Indians sign Fultz, Hernandez

[Post Count Padder]

Rotoworld:

 

Roberto Hernandez-R-Indians Dec. 2 - 12:51 pm et

 

 

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.

 

 

Aaron Fultz-R-Indians Dec. 2 - 12:48 pm et

 

 

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.

Source: Indians.mlb.com

 

[baseball7897]

Adds experience to that young Cleveland pen.

[nilodnayr]

And the market for our extra relievers has suddenly shrunk significantly. I don't necessarily blame Hendry for sitting on his butt, because teams were just waiting for the deadline to see who got offered arbi. But it still sucks. Who else is looking, other than Boston?

[jjgman21]

can we officially put any discussion about Westbrook to rest?

 

Dellucci and these signings officially fills the Indians holes that we were suggesting be filled with Cubs in a deal for Westbrook.

[nilodnayr]

can we officially put any discussion about Westbrook to rest?

 

Dellucci and these signings officially fills the Indians holes that we were suggesting be filled with Cubs in a deal for Westbrook.

 

Well they definitely could still want Izturis.

[jjgman21]

can we officially put any discussion about Westbrook to rest?

 

Dellucci and these signings officially fills the Indians holes that we were suggesting be filled with Cubs in a deal for Westbrook.

 

Well they definitely could still want Izturis.

 

and what else? nothing we got. perhaps another pen arm, but I don't think Izturis plus a pen arm gets it done.

[USSoccer]

can we officially put any discussion about Westbrook to rest?

 

Dellucci and these signings officially fills the Indians holes that we were suggesting be filled with Cubs in a deal for Westbrook.

 

Well they definitely could still want Izturis.

 

and what else? nothing we got. perhaps another pen arm, but I don't think Izturis plus a pen arm gets it done.

 

Yeah, I don't think Westbrook is a likely option any more.

[nilodnayr]

can we officially put any discussion about Westbrook to rest?

 

Dellucci and these signings officially fills the Indians holes that we were suggesting be filled with Cubs in a deal for Westbrook.

 

Well they definitely could still want Izturis.

 

and what else? nothing we got. perhaps another pen arm, but I don't think Izturis plus a pen arm gets it done.

It would definitely take more than just Izturis, probably one of our close to ML ready arms and someone lower. I wouldnt have said we had a good chance before, but this probably isn't the final nail in the coffin based on Shapiros comments about Peralta's defense.