DeRosa Traded to Indians
By playerpress.com
December 31, 2008

Mark DeRosa, coming off perhaps his best season in 10 years in the Major Leagues, was traded from the Cubs to the Indians today in exchange for three minor leaguers.

In Cleveland, DeRosa, who played six positions for the Cubs last season, primarily second base, is expected to be the everyday third baseman while spending some time in the outfield. He is expected to bat second in the lineup, according to Indians manager Eric Wedge.

DeRosa, 33, set career highs with 21 homers, 87 RBI, 106 runs and 6 stolen bases while hitting .285 and helping the Cubs to a division championship in 2008. He recently accepted an invitation to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic in March.
The Indians needed a dependable, right-handed hitting infielder and gave up pitchers Jeff Stevens, Chris Archer and John Gaub for DeRosa. DeRosa made 80 starts at second base, 10 at third, 32 in right field and 27 in left last year. He also played one game each at first base and shortstop.

Indians GM Mark Shapiro said he had been in talks with Cubs GM Jim Hendry about DeRosa since November. DeRosa will be eligible for free agency after making $5.5 million this season. He has driven in at least 70 runs in each of the past three seasons, and the former college quarterback at Pennsylvania has a .302 career batting average against lefties.
DeRosa is the second former Cubs player to join the Indians this winter, along with former Cubs closer Kerry Wood. Hendry said he hated to part with DeRosa, but wanted to add pitching prospects to improve the club’s overall depth.

“Obviously, Mark is very, very good and he’s a guy I have tremendous respect for,” Hendry said. “Certainly the Indians are getting a very, very good player and a first-class young man also. That part of it is always difficult but we felt we had to move forward in this direction and we felt had to make this deal.”