Indians acquire Jeriome Robertson from Astros
Though he led all major league rookies with 15 victories in 2003, Jeriome Robertson became redundant when the Astros signed Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte, and got Carlos Hernandez back from shoulder surgery. So on Wednesday they shipped Robertson to the Indians for the rights to Willy Taveras, whom they selected from Cleveland in the major league Rule 5 draft in December, and fellow minor league outfielder Luke Scott.

Robertson is a prime example of how wins aren't always a good measure of a pitcher's effectiveness. While the 27-year-old lefthander went 15-9 in 32 games (31 starts), that was mainly because he led the Astros in run support per nine innings (6.8). Opponents hit .287 off Robertson with 23 homers, and his strikeout-walk ratio was just 99-64 in 161 innings. Robertson's strong suits are his changeup and his command, though he has to nibble at the strike zone because he can't overmatch hitters with his 86-88 mph fastball and his breaking stuff. His career record is 15-11, 5.18 in 43 games (32 starts). The Indians already had committed to five starters, so it's unclear whether Robertson will begin the year in their bullpen or in their Triple-A Buffalo rotation.

Taveras, 22, became the best center-field prospect in the Astros system as soon as they selected him at the Winter Meetings. Signed out of the Dominican in 1999, he wowed high Class A Carolina League managers last summer, when they rated him the fastest baserunner, best baserunner and best defensive outfielder in the league. He hit .282/.350/.381 with two homers, 35 RBIs and 57 steals (in 69 attempts) in 113 games. He's ready to contribute in the majors right now as a basestealer and as a defender, but his bat is further away. His line-drive approach and knowledge of the strike zone suit him well as a potential leadoff man, but he'll have to get stronger in order to keep pitchers honest. If the Astros hadn't acquired his rights, they would have had to keep Taveras on their active major league roster all season, or else expose him to waivers and offer him back to Cleveland for half his $50,000 draft price. Now Houston can send him to Double-A.

Scott, 25, was a ninth-round pick out of Oklahoma State in 2001. His pro career was delayed because he had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow shortly after signing, but he since has emerged as a promising power prospect. He spent 2003 at high Class A Kinston and Double-A Akron, hitting a combined .276/.342/.486 with 20 homers and 81 RBIs in 117 games. Scott needs work on developing the rest of his game to complement his pop. He must tighten his strike zone and improve his left-field defense. His speed and arm are below average.

Dodgers acquire Cody Ross from Tigers
For the second time in three days and for the fourth time since he took over as Dodgers general manager, Paul DePodesta has acquired a minor league hitter as he seeks to boost his club's anemic offense. On Thursday, he picked up outfielder Cody Ross from the Tigers for lefthander Steve Colyer and a player to be named later. Previously, Los Angeles had purchased infielder/oufielder Jose Flores and outfielder/first baseman Jason Grabowski from Oakland and traded for outfielder Jayson Werth.

	Ross

Ross, 23, signed as a fourth-round pick out of a New Mexico high school in 1999. He gets mixed reviews as a prospect. His proponents see him as a gritty overachiever who gets the most out of his tools, while his detractors see him as too small (5-foot-11, 180 pounds) and not talented enough to play regularly in the majors. Ross tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while trying to beat out a bunt against the Indians last September, but he has fully recovered. He has good pop for his size and plays a solid right field with a strong arm, though he may not hit for much of an average if he doesn't become more patient at the plate. He has decent speed. Ross batted .287/.333/.515 with 20 homers, 61 RBIs and 15 steals in 124 games at Triple-A Toledo last year, and went 4-for-19 with a grand slam in his first taste of the majors. He'll probably open 2004 at Triple-A Las Vegas.

Colyer, 25, also made his major league debut in 2003. A second-round pick in 1997 out of a Missouri high school, he signed as a draft-and-follow after spending a year at St. Louis CC-Meramec. He has an explosive fastball, throwing 93-98 mph with plenty of life. Colyer backs up his heat with a hard slider, but throwing strikes always has been his problem. He had a 2.75 ERA in 13 appearances with the Dodgers last year, though opponents hit .292 against him. He also had a 16-9 strikeout-walk ratio and didn't allow a homer in 20 innings. At Las Vegas, he went 2-3, 3.21 with 23 saves in 44 games. He should make Detroit's bullpen.

Once the player to be named has been identified, we'll analyze him as well.

Giants acquire Wayne Franklin-Leo Estrella from Brewers
On the same day that the Giants placed Robb Nen and Scott Eyre on the disabled list, and continued to wonder whether they'll have to do the same with staff ace Jason Schmidt, they did find some mound reinforcements. San Francisco picked up Wayne Franklin and Leo Estrella from Milwaukee on Tuesday for minor league right-handers Glenn Woolard and Carlos Villanueva.

	Franklin

Franklin, a 30-year-old left-hander, could replace Schmidt in the Giants rotation if Schmidt's shoulder soreness persists. Franklin went 10-13, 5.50 in 36 games (34 starts) for the Brewers in 2003, his first full season as a big league starter. His ERA was the highest in the National League, as were the 34 homers he allowed, and he also finished last in strikeout-walk ratio (116-94 in 195 innings). Opponents hit .268 against him. Franklin lacks an out pitch, working with a high-80s fastball, a slider and a changeup. He'd fit better as a lefty specialist and spent the first six years of his pro career in relief. He has a career 12-14, 5.29 record in 76 big league games (38 starts).

Estrella, a 28-year-old righty, finally stuck in the majors last year, his 10th in pro ball. He began the year at Triple-A Indianapolis but was called up in late April and went 7-3, 4.36 with three saves in 58 games. In 66 innings, he had a 25-21 K-BB ratio, while opponents hit .290 with 10 homers against him. Like Franklin, he has marginal big league stuff. His fastball is more notable for its velocity, and his best pitch is his splitter. He also throws a slider and changeup. Big league hitters caught up to Estrella, as he posted a 6.59 ERA after the All-Star break, so he'll have to prove himself once more.

Woolard, 22, was a 10th-round pick in 2002, when he was the NCAA Division II pitcher of the year and led Kutztown State (Pa.) to that level's College World Series. He led D-II in wins (14-2, 2.81) and strikeouts (148 in 106 innings) that spring. His best pitch is a knuckle-curve, and he has the ability to change speeds with it. Woolard's changeup is also a strength, but his fastball sits at 89-91 mph and he must generate more life on it and keep it down in the zone. He spent 2003 at low Class A Hagerstown, going 8-9, 3.44 in 26 games (25 starts). He had a 135-43 K-BB ratio in 144 innings, and opponents batted .236 with 10 homers.

Villanueva, 20, signed out of the Dominican Republic in March 2002. He has an advanced feel for pitching and an 89-92 mph fastball. He went 3-6, 3.97 in 12 games (10 starts) in the Rookie-level Arizona League last year. His K-BB ratio was 67-13 in 59 innings, and opponents hit .277 with one homer.

Dodgers acquire Jayson Werth from Blue Jays
New Dodgers general manager Paul DePodesta continues to cut deals with his former Athletics co-workers. After purchasing infielder/outfielder Jose Flores and outfielder/first baseman Jason Grabowski from Oakland earlier this month, DePodesta pulled off a trade Tuesday with Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi, another former member of the A's front office. Los Angeles received outfielder Jayson Werth in exchange for minor league right-hander Jason Frasor.

	Werth

Werth, 24, was a 1997 first-round pick of the Orioles out of an Illinois high school. He was a catcher for the first six seasons of his pro career before the Blue Jays, who acquired him in a December 2000 trade for John Bale, decided that at 6-foot-5 he was too tall to play regularly behind the plate. More athletic than most catchers, Werth has adapted well to the outfield. He can handle center field but is better suited for right field, where he shows a strong arm. His offense is holding him back more than his defense. His big body leads to a long swing that doesn't make enough contact, diluting his above-average power potential. He hit .237/.285/.441 with nine homers, 34 RBI and 11 steals (in 12 tries) in 64 games at Triple-A Syracuse last year, which he started on the disabled list after straining his wrist in spring training. Werth has gotten 41 games and 94 at-bats over the last two years with Toronto, batting .234/.298/.383 with two homers and 16 RBI. With Shawn Green reluctant to move to first base, Werth will have to settle for a reserve role in Los Angeles.

Frasor, 26, has exceeded expectations since the Tigers drafted him in the 33rd round out of Southern Illinois in 1999. He missed all of 2001 with an elbow injury, then went to the Dodgers in the Hiram Bocachica trade the following year. Frasor opened eyes last year, when he went 2-0, 2.51 with 23 saves in 50 games between high Class A Vero Beach and Double-A Jacksonville. He had an 86-18 K-BB ratio in 61 innings, and opponents batted .218 with two homers. He followed up with a strong Arizona Fall League, where his 91-95 mph fastball was one of the best in the league. His second pitch is a curveball. Frasor is just 5-foot-10 and generates his velocity with effort in his delivery, though it didn't hamper his ability to throw strikes last season.

