Joe Meloan Traded

[AZ_]

Thursday, July 2, 2009
Meloan Traded
Posted by Tony at 2:46 PM
Wow, this is a surprise. The Indians today traded RHP John Meloan to Tampa Bay for RHP Winston Abreu. I had a gut feeling something was up with Meloan, which is why I was quick to get that piece on him up this week as soon as possible. In any case, good luck to Meloan with Tampa.

Here is the official release:

The Cleveland Indians today announced they have acquired RHP WINSTON ABREU from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for minor league RHP JOHN MELOAN and cash. Abreu will join the Indians 25-man roster in the coming days with a corresponding roster move being announced at that time (wearing #36).

Abreu, 32, who was signed by the Rays to a minor league contract with a non-roster invitation to spring training on February 4th, has spent the majority of the 2009 season at AAA Durham where he went 3-0 with 10 saves and a 1.41 ERA (32.0IP, 14H, 5R/ER, 10BB, 49K) in 23 appearances. He was recalled to Tampa Bay on June 14th and appeared in 2 games (2.45ERA, 3.2IP, 3H, 1R/ER, 2BB, 3K) for the Rays before being designated for assignment on June 27th. This year at Durham he has struck out 49 and walked just 10 while being a perfect 10 of 10 in
save opportunities. Abreu has limited AAA hitters to a .128 (14-109) average including a mark of .061 (4-66) against right-handed hitters while averaging 13.8 strikeouts per 9.0IP.

The 6-2, 170-pound right-hander spent the 2008 season pitching for the Chiba Lotte Marines of the Japanese Pacific League under Manager Bobby Valentine. In 20 appearances with the Marines he was 1-2 with a 3.32 ERA (21.2IP, 23H, 9R/8ER, 8BB, 24K) before having surgery to remove bone chips in his right elbow on June 6th. Abreu last appeared in the Majors in 2007 with the Washington Nationals where he was 0-1 with a 5.93 ERA (30.1IP, 37H, 21R/20ER, 9BB, 26K) in 26 appearances out of the bullpen. He owns a career Major League record of 0-1 with a 6.43 ERA (42.0IP, 50H, 32R/30ER, 17BB, 35K) in 35 career games with Baltimore (2006), Washington (2007) and Tampa Bay.

Meloan was 0-0 with a save and a 5.52 ERA (44.0IP, 52H, 27R/ER, 17BB, 37K) in 25 games, including 2 starts at AAA Columbus.

 

[Blind_Sniper]

Pretty surprising I thought Meloan was thought highly by Shapiro. His ERA in AAA doesn't show much though.

 

[fudd]

Yeah, very surprising, though Meloan hasn't done very well here. Not really a loss, I remember him having some potential, but I don't think he lived up to any of it.

 

[elcheato]

He use to be a top pitching prospect, and he just hasn't lived up to it.

 

[Amherstcavsfan]

So we traded a guy who actually had some potential?

Keep grinding Shap.

 

[elcheato]

He use to have potential, he was a very good prospect with the Dodgers but he didn't pan out with them, and he hasn't panned out with us.

 

[KIisKing]

I thought this kid was actually suppose to be good. O well at least we finally took a risk.

 

[DougHeil]

Yet again; the Tribe picks up an OLD pitcher over the hill and some other team's castoff in the hopes of doing better THIS YEAR. Give me a break.

YES. Meloan is VERY young and has great upside. I was very disgusted when this trade happened, but since read about something else to go along with it very soon. I cannot remember where I read it though... sorry. I think this is just one part of something bigger.

That being said; PLEASE fire Wedge.