Indians Get Todd To Complete Trade

The Indians acquired right-hander Jess Todd from St. Louis today, completing the June 27th trade that sent veteran infielder-outfielder Mark DeRosa to the Cardinals. Todd will be added to the Indians' 40-man roster and will report to Triple-A Columbus this week. At the time of the trade, the Indians also received right-hander Chris Perez, who has been part of Cleveland's bullpen since the deal.

"In acquiring Jess, we feel we’ve added a upper level pitcher who is adds immediate depth to our bullpen alternatives," said Chris Antonetti, the Indians' assistant general manager. "With his ability and track record of success, we feel that he has the potential to become a valuable member of in our major league bullpen moving forward."

Todd, 23, has spent the majority of the 2009 season at Memphis and was a member of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League All-Star team. Switched to relief at the end of spring training, he has gone 4-2 with 24 saves and a 2.20 ERA. In 49 innings over 41 outings, he has allowed 39 hits and 13 walks, striking out 59.

Todd has limited hitters to a .214 (38-for-182) batting average, including a .195 (22-for-113) by right-handers.

He made his major-league debut with the Cardinals on June 5, allowing three hits and two runs (one earned