According to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com, the Indians are close to signing free agent pitcher Jeremy Bonderman. The former first-round pick of the Oakland Athletics, Bonderman is no stranger to the Central Division. The right-hander has pitched for the Detroit Tigers since making his debut in 2003.
Bonderman was 8-10 with a 5.53 ERA in 2010, his first complete season since 2007. He made just 13 starts in 2008-09 after a blood clot required shoulder surgery. Last season marked the last year of a four-year, $38 million contract he signed after the 2006 season.
Unfortunately for the Tigers, 2006 was the last productive season of his career, going 14-8 with a 4.08 ERA and also getting a win in the postseason.
Bonderman was said to be interested in returning to Detroit, but the Tigers filled out their rotation by signing veteran Brad Penny for $3 million early last month.
On the bright side for Tribe fans, the Indians have had great luck in buying low and selling high on veteran pitching. In 2005, the Tribe signed Kevin Millwood to a one-year deal and all he did was go out and post the league’s best ERA.
Also in 2005, Scott Elarton went 11-9 with a 4.61 ERA in the Tribe’s fifth spot in the rotation. Another pitcher familiar with Bonderman’s situation is Carl Pavano who signed with the Indians in 2009 after a miserable run with the Yankees. Pavano would finish the season with the Twins posting a 14-12 record as he contributed to a late-season playoff push for Minnesota.
Following the Indians 2010-11 offseason has been like watching paint dry. Let’s hope that new GM Chris Antonetti has a few more tricks up his sleeve!
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com