Transactions: Indians Acquire Esmil Rogers

Traded Cash Considerations to the Colorado Rockies for RHP Esmil Rogers

Designated C Luke Carlin for Assignment

The Indians announced the deal before the game, but given how the front end of the bullpen pitched, it seemed good timing. I think.

The first question is: why would the Indians be acquiring a pitcher with a career 6.77 ERA and a career walk rate of 4.5 per 9 innings? I guess the answer is stuff, for Rogers has a mid-90s fastball and a devastating slider, as seen in action here:

Rogers is from the Dominican Republic, and has been in the Rockies organization since he signed with them in 2003. Through all of his minor-league and early major-league career, he was a starter. Despite mediocre to poor results, his stuff pushed him to the majors in 2009. From 2010-2012, he appeared in 70 games (22 of them as a starter). Regardless of the role the Rockies put him in, he struggled to get hitters out despite fantastic stuff. As the 2012 started, the Rockies didn't have an option left, so when Rogers yet again struggled, he couldn't be sent to AAA. So when Colorado signed Jeff Francis last week, they Designated him for Assignment.

I think the Indians' thought process is that a change or scenery and perhaps a tweak in his mechanics can turn Rogers into an effective reliever. But those adjustments will have to be made at the major-league level, and his appearances will have to come in low-leverage innings.

To make room for Rogers on the 40-man roster, the Indians DFAd Luke Carlin, who had been brought up May 26th after Carlos Santana was placed on the DL. He'll most likely clear waivers. The more interesting decision will be who to send down to make room for Rogers. Normally the right answer would be Scott Barnes, but in this case I think there's a possibility that Tony Sipp gets optioned out. He's been reduced to a matchup pitcher against left-handers, and as we saw last night, he's having trouble against those too.

Esmil Rogers Career Stats