Indians, Yankees Complete Wood Deal

The Cleveland Indians announced today that they have completed their July 31 trade with the New York Yankees for right-handed pitcher Kerry Wood by acquiring right-handed pitcher Andrew Shive and infielder Matt Cusick.

At the time of the trade the Indians received $1.5 million in cash with the possibility to acquire extra money or two fringe prospects depending on how Wood pitched in New York. According to sources the Indians were prepared to only get the maximum cash in the deal ($3.5 million total) and no players, but it appears that they are getting both the maximum cash and the two players. It's either a sign that Wood pitched that great, the two prospects have little value, or both.

Shive turns 25 on November 5th and pitched in 16 games out of the bullpen for rookie-level Staten Island and Low-A Charleston (1-2, 4.56 ERA, 23.2 IP, 21 H, 12 ER, 20 BB, 14 K). He recently had reconstructive right elbow surgery last year, so this was his first year back pitching. He was drafted by the Yankees in the 35th round of the 2008 draft out of Azusa Pacific University and owns a career minor league 2.84 ERA in 38 appearances after missing all of 2009 because of the injury (69.2 IP, 63 H, 22 ER, 37 BB, 64 K).

Cusick, 24, split his 2010 season between Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton where he hit a combined .243 (69-for-284) with 13 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR and 35 RBI in 88 games. He owns a four-year minor league career average of .278 (332-for-1193). He was acquired by the Yankees from the Houston Astros during the 2008 season for right-handed pitcher LaTroy Hawkins, and was Houston's 10th round pick in the 2007 out of Southern Cal.