The Cleveland Indians have signed 38-year old righty Matt Herges and 30-year old righty Vinnie Chulk to minor league deals. Herges pitched in 58 games (0 starts) last season for the Rockies and he was 3-4 with a 5.04 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP. He has now pitched in 537 games (4 starts) in his major league career and he is 40-34 with 34 saves, a 3.94 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. Vinnie Chulk pitched in 27 games (0 starts) for the Giants last season and he was 0-3 with a 4.83 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. He has now pitched in 244 games (0 starts) in his major league career and he is 7-14 with 2 saves, a 4.36 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. These were good signings for the Indians who had massive problems in the bullpen in 2008. Both of these guys will have decent shots of pitching for the Indians at some point in 2009.

The Cleveland Indians have signed 28-year old righty starting pitcher Jack Cassel to a minor league deal. Cassel pitched in 9 games (3 starts) with the Astros last season and he was 1-1 with a 5.64 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP. He has now pitched in 15 games (7 starts) in his major league career and he is 2-2 with a 4.92 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP. Cassel is a long shot to make the Indians’ starting rotation in 2009 out of Spring Training but he could help them at some point in the season.

The Indians designated 26-year old lefty swinging 1B Michael Aubrey for assignment to make room on the roster for Carl Pavano. Aubrey played in 15 games for the Indians last season and he was 9 for 45 (.200 avg, .613 OPS) with 2 runs scored, 2 homers and 3 RBIs. Aubrey also played in 97 games in AA+AAA ball last season and he was 109 for 388 (.281 avg, .757 OPS) with 43 runs scored, 9 homers and 53 RBIs. The Indians should have no problem finding someone to trade for Aubrey as he was once one of the brightest prospects in the Indians’ farm system.

The Indians have signed 33-year old righty starting pitcher Carl Pavano to a 1-year, $1.5 million dollar contract. Pavano pitched in only 7 games (all starts) last season for the Yankees and he was 4-2 with a 5.77 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP. He has now pitched in 193 games (175 starts) in his major league career and he is 66-66 with a 4.32 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. Pavano will be guaranteed a spot in the starting rotation if he comes out of spring training healthy according to Indians’ GM Mark Shapiro. This is a decent low risk/high reward signing as Pavano has been a decent pitcher when healthy.

The Cleveland Indians have acquired 33-year old righty swinging 3B Mark DeRosa from the Cubs for minor league pitchers Jeff Stevens, Chris Archer and John Gaub. This was a great move for the Indians as they didn’t give up anyone they will likely regret giving away down the road. DeRosa played in 149 games for the Cubs last season and he was 144 for 505 (.285 avg, .857 OPS) with 103 runs scored, 21 homers, 87 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. He has now played in 893 games in his major league career in which he is 740 for 2,650 (.279 avg, .770 OPS) with 406 runs scored, 69 homers, 352 RBIs and 18 stolen bases. DeRosa would be a great choice to bat 2nd for the Cleveland Indians in 2009 behind Grady Sizemore. The best thing about getting DeRosa is that the Indians won’t be tempted to give Andy Marte any at bats in 2009! 25-year old righty reliever Jeff Stevens was the Indians’ #19 rated prospect heading into the 2008 season according to Baseball America. He pitched in 36 games (0 starts) in AA+AAA ball last season and he was 5-4 with 6 saves, a 3.24 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. Stevens’ claim to fame in Cleveland was the fact that he was the player the Indians got from the Reds in return for Brandon Phillips! 20-year old righty Chris Archer pitched in 27 games (all starts) in A-ball last season and he was 4-8 with a 4.29 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP. 23-year old lefty John Gaub pitched in 34 games (0 starts) in A-ball last season and he was 1-1 with 2 saves, a 3.38 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. This was a good trade for the Cleveland Indians as Mark DeRosa should fit right in.