Indians sign two

[Cavsfan89]

Indians signed RHP Roberto Hernandez, who had been with the Mets, to a one-year contract with a club option for 2008.

Reports had him being guaranteed $3.5 million under the terms of the deal. Hernandez had a 3.11 ERA in 63 2/3 innings with the Pirates and Mets last season and was even better in 2005. However, the 42-year-old hasn't pitched in the AL in five years and he had a 4.33 ERA in his final season with the Royals. As things stand now, he's probably the favorite to open the season as Cleveland's closer. However, the team would much prefer to use him as a setup man.

Indians signed LHP Aaron Fultz, who had been with the Phillies, to a one-year contract with a club option for 2008.

The Indians almost surely had this deal done before Friday's arbitration deadline. Fultz, a Type A free agent, wasn't extended an offer of arbitration, so the Indians won't have to give up another draft pick. Fultz's ERA jumped from 2.24 to 4.54 last season, but he still had a nice 62/28 K/BB ratio in 71 1/3 innings. Lefties have hit .240 off him in his career. There hasn't been any word on the cash yet, but we're guessing it's somewhere around $2 million. Since it's just a one-year commitment, it's a pretty good signing.

 

[cdt]

This is just pathetic..this is our idea of big spending? I wish ownership committed suicide..

 

[cavincali]

Roberto Hernadez, this dude is freaking old and fat.

 

[crazedcav333]

Fultz isn't a terrible pick-up if we are still talking to Joe Borowski. Hernendez is 50 years old though...

 

[PIP]

Hooray !!! for this move ... This one is only 42 years of age... He's going to provide a stabilizing force for this pen..Just like he did for every other team in the majors at some point.. Atleast we're lucky enough to get him only 8 years after his prime...

 

[Wine and Gold]

Borowski has has issues with his right shoulder ...scaring many teams away. He's still beung looked at by the tribe, but, the deal would have to be incentive laced due to the injry concerns..

 

[Blind_Sniper]

Not bad Roberto still has a year left in the tank.. he was good with the Pirates last year...

 

[Cavs1]

anything is better than Carmona coming out of the pen...

 

[SportMcAllister]

This is just pathetic..this is our idea of big spending? I wish ownership committed suicide..

And this is your idea of an intelligent post? Or are you trying out for "Cleveland Live"?

Would it be too much for you to list players you would have gone after? Would you have given Justin Speier a 4 year contract, for instance? Maybe make the Astros an offer for Brad Lidge? Or perhaps list an other idea?

Nah. Its just easier to make one line stupid comments.

 

[SportMcAllister]

anything is better than Carmona coming out of the pen...

Surely you realize the era of Carmona as closer is over?

 

[Cavs1]

Yes I do, I'm just saying that ANYTHING AT ALL will be better than what he gave us last year in that experimental phase. I'm looking forward to seeing him as a starter again - he didn't do too bad in that role for us. And if he manages to get his stock back up this year I would either consider trading him or getting rid of Byrd and giving the spot to him.

We needed a lefty in the pen - so we went out and got one. I'm not so sure how good he is, but we needed one so we got one - I'm not complaining. And sure Hernandez isn't as good as he once was and is 42 years old - but I like this signing too. He's a vet who will provide stability and leadership to our bullpen and can teach the young guys a thing or two. He still put up pretty good numbers last year despite his old age.

I'm just glad that Carmona in the closer role is over because that was a DISASTER!

I'm still pulling for us to give Borowski a 1-year incentive laden deal...if he gets through his shoulder injury he'd be a good closer to have. Hopefully the Indians will take a chance for once...

 

[imahustla]

This is just pathetic..this is our idea of big spending? I wish ownership committed suicide..

:rofl:

Seriously...my thoughts exactly. It seems like just yesterday that the Indians were the talk of baseball. Man how time flies. Now we're back to the same old laughingstock that inspired the movie Major League and were the Clippers of baseball for like 40 years.

If we didn't have Jacobs Field right now, this team would have moved by now. But honestly, I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing.