The Indians announced that they acquired Brent Lillibridge from the Red Sox for right-hander Jose De La Torre. The Indians transferred Lonnie Chisenhall to the 60-day disabled list to create roster space for Lillibridge, who was recently designated for assignment by Boston.
Boston acquired Lillibridge in the trade that sent Kevin Youkilis to Chicago last month. Lillibridge, 28, has a .165/.212/.177 line in 86 total plate appearances this year. He has a career batting line of .212/.279/.351 in five seasons with the Braves, White Sox and Red Sox.
De La Torre, 26, posted a 2.91 ERA with 9.4 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9 in 55 2/3 innings for Cleveland's Double-A and Triple-A affiliates this year. He had signed with the Indians as a minor league free agent in January.
davengmusic
I know nothing about Brent Lillibridge, but a guy with that kind of slash line is still getting traded for? What am I missing here?
goner
Liilibridge’s slash line in 2011 was 258/340/505, with 13 homers in 216 PA, and he had a slew of highlight-reel-quality catches in the OF.
I have no idea what happened to him this year though.
Civilization
What’s the story on La Torre? His minor league numbers look decent enough… Why hasn’t he got a call up? Or is BR not reporting his numbers?
Tribe82
He’s got injury issues…most likely a career minor leaguer.
neilg
That’s more like it…now we’re cookin’…
ARod's Ring
That’s an overpay for Brent Lillibridge, De La Torre could be a decent reliever in the majors. Can someone explain me how someone like Brent keeps getting a chance in the majors? and guys like Clint Robinson are just getting a chance now?
Joe Random
Indians are probably hoping he can play short now and again, which is desperately needed as no-one can back up Cabrera right now.
Dock_Elvis
multi-positional depth with some speed and defense.
Oilcanoworms
Wooo-hooooooooo!!!!!
User 4245925809
I agree. Anything with a pulse is better than Lillibridge, even if they are a MiLB FA after the season…
De La Torre has a less than 5% chance of being called up in September as an emergency reliever, Lillibridge they have Spears to play every position and neither can hit.
karkat
Realistically De La Torre is probably a better hitter
Kyle B
And the Indians must feel he hasn’t play up to “his potential” yet and will expect him to bring this offense back as soon as he gets here.
Allen Radeck
What offense are you talking about? His strikeout rate is Dunnlike and with the exception of a month last year he offers nothing but defense.
Allen Radeck
He is a nice guy however, people in the clubhouse loved him in Chicago.
Ryman5000
Nice guys don’t win ballgames. How a career .212 hitter still takes up a spot on an MLB roster is beyond me.
Robb Logan
Mario mendoza, jeff mathis et al say hi
Nathan Kemp
I’m a beat reporter covering the Akron Aeros, the team De La Torre played for this season. He’s pitched above his ceiling this year and has benefited from a lot of luck. He’s been injured most of his minor league career. Has good command, but not great stuff. More than likely minor league fill.
rickjimbo
I appreciate the scouting report sir.
DerekJeterDan
If you told a Red Sox fan in the Offseason that Kevin Youkilis would essentially be traded for Zach Stewart and Jose De La Torre, most would laugh and some would cry. But that is the reality of the situation and it really makes me upset. Kevin Youkilis is a class act and everything you want in a ball player. He’s gritty, he gives it his all, he has pop, and he gets on base with the best of them. In my opinion, Cherington traded Youkilis for an extremely underwhelming package. He easily could have gotten better for Youk than Brett Lilibridge. In the same way he traded Scutaro for Mortenson, Lowrie for Melancon and now Youk for Lillibridge it makes me question how good of a GM he truly is. Had he entertained more offers or held steadfast on focusing on the positives of Youk’s game he easily could have gotten the Red Sox more in a trade. I was all for Youk being dealt. It’s Middlebrooks time to prove that 3B is his position moving forward. It just would have been nice to see Cherington get a better than underwhelming package for a great ball player.
Oilcanoworms
Couldn’t agree more.
cloudrambler
Hindsight is 20/20. Moves like Lowrie for Melancon at the time seemed like a great move for the Red Sox who couldn’t rely on oft-injured Lowrie to play SS all year and Melacon appeared to be the one who was going to close for the Sox.
Did it turn out that way, no. But I’m not going to evaluate it and say that it was a stupid move, because at the time, it seemed like the right thing to do.
Ed Duffy
Jed is on the DL by the way
M.Kit
Think of it like this, the Youk trade was really for Middlebrooks , although Stewart could still emerge to be a decent Major League pitcher
Hoosierdaddy92
Forgot about Andrew Bailey for Josh Reddick.
Kyle Hamilton
Good thing Cherington isn’t wasting time on crap like this!
DerekJeterDan
He already wasted time on crap like this by acquiring Lilibridge in the 1st place lol
TimmyTribe
I am starting to understand why Justin Upton and Cleveland on his no trade list.
John Kramer
So in the past few days, we have acquired JC Romero and Lillibridge. Wow, this is not going to win us the Central. Who’s up next to be signed, Roger Dorn?