A Flurry of Moves
Received RHSP Andrew Brown (AA) from the Los Angeles Dodgers to complete the Milton Bradley trade
Added RHSP Andrew Brown to the 40-man Roster; Optioned him to Akron (AA)
Transferred OF Ryan Ludwick to the 60-day Disabled List (knee)
Claimed RHSP Joe Dawley (AAA) off waivers from the Kansas City Royals; Optioned him to Buffalo (AAA)
Transferred LHSP Jason Stanford to the 60-day Disabled List (forearm)
Placed RHSP Travis Foley (AA) on the Disabled List (AA-elbow)
Promoted RHSP Fausto Carmona to Akron (AA) from Kinston (A+)
Whoa.
First things first. Andrew Brown was tabbed by the Indians to be the PTBNL from the Milton Bradley trade. Make no mistake about it, he’s not a throw-in. He originally was drafted by the Braves, and sent to the Dodgers in the Gary Sheffield trade. He missed most of 2003 because of a very large bone spur in his throwing elbow, but started 2004 with a bang, striking out 58 in 40 innings, a eye-popping ratio. But he’s fairly old (23) and does have durability concerns. Judging by the two players received, my first impression is that the Indians got real value for Bradley.
Next, the Indians claimed vetern starter Joe Dawley off waivers. This move was designed to provide some help for Buffalo’s pitching staff, as Dawley has excelled as a AAA starter the past three years. Whether his good numbers translates to the majors is a big question mark, though. The Indians certainly need a 5th starter, as Jeff D’Amico is on the shelf, Kyle Denney was just placed on the disabled list with a knee injury, and Chad Durbin has been very underwhelming.
To make room for these two, Ryan Ludwick and Jason Stanford were both transferred to the 60-day Disabled List. Both Ludwick and Stanford are still on schedule to come back at the projected time, so this was mainly a procedural move.
Also, Fausto Carmona will get at least one start in Akron, as he was promoted to take Travis Foley’s place in the rotation. Hopefully Foley is all right, but the dreaded “elbow soreness” is never a good sign.