600000 for one swing of the bat beats ARod for highest paid player

Antonetti scoops up the talent.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians have signed outfielders Matt Carson and Cedric Hunter to minor league deals with invitations to participate with the big league club in spring training in Goodyear, Ariz.

Carson, 31, played 26 games with the Twins last season, but spent most of his time at Class AAA Rochester. The right-handed hitting Carson hit .282 (119-for-422) with 28 doubles, two triples 14 homers and 53 RBI at Rochester. He hit .227 (15-for-66) with the Twins.

He has played 72 games in the big leagues with the Twins and Oakland. The Yankees drafted Carson in the 2002 in the fifth round. Carson can play all three outfield positions, but appears to be mostly a right or left fielder.

Hunter, 24, is a left-handed hitter who spent last season in the St. Louis organization. He hit .268 (95-for-355) with 19 doubles, two triples, five homers and 44 RBI in 129 games at Class AAA Memphis.

San Diego used its third round pick in 2006 to draft Hunter. He played 11 games with the Padres in 2011. Oakland claimed Hunter on waivers and he went to spring training with the A's in 2012 before being traded to St. Louis on April 4.

Hunter has played all three outfield positions, but has spent most of his time in center.

Columbus needs someone to play the OF since Chad Huffman is gone and Matt Laporta is probably going and Canzler and Carrera might play with the Indians. Tim Fedroff is back only if the Indians are willing to put him on their 40 man roster. These two gems will fill the bill.

Hunter was No. 6 Padre prospect heading into 2009

6. Cedric Hunter, of Born: March 10, 1988. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 
6-0. Wt.: 185.
Drafted: HS—Lithonia, Ga., 2006 (3rd round). Signed by: Pete DeYoung.
Cedric HunterBackground: Hunter won Arizona League MVP honors in his 2006 debut, reaching base in his first 49 games. He appeared much more mortal in the tough hitting environment of the Midwest League in 2007, but he got back to basics last season he led the minors with 186 hits.

Strengths: An aggressive hitter, Hunter has the hand-eye coordination and all-fields approach to hit for a high average. He employs a high leg kick, but he loads his hands well and maintains balance throughout his swing, helping him handle lefties as well as righties. Strong wrists help him generate above-average bat speed. An exceptional contact hitter with plus strike-zone command, Hunter ranked as the fifth most difficult minor leaguer to strike out last year (13.6 plate appearances per whiff). He improved his range in center field by getting better reads on balls. He's a solid runner underway.

Weaknesses: Hunter can pull the ball for power, but he projects to be below-average in that department because his swing lacks natural loft. He still projects as just a borderline average center fielder because of inconsistent routes and a lack of first-step quickness. His arm is below-average.

The Future: The Padres noticed an improved disposition from Hunter after he seemed a bit distracted by all his press clippings in 2007. He's ready for Double-A and he could receive a center-field audition in San Diego as early as 2010.

Indians Open To Trading Cabrera, Choo
By Ben Nicholson-Smith [November 19 at 3:07pm CST]
The Indians have made other teams aware of their willingness to trade shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reports. Cleveland seeks front-line pitching in return for Cabrera and Choo, according to Knobler.

The Indians could retain Choo and Cabrera if no team meets their asking price, but they’re aware that it’ll be difficult to unseat the Tigers atop the AL Central in 2013. Cabrera, 27, posted a .270/.338/.423 batting line with 16 home runs in 2012. He'll earn $6.5MM in 2013 and $10MM in 2014 before hitting free agency two years from now. The Diamondbacks and Red Sox appear to have some interest in trading for Cabrera.

Choo, 30, will be arbitration eligible this offseason and he'll hit free agency a year from now. He projects to earn approximately $7.9MM in 2013 after posting a .283/.373/.441 batting line in 686 plate appearances this past season. The Red Sox, Yankees, Rangers and Mariners are among the teams that could consider trading for outfielders this winter.


Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#dxI5RF9lMIMHgExz.99

Indians seeking front-line pitching if they move Cabrera, Choo
By Danny Knobler | Baseball Insider

November 19, 2012 2:42 pm ET

0 | Comment
The Indians have let teams know they're willing to trade shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, but also that they're looking for "front-line pitching" in return.

While the Indians don't appear to be in sell-at-all-costs Marlins mode -- they say they'll keep both players if they can't get what they want -- it seems clear they think their future would be better served by trading one or both players.

Their reasoning is simple, and it has a lot to do with the Tigers, the two-time defending American League Central champions who will be overwhelming favorites to win the division again in 2013.

The Indians see themselves as underdogs in the division, even with Cabrera, Choo and the other veterans they're willing to move (including closer Chris Perez and starter Justin Masterson). They can keep them all and make another run at winning, but realistically they'd be counting on the Tigers greatly underperforming.

With Choo eligible for free agency after 2013 and Cabrera eligible after 2014, and with the low-budget Indians seeming to have little chance to retain either one, they'd be going all-in on a season or two where they'd be counting on their rivals to collapse.

The alternative, they hope, would be to use those players to get pitching that would allow them to compete with the Tigers on more even footing in years to come. The Indians accept they won't be able to spend at the Tigers' level for free agents (or to keep their own potential free agents), so developing young pitching or acquiring it in trades is their best hope.

Cabrera would figure to have value this winter, given the weak free-agent market for shortstops. Cabrera's .762 OPS ranked fourth among regular major-league shortstops in 2012, behind only Ian Desmond, Derek Jeter and Jose Reyes. Cabrera is under contract for 2013, at $6.5 million (and will make $10 million in 2014).

Choo made $4.9 million last year, and is arbitration-eligible. He hasn't been able to match his strong 2009-10 seasons, but still had an .815 OPS in 2012.

The Indians actually spent the most days in first place of any AL Central team over the last two years (144, vs. 137 for the Tigers and 130 for the White Sox), but they seem to be realistic about their chances for next year.

Those chances would be somewhat better without trading away Cabrera and/or Choo. But their chances of winning in two or three years could be much better if they can find the right deal.

How do they define "front-line" pitching?

J.R. wrote:How do they define "front-line" pitching?

Slowey?

Cleveland Indians ponder Rule 5 decisions; invite outfield pair to spring camp


Published: Monday, November 19, 2012, 11:01 PM Updated: Monday, November 19, 2012, 11:02 PM
By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians, along with the 29 other big-league teams, must set their 40-man rosters by Tuesday in preparation for the Rule 5 Draft at the winter meetings.

As of Monday they were at 39 players. Among players being considered were right-handers Chen-Chang Lee and Trey Haley and outfielder Tim Fedroff.

Lee impressed the big league staff in spring training this past season, but injured his right elbow and needed Tommy John surgery. Haley, a reliever, struck out 49 in 28 2/3 innings while pitching at the Arizona Rookie League, Class A Carolina and Class AA Akron. In eight appearances in the Arizona Fall League, Haley allowed two runs on two hits in 11 innings.

Fedroff started the year at Class AA Akron and hit .305 (62-for-203) with 27 runs, nine doubles, five triples, three homers and 22 RBI. He hit .325 (86-for-265) with 52 runs, 14 doubles, five triples, nine homers and 32 RBI at Class AAA Columbus. This winter he hit .239 (17-for-71) with one homer and five RBI for Aguilas in the Dominican Republic.

Players eligible to be drafted by another team if they're not protected on the 40-man roster fall into two categories.

• Any player who was 19 or older when he signed and has been in the organization for four years; or

• Any player who was 18 or younger when he signed and has been in the organization for five years.
Lefty Nick Hagadone is still on the minor-league suspended list and will not count against the 40-man roster. A decision has yet to be rendered on Hagadone's grievance to restore his service time.

You're invited: The Indians signed outfielders Matt Carson and Cedric Hunter to minor-league deals with invitations to participate with the big-league club next spring in Goodyear, Ariz.
Carson, 31, played 26 games with the Twins last season. He hit .282 (119-for-422) with 28 doubles, two triples 14 homers and 53 RBI at Class AAA Rochester.

Hunter, 24, is a left-handed hitter who batted .268 (95-for-355) with 19 doubles, two triples, five homers and 44 RBI in 129 games at Class AAA Memphis (St. Louis).

Matt LaPorta outrighted as Cleveland Indians add 4 to 40-man roster for Rule 5 Draft

Published: Tuesday, November 20, 2012, 6:48 PM Updated: Tuesday, November 20, 2012, 8:03 PM


