2009 Lake County Captains Transactions

Here are the final transactions for Single-A Lake County in 2009:

04/07/2009 Doug Pickens assigned to Lake County Captains from Akron Aeros.
04/08/2009 Mike Pontius roster status changed by Lake County Captains.
04/17/2009 Anillins Martinez assigned to Lake County Captains from Cleveland Indians.
04/17/2009 Ryan Miller assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
04/23/2009 Mike Pontius assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
04/25/2009 Paolo Espino assigned to Akron Aeros from Lake County Captains.
04/28/2009 Russell Young assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
04/28/2009 Eddie Burns assigned to Lake County Captains from Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
04/28/2009 Paolo Espino assigned to Lake County Captains from Akron Aeros.
05/01/2009 Kyle Landis assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
05/02/2009 Mattew Willard assigned to Lake County Captains from Extended Spring Training.
05/05/2009 Matthew Willard assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
05/05/2009 Danny Salazar assigned to Lake County Captains from Extended Spring Training.
05/07/2009 Lake County Captains placed 3B Jeremie Tice on the 7-Day disabled list.
05/08/2009 Paolo Espino assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
05/09/2009 Matthew Willard assigned to Lake County Captains from Kinston Indians.
05/11/2009 Lake County Captains activated C Doug Pickens from the 7-Day disabled list.
05/12/2009 Ryan Blair assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
05/12/2009 Delvi Cid assigned to Lake County Captains from Extended Spring Training.
05/14/2009 Joseph Mahalic assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
05/14/2009 Curtis Haley assigned to Lake County Captains from Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
05/18/2009 Doug Pickens assigned to Columbus Clippers from Lake County Captains.
05/18/2009 Bryce Stowell assigned to Lake County Captains from Extended Spring Training.
05/19/2009 Lake County Captains activated 3B Jeremie Tice from the 7-Day disabled list.
05/20/2009 John Allman assigned to Lake County Captains from Kinston Indians.
05/20/2009 Nate Recknagel assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
05/29/2009 Doug Pickens assigned to Lake County Captains from Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
05/30/2009 Lake County Captains placed 3B Jeremie Tice on the 7-Day disabled list retroactive to May 28, 2009.
06/01/2009 Chris Jones assigned to Lake County Captains from Extended Spring Training.
06/01/2009 Bryce Stowell assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
06/06/2009 Lake County Captains placed SS Mark Thompson on the 7-Day disabled list. Left calf strain.
06/06/2009 Jose Camargo assigned to Lake County Captains from Extended Spring Training.
06/11/2009 Scott Lewis LHP Scott Lewis assigned to Lake County Captains.
06/16/2009 Scott Lewis assigned to Akron Aeros from Lake County Captains.
06/16/2009 Lake County Captains activated SS Mark Thompson from the 7-Day disabled list.
06/16/2009 Doug Pickens assigned to Columbus Clippers from Lake County Captains.
06/18/2009 Nate Recknagel assigned to Lake County Captains from Kinston Indians.
06/18/2009 Jose Camargo assigned to AZL Indians from Lake County Captains.
06/18/2009 John Allman assigned to Mahoning Valley Scrappers from Lake County Captains.
06/21/2009 Matthew Willard assigned to Lake County Captains from Kinston Indians.
06/25/2009 David Roberts assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
06/25/2009 Santo Frias assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
06/25/2009 Lake County Captains placed RF Abner Abreu on the 7-Day disabled list. shoulder injury
06/25/2009 Travis Turek assigned to Lake County Captains from Kinston Indians.
06/25/2009 Ryan Miller assigned to Lake County Captains from Kinston Indians.
06/25/2009 Fausto Carmona assigned to Lake County Captains from Kinston Indians.
06/26/2009 Wes Hodges assigned to Lake County Captains from Columbus Clippers.
06/28/2009 Adam White roster status changed by Lake County Captains.
06/28/2009 Bo Greenwell assigned to Lake County Captains from Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
06/30/2009 Fausto Carmona assigned to Akron Aeros from Lake County Captains.
07/01/2009 Kaimi Mead assigned to Lake County Captains from Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
07/01/2009 Mike McGuire assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
07/03/2009 Wes Hodges assigned to Columbus Clippers from Lake County Captains.
07/07/2009 John Allman assigned to Lake County Captains from Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
07/08/2009 Alexander Perez assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
07/10/2009 Brian Grening assigned to Lake County Captains from Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
07/13/2009 Daniel DeGeorge assigned to Lake County Captains from AZL Indians.
07/16/2009 Lake County Captains placed RHP Eddie Burns on the 7-Day disabled list retroactive to July 8, 2009.
07/16/2009 Francisco Jimenez assigned to Lake County Captains from AZL Indians.
07/26/2009 Lake County Captains activated 3B Jeremie Tice from the 7-Day disabled list.
07/28/2009 Matthew Willard assigned to Columbus Clippers from Lake County Captains.
07/30/2009 Lakewood BlueClaws traded Jason Knapp to Lake County Captains.
08/05/2009 Nick Hagadone assigned to Lake County Captains from Indians Organization.
08/05/2009 Ryan Miller suspended.
08/11/2009 Lake County Captains activated RHP Jason Knapp.
08/11/2009 Danny Salazar assigned to Mahoning Valley Scrappers from Lake County Captains.
08/13/2009 Michael Valadez assigned to AZL Indians from Lake County Captains.
08/13/2009 Roberto Perez assigned to Lake County Captains from AZL Indians.
08/15/2009 Adam White assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
08/15/2009 Lake County Captains placed RHP Matthew Langwell on the 7-Day disabled list retroactive to August 8, 2009.
08/15/2009 Danny Salazar assigned to Lake County Captains from Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
08/17/2009 Chris Jones assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
08/20/2009 Lake County Captains activated RHP Matthew Langwell from the 7-Day disabled list.
08/29/2009 Brian Grening assigned to Akron Aeros from Lake County Captains.
08/29/2009 Matthew Willard assigned to Lake County Captains from Kinston Indians.
08/29/2009 Alexander Morales assigned to Lake County Captains from AZL Indians.
08/30/2009 Mark Thompson assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
08/30/2009 John Allman assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
08/30/2009 Trent Baker assigned to Lake County Captains from AZL Indians.
08/30/2009 Nickolas Sarianides assigned to Lake County Captains from AZL Indians.
09/01/2009 John Allman assigned to Lake County Captains from Kinston Indians.
09/01/2009 Donnie Webb assigned to Columbus Clippers from Lake County Captains.
09/02/2009 Nick Hagadone assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
09/03/2009 Steve Smith assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
09/05/2009 Garrison Campfield assigned to Lake County Captains from Kinston Indians.
09/05/2009 Jose Urena assigned to Lake County Captains from Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
09/08/2009 Jose Urena assigned to Mahoning Valley Scrappers from Lake County Captains.
09/21/2009 Lake County Captains activated LHP Ryan Miller.
09/21/2009 Lake County Captains activated RF Abner Abreu from the 7-Day disabled list.
09/21/2009 Lake County Captains activated RHP Eddie Burns from the 7-Day disabled list.

