Indians add four to roster, outright LaPorta and others

Trey Haley (Photo: Lianna Holub)

November 20, 2012

The Cleveland Indians today announced that they have purchased the contracts of outfielder Tim Fedroff, right-handed reliever Chen-Chang Lee, right-handed pitcher Trey Haley, and left-handed pitcher T.J. House and added them to the 40-man roster. All were up for roster protection and if they were not rostered by the end of today they would have been subject to the Rule 5 Draft on December 6th.

Fedroff, 25, hit a combined .316 (148-468) with 79 runs scored, 23 doubles, 10 triples, 12 home runs and 54 RBI in 123 games between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus (.394OB/.485SLG/.879OPS) in 2012. Among hitters in the Indians Player Development system, he finished 3rd in batting average and runs scored and led the system in base hits. He is a career .296 (555-1872) hitter at the Minor League level since being selected in the 7th round of the 2008 draft out of the University of North Carolina.

Lee, 26, was limited to 5 relief appearances at AAA Columbus in 2012 (2-0, 2.57ERA) before experiencing right elbow soreness that eventually led to reconstructive surgery on June 1. The native of Peng-Hu, Taiwan owns a 4-year career Minor League record of 17-11 with a 3.00 ERA in 138 relief appearances (234.1IP, 184H, 78ER, 74BB, 286K, .216AVG).

Haley, 22, split the 2012 season between Class-A Carolina and Class-AA Akron with a rehab stop in Arizona, going a combined 4-1 with a 2.33 ERA in 25 relief appearances (38.2IP, 26H, 10ER, 19BB, 49K, .188AVG). He did not allow a home run for the season and averaged 11.4 strikeouts per 9.0IP while missing 7 weeks of the season (May 23-July 14) due to surgery to repair a sports hernia. He also recently posted an ERA of 1.64 (11.0IP, 2H, 2R/ER, .065AVG) in the Arizona Fall League for Scottsdale.

House, 23, spent the 2012 season between Class-A Carolina and Class-AA Akron where he went a combined 10-5 with 3.56 ERA in 27 starts (149.1IP, 131H, 59ER, 50BB, 116K, .236AVG) and yielded just 8 home runs in 149.1 innings of work. He finished 4th among Indians farmhands in innings, tied for 3rd in wins and 3rd in strikeouts. He recently completed a stint in the Arizona Fall League, going 3-1 with a 3.00 ERA in 6 starts (27.0IP, 20H, 9R/ER, 9BB, 26K, .208AVG). The Picayune, Mississippi native owns a 4-year Minor League record of 28-38 with a 3.93 ERA in 105 games/103 starts (549.1IP, 526H, 240ER, 420K).

To allow room on the 40-man roster the Indians today outrighted infielder Matt LaPorta and infielder Brent Lillibridge to Triple-A Columbus and designated right-handed reliever Fabio Martinez for assignment. LaPorta cannot refuse his assignment and is the property of the Indians for the 2013 season, but Lillibridge can refuse assignment and would become a free agent. The Indians have ten days to trade, release or outright Martinez. The 40-man roster currently sits at 40 players (Nick Hagadone still does not count toward the roster).

A more thorough breakdown of the roster decisions and what the future may hold for those not rostered will be posted to the site in the morning.

Follow Tony and the Indians Prospect Insider on Twitter @TonyIBI. Also, his new book the 2013 Cleveland Indians Baseball Insider which profiles the Indians' Top 100 Prospects and more is available for sale.

User Comments

Roger

November 21, 2012 - 8:57 AM EST

I agree with rocky, Haley and house should both be considered starter material. House I know allready is and being lefty helps him immensily, as for trey Haley the indians seem to have several relief pitcher who miss bats with heat but few starters that do. I would like to see him try the rotation. The one guy i would be concerned about getting taken in rule 5 is TJ Mac he did win 16 games between aa and AAA this year and is a lefty. as for losing anyone else i dont see them staying with whoever picks them if they arent retained by the tribe with our all star steller pitching staff why would anyone else invest 50K and have to keep them on roster all of '13

Norm

November 21, 2012 - 5:47 AM EST

As much as a couple of moves at this time last year left me puzzled, this year looked easily predictable for the three pitchers and not real shocking for Fedroff. The dumps were simple and left 3-4 more easy drops IMO. Really doubt if any player in the organization gets picked and even more surprised if any are retained. Must not be any players of interest if they did not drop another player or two.

Tony

November 21, 2012 - 1:03 AM EST

Rondon is very likely not going to get Rule 5 interest. Teams have barely scouted him in three years....and even with the limited exposure in winter ball, it's not a lot to go on. Also, his value is VERY low right now. He's a former higher end prospect, but like Adam Miller two years ago, many feel his prospect days are well behind him. I wouldn't be surprised if he were picked, but I think someone like Langwell has a better shot. I'll have a better feel on Rondon and others after I do some research and digging to establish value for the players and who may have interest.

Tony

November 21, 2012 - 12:59 AM EST

Technically, LaPorta is Rule 5 eligible. But considering he was just passed over in waivers by all 29 other teams, he is absolutely not a Rule 5 candidate.

sjv

November 21, 2012 - 12:34 AM EST

so LaPorta not on the 40 but not a rule 5 eligible guy?

Madthinker88

November 20, 2012 - 10:55 PM EST

If Rondon continues to perform well in the winter leagues, I think if might encourage someone to take a flyer on him in the R5 draft. I'd put the chance of his being taken now @ 1 in 3.

Tony

November 20, 2012 - 10:14 PM EST

I'm going to break down all the chances for all the guys to be taken in the Rule 5 Draft in two weeks, the week of the draft. Have to get more info and break it down more thoroughly. That said, my initial thought is I have no worries about losing anyone. Aguilar won't be picked. Not a big time 1B prospect. Big for the Indians, but not a mega one in all of baseball (a good one). Plus 1B are generally not taken Rule 5 since they offer no flexibility to carry them on a roster all year....and in Aguilar's case his bat and defense are not even close to ML ready.

Rich

November 20, 2012 - 10:07 PM EST

It will be interesting to see if Aguilar or Rondon are selected in Rule 5 draft.

Tony

November 20, 2012 - 9:39 PM EST

Well deserved on all of these. I made note in last week's piece that Lee and Haley would as close to sure things to be added....I just was not sure how many guys they would clear. I had House as my third guy. I didn't think they would clear four spots (three actually), but had I thought so then Fedroff was the next guy.

Rocky55

November 20, 2012 - 8:45 PM EST

Happy day for Fedroff, Lee, Haley & House. Fedroff will finally get his chance & I hope he does well. Haley might get a '13 look in Sept. if they keep him in the pen. I'd rather get him stretched out to start.

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Indians add four to roster, outright LaPorta and others

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