By Paul Hoynes, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians have added outfielder Tim Fedroff, right-handers Chen-Chang Lee and Trey Haley and left-hander T.J. House to the 40-man roster to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft at the winter meetings on Dec. 6 in Nashville.
First baseman Matt LaPorta, utility man Brent Lillibridge and right-hander Fabio Martinez were taken off the roster to make room for the newcomers. LaPorta and Lillibridge were sent to Class AAA Columbus and Martinez was designated for assignment. LaPorta must accept the assignment, but Lillibridge can decline it and elect free agency.
The roster is at 40.
Fedroff, 25, was the Indians seventh round pick in 2008 out of the University of North Carolina and signed for $725,000. He hit a combined .316 (148-for-468) with 79 runs, 23 doubles, 10 triples, 12 homers and 54 RBI in 154 games at Class AA Akron and Class AAA Columbus. The left-handed hitting Fedroff led all Indians minor leaguers in hits with 148.
This winter he hit .239 (17-for-71) with one homer and five RBI in 19 games for Aguilas in the Dominican Republic.
Fedroff was 9-for-9 in stolen bases at Columbus and 5-for-11 at Akron. After being promoted to Columbus on June 6, he hit .325 (86-for-265) with 52 runs, 14 doubles, five triples, nine homers and 32 RBI in 69 games.
Lee, 26, pitched well in spring training in February and March for the big league club. The Indians expected the sidearmer to help them in the bullpen at some point last year, but he injured his right elbow after only five appearances at Columbus and underwent Tommy John surgery in June. He is expected to pitch sometime this year.
The Indians signed Lee as a free agent in Taiwan in 2008 for an estimated $325,000. Lee is 17-11 with a 3.00 ERA with 138 relief appearances over the last four years in the Indians minor league system. He has 286 strikeouts and 74 walks in 234 1/3 innings.
Haley, 22, missed seven weeks of last season after undergoing surgery for a sports hernia. He pitched at three different levels, going a combined 4-1 with a 2.33 ERA in 25 relief appearances at the Arizona Rookie League, Class A Carolina and Class AA Akron. He struck out 49, walked 19 and allowed 26 hits in 38 2/3 innings. The opposition hit .188 against him and he averaged 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings.
The Indians drafted Haley with their second pick in the 2008 draft out of Central Heights High School in Nacogdoches, Texas. They signed him for an estimated $1.25 million.
Haley just finished his Arizona Fall League tour, allowing two earned runs in 11 innings for a 1.64 ERA. He allowed two hits, four walks and three strikeouts, while posting a 0.55 WHIP and a .065 batting average against.
House, 23, went a combined 10-5 with a 3.56 ERA at Class A Carolina and Class AA Akron. He struck out 116, walked 50 and allowed 59 earned runs in 27 starts covering 149 1/3 innings.
He finished his year with a good showing in the Arizona Fall League, going 3-1 with a 3.00 ERA in six starts. He struck out 27, walked nine and allowed nine earned runs and 20 hits in 27 innings.
The Indians selected him in the 16th round of the 2008 draft out of Picayune High School in Picayune, Miss. He signed for $750,000.
LaPorta, the key to the 2008 CC Sabathia trade with Milwaukee, has been a flop. He's currently recovering from hip surgery after hitting .241 (14-for-58) with one homer and five RBI in 22 games with the Indians. He spent most of last season at Columbus, where he hit .264 (99-for-375) with 56 runs, 19 doubles, 19 homers and 62 RBI in 101 games.
The Indians acquired Lillibridge in a deal with Boston on July 24. He hit .216 (24-for-111) with five doubles, three homers and eight RBI for the Tribe.
The Indians claimed Martinez on waivers from the Angels on Aug. 6.
Players eligible for the Rule 5 draft who are not protected by 40-man roster fall into two categories.
-Any player who was 19 or older when he signed and has been in the organization for four years.
-Any player who was 18 or younger when he signed and has been in the organization for five years.
Power-hitter Jesus Aguilar, 16-game winner T.J. McFarland and reliever Hector Rondon were three such players left unprotected by the Tribe. If anyone of them are selected in the Rule 5 Draft, the selecting team must keep them in the big leagues all year or offer them back to the Indians for half of the $50,000 drafting price.
The two team can also work out a trade.
Finally: New Indians catcher Yan Gomes singled home the game's only run as Team Brazil beat favored Panama, 1-0, Monday night to qualify for its first World Baseball Classic. Gomes and Mike Aviles were recently acquired from Toronto for reliever Esmil Rogers.

Power-hitter Jesus Aguilar, 16-game winner T.J. McFarland and reliever Hector Rondon were three such players left unprotected by the Tribe. If anyone of them are selected in the Rule 5 Draft, the selecting team must keep them in the big leagues all year or offer them back to the Indians for half of the $50,000 drafting price.

I'll go on record by saying that I really don't like the decisions made by the front office with respect to Aguilar and Rondon.

Anybody got any idea WTF this Front Office is doing? They filled the 40 man roster with guys nobody would take in the rule 5 draft. Since the 40 is full, they can't take a chance on somebody in the rule 5. You would think, with the lack of talent on this team, they might want to look at somebody new.

Joe Z, similar to Matt McBride who was removed from the Rockies 40 man roster today. Tribe's FO has a much better record then you on selecting their 40. See Hector Luna, Jody Gerut, Alex Ramirez, etc.

Sea, who is missing that should be on it that is not ?

It's not that someone is missing. There's guys on the roster for no good reason. They could have left a slot or two open and take a couple of rule 5 players.