-----------UPDATE---------- 5:29 p.m. Kendry Morales has been traded to the Seattle Mariners for Jason Vargas
The Los Angeles Angels want to bolster their starting rotation and they are willing to give up Kendrys Morales. The Cleveland Indians have a guy by the name of Justin Masterson that can give them just want they want, an inning-eater.
Masterson has back-to-back seasons pitching a minimum of 200 innings. In 2011, he threw 216 innings and last season he went 206.1. His 2012 ERA and record weren't too impressive. Masterson finished the season under .500 after going 11-15 and posting an ERA of 4.93.
However, the question here isn't whether Masterson can win, the Angels clearly stated they wanted an inning eater and that's what Masterson gives them.
In exchange, the Indians have to look at what Morales can give them. He can protect Carlos Santana and their newly acquired infielder, Mark Reynolds.
Last season, Morales played 134 games after returning from a devastating 2010 leg injury that sidelined him for a season and a half. He finished 2012 with a .273 batting average, 22 home runs and 73 RBI.
He'll be turning 30 next year and won't become a free agent until 2014, which allows the Indians control over him for more than one season. Masterson isn't a free agent until 2015 and, after the season he had last year, the best thing they can do use his ability to throw innings in their favor and acquire some pop for their lineup.
Travis Hafner was their DH last season, but will not be returning in 2013.
The Angels also have the option of shopping their outfielder Peter Bourjos, but as time progresses, it looks like they are more willing to keep him and move Morales.
