The Indians announced that they’ve acquired right-hander Carlos Frias from the Dodgers in exchange for cash and designated infielder/outfielder Richie Shaffer for assignment in order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.
[Related: Updated Cleveland Indians Depth Chart]
The 27-year-old Frias spent the bulk of the 2016 season with Los Angeles’ Triple-A affiliate after logging significant innings for the Dodgers in 2015, when he posted a 4.06 ERA in 77 2/3 innings. Frias exhibited a strong ground-ball rate with the 2015 Dodgers (55.1 percent) but averaged just five strikeouts per nine innings pitched against three walks over that same span. Metrics such as FIP, xFIP and SIERA all pegged him for an ERA closer to the mid-4.00s due to his pedestrian walk rate and lack of missed bats.
Frias did start 13 games for the Dodgers that season, though, so he’ll give the Indians some depth either in the rotation or in the bullpen. And he has a minor league option remaining as well, so Cleveland can send him to the minors at the end of Spring Training even if he doesn’t make the Opening Day roster.
The 25-year-old Shaffer was recently claimed off waivers from the Reds, with minor league slugger Jesus Aguilar losing his roster spot in Cleveland to facilitate that claim. A former first-round pick, Shaffer spent parts of the past two seasons with the Rays (who drafted him 25th overall in 2012) but posted a lackluster .213/.310/.410 in 142 Major League plate appearances. In 188 Triple-A games (788 plate appearances), however, Shaffer has batted .243/.338/.445 with 30 home runs.
Shaffer has experience at both infield corners and both outfield corners, though the bulk of his work in the minors has come at third base. Like Frias, Shaffer can still be optioned to the minors without first being exposed to outright waivers, so he could latch on with his sixth organization of the winter. The Indians, though, had one of the lowest waiver priorities in the league and were still able to claim him just four days ago, so perhaps they’ll be able to slip him through waivers and retain him without dedicating a 40-man roster spot.
That’s 5 teams and counting that Shaffer has been on since November 18! That’s insane!!!
He and Adam Walker are in a race to accumulate frequent flyer miles.
They don’t actually go to those cities during the off season…you know that, right?
It’s quite clearly a joke.
I was thinking the same thing but then thought, it’s the offseason so he’s just sitting in his apartment taking phone calls. Good for him.
The Red Sox should claim Shaffer. He could add solid corner infield that may come in handy if there is an injury to Moreland, Hanley or Sandavol. Or if sandavol continues to underperform.
What do you mean “if”?
Well with Coats/UCL news, maybe Tampa brings back Shaffer.
Tigers could use some 3B depth
Designate Drew Verhagen
Lol at all the Indians fans being excited about Shaffer and they jumped on me when I said he was Nothing well your club agreed with me. You look dumb
I remember some Tampa fans last year claiming he was good enough to be the cornerstone in a trade for Lucroy. Some people just really seem to love the guy for some reason.
You mean fans of a team overvalued one of their minor league guys in a comment thread on MLB Trade Rumors? I call alternative facts sir!
They should’ve DFA’d Austin Adams, a 30 year old who struggled in the minors and is literally an older version of Carlos Frias, Shaffer is a good guy and solid player
Can we get rid of Zach McCallister now?
Frias has been a very serviceable arm. A little sad to see him go given his usefulness as rotation depth with MLB experience. But, I suppose the Dodgers have a bunch of pitchers who fit that mold now. Moving Frias could free up room for promising arms to climb the system.
Just cash? Not even a warm body?
one report that it was cash, but two other reports that it was cash or PTBNL
I thought Frias had a higher valve, guess not
A PTBNL can be a roster juggling move if that’s what it turns out to be, but I suppose it’s also worth considering that the Dodgers are into the luxury tax so any salary they can shed is of extra value especially if they can get some cash back.
Yeah he probably is of more value than that, but this sounds like the Dodgers wanted to clear some AAA room. Was Frias still on the 40man?
You can never have too much pitching.
I’m sure there are plenty of “utility” guys around if they need another one.
I think this may end up a good deal in 3 years from now. Friedman saw something in this kid with Tampa and he’s bringing him with him to LA in case injury prone Turner goes down. Solid “could be something here” trade without anything to lose for both teams.
I think you might be confused about this trade. They essentially traded for cash or a PTNL. Which will most likely end up being cash. They didn’t obtain a player as of yet.
Gotcha. Thanks for clarifying.
Richie Shaffer is a solid option who should stick on a major league roster, at least as a bench piece. Real power potential, solid plate discipline, good versatility and still just 25 (with 2 minor league options left)- regardless, any team could benefit from taking him.
Quite Frankly, I’m shocked Cleveland dumped him over Austin Adams (Out of options, 30 years old, really just not good).
I believe i can see Frias starting a few games in the regular season for the Indians. The best asset i believe Frias has is hes groundball rate and can also be a guy who goes about 5-6 inings with maybe 2-3 run average. Also can be stretched when needed in the situation of the game.