Indians and Rays complete trade

The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has acquired RHP MITCH TALBOT from the Tampa Bay Rays. Talbot is the player to be named in the December 1 trade that sent CA KELLY SHOPPACH to Tampa. The Indians also sent cash to the Rays in the transaction.

Talbot, 26, owns a minor league career record of 62-54 with a 3.79 ERA in 165 starts since being drafted by the Astros in the 2nd round of the 2002 draft (905.0IP, 911H, 381ER, 265BB, 748K). He was acquired by Tampa in July 2006 in a trade that sent Aubrey Huff to Houston. Mitch was named Triple-A Charlotte Pitcher of the Year in both 2007 and 2008, going 13-9 with a 3.86 ERA in 28 starts in 2008 (161.0IP, 165H, 69ER, 35BB, 141K) and appeared in 3 Major League games with the Rays that September.

The Cedar City, Utah native was limited to 10 starts for Triple-A Durham this past season due to a right elbow sprain. He went 4-4 with a 4.47 ERA in 10 starts for the Bulls (54.1IP, 67H, 27ER, 18BB, 40K) and ended the year healthy, making 2 starts in the International League playoffs. He entered the 2009 season as the 16th overall prospect in the Tampa Bay organization according to Baseball America and is now a member of the Indians 40-man roster. His change-up was tabbed the best in the International League and tops in the TB system after the 2008 season by BA.

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