Cleveland Indians acquire infielder Mark DeRosa from Chicago Cubs
by Paul Hoynes, Plain Dealer Reporter
Wednesday December 31, 2008, 1:30 PM
The Cleveland Indians will begin the New Year with a new third baseman.
The Indians announced this afternoon at 1:30 that they have acquired infielder Mark DeRosa from the Chicago Cubs for minor-league pitchers Jeff Stevens, Chris Archer and John Gaub.
DeRosa, who played six different positions for the Cubs last season, is expected to play third base for the Indians. If that holds true, Jhonny Peralta will stay at shortstop and Asdrubal Cabrera will stay at second base. Last season, DeRosa, 33, batted .285 for the Cubs with 21 home runs and 87 runs batted in. He scored 103 runs.
DeRosa, who apparently is the missing piece to the Indians' infield situation, could bat second in the lineup.
Stevens is the only pitcher the Indians gave up who is on the team's 40-man roster. Last season, Stevens went 5-1 for the Class AA Akron Aeros and 0-3 with Class AAA Buffalo. The 25-year-old has a career earned-run average of 3.52 during his four seasons in the minor leagues.
Archer, 20, had a 4.29 ERA last season while going 4-8 with the Class A Lake County Captains. He has played three seasons in the Indians' farm system.
Gaub, 23, also pitched for the Captains, going 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA.
DeRosa will make $5.5 million in 2009. Under terms of his contract, which expires after the 2009 season, he receives a $50,000 bonus for being traded.
Continued