Indians Add Five to 40-Man Roster

The Indians added five players to the 40-man roster yesterday, protecting infielder Jared Goedert, LHP Nick Hagadone, RHP Josh Judy, RHP Corey Kluber and RHP Zach McAllister. The 40-man roster now stands at capacity, meaning the Indians will most likely not add a player via the Rule 5 draft this year. Here are some quick thoughts:

• While none of the adds were a shock, I was surprised to see Goedert added, since I had figured the Indians had dismissed him as an option as the third base starter since he did not receive a September call-up. However the Indians must feel that Goedert still has value as a utility player, or they felt he would surely be selected in the Rule 5 draft. I’m not arguing with the selection, I’m just surprised the Indians had a change of heart.
• McAllister was another mild surprise. I figured he’d be on the 40-man sometime this season, but seeing as he projects as a back-end starter, I was a little surprised they decided to protect him now. On the other hand, he’s close to big-league ready, and some team might see him as a young, cheap arm they could snag and use.
• Kluber was an easy call, as he’s 24 and was the player the Indians received from the Padres in the three team deal that sent Jake Westbrook to the Cardinals. Kluber strikes out a lot of guys, 157 Ks in 149 IP at Double-A (split between San Antonio and Akron), and he projects as a middle of the rotation starter.
• You might recall that I was asking for Hagadone to be called up in September. He’s another one of the guys acquired in the Victor Martinez deal, and although he seems to be destined to be a reliever (much like another pitcher the Indians acquired in that deal…) he’s got good stuff and could be a factor this season.
• Finally, Judy was an absolute no-brainer, as he was almost called up in September. He’ll get a shot to make the big-league pen in 2011, and could end up being a dominant back end of the pen-type guy. And yes, he’s going to replace Andy Marte as Deep Left Field’s new poster child. I mean, how can you not root for a 34th round pick (2007)?
• Perhaps the only surprise non-roster was RHP Adam Miller. Yeah, the former top prospect who was going to be an ace starter, and then a stud closer. He’s recovering from his finger injury and even though he hasn’t thrown an inning in two years he remains an intriguing player, if no longer a prospect. If a team determines he’s healthy (a big if) then I could see him getting claimed, but keep in mind that whatever team claimed him would have to keep him on the big league roster for the entire season, or sell him back to the Indians. He’s not a sure thing to be selected. If I were the Indians, I probably would have made the same decision.