Cardinals trade Kerry Robinson to Padres for Brian Hunter
Kerry Robinson may have lost St. Louis' left-field job to Ray Lankford, but he still may appear in an Opening Day lineup -- for San Diego. The Padres acquired him on Monday for Brian L. Hunter, and Robinson could become their starting center fielder until Jay Payton recovers from a strained right hamstring.

	Robinson

Robinson, 30, simply doesn't provide enough offense to merit playing every day. His speed and defensive skills are useful, but he's a career .263/.301/.339 with three homers, 46 RBI and 24 steals in 579 at-bats over 365 games. Last year, he hit .250/.281/.322 with one homer and 16 RBI in 116 games. He'll make $450,000 in 2004.

Hunter, 33, has been in a steady decline since leading the American League with 74 steals in 1997. The Astros released him last July after he hit .235/.278/.316 with no homers or steals and 13 RBI in 98 at-bats over 56 games, and he signed a minor league deal with the Padres in the offseason. His speed serves him well on the basepaths and in center field, but Hunter is a punchless hitter who doesn't help himself by eschewing walks. He's a career .264/.313/.346 hitter with 25 homers, 241 RBI and 260 steals in 1,000 games.

Indians trade Ricky Gutierrez to Mets for player to be named later
The Mets made their second trade in two days on Sunday, acquiring Ricky Gutierrez and cash from the Indians for a player to be named later.

That came on the heels of a deal that sent Timo Perez to the White Sox for Matt Ginter. Gutierrez, 33, will serve the Mets as their primary backup to second baseman Jose Reyes and shortstop Kazuo Matsui.

Gutierrez played just 16 games last year while recovering from October 2002 surgery to repair herniated discs in his neck, but is back to 100 percent this spring. He's a steady player with decent on-base ability (though not much power) and sure hands on defense.

In 1,074 career games, he has hit .268/.340/.353 with 38 homers and 349 RBI. Gutierrez is making $5.25 million in 2004, the final year of a three-year, $11.5 million contract that also contains an option for 2005.

Once the player to be named has been identified, we'll analyze him as well.

Mets trade Timo Perez to White Sox for Matt Ginter
The Mets had an abundance of outfielders and the White Sox had a shortage of center-field options behind Aaron Rowand, making the clubs perfect trading partners. So New York sent Perez to Chicago for Ginter on Saturday.

Perez, 28, had been a semi-regular starter for the Mets in 2002-03, batting .269/.301/.364 with four homers and 42 RBI in 127 games last year. He's best suited to be a backup because he doesn't have a standout offensive tool. While Perez makes contact and hits for a decent average, he has only sporadic power and doesn't walk very much. He has above-average speed but isn't a threat to steal. He stands out more defensively, where he covers lots of ground and has a plus arm. In 372 career games, he has batted .276/.312/.397 with 18 homers and 114 RBI. He'll make $850,000 this season.

Ginter, a 26-year-old right-hander, had been projected as the White Sox' closer of the future after they drafted him in the first round out of Mississippi State in 1999. But while he has been successful in the minors, he has been strafed for a 5.82 ERA in 63 big league appearances, just three of which came last year. He spent most of 2003 at Triple-A Charlotte, going 3-5, 3.03 with 14 saves in 49 games. In 68 innings, he had a 52-22 strikeout-walk ratio, while opponents batted .249 with two homers against him. Ginter's best pitch is a hard slider that overmatches minor leagues, but big league hitters haven't chased it enough for him to be effective. He also works with a low-90s fastball.

Reds trade Chris Reitsma to Braves for Jung Bong-Bubba Nelson
For the second time in two days, the Braves bolstered their pitching staff with a trade. After getting Juan Cruz from the Cubs on Thursday, they acquired Chris Reitsma from the Reds for Jung Bong and minor league right-hander Bubba Nelson on Friday.

	Reitsma

Reitsma, a 26-year-old right-hander, finished 2003 as the Reds' closer after they dealt Scott Williamson to Boston. He went 9-5, 4.29 in 57 games, with 12 saves in 18 opportunities. In 84 innings, he posted a 53-19 strikeout/walk ratio while batters hit .281 with 14 homers against him. Reitsma's stuff is better suited for a setup man, and he'll assume that role in Atlanta. His out pitch is a hard sinker, and he also utilizes a four-seam fastball and a changeup. He'll make $950,000 this year after losing his arbitration case, in which he asked for $1.45 million. His career record is 22-32, 4.52 in 125 games (53 starts).

