The Indians have lost 28-year old righty starting pitcher Bryan Bullington on waivers to the Blue Jays. He pitched in 3 games (2 starts) with the Indians last season and he was 0-2 with a 4.91 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. Bullington has now pitched in 9 games (5 starts) in his major league career in which he is 0-5 with a 5.45 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. The Indians won’t miss Bullington in 2008 as they have a lot of better pitchers than him.

The Indians have outrighted 27-year old right handed pitcher Brian Slocum to AAA making him a free agent. Slocum pitched in 2 games (0 starts) for the Indians last season and he was 0-0 with a 27.00 ERA and a 4.00 WHIP. He also pitched in 30 games (11 starts) in AAA ball in 2008 and he was 3-7 with 1 save, a 4.85 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP. The Indians have decided that they’ve definately seen enough of Slocum who has been pathetic for them. In two seasons with the Indians, Slocum has pitched in 10 games (2 starts) in which he is 0-0 with a 7.78 ERA and a 2.24 WHIP. He gave up a stunning 35 hits in 19.2 career innings with the Indians who won’t miss him one bit in 2009 and down the road.

Travis Hafner has had arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder and he will have a checkup soon with the dreaded Dr. James Andrews which is usually not a good thing. Hafner played in only 57 games for the Indians last season and he was 39 for 198 (.197 avg, .628 OPS) with 21 runs scored, 5 homers and 24 RBIs. The Indians really need a healthy Hafner in 2009 because of his very potent bat. From 2004-2007, Hafner played in a average of 139.5 games, scored 92.5 runs, hit 31.8 homers, drove in 108.5 runs and he walked 87.3 times per season. Hafner also compiled a .296 average during those four seasons. The Indians need a healthy Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez in 2009 if they want to get back to the playoffs in 2009.

The Indians have exercised Jamey Carroll’s 2009 option for the 2009 season worth $2.5 million bucks. The Indians hope that Carroll won’t have to play as much as he did last season. He played in 113 games for the Tribe in 2008 and he was 96 for 347 (.277 avg, .701 OPS) with 60 runs scored, 1 homer, 36 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. Carroll is a very valuable player for the Indians as he can handle 2B, SS and 3B defensively. He has played in 693 games in his 7-year major league career now and he is 506 for 1,856 (.273 avg, .702 OPS) with 316 runs scored, 10 homers, 148 RBIs and 37 stolen bases. Carroll plays the game the right way and he will be a very important part of the Indians’ bench in 2009.

The Indians have acquired 21-year old lefty swinging outfielder Michael Brantley as the last played in the C.C. Sabathia trade. Brantley has a nice upside as he was the #24 prospect in the Brewers’ minor league system heading into this seaso according to Baseball America. Brantley played in 106 games in AA ball this season and he was 134 for 420 (.319 avg, .793 OPS) with 80 runs scored, 4 homers, 40 RBIs and 28 stolen bases. Brantley has great discipline at the plate as he only whiffed 27 times in the minors this season. The Indians will likely have Brantley on the fast track to the majors as they try to justify the Sabathia trade to the fan base.