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2009 Video Recap: Spring Training

As we close the book on 2009 and open another with the start of 2010, there will be lots of new video, pictures, stories, and news to share on the minor leaguers in the Indians system.  Today the focus is on where it all started in 2009 and where it will also begin in 2010: spring training.  These videos are from about nine months ago (which feels like nine years ago), but it was a starting point to another very good season in player development for the Indians.

As noted before, over the past few weeks I have also posted recaps for Mahoning Valley, Lake County, Kinston, Akron, Columbus and Instructional League.

(note, videos may take a minute or two to load on this page, so please be patient)

Chris Jones:


Adam Abraham:


Nate Recknagel:


Kelvin De La Cruz:


Trey Haley:


Tony Sipp:


Nick Weglarz:


Carlos Santana:


Beau Mills:


Jose Constanza:


Hector Rondon:


Jordan Brown:


Matt Meyer:


Guido Fonseca:


Eddie Burns:


Carlos Rivero:


Carlos Moncrief:


Beau Mills:


Michael Finocchi:


Francisco Valera:


Lonnie Chisenhall:


Cord Phelps:


Tim Fedroff:


Matt McBride:


Marty Popham:


John Allman:


Jason Denham:


Santo Frias:


Ryan Miller:


Eric Berger:


Jose Urena:


Russell Young:


Matt Langwell:


Gary Campfield:


Jonathan Holt:


David Huff:


Joey Mahalic:


Jeanmar Gomez:


Alexander Perez:


Mike McGuire:


Adam Abraham:


T.J. House:


Ryan Morris:


Bo Greenwell:


Josh Judy:


Steve Smith:


Nate Recknagel:


Abner Abreu:


Jeremie Tice:


Chen-Chang Lee:


Zach Putnam:


Josh Tomlin:


T.J. McFarland:

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2009 Kinston Indians Transactions

Here are the final transactions for advanced Single-A Kinston in 2009:

04/17/2009 Ryan Miller assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
04/19/2009 Kelvin De La Cruz assigned to Mahoning Valley Scrappers from Kinston Indians.
04/23/2009 Mike Pontius assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
04/23/2009 Josh Judy assigned to Akron Aeros from Kinston Indians.
04/28/2009 Russell Young assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
04/29/2009 Jeanmar Gomez assigned to Akron Aeros from Kinston Indians.
05/01/2009 Kinston Indians placed RHP Mike Pontius on the 7-Day disabled list.
05/01/2009 Kyle Landis assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
05/04/2009 Cristo Arnal assigned to Columbus Clippers from Kinston Indians.
05/05/2009 Matthew Willard assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
05/08/2009 Zach Putnam assigned to Akron Aeros from Kinston Indians.
05/08/2009 Paolo Espino assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
05/08/2009 Cristo Arnal assigned to Kinston Indians from Columbus Clippers.
05/09/2009 Matthew Willard assigned to Lake County Captains from Kinston Indians.
05/12/2009 Matt McBride assigned to Akron Aeros from Kinston Indians.
05/12/2009 John Drennen assigned to Kinston Indians from Akron Aeros.
05/12/2009 Ryan Blair assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
05/14/2009 Joseph Mahalic assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
05/16/2009 Kinston Indians placed LHP Ryan Miller on the 7-Day disabled list. Oblique strain.
05/16/2009 Travis Turek Kinston Indians signed free agent RHP Travis Turek.
05/17/2009 Kinston Indians placed OF Roman Pena on the 7-Day disabled list. Hand injury
05/20/2009 Nate Recknagel assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
05/20/2009 John Allman assigned to Lake County Captains from Kinston Indians.
05/21/2009 Cristo Arnal assigned to Akron Aeros from Kinston Indians.
05/22/2009 Matthew Willard assigned to Kinston Indians from Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
06/01/2009 John Drennen assigned to Akron Aeros from Kinston Indians.
06/01/2009 Bryce Stowell assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
06/02/2009 Kinston Indians placed RHP Joseph Mahalic on the 7-Day disabled list.
06/06/2009 Matt Meyer assigned to Akron Aeros from Kinston Indians.
06/06/2009 Fausto Carmona assigned to Kinston Indians from AZL Indians.
06/14/2009 Kinston Indians placed RF Matthew Brown on the 7-Day disabled list.
06/18/2009 Nate Recknagel assigned to Lake County Captains from Kinston Indians.
06/19/2009 Kinston Indians placed LHP Heath Taylor on the 7-Day disabled list.
06/19/2009 Ole Sheldon Kinston Indians signed free agent 1B Ole Sheldon.
06/21/2009 Matthew Willard assigned to Lake County Captains from Kinston Indians.
06/25/2009 Santo Frias assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
06/25/2009 David Roberts assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
06/25/2009 Travis Turek assigned to Lake County Captains from Kinston Indians.
06/25/2009 Ryan Miller assigned to Lake County Captains from Kinston Indians.
06/25/2009 Fausto Carmona assigned to Lake County Captains from Kinston Indians.
06/27/2009 Doug Pickens assigned to Kinston Indians from Indians Extended Spring Training.
06/30/2009 Eric Perlozzo assigned to Kinston Indians from Cleveland Indians.
07/01/2009 Mike McGuire assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
07/04/2009 Kinston Indians activated CF Roman Pena from the 7-Day disabled list.
07/08/2009 Alexander Perez assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
07/09/2009 Kinston Indians placed LHP Ryan Morris on the 7-Day disabled list.
07/26/2009 Kyle Haines assigned to Kinston Indians from Akron Aeros.
07/28/2009 San Jose Giants traded Scott Barnes to Kinston Indians.
07/30/2009 Kinston Indians activated LHP Scott Barnes.
07/30/2009 Kinston Indians released 2B Eric Perlozzo.
08/03/2009 Mike McGuire assigned to Kinston Indians from Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
08/04/2009 Bryan Price assigned to Kinston Indians.
08/05/2009 Eric Berger assigned to Akron Aeros from Kinston Indians.
08/08/2009 Lonnie Chisenhall assigned to Akron Aeros from Kinston Indians.
08/11/2009 Scott Barnes assigned to Akron Aeros from Kinston Indians.
08/11/2009 Adam White assigned to Kinston Indians.
08/15/2009 Adam White assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
08/15/2009 Scott Lewis LHP Scott Lewis assigned to Kinston Indians.
08/16/2009 Garrison Campfield assigned to Kinston Indians from Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
08/17/2009 Chris Jones assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
08/18/2009 Matthew Willard assigned to Kinston Indians from Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
08/20/2009 Ryan Blair assigned to Columbus Clippers from Kinston Indians.
08/22/2009 Ryan Blair assigned to Kinston Indians from Columbus Clippers.
08/29/2009 Matthew Willard assigned to Lake County Captains from Kinston Indians.
08/30/2009 John Allman assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
08/30/2009 Mark Thompson assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
09/01/2009 Ryan Blair assigned to Columbus Clippers from Kinston Indians.
09/01/2009 John Allman assigned to Lake County Captains from Kinston Indians.
09/02/2009 Nick Hagadone assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
09/03/2009 Steve Smith assigned to Kinston Indians from Lake County Captains.
09/05/2009 Garrison Campfield assigned to Lake County Captains from Kinston Indians.
09/21/2009 Kinston Indians activated RF Matthew Brown from the 7-Day disabled list.
09/21/2009 Kinston Indians activated RHP Joseph Mahalic from the 7-Day disabled list.
09/21/2009 Kinston Indians activated LHP Ryan Morris from the 7-Day disabled list.
09/21/2009 Kinston Indians activated RHP Mike Pontius from the 7-Day disabled list.
09/21/2009 Kinston Indians activated LHP Heath Taylor from the 7-Day disabled list.

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2009 Video Recap: Mahoning Valley

My season ending video recap series continues today, this time with a look at some video shot over the course of the 2009 season at short-season Single-A Mahoning Valley.  The roster was made up mostly of new faces from the 2009 Draft, so this was the first look at a lot of the new players in the organization.  Over the past few weeks I have also posted year end recaps for Lake County, Kinston, Akron, Columbus and Instructional League, and later this week I will post the final video recap in this series as we look back on some of the shots from spring training in 2009.

(note, videos may take a minute or two to load on this page, so please be patient)

Kyle Bellows:


Jordan Henry:


John Allman:


Jesus Brito:


Austin Adams:


Vidal Nuno:


Nick Kirk:


Kyle Smith:


Jason Kipnis:


Greg Folgia:


Casey Frawley:


Argenis Martinez:

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Winter Ball Stats: 12/27 Final Update

The winter leagues have wrapped up and now are either in their playoffs or have just completed them.  With that, this is the final winter stats update of the offseason. 

In all, there were some very good performances from Jordan Brown (.328, 4 HR, 21 RBI, .936 OPS), Matt McBride (.378, 4 HR, 18 RBI, 1.160 OPS) and Roman Pena (.332, 6 HR, 34 RBI, .950 OPS) as well as some encouraging performances from Fausto Carmona (2.70 ERA, 3 G, 13.1 IP, 0 BB), Rafael Perez (0.33 ERA, 6 G, 27.0 IP, 10 BB, 25 K), and Jake Westbrook (3.65 ERA, 4 G, 12.1 IP, 6 BB, 6 K). 

BATTERS	LGE	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	OBP	SLG
Brown, Jordan	VWL	.328	35	119	17	39	6	3	4	21	17	26	.407	.529
Cardona, Rodolfo	VWL	--	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	--	--
Castillo, Alex	DWL	.000	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	.000	.000
Constanza, Jose	DWL	.333	31	87	24	29	4	1	0	3	9	12	.396	.402
Fedroff, Tim	AFL	.111	10	36	3	4	0	0	0	2	3	8	.175	.111
Gimenez, Chris	VWL	.304	11	46	5	14	2	0	1	3	1	10	.319	.413
Marte, Andy	DWL	.272	22	81	6	22	6	0	2	8	4	13	.310	.420
McBride, Matt	AFL	.378	22	74	15	28	4	2	4	18	19	9	.511	.649
Montero, Lucas	DWL	.048	25	21	7	1	0	0	0	2	5	6	.231	.048
Pena, Roman	LMP	.332	61	214	39	71	18	7	6	34	15	51	.385	.565
Perez, Roberto	PWL	.250	2	4	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	2	.250	.250
Rivero, Carlos	AFL	.318	22	88	13	28	6	1	2	13	8	19	.381	.477
Rodriguez, Angel	VWL	.182	10	11	2	2	0	1	0	0	0	2	.182	.364
Rodriguez, Josh	AFL	.222	15	54	7	12	3	1	1	4	5	23	.288	.370
Rodriguez, Luis	VWL	.310	43	142	21	44	5	0	1	8	24	11	.417	.366
Romero, Niuman	VWL	.287	33	94	11	27	3	0	1	10	18	15	.404	.351
Santana, Carlos	DWL	.000	1	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	.000	.000
Valbuena, Luis	VWL	.276	47	163	32	45	9	1	6	25	20	38	.349	.454
Weglarz, Nick	AFL	.240	8	25	3	6	1	0	0	1	7	7	.424	.280

 

PITCHERS	LGE	W	L	ERA	G	GS	IP	H	HR	BB	SO	GO/AO	WHIP	AVG
Carmona, Fausto	DWL	1	1	2.70	3	3	13.1	10	0	0	5	1.83	0.75	.204
Flores, Jose	VWL	0	0	-.--	1	0	0.0	1	0	0	0	--	--	1.000
Graham, Connor	AFL	1	1	6.08	11	0	13.1	14	1	18	16	4.75	2.40	.280
Herrmann, Frank	DWL	1	0	2.25	11	0	12.0	13	2	4	6	0.53	1.42	.283
Judy, Josh	AFL	2	2	1.59	11	0	17.0	13	0	8	20	1.33	1.24	.210
Perez, Rafael	DWL	3	0	0.33	6	5	27.0	14	0	10	25	1.94	0.89	.156
Pestano, Vinnie	AFL	0	1	7.36	4	0	3.2	5	1	4	5	0.67	2.45	.333
Pino, Yohan	VWL	3	3	3.65	14	12	56.2	64	7	9	40	0.89	1.29	.278
Putnam, Zach	AFL	0	1	8.76	5	5	12.1	18	0	3	18	1.57	1.70	.333
Ray, Ken	VWL	1	2	6.92	15	0	13.0	16	2	4	20	0.36	1.54	.296
Rivera, Saul	PWL	3	1	4.22	11	0	10.2	11	0	3	6	4.20	1.31	.275
Rondon, Hector	VWL	2	0	4.26	6	6	25.1	23	2	5	14	1.61	1.11	.247
Smith, Carlton	AFL	0	1	5.14	12	0	14.0	22	2	4	6	2.89	1.86	.333
Talbot, Mitch	AFL	3	0	4.37	6	6	22.2	27	2	6	15	2.27	1.46	.303
Westbrook, Jake	PWL	0	0	3.65	4	4	12.1	15	0	6	6	2.88	1.70	.294
Wright, Steven	VWL	0	1	4.91	9	0	7.1	8	1	2	5	4.67	1.36	.296

 

FIELDERS	LGE	1B	2B	3B	SS	OF	C	E
Brown, Jordan	VWL	0	0	0	0	31	0	2
Cardona, Rodolfo	VWL	0	0	0	1	0	0	0
Castillo, Alex	DWL	--	--	--	--	--	--	--
Constanza, Jose	DWL	0	0	0	0	29	0	0
Fedroff, Tim	AFL	0	0	0	0	10	0	0
Gimenez, Chris	VWL	0	0	4	0	1	7	0
Marte, Andy	DWL	12	0	7	0	0	0	4
McBride, Matt	AFL	5	0	0	0	5	11	0
Montero, Lucas	DWL	0	0	0	0	11	0	1
Pena, Roman	LMP	0	0	0	0	60	0	2
Perez, Roberto	PWL	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
Rivero, Carlos	AFL	0	0	17	2	0	0	6
Rodriguez, Angel	VWL	0	0	0	0	9	0	0
Rodriguez, Josh	AFL	2	10	0	0	3	0	2
Rodriguez, Luis	VWL	0	38	1	1	0	0	10
Romero, Niuman	VWL	0	9	5	0	0	0	2
Santana, Carlos	DWL	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Valbuena, Luis	VWL	0	46	0	0	0	0	5
Weglarz, Nick	AFL	0	0	0	0	5	0	1

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2009 Akron Aeros Transactions

Here are the final transactions for Double-A Akron in 2009:

03/19/2009 Transaction Akron Carlos Santana Cleveland Indians optioned catcher Carlos Santana to Double-A Akron.
03/19/2009 Transaction Akron Hector Rondon Cleveland Indians optioned RHP Hector Rondon to Double-A Akron.
04/06/2009 Akron Aeros placed RHP Carlton Smith on the 7-Day disabled list retroactive to November 1, 2008
04/07/2009 Doug Pickens assigned to Lake County Captains from Akron Aeros.
04/08/2009 Akron Aeros signed 2B Niuman Romero.
04/12/2009 Ryan Edell assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
04/14/2009 Akron Aeros activated RHP Carlton Smith from the 7-Day disabled list.
04/16/2009 Akron Aeros placed 3B Jared Goedert on the 7-Day disabled list. Right oblique strain.
04/16/2009 Armando Camacaro assigned to Akron Aeros from Cleveland Indians.
04/22/2009 Scott Roehl assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
04/23/2009 Josh Judy assigned to Akron Aeros from Kinston Indians.
04/25/2009 Paolo Espino assigned to Akron Aeros from Lake County Captains.
04/28/2009 Paolo Espino assigned to Lake County Captains from Akron Aeros.
04/28/2009 Randy Newsom assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
04/29/2009 Jeanmar Gomez assigned to Akron Aeros from Kinston Indians.
04/29/2009 Steven Wright assigned to Akron Aeros from Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
05/04/2009 Akron Aeros activated 3B Jared Goedert from the 7-Day disabled list.
05/04/2009 Akron Aeros placed SS Josh Rodriguez on the 7-Day disabled list retroactive to April 30, 2009. Right hamstring injury.
05/06/2009 Frank Herrmann assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
05/08/2009 Zach Putnam assigned to Akron Aeros from Kinston Indians.
05/11/2009 Randy Newsom assigned to Akron Aeros from Columbus Clippers.
05/11/2009 Akron Aeros released RHP Mike Finocchi.
05/12/2009 John Drennen assigned to Kinston Indians from Akron Aeros.
05/12/2009 Ryan Edell assigned to Akron Aeros from Columbus Clippers.
05/12/2009 Matt McBride assigned to Akron Aeros from Kinston Indians.
05/14/2009 Steven Wright assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
05/15/2009 Steven Wright assigned to Akron Aeros from Columbus Clippers.
05/16/2009 Scott Roehl assigned to Akron Aeros from Columbus Clippers.
05/16/2009 Erik Stiller assigned to Akron Aeros from Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
05/21/2009 Mickey Hall assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
05/21/2009 Cristo Arnal assigned to Akron Aeros from Kinston Indians.
05/22/2009 Akron Aeros placed RHP Josh Judy on the 7-Day disabled list retroactive to May 18, 2009. Strained right forearm
05/22/2009 Chuck Lofgren assigned to Akron Aeros from Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
05/24/2009 Steven Wright assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
05/28/2009 Niuman Romero assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
05/28/2009 Akron Aeros activated RHP Josh Judy from the 7-Day disabled list.
05/30/2009 Chuck Lofgren assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
05/30/2009 Steven Wright assigned to Akron Aeros from Columbus Clippers.
05/31/2009 Damaso Espino assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
05/31/2009 Damaso Espino assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
06/01/2009 John Drennen assigned to Akron Aeros from Kinston Indians.
06/02/2009 Akron Aeros signed free agent 2B Kyle Haines.
06/06/2009 Akron Aeros placed RHP Scott Roehl on the 7-Day disabled list retroactive to June 5, 2009.
06/06/2009 Matt Meyer assigned to Akron Aeros from Kinston Indians.
06/06/2009 Brian Grening assigned to Akron Aeros from Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
06/06/2009 Jake Westbrook assigned to Akron Aeros from Cleveland Indians.
06/13/2009 Matt McBride assigned to Akron Aeros from Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
06/16/2009 Jake Westbrook assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
06/16/2009 Scott Lewis assigned to Akron Aeros from Lake County Captains.
06/23/2009 Aaron Laffey assigned to Akron Aeros from Cleveland Indians.
06/23/2009 Asdrubal Cabrera assigned to Akron Aeros from Cleveland Indians.
06/30/2009 Fausto Carmona assigned to Akron Aeros from Lake County Captains.
07/03/2009 Aaron Laffey assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
07/04/2009 Jeanmar Gomez assigned to Akron Aeros from Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
07/04/2009 Fausto Carmona assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
07/05/2009 Akron Aeros signed free agent LHP Bobby Livingston.
07/05/2009 Hector Rondon assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
07/07/2009 Akron Aeros signed free agent LHP Michael Tejera.
07/10/2009 Akron Aeros placed RHP Vinnie Pestano on the 7-Day disabled list.
07/10/2009 Ryan Edell assigned to Akron Aeros from Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
07/11/2009 Akron Aeros placed LF Nicholas Weglarz on the temporarily inactive list.
07/11/2009 Akron Aeros placed C Carlos Santana on the temporarily inactive list.
07/11/2009 Mickey Hall assigned to Akron Aeros from Columbus Clippers.
07/17/2009 Akron Aeros placed RF Jerad Head on the 7-Day disabled list. right shoulder sublux
07/17/2009 Akon Aeros activated LF Nicholas Weglarz from the temporarily inactive list.
07/17/2009 Akron Aeros activated C Carlos Santana from the temporarily inactive list.
07/26/2009 Akron Aeros activated RF Jerad Head from the 7-Day disabled list.
07/26/2009 Jesus Merchan assigned to Akron Aeros from AZL Indians.
07/26/2009 Kyle Haines assigned to Kinston Indians from Akron Aeros.
07/26/2009 Michael Tejera assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
07/29/2009 Connor Graham assigned to Akron Aeros from Indians Organization.
08/02/2009 Jeanmar Gomez assigned to Akron Aeros from Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
08/02/2009 Mickey Hall assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
08/04/2009 Jake Westbrook RHP Jake Westbrook assigned to Akron Aeros.
08/05/2009 Eric Berger assigned to Akron Aeros from Kinston Indians.
08/05/2009 Ryan Edell assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
08/08/2009 Lonnie Chisenhall assigned to Akron Aeros from Kinston Indians.
08/08/2009 Jesus Merchan assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
08/11/2009 Scott Barnes assigned to Akron Aeros from Kinston Indians.
08/11/2009 Bobby Livingston assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
08/18/2009 Akron Aeros placed LF Nicholas Weglarz on the 7-Day disabled list retroactive to August 16, 2009. Shin splints.
08/18/2009 Akron Aeros activated 2B Josh Rodriguez from the 7-Day disabled list.
08/25/2009 Bobby Livingston assigned to Akron Aeros from Columbus Clippers.
08/26/2009 Akron Aeros placed LHP Matt Meyer on the 7-Day disabled list retroactive to August 24, 2009. Strained right calf.
08/29/2009 Akron Aeros placed RHP Josh Tomlin on the 7-Day disabled list retroactive to August 28, 2009. left calf strain
08/29/2009 Brian Grening assigned to Akron Aeros from Lake County Captains.
08/31/2009 Akron Aeros activated LHP Matt Meyer from the 7-Day disabled list.
08/31/2009 Bobby Livingston assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
09/04/2009 Akron Aeros activated RHP Josh Tomlin from the 7-Day disabled list.
09/04/2009 Matt Meyer assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
09/21/2009 Akron Aeros activated RHP Vinnie Pestano from the 7-Day disabled list.
09/21/2009 Akron Aeros activated LF Nick Weglarz from the 7-Day disabled list.
09/21/2009 Akron Aeros activated RHP Scott Roehl from the 7-Day disabled list.

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Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

To all the readers of the Indians Prospect Insider, I just wanted to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. And for those that do not celebrate Christmas I wanted to wish you a Happy Holidays as well.

Things have been changing rapidly on this site since its inception over two years ago, and a lot more change and new stuff is in store for 2010.  A new prospect book and site prospect countdown is coming, and lots more stories and news to share in the upcoming year.  In the meantime I will continue my endless quest to make this the one and only place you need to go for timely, accurate, and good information on ALL of the prospects in the Cleveland Indians system.

So from my family to yours, I hope you have a wonderful and joyous holiday season for you and your family.  Maybe Santa one day will "pitch" in and leave a few nice presents under the Christmas tree for Tribe fans.  The fans have certainly been nice and patient enough (unlike those naughty Yankees)!

Merry Christmas!

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2009 Video Recap: Lake County

Today we continue with our year end video recap series, this time taking a look at some of the shots taken over the course of the 2009 season at Low-A Lake County.  Over the past few weeks I have posted the year end recaps for Kinston, Akron, Columbus and Instructional League, and in the final few days before the new year I will be providing video recaps for Mahoning Valley and 2009 Spring Training as well.

(note, videos may take a minute or two to load on this page, so please be patient)

Chris Nash:


Trey Haley:


T.J. McFarland #1:


T.J. McFarland #2:


T.J. House:


Nick Hagadone #1:


Nick Hagadone #2:


Nate Recknagel:


Mike McGuire:


Kaimi Mead:


Chris Jones:

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2009 Columbus Clippers Transactions

Over the next week the content will be centered more in wrapping up the 2009 season before the start of the new year, especially since my 2010 Top 50 Prospect countdown is coming in January (more on that later, and yes there will be a new book, and yes there will be over 150 prospects profiled). Today is the first "transactions" list finalizing all the moves at all the affiliates in 2009, with Triple-A Columbus kicking things off:

03/15/2009 Cleveland Indians optioned LHP Rich Rundles to Triple-A Columbus.
03/19/2009 Cleveland Indians optioned second baseman Luis Valbuena to Triple-A Columbus.
03/19/2009 Cleveland Indians optioned LHP Tony Sipp to Triple-A Columbus.
03/19/2009 Cleveland Indians optioned RHP Juan Salas to Triple-A Columbus.
03/19/2009 Cleveland Indians optioned RHP Adam Miller to Triple-A Columbus.
03/19/2009 Cleveland Indians optioned RHP John Meloan to Triple-A Columbus.
03/24/2009 Cleveland Indians optioned LHP Jeremy Sowers to Triple-A Columbus.
03/24/2009 Cleveland Indians optioned catcher Wyatt Toregas to Triple-A Columbus.
03/25/2009 Cleveland Indians optioned LHP Aaron Laffey to Triple-A Columbus.
03/26/2009 Cleveland Indians claimed RHP Jae Kuk Ryu off waivers from the Padres and optioned him to Triple-A Columbus.
03/28/2009 Cleveland Indians optioned catcher Chris Gimenez to Triple-A Columbus.
03/28/2009 Cleveland Indians optioned outfielder Trevor Crowe to Triple-A Columbus.
03/30/2009 Cleveland Indians recalled outfielder Trevor Crowe from Triple-A Columbus.
04/08/2009 Columbus Clippers signed 2B Andy Cannizaro.
04/11/2009 Cleveland Indians purchased Vinnie Chulk from Columbus Clippers.
04/12/2009 Ryan Edell assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
04/15/2009 Cleveland Indians recalled Aaron Laffey from Columbus Clippers.
04/15/2009 Cleveland Indians optioned 2B Josh Barfield to Columbus Clippers.
04/20/2009 David Dellucci assigned to Columbus Clippers from Cleveland Indians.
04/22/2009 Cleveland Indians recalled Tony Sipp from Columbus Clippers.
04/22/2009 Scott Roehl assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
04/22/2009 Cleveland Indians optioned LHP Zach Jackson to Columbus Clippers.
04/23/2009 Columbus Clippers placed RHP Greg Aquino on the 7-Day disabled list.
04/28/2009 Randy Newsom assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
04/29/2009 Cleveland Indians recalled LHP Rich Rundles from Columbus Clippers.
05/01/2009 Cleveland Indians optioned Rich Rundles to Columbus Clippers.
05/02/2009 Andy Cannizaro assigned to Columbus Clippers from Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
05/02/2009 George Lombard assigned to Columbus Clippers.
05/02/2009 Cleveland Indians optioned LF Trevor Crowe to Columbus Clippers.
05/02/2009 Matt LaPorta Cleveland Indians called up Matt LaPorta from Columbus Clippers.
05/02/2009 Cleveland Indians recalled 2B Luis Valbuena from Columbus Clippers.
05/02/2009 Cleveland Indians recalled Josh Barfield from Columbus Clippers.
05/04/2009 Scott Roehl roster status changed by Columbus Clippers.
05/04/2009 Cristo Arnal assigned to Columbus Clippers from Kinston Indians.
05/06/2009 Frank Herrmann assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
05/06/2009 Cleveland Indians optioned LHP Rafael Perez to Columbus Clippers.
05/06/2009 Cleveland Indians called up Matt Herges from Columbus Clippers.
05/07/2009 Columbus Clippers activated RHP Greg Aquino from the 7-Day disabled list.
05/07/2009 Cleveland Indians outrighted 2B Tony Graffanino to Columbus Clippers.
05/07/2009 Cleveland Indians recalled Jeremy Sowers from Columbus Clippers.
05/08/2009 Cristo Arnal assigned to Kinston Indians from Columbus Clippers.
05/08/2009 Jamey Carroll assigned to Columbus Clippers from Cleveland Indians.
05/11/2009 Columbus Clippers placed OF Stephen Head on the 7-Day disabled list retroactive to May 7, 2009.
05/11/2009 Jack Cassel assigned to Columbus Clippers from Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
05/11/2009 Columbus Clippers signed free agent RHP Blaine Neal.
05/11/2009 Randy Newsom assigned to Akron Aeros from Columbus Clippers.
05/12/2009 Cleveland Indians optioned 2B Josh Barfield to Columbus Clippers.
05/12/2009 Ryan Edell assigned to Akron Aeros from Columbus Clippers.
05/14/2009 Steven Wright assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
05/14/2009 Cleveland Indians optioned Jeremy Sowers to Columbus Clippers.
05/14/2009 Cleveland Indians outrighted RHP Vinnie Chulk to Columbus Clippers.
05/15/2009 Columbus Clippers placed 3B Wes Hodges on the 7-Day disabled list retroactive to May 13, 2009.
05/15/2009 Travis Hafner assigned to Columbus Clippers from Cleveland Indians.
05/15/2009 Steven Wright assigned to Akron Aeros from Columbus Clippers.
05/16/2009 Scott Roehl assigned to Akron Aeros from Columbus Clippers.
05/17/2009 Cleveland Indians optioned LHP Tony Sipp to Columbus Clippers.
05/17/2009 Cleveland Indians outrighted RHP Masa Kobayashi to Columbus Clippers.
05/17/2009 Cleveland Indians called up David Huff from Columbus Clippers.
05/17/2009 Cleveland Indians called up Greg Aquino from Columbus Clippers.
05/18/2009 Doug Pickens assigned to Columbus Clippers from Lake County Captains.
05/21/2009 Columbus Clippers placed LF George Lombard on the 7-Day disabled list retroactive to May 19, 2009.
05/21/2009 Mickey Hall assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
05/23/2009 Blaine Neal assigned to Columbus Clippers from Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
05/23/2009 Cleveland Indians recalled LHP Rich Rundles from Columbus Clippers.
05/23/2009 Cleveland Indians recalled LHP Jeremy Sowers from Columbus Clippers.
05/24/2009 Steven Wright assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
05/26/2009 Cleveland Indians optioned Matt LaPorta to Columbus Clippers.
05/26/2009 Cleveland Indians recalled Trevor Crowe from Columbus Clippers.
05/27/2009 Cleveland Indians optioned Rich Rundles to Columbus Clippers.
05/27/2009 Cleveland Indians recalled LHP Zach Jackson from Columbus Clippers.
05/28/2009 Niuman Romero assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
05/28/2009 Cleveland Indians optioned Zach Jackson to Columbus Clippers.
05/28/2009 Columbus Clippers signed free agent RHP Ken Ray.
05/28/2009 Cleveland Indians called up Tomo Ohka from Columbus Clippers.
05/29/2009 Joe Smith assigned to Columbus Clippers from Cleveland Indians.
05/29/2009 Cleveland Indians recalled Rafael Perez from Columbus Clippers.
05/30/2009 Chuck Lofgren assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
05/30/2009 Steven Wright assigned to Akron Aeros from Columbus Clippers.
05/31/2009 Damaso Espino assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
05/31/2009 Cleveland Indians recalled C Chris Gimenez from Columbus Clippers.
06/01/2009 Cleveland Indians recalled Tony Sipp from Columbus Clippers.
06/03/2009 Cleveland Indians recalled Josh Barfield from Columbus Clippers.
06/06/2009 Columbus Clippers signed free agent OF Rob Mackowiak.
06/06/2009 Columbus Clippers signed free agent LHP Mike Gosling.
06/09/2009 Cleveland Indians optioned Tony Sipp to Columbus Clippers.
06/11/2009 Columbus Clippers placed RHP Blaine Neal on the 7-Day disabled list.
06/16/2009 Jake Westbrook assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
06/16/2009 Doug Pickens assigned to Columbus Clippers from Lake County Captains.
06/18/2009 Aaron Laffey assigned to Columbus Clippers from Cleveland Indians.
06/19/2009 Columbus Clippers activated RHP Blaine Neal from the 7-Day disabled list.
06/19/2009 Stephen Head assigned to Mahoning Valley Scrappers from Columbus Clippers.
06/19/2009 Cleveland Indians called up Mike Gosling from Columbus Clippers.
06/22/2009 Cleveland Indians outrighted RHP Greg Aquino to Columbus Clippers.
06/23/2009 Stephen Head assigned to Columbus Clippers from Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
06/23/2009 Cleveland Indians optioned RF Trevor Crowe to Columbus Clippers.
06/23/2009 Cleveland Indians recalled LHP Tony Sipp from Columbus Clippers.
06/25/2009 Columbus Clippers placed OF Rob Mackowiak on the 7-Day disabled list.
06/26/2009 Wes Hodges assigned to Lake County Captains from Columbus Clippers.
06/27/2009 Cleveland Indians optioned RHP Jensen Lewis to Columbus Clippers.
06/28/2009 Columbus Clippers placed RHP Blaine Neal on the 7-Day disabled list.
06/29/2009 Cleveland Indians optioned 2B Josh Barfield to Columbus Clippers.
07/02/2009 Columbus Clippers placed RF Mickey Hall on the 7-Day disabled list retroactive to July 1, 2009.
07/02/2009 Brian Grening assigned to Columbus Clippers from Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
07/03/2009 Wes Hodges assigned to Columbus Clippers from Lake County Captains.
07/03/2009 Rafael Betancourt assigned to Columbus Clippers from Cleveland Indians.
07/03/2009 Aaron Laffey assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
07/04/2009 Columbus Clippers placed SS Andy Cannizaro on the 7-Day disabled list.
07/04/2009 Fausto Carmona assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
07/04/2009 Columbus Clippers released LF George Lombard.
07/05/2009 Hector Rondon assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
07/07/2009 Columbus Clippers released OF Rob Mackowiak.
07/08/2009 Columbus Clippers placed RHP Jack Cassel on the 7-Day disabled list retroactive to July 6, 2009.
07/08/2009 Columbus Clippers placed RHP Kirk Saarloos on the 7-Day disabled list retroactive to July 6, 2009.
07/08/2009 Dwight Childs assigned to Columbus Clippers from Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
07/08/2009 Cleveland Indians optioned LHP Rafael Perez to Columbus Clippers.
07/09/2009 Cleveland Indians optioned LHP Jeremy Sowers to Columbus Clippers.
07/10/2009 Columbus Clippers placed RHP Vinnie Chulk on the 7-Day disabled list.
07/11/2009 Mickey Hall assigned to Akron Aeros from Columbus Clippers.
07/18/2009 Columbus Clippers released RHP Masa Kobayashi.
07/25/2009 Cleveland Indians recalled Jeremy Sowers from Columbus Clippers.
07/26/2009 Michael Tejera assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
07/26/2009 Cleveland Indians optioned Jess Todd to Columbus Clippers.
07/28/2009 Cleveland Indians called up 3B Andy Marte from Columbus Clippers.
07/28/2009 Columbus Clippers activated SS Andy Cannizaro from the 7-Day disabled list.
07/28/2009 Columbus Clippers activated RHP Jess Todd.
07/28/2009 Matthew Willard assigned to Columbus Clippers from Lake County Captains.
07/30/2009 Cleveland Indians recalled Fausto Carmona from Columbus Clippers.
07/30/2009 Lehigh Valley IronPigs traded C Lou Marson to Columbus Clippers.
07/30/2009 Lehigh Valley IronPigs traded RHP Carlos Carrasco to Columbus Clippers.
07/30/2009 Lehigh Valley IronPigs traded SS Jason Donald to Columbus Clippers.
07/31/2009 Cleveland Indians recalled C Wyatt Toregas from Columbus Clippers.
07/31/2009 Cleveland Indians recalled Trevor Crowe from Columbus Clippers.
08/01/2009 Cleveland Indians recalled RHP Jensen Lewis from Columbus Clippers.
08/02/2009 Mickey Hall assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
08/05/2009 Ryan Edell assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
08/05/2009 Cleveland Indians outrighted RHP Winston Abreu to Columbus Clippers.
08/05/2009 Cleveland Indians outrighted LHP Mike Gosling to Columbus Clippers.
08/05/2009 Cleveland Indians recalled RHP Jess Todd from Columbus Clippers.
08/07/2009 Cleveland Indians recalled Rafael Perez from Columbus Clippers.
08/08/2009 Columbus Clippers placed LF Jordan Brown on the 7-Day disabled list retroactive to August 6, 2009.
08/08/2009 Jesus Merchan assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
08/11/2009 Andy Cannizaro roster status changed by Columbus Clippers.
08/11/2009 Bobby Livingston assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
08/11/2009 Cleveland Indians outrighted RHP Jose Veras to Columbus Clippers.
08/11/2009 Cleveland Indians outrighted Josh Barfield to Columbus Clippers.
08/12/2009 Cleveland Indians optioned R.J. Swindle to Columbus Clippers.
08/16/2009 Columbus Clippers placed LHP Bobby Livingston on the temporarily inactive list.
08/16/2009 Columbus Clippers activated LHP R.J. Swindle.
08/16/2009 Columbus Clippers activated RHP Jose Veras.
08/16/2009 Columbus Clippers placed LHP Michael Tejera on the 7-Day disabled list.
08/17/2009 Cleveland Indians optioned LHP Scott Lewis to Columbus Clippers.
08/19/2009 Cleveland Indians recalled LF Matt LaPorta from Columbus Clippers.
08/20/2009 Columbus Clippers placed SS Jason Donald on the 7-Day disabled list retroactive to August 18, 2009.
08/20/2009 Ryan Blair assigned to Columbus Clippers from Kinston Indians.
08/22/2009 Ryan Blair assigned to Kinston Indians from Columbus Clippers.
08/22/2009 Columbus Clippers activated LF Jordan Brown from the 7-Day disabled list.
08/24/2009 Columbus Clippers activated LHP Michael Tejera from the 7-Day disabled list.
08/24/2009 Columbus Clippers placed LHP Scott Lewis on the 7-Day disabled list retroactive to August 21, 2009.
08/25/2009 Bobby Livingston assigned to Akron Aeros from Columbus Clippers.
08/31/2009 Bobby Livingston assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
09/01/2009 Cleveland Indians called up RHP Jose Veras from Columbus Clippers.
09/01/2009 Cleveland Indians called up CF Michael Brantley from Columbus Clippers.
09/01/2009 Cleveland Indians recalled RHP Carlos Carrasco from Columbus Clippers.
09/01/2009 Columbus Clippers activated LHP R.J. Swindle.
09/01/2009 Ryan Blair assigned to Columbus Clippers from Kinston Indians.
09/01/2009 Juan Salas assigned to Columbus Clippers from AZL Indians.
09/01/2009 Donnie Webb assigned to Columbus Clippers from Lake County Captains.
09/01/2009 Yohan Pino assigned to Columbus Clippers from Cleveland Indians.
09/04/2009 Matt Meyer assigned to Columbus Clippers from Akron Aeros.
09/04/2009 Cleveland Indians called up Mike Gosling from Columbus Clippers.
09/07/2009 Moises Montero assigned to Columbus Clippers from Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
09/07/2009 Cleveland Indians recalled Lou Marson from Columbus Clippers.
09/08/2009 Cleveland Indians called up Niuman Romero from Columbus Clippers.
09/08/2009 Moises Montero assigned to Mahoning Valley Scrappers from Columbus Clippers.
09/10/2009 Columbus Clippers activated RHP Jack Cassel from the 7-Day disabled list.
09/10/2009 Columbus Clippers activated SS Jason Donald from the 7-Day disabled list.
09/10/2009 Columbus Clippers activated RHP Kirk Saarloos from the 7-Day disabled list.
09/10/2009 Columbus Clippers activated RHP Blaine Neal from the 7-Day disabled list.
09/23/2009 Cleveland Indians outrighted R.J. Swindle to Columbus Clippers.
09/23/2009 Cleveland Indians outrighted Rich Rundles to Columbus Clippers.
09/23/2009 Cleveland Indians outrighted Zach Jackson to Columbus Clippers.

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Offseason Happenings: Rays, Not Indians, Made Talbot Decision

On Monday the Indians completed the Kelly Shoppach trade with the Tampa Bay Rays which was originally made on December 1st. As part of the original agreement to trade Shoppach to the Rays, the Rays (not the Indians) had until 11:59 p.m. on December 20th to make a choice from a list of two players and they ended up deciding to send right-hander Mitch Talbot to the Indians.

As part of the original setup of the trade, the Indians also sent an unspecified amount of cash to complete the deal since the Rays chose to send Talbot to them. Minor league right-handed pitcher Joseph Cruz was the other player on the two player list agreed upon by the Indians and Rays, and according to Indians.com beat reporter Anthony Castrovince the parameters of the deal called for the Indians to trade a minor league player to the Rays if they chose Cruz. The Rays likely chose to deal Talbot to clear up some roster issues and also receive some cash in the deal to offset the cost of Shoppach.

The pick up of Talbot may be viewed as a puzzling acquisition given that he is out of minor league options and his upside is limited. But according to the Indians, while they understand he brings little flexibility from a roster standpoint, they view him as another potential starting pitching option at the outset of this coming season. In addition, considering he is out of options the Indians will also consider him for a bullpen role.

“We were waiting for the Rays to decide between two alternatives, both of which we liked,” said Indians GM Mark Shapiro on SportsTime Ohio’s show All Bets Are Off on Monday afternoon. “Privately we were hoping it would be Talbot because he was a guy who could come into spring training and compete for a spot in the rotation and if not would certainly be an option for our pen.”

Talbot, 26, pitched in the Arizona Fall League (AFL) this offseason, and it is there that the Indians interest in him picked up. Finally healthy and over the right elbow strain which plagued him for most of the 2009 season, he made six starts and went 3-0 with a 4.37 ERA with a .303 batting average against in a hitter dominated league (22.2 IP, 27 H, 6 BB, 15 K).

“We scouted him heavily in the Arizona Fall League as he kind of completed rehabilitation at the end of the year from some elbow troubles,” said Shapiro. “Our best scouts saw him repeatedly and his stuff was pretty good, he has a plus changeup, a good fastball which gets up to 94 MPH, and a good feel for a slider. He is a competitor and a guy who prior to some elbow injuries this year was a factor for them in the rotation and their major league staff. It is a situation where I feel like we need to add all the starting alternatives that we can.”

Talbot is a big league ready arm who brings with him a successful seven year minor league career where as a 2nd round pick in the 2002 Draft out of high school he has carved out a career minor league record of 62-54 with a 3.79 ERA in 165 starts (905 IP, 911 H, 265 BB, 748 K). He made his big league debut for the Rays in 2008, making just three appearances (9.2 IP, 16 H, 12 R, 11 BB, 5 K). In 2009 he spent the entire year in the minors and was limited to just 15 total starts because of a right elbow sprain, and in those 15 starts was 4-4 with a 3.69 ERA (68.1 IP, 73 H, 18 BB, 67 K).

Talbot’s acquisition combined with alternatives already in the organization such as Jake Westbrook, Fausto Carmona, Justin Masterson, David Huff, Aaron Laffey, Jeremy Sowers, Hector Rondon, and Carlos Carrasco appears to have satisfied the Indians need to go out and get another starting pitching option to bring to camp this spring. Westbrook’s recent performance in winter ball and his health also help. Other opportunities may present themselves as the offseason progresses, but it seems aside from a non-roster minor league deal with a veteran starter or a legitimate pitcher falling into their lap that their thirst for a starter this offseason may have been quenched.

In the end the Indians are satisfied that they were able to pick up another pitching option for a player they ultimately were about to non-tender. They could have non-tendered Shoppach and not agreed to a deal where they would have had to pay the cash needed to complete such a deal, therefore saving money that may have been better spent on a bonus for a draft pick or two in the 2010 Draft. But they like Talbot, so the cash payout seems to have been of little concern.

A Deal With A Twist: The intriguing part of this deal was some of the complexities involved with it and some of the behind the scenes stuff that went on. The Indians easily could have just traded Shoppach for Talbot back when the trade originally took place on December 1st, but some unique arrangements put the completion of the trade off until December 20th as far as what the Indians would receive in return.

Talbot and Cruz were the two players the Rays had to decide between, but the reason this trade took so long to complete and why it went down to the last second is because the Rays were the ones deciding on the player to be named and not the Indians. Industry sources have said that arbitration was tied into the deal, and the only way this seems to be the case would be whether the Rays would offer Shoppach arbitration, hence the need for the player to be named later stipulation.

The Rays did offer Shoppach arbitration by the December 12th deadline, but according to sources after the Rays completed a trade with Atlanta on December 10th for Rafael Soriano they contacted the Indians to see if they would be interested in possibly restructuring the deal. Apparently the Rays were looking to unload some salary and had some roster issues they were working through, and as a result more players were in play than the original two on the list that the Rays would consider sending to the Indians.

The Rays had been talking to other teams about other potential deals, which is the reason why the player to be named took so long to identify and be completed since they were checking into all other options before completing the deal. The deal did eventually end up being completed as originally setup, but it was intriguing to follow nonetheless and an interesting twist to find out the Rays were the ones picking and not the Indians.

Shoppach’s Plummeting Value: It is amazing when you think about how fast Shoppach’s trade value diminished into almost nothing in the matter of one season. He had what some would call a breakout campaign in 2008 as the regular catcher while Victor Martinez was out most of the season injured as he hit .261 with 21 HR, 55 RBI, and an .865 OPS in 112 games. Apparently, though, Shoppach’s value never really spiked after that very good year in 2008 as the interest in him last offseason in a trade was lukewarm as teams were not willing to give up very much for him.

After Shoppach’s 2009 season where he hit just .214 with 12 HR, 40 RBI, and a .734 OPS in 89 games, the trade market on him about flat lined. With the Indians already committed to Carlos Santana, Lou Marson, and Wyatt Toregas getting all the time at catcher in 2010, they wanted to move on without Shoppach so a trade or just non-tendering was their only course of action. They put out feelers to teams for Shoppach, and there was interest from multiple teams. In the end they decided that the Tampa Bay offer was the best, which considering the so-so return makes you wonder what everyone else was offering.

Not a Talbot Fan: I’ll be honest, I am not a fan of what the Indians received in this trade at all. I am sure a high percentage of Indians fans feel the same way too. Talbot is just so bland and has so little upside, not to mention he makes an already crowded pitching situation even more crowded with guys who need to make the 25-man roster out of spring or risk being lost. The Indians already have left-hander Jeremy Sowers out of options and need to see if Rule 5 pick right-hander Hector Ambriz can stick, so now they have a third pitcher added to the mix for what looks like one open roster spot in the bullpen. When you have too many choices to choose from, it increases your chance you make a mistake and keep the wrong guy and let the right one go.

That all I said, the Indians and Rays essentially completed a deal to trade gunk for gunk. A guy we had no use for in Shoppach that we were going to non-tender that they could maybe use, in return for a guy they had no use for in Talbot and probably were going to designate for assignment at some point that we maybe can find a use for. While I am not happy with what we got in return, I do realize with Shoppach’s small trade value we weren’t getting much of anything of relevance in return anyway. So, I guess it’s better to get something rather than nothing for Shoppach had they non-tendered him as expected.

I still would have preferred to pick up a minor leaguer deeper in the Rays system who would offer the Indians much more long term control and some upside. Cruz was that other option, but he was a mid-level prospect at best and has a long way to go before he even establishes himself as much of a big league ready pitcher as Talbot. The key here is the Rays had the control in regard to selecting who the player to be named later would be, and in the end it appears the Indians got the guy they wanted.

Indians Sign Rivera: In addition to the pickup of Talbot from the Rays, the Indians also signed right-hander Saul Rivera to a minor league contract yesterday. Rivera, 32, was 13-15 with a 4.05 ERA in 245 major league relief appearances with the Washington Nationals the last four seasons (275.2 IP, 285 H, 123 BB, 191 K). The signing of Rivera adds some more depth to the bullpen and yet another candidate to compete for what looks like as many as two to three open spots in the bullpen next year. It also reunites him with Manny Acta who was his manager in Washington the last three years.

Knapp Update: Right-hander Jason Knapp is currently progressing well in his rehabilitation program from offseason surgery to remove loose bodies from his right shoulder. He will visit with team doctors in late January for a scheduled check up on his progress post-surgery, and at that time there should be a better understanding of when Knapp will be ready to pitch in 2010. At this time he is doing well and still expected to be ready for spring training, but this won’t be known for certain until his visit with doctors in about five weeks.

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