This offseason, the Braves have traded their two best pitching prospects. They used right-hander Adam Wainwright to get J.D. Drew from the Cardinals, and now they've parted with the 22-year-old Nelson, a 2000 second-round pick out of a Maryland high school. He led the minors with a 1.66 ERA in 2002 before following up by going 8-11, 3.04 in 34 games (20 starts) between Double-A Greenville and Triple-A Richmond last year. He had an 84/50 K/BB ratio in 133 innings, while opponents batted .239 with eight homers. Nelson was primarily a starter until late last year, when the Braves shifted him to relief in anticipation of using him in that role for the stretch run. The Reds plan on returning him to the rotation. His hard slider is his best pitch, and he also throws a heavy 89-93 mph fastball. He needs to improve the consistency of his command and of his changeup to succeed in the majors.

Like Nelson, Bong began his pro career as a starter before the Braves turned him into a reliever in the upper minors. Cincinnati also envisions him as a starter in the long run. The 23-year-old Korean left-hander spent almost all of 2003 in the Atlanta bullpen, save for a two-week demotion in August. He went 6-2, 5.05 in 44 games, with a 47/31 K/BB ratio in 57 innings. Opponents hit .267 with eight homers. Bong works primarily with a 91-94 mph fastball and a curveball, but gets in trouble when he doesn't throw enough strikes and quality strikes. That was a problem in the second half of last year, as he had a 9.18 ERA after July 1.

Cubs trade Juan Cruz-Steve Smyth to Braves for Andy Pratt-Richard Lewis
Two years ago, Juan Cruz ranked with Mark Prior as the top prospects in the Cubs farm system. But Cruz has been unable to claim a spot in Chicago's rotation and the club tired of waiting for him to live up to his potential. On Thursday, the Cubs stopped waiting, trading him and minor league left-hander Steve Smyth to the Braves for two prospects, lefty Andy Pratt and second baseman Richard Lewis.

	Cruz

Cruz, a 25-year-old right-hander, lost his chance of being a regular starter for the Cubs when they signed Greg Maddux this offseason. But with Prior expected to miss at least his first couple of starts with an Achilles tendon problem, Cruz had a chance to replace Prior temporarily. He squandered that by getting shelled in three Cactus League starts. Cruz has the stuff to be a frontline starter in the majors. He has a mid-90s fastball, a darting slider and a sinking changeup. At times, all three can be plus pitches, but he has been inconsistent with his secondary offerings and with his command in the majors. If he can put it all together, the Cubs will rue this trade. However, he didn't pitch well for them in 2003, going 2-7, 6.05 in 25 games (six starts). In 61 innings, he had a 65-28 strikeout/walk ratio and opponents hit .275 with seven homers against him. He was much more effective at Triple-A Iowa, going 4-0, 1.95 in nine starts. His big league career record is 8-19, 4.43 in 78 games (23 starts). The Braves plan on initially using Cruz as a power right-hander out of the bullpen, but he eventually should press Jaret Wright for the No. 5 starter's job.

Pratt, 24, signed with the Rangers as a 1998 ninth-round pick out of an Arizona high school. Traded to the Braves for lefty Ben Kozlowski in April 2002, he's the son of Tom Pratt, the pitching coach for the Cubs' high Class A Daytona affiliate. Pratt, who pitched in one game for the Braves in 2002, spent all of last year at Triple-A Richmond. He led the International League in both strikeouts (161 in 156 innings) and walks (77) while going 7-10, 3.40 in 28 games (27 starts). Like Cruz, he's still seeking better consistency and command. On some nights, Pratt will show a plus fastball and slider, along with an average curveball and changeup. Though he has been primarily a starter as a pro, the Cubs plan on using him as their second lefty out of the bullpen until Mike Remlinger returns from offseason shoulder surgery.

Lewis, 23, was a 2001 supplemental first-round pick out of Georgia Tech. He struggled in 2003 at Double-A Greenville, batting .239/.305/.341 with six homers, 47 RBI and 19 steals in 129 games, but rebounded to hit .404 in the Arizona Fall League. He's not spectacular, but has decent all-around tools. He has good speed and even better instincts on the bases, and he also has some gap power. Defensively, he's surehanded and turns the double play well. If he can hit more like he did in 2002 at high Class A Myrtle Beach (.279 with a .359 OBP), Lewis can be a big league regular.

