Indians Acquire DeRosa, Trade Stevens, Archer, and Gaub

CLEVELAND, OH --- The Cleveland Indians today acquired INF MARK DeROSA from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for RHP JEFF STEVENS, RHP CHRIS ARCHER & LHP JOHN GAUB.

ON-BASE % LEADERS
2008 MLB 2ND BASEMEN
1. Chase Utley (PHI) # .380
2. Brian Roberts (BAL) .378
3. MARK DeROSA (CHC) .376
4. Dustin Pedroia (BOS) # .376
5. Ian Kinsler (TEX) # .375
6. Dan Uggla (FLA) # .360
# 2008 All-Star
* Among MLB players who appeared in at least 90 games at 2B

DeRosa, 33, had a career season with the Chicago Cubs in 2008, recording an on-base percentage of .376 (.285AVG, 144-505) with 30 doubles, 3 triples, 21 home runs and 87 RBI in 149 games. He recorded career highs in on-base %, HR, RBI, walks (69) and runs scored (103). He finished tied for 11th in the National League in runs and 16th in on-base %. On the year he hit .310 (45-145) off left-handed pitching (.398OB/.497SLG/.894OPS) and .322 (46-143) with runners in scoring position, which ranked 6th in the entire National League. He also became just the 2nd Cub since 1956 to record an extra base hit in 8 consecutive games in August (8/21-28), homering in 4 straight games at one point during the streak.

The versatile DeRosa appeared in at least 20 games at four (4) different positions and six (6) in total in 2008. He appeared in 95 games (80GS) at second base, 38 games in right field (32GS), 27 games in left field (21GS), 22 games at third base (10GS) and a game apiece at first base and shortstop. Among 2008 Major League players who appeared in at least 90 games at second base, he finished T3rd in home runs (21), 4th in RBI (87) and 3rd in on-base % (.376). He is signed thru 2009 and has been invited to participate in the 2009 WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC for TEAM USA.

He owns an 11-year Major League career on-base percentage of .348 (.279AVG, 740-2650) with 151 doubles, 10 triples, 69 home runs and 352 RBI in 893 games with Atlanta, Texas & Chicago-NL. Over each of the last 3 seasons since 2006 he has posted 70+ RBI with on-base percentages of .357 or higher. He owns a career batting average of .302 (232-767, .847OPS) off left-handed pitching. He was originally selected in the 7th round of the 1996 draft by Atlanta out of the University of Pennsylvania, where he played baseball and was the Quakers starting quarterback from 1993-95.

“The acquisition of Mark DeRosa gives our club an experienced, high character infielder who complements our team perfectly with his professional, right-handed bat and defensive versatility,” said Cleveland Indians Executive Vice President and General Manager MARK SHAPIRO.

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