The Indians brought in some relief help from the Far East when they signed 33-year old righty Masahide Kobayashi to a 2-year contract with an option for the 2010 season. Kobayashi pitched in 49 games last season for the Chibbe Lotte Marines and he was 2-7 with 27 saves, a 3.61 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. Kobayashi pitched in 445 games (10 starts) in Japan and he was 36-34 with 227 saves, a 2.79 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. He pitched 580.1 innings in Japan and he allowed 507 hits, walked 170 batters and whiffed 463. Joe Borowski better be looking over his shoulder this Spring as Kobayashi has a good track record as a closer.

Luis Rivas has declined his minor league assignment and he has become a free agent. Rivas played most of last season in AAA ball but he had a good September for the Tribe. Rivas played in 4 games for the Indians and he was 3 for 11 (.273 avg, 1.000 OPS) with 3 runs scored, 1 triple, 1 homer and 4 RBIs.

The Indians have released right handed reliever Matt Miller. Miller only pitched in 2 games for the Indians last season and he threw 1 shutout inning. Miller pitched in 96 games for the Indians in his career and he was 6-1 with 2 saves, a 2.74 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. He should have no problem hooking on with another major league team as long as he is healthy.

The Indians spent $13 million dollars today to bring back Paul Byrd, Aaron Fultz and Joe Borowski. With the crop of free agent starting pitchers scarce the Indians decided to pick up the $7.5 million dollar option in Paul Byrd’s contract despite the HGH controversy surrounding him. Byrd started 31 games for the Indians last season and he was 15-8 with a 4.59 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. Byrd has now pitched in 62 games for the Indians since he signed on as a free agent and he’s 25-17 with a 4.73 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. Joe Borowski led the American League in saves last season but it was usually an adventure. Borowski pitched in 69 games last season for the Tribe and he was 4-5 with 45 saves, a 5.07 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. Aaron Fultz did a good job for the Tribe as a lefty specialist out of the bullpen. In 49 games for the Tribe, Fultz was 4-3 with a 2.92 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. As long as Byrd doesn’t get suspended by major league baseball this was money well spent by the Indians.