selection finished among league leaders in OPS (7th, .824), hits (T4th, 139), runs (T6th, 77) and triples (T6th, 7). The converted pitcher was originally selected by the Indians in the 14th round of the 2008 draft out of Chipola (FL) Junior College and spent his first two years (2008-09) in the pros as a relief pitcher.

Gonzalez, 22, split the 2013 campaign between low-A Lake County and high-A Carolina where he batted .254 (129-508) with 32 doubles, 12 triples, 9 home runs, 76RBI and 75 runs scored in 132 games. The versatile infielder appeared in 65 games at third base, 55 games at shortstop, 13 games at second base and 1 game apiece at first base and center field as his 76 RBI were second in the organization to Aguilar. Erik has continued to make a name for himself after the season for Escogido in his native Dominican Republic, hitting .351 (33-94) with 12 runs, 2 2B, 3 3B, 1 HR & 8 RBI in 25 games (.839OPS) in winter ball, leading the league in hits (33) while currently ranking 2nd in average and triples. This year marked his first full Minor League season after signing as an amateur free agent in August of 2008.

Phelps will probably clear waivers, and if he does, he has to accept an outright assignment to the minors and would be under the Indians control for the 2014 season as a non-roster player. Also, it is important to note that outfielder David Murphy has not yet been formally added to the roster, so when he does, another player will need to be cleared from the roster. The expectation is that Drew Stubbs may be traded, but if he is not, then Matt Carson would probably be DFAed.

Surprised they'd protect Gonzalez. Would have been far more surprised if any other team would have picked him in the Rule 5 draft. He's years away from being a major leaguer and we have lots of other solid middle if's. But I think they made this move just to keep Joe happy.

I am a long time Carlos Moncrief fan, so I, too, am pleased.

But I like Gio Urshela, too, and although his offense has been only OK he's been rated a gold glove quality 3b since he was in Low A. I'd prefer to have protected him than Gonzalez, but don't assume he'll get picked, either.

Many years ago we acquired Price along with Masterson and Hagadone and someone else, I think, for Victor from the RedSox.

Aguillar is not a 3rd baseman. Neither is Jason Giambi. But maybe he can hit big league pitching, maybe not. Not a lot of homers in AA but a whole lot of RBI if that means anything.

Phelps is no loss. He has proved he can hit pretty well in AAA and he has proved he falls flat on his face in the majors. Relax Cord and perhaps you can be a AAAA player. Probably not.

seagull - I like both Bourn's and Swisher's chances of rebounding this year. Both their track records say they will. It's not uncommon for free agents to struggle their first year with a new team. In Bourn's case, also a new league.

Tito said it, you can look at the everyday roster and you did NOT see guys having great years. Yet they had 92 wins. Good sign.

I actually think the main guys that led to the great season were Raburn and Gomes, and they were completely new. Gomes especially, totally secured the catcher position defensively.

Obviously Kipnis can be pointed to as well. But I think his best years are yet to come.

The real guts of the year came from good pitching from unexpected guys. Hope Callahan can keep pumping that out.

Surprised they'd protect Gonzalez.

Like I was saying, I have to wonder how much of the decision making process was dependent on Erik's performance thus far in winter ball.

It appears obvious that Antonetti et al are keeping a watchful eye on these guys from the articles above.

Isn't this the manner in which Jose Ramirez made the 40 man roster continuing his rise to the big team in September? How many people in the front office expected that one? I can guarantee that the answer to that one is zero. How many here? I'm assuming zero once again.

I won't get into the reasons why I like winter ball so much but the above two or three examples are exactly the reasons why.

Ramirez wasn't brought to the major leagues for his bat or his glove. The only reason was speed on the basepaths as a pinch runner.

Right now there's no room for him.

Trade bait!!

Winter Ball = good place to get PEDs !

Winter Ball = good place to get PEDs !

I know a place even better........ SOUTH FLORIDA