Local News

Indians take a chance on veteran arm

Tuesday, February 14th, 2012

CLEVELAND — The Indians are bolstering their contingency plan for the pitcher formerly known as Fausto Carmona.

Garland

With one fifth of its starting rotation still stuck in the Dominican Republic and no clear timetable for his return, Cleveland signed a pitcher that could fill the void Monday, reportedly agreeing to terms on a minor league contract with right-hander Jon Garland.

The Indians, who announced Monday that they will refer to Carmona by his actual name — Roberto Hernandez — did not confirm the signing, but it is likely to be announced upon Garland passing a physical this week in Goodyear, Ariz. Cleveland pitchers and catchers report Monday.

The 32-year-old Garland, a veteran of 12 big league seasons, will compete for Hernandez’s vacant spot this spring along with David Huff, Jeanmar Gomez and Kevin Slowey, another veteran offseason acquisition.

Shoulder surgery limited Garland to just nine starts (1-4, 4.33 ERA) last year for the Dodgers, who signed him to a one-year free-agent contract worth $5 million prior to last year. But the two-time 18-game winner has been durable in the past, posting double-digit win totals while making at least 30 starts nine times during his career.

The Dodgers declined an $8 million option for 2012 on Garland, who owns a 132-119 record and a 4.32 ERA in 330 career starts. He went 14-12 with a 3.47 ERA in 33 starts for San Diego in 2010.

Garland is most recognizable to Indians fans as a member of Central Division rival Chicago’s starting staff for eight years after breaking in with the White Sox as a 20-year-old rookie in 2000. His two 18-win seasons were with Chicago in 2005-06.

The Indians have been adding depth to their pitching staff all offseason, but didn’t have an opening in the rotation until the Hernandez situation surfaced.

Hernandez, who was arrested Jan. 19 in the Dominican Republic on false identity charges, has been released but is still awaiting a visa to return to America. He is on the restricted list and does not count against the Indians’ 40-man roster, nor is Cleveland responsible for Hernandez’s salary — a $7 million option that was exercised by the club Oct. 29 – until the 31-year-old right-hander is activated.

The Indians have announced no official word on when they expect Heredia’s return and appear to be preparing for the possibility that he won’t this season.

Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.

Indians: Tribe reportedly signs Garland

Monday, February 13th, 2012

CLEVELAND – The Indians are bolstering their contingency plan for the pitcher formerly known as Fausto Carmona.

With one fifth of its starting rotation still stuck in the Dominican Republic and no clear timetable for his return, Cleveland has signed a pitcher that could fill the void Monday, reportedly agreeing to terms on a minor league contract with right-hander Jon Garland.

The Indians, who announced Monday that they will refer to Carmona by his actual name – Roberto Hernandez — did not confirm the signing, but it is likely to be announced upon Garland passing a physical this week in Goodyear, Ariz. Cleveland pitchers and catchers report Monday.

The 32-year-old Garland, a veteran of 12 big league seasons, will compete for Hernandez’s vacant spot this spring along with David Huff, Jeanmar Gomez and Kevin Slowey, another veteran offseason acquisition.

Shoulder surgery limited Garland to just nine starts (1-4, 4.33 ERA) last year for the Dodgers, who signed him to a one-year free-agent contract worth $5 million prior to last year. But the two-time 18-game winner has been durable in the past, posting double-digit win totals while making at least 30 starts nine times during his career.

The Dodgers declined an $8 million option for 2012 on Garland, who owns a 132-119 record and a 4.32 ERA in 330 career starts. He went 14-12 with a 3.47 ERA in 33 starts for San Diego in 2010.

Garland is most recognizable to Indians fans as a member of Central Division rival Chicago’s starting staff for eight years after breaking in with the White Sox as a 20-year-old rookie in 2000. His two 18-win seasons came in consecutive years for Chicago in 2005-06.

The Indians have been adding depth to their pitching staff all offseason, but didn’t have an opening in the rotation until the Hernandez situation surfaced.

Hernandez, who was arrested Jan. 19 in the Dominican Republic on false identity charges, has been released but is still awaiting a visa to return to America. He is on the restricted list and does not count against the Indians’ 40-man roster, nor is Cleveland responsible for Hernandez’s salary – a $7 million option that was exercised by the club Oct. 29 — the 31-year-old right-hander is activated.

The Indians have announced no official word on when they expect Heredia’s return and appear to be preparing for the possibility that he won’t this season.

 

Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Fan him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter.

Indians avoid arbitration again, sign Asdrubal Cabrera to one-year deal

Saturday, February 11th, 2012

CLEVELAND — Asdrubal Cabrera was not the streak stopper.

On the verge of going to arbitration with a player for the first time since 1991, the Indians agreed to terms with their all-star shortstop Friday on a one-year contract worth $4.55 million.

The deal is $75,000 above the midpoint of what Cabrera was asking for at arbitration ($5.2 million) and what Cleveland was offering ($3.75 million). His arbitration hearing was scheduled for Wednesday in St. Petersburg, Fla., and the Indians were happy to avoid taking that trip.

“We’re appreciative of Asdrubal’s contributions,” Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said. “We certainly value him as a member of the organization and a member of our team. He was a key part of our team over the last few seasons, and we’re looking forward to him contributing in the time that he’s with us.

“How long that extends, it’s going to be at least two years, and it certainly could extend beyond that.”

The 26-year-old Cabrera, the Indians’ best player last season — .273, 25 home runs, 92 RBIs — was in Cleveland last week, reportedly negotiating a multiyear contract that did not come to fruition. The Indians, who control Cabrera’s rights through 2013, could still discuss a long-term deal this spring with their lone all-star from last season.

“We’re always open-minded on alternate contract structures with a variety of players,” Antonetti said. “If there’s something that makes sense, and there’s a value and term that makes sense for both parties, we’ll certainly explore it.”

The Indians were able to come to terms with all seven of their arbitration-eligible players this offseason — Cabrera, Shin-Soo Choo, Chris Perez, Rafael Perez, Justin Masterson, Joe Smith and Jack Hannahan. But all were one-year deals, leaving Cleveland without a player signed past the 2012 season.

That fact has fueled rumors that team owner Larry Dolan, who has been criticized for failing to spend competitively, is trying to sell the franchise.

Antonetti dispelled the notion.

“I think that’s just where we are right now and just the circumstances that have led us to this point,” he said. “There’s no hidden or ulterior motive behind that. I would expect that at some point we will have commitments that extend past 2012. Whether that happens at some point this offseason or at some point this spring or next offseason, we’ll see.

“But it’s not necessarily a calculated strategy. I think we as an organization and our ownership have demonstrated that when those commitments make sense, we’re certainly prepared to make them. And we’ll continue to evaluate those opportunities along the way.”

Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Fan him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.

Indians: Tribe arbitration streak still intact

Friday, February 10th, 2012

The Indians avoided an arbitration hearing for another season, agreeing to terms Friday on a one-year contract with their only remaining arbitration eligible player, All-Star shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera.

Cabrera will earn $4.55 million in 2012. The contract was $75,000 above the midpoint of what Cabrera was asking at arbitration ($5.2 million) and the $3.75 million Cleveland was offering.

The Indians have not gone to arbitration with a player since 1991.