Smyth, 25, was a 1999 fourth-round choice out of the University of Southern California. He led the Double-A Southern League in ERA (2.54) and was on the verge of a big league callup in 2001 when he was felled by shoulder trouble. He had surgery to tighten his capsule and clean up fraying in his rotator cuff, and his stuff hasn't come all the way back. Smyth used to pitch in the low 90s, but now his fastball sits in the high 80s, and his breaking stuff has lost some of its crispness. Smyth pitched at Triple-A Iowa last year, going 6-11, 5.23 in 25 games (24 starts). He had a 98/72 K/BB ratio in 131 innings, and opponents batted .287 with 16 homers against him. Smyth went 1-3, 9.35 in eight games (seven starts) with the Cubs in 2002.

D-Backs trade John Patterson to Expos for Randy Choate
In 1996, the Expos made John Patterson the fifth overall pick in the draft out of a Texas high school. But due to a little-known rule that three other first-round picks that year also would exploit, Patterson became a free agent when Montreal didn't tender him a formal contract before the prescribed deadline. He signed with the newly created Diamondbacks for $6.075 million.

	Patterson

The Expos finally got their man on Thursday. After Patterson had failed in multiple attempts to crack the Arizona rotation and was struggling again this spring, the Diamondbacks traded him for Randy Choate.

Patterson, a 26-year-old right-hander, has recovered from Tommy John surgery in 2000. He has regained his trademark shoulder-to-shoetops curveball, though the velocity on his fastball has dropped slightly to the low 90s. He hasn't been able to break through to the majors because he hasn't been able to find a consistent third pitch or throw strikes at that level. In 16 games (eight starts) with Arizona last year, he went 1-4, 6.05. In 55 innings, he had a 43/30 strikeout/walk ratio while opponents batted .281 with seven homers. He was much more effective at Triple-A Tucson, where he went 10-5, 2.63 in 18 starts. Patterson's big league career record is 3-4, 5.04 in 23 games (13 starts). Montreal will give him a chance to make its rotation, which has been weakened by the temporary loss of Tony Armas Jr. to a muscle pull in his side.

Choate, a 28-year-old lefty, had joined the Expos in the Dec. 4 Javier Vazquez trade with the Yankees. Choate spent parts of the last four seasons with New York, going 3-2, 4.43 in 82 games, including five in 2003. In 91 innings, he has a 64/51 K/BB ratio but has held hitters to a .221 average and four homers. He spent most of last year at Triple-A Columbus, where he went 3-5, 3.91 in 54 appearances. He's a lefty specialist, as he lacks a plus pitch or command.

Yankees trade Mike Lamb to Astros for Juan DeLeon
When Aaron Boone blew out his knee playing basketball, leaving the Yankees without any promising options at third base, their first move was to make a Feb. 4 trade with the Rangers for Mike Lamb. Twelve days later they pulled off a bigger deal with Texas, picking up Alex Rodriguez and eliminating their need for Lamb. So on Thursday, Lamb found himself on the move again, heading to the Astros for minor league right-hander Juan DeLeon.

	Lamb

Lamb, 28, started at third base for the Rangers as a rookie in 2000, but found playing time scarce with the emergence of Hank Blalock. He spent most of 2003 at Triple-A Oklahoma, where he batted .288/.383/.485 with nine homers and 46 RBI in 73 games. With Texas, he went just 5-for-38 (.132) in 28 contests. Lamb is a line-drive hitter who can hit for average, but his power and on-base ability aren't enough for him to keep an everyday job. He's not much of a runner or defender, either. He's expected to play a reserve role in Houston, pinch-hitting and backing up the corner infield spots. In 357 career games, Lamb has hit .282/.336/.385 with 19 homers and 117 RBI.

DeLeon, 22, signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2001. He's undersized at 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds, but he has two plus pitches with a 92-95 mph fastball and a changeup that he uses to get left-handers out. He also throws a below-average curveball. In 26 games at low Class A Lexington last year, DeLeon went 2-0, 1.83 with two saves. In 39 innings, he had a 45/22 strikeout/walk ratio and limited hitters to a .180 average with three homers.

Donovan Osborne took Lamb's spot on the Yankees' 40-man roster. Osborne is expected to begin the season as their fifth starter in place of the injured Jon Lieber.