The Indians have signed 28-year old righty swinging 3B Andy LaRoche to a minor league deal.  LaRoche played in 40 games for the Oakland A’s last year and he was 23 for 93 (.247 avg, .654 OPS) with 10 runs scored, 0 homers and 5 RBIs.  He has now played in 403 games in his first five years in the majors and he is 267 for 1,180 (.226 avg, .642 OPS) with 133 runs scored, 22 homers, 113 RBIs and 8 stolen bases.  LaRoche will get a shot next spring to win a job on the bench for the Indians in 2012.

The Indians have designated 25-year old righty reliever Josh Judy for assignment.  Judy pitched in 12 games (0 starts) for the Indians last year (his first taste of the majors), and he was 0-0 with a 7.07 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP.  He also pitched in 50 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball for the Indians last year and he was 6-2 with 23 saves, a 3.12 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP.  The Indians needed Judy’s roster spot for Aaron Cunningham.  They hope Judy will clear waivers, so they can keep him….but I think that might be wishful thinking.

UPDATE:  (12/23/2011) – The Indians have lost Josh Judy on waivers to the Cincinnati Reds.

The Indians have acquired 25-year old righty swinging outfielder Aaron Cunningham from the Padres for 24-year old righty reliever Cory Burns.  Cunningham played in 52 games for the Padres last year and he was 16 for 90 (.178 avg, .624 OPS) with 12 runs scored, 3 homers, 9 RBIs and 1 stolen base.  He has now played in 150 games in his first four years in the majors and he is 82 for 355 (.231 avg, .664 OPS) with 42 runs scored, 6 homers, 44 RBIs and 4 stolen bases.  Cunningham will have a good shot of winning a bench job for the Indians next spring.  Cory Burns pitched in 54 games (0 starts) in AA-ball for the Indians last year and he was 2-5 with 35 saves, a 2.11 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP.

The Indians have signed 28-year old righty swinging 2B/3B Jose Lopez to a minor league deal.  Lopez played in 82 games for the Marlins & Rockies last year and he was 50 for 231 (.216 avg, .617 OPS) with 23 runs scored, 8 homers, 21 RBIs and 2 stolen bases.  He has now played in 955 games in his first 8 years in the majors and he is 947 for 3,605 (.263 avg, .692 OPS) with 403 runs scored, 88 homers, 452 RBIs and 25 stolen bases.  Lopez could possibly compete with Matt LaPorta at 1B next spring.

The Cleveland Indians have signed 26-year old lefty swinging outfielder Felix Pie to a minor league deal.  Pie played in 85 games for the Orioles last year and he was 36 for 164 (.220 avg, .545 OPS) with 15 runs scored, 0 homers, 7 RBIs  and 3 stolen bases.  Pie has now played in 398 games in his first five years in the majors and he is 240 for 964 (.249 avg, .673 OPS) with 127 runs scored, 17 homers, 97 RBIs and 20 stolen bases.  Pie will have a good shot of winning a bench job with the Indians next spring.

UPDATE:  (4/4/2012) – The Indians have released Felix Pie.