The Indians have announced a swap with the Rays in which they’ll acquire utility infielder Andrew Velazquez. An unstated amount of international spending capacity will head to Tampa Bay in return.
To create 40-man roster space, the Indians have designated righty Chih-Wei Hu for assignment. The 25-year-old has been hit hard this year at Triple-A, allowing 16 home runs in 48 2/3 innings.
Soon to turn 25, Velazquez is an exceptionally versatile player. In limited MLB action, he has already been trusted to play shortstop, second, third, and all three outfield positions.
Velazquez has shown some stolen-base ability and a bit of pop in the upper minors, though he’s not exactly a premium offensive prospect. He has swung through quite a few pitches in his early exposure to MLB pitching and has gone down on strikes 154 times in 602 career Triple-A plate appearances, over which he carries a .261/.320/.418 slash.
Why did the Rays have to DFA a player?
Hu is in the Indians farm system
Oh, the article said Rays
You mean the Indians had to designate Hu
I’m confused. Indians got player, and Rays DFA to make room?
Hu’s on first, what’s on second…
More effort should have gone into deal by both CLE and TB to include Yu Darvish in the transaction. Who? Yu. You? No, Hu. Hu? You’re half right – its Yu and Hu. YoooHooo? Yes!
Lol! Good grief!
And Shin-Soo Choo
Hu got designated by Hoom?
I think the word you’re looking for is Whom, but I’ll give it to you
Hu is with the Indians (was with the rays a year ago) it was a typo
Wow! With this key addition comes the Central title again…
I was hoping for this or Whit Merrifield, I mean either or you know.
All sarcasm aside, I do like the move…just not what we really need
I might like it for Columbus, for Cleveland helllllllll no!
He’s gotta be better than Micheal Martinez or max moroff
Ahh i love trades i think i have an addiction lol
Any relation to Jerry DiPoto?
I’m his niece no question
When someone asks what is the level needed to acquire international spending space……..
Which Indians player will be replaced on the Tribe’s twenty-five man roster? (I intentionally avoided saying WHO will be replaced on the twenty-five man roster. Some people who post on this site sound like a bunch of owls. Lol! I love it!)
Appears this is a better depth option than Michael Martinez.
But can he pitch?
Could MM, before he tried it the first time? Hope springs eternal.
don’t say that name. tito may hear you
For real, he’s like Beetlejuice. If you say his name too many times, then the Indians might sign him.
Maybe Velazquez won’t be going directly to Cleveland, but to AAA Columbus instead?
It is interesting to note that as of 2:06 PM, neither the Indians nor Blue Jays web sites have announced this transaction, nor made adjustments to their forty man rosters.
Now he’s on the Tribe’s 40 man and off the Blue Jays.
Considering the Blue Jays weren’t involved this is an interesting development to watch unfold
I meant to say Tampa Bay Rays not Toronto Blue Jays. I apologize. I guess all the cries from the owls distracted me.
Freeman’s been doing a decent job as the utility guy. Waaaaaaay better than Max was.
Unfortunate for Hu, but he was clogging up a spot on the 40-man. The Indians must have seen something in him to keep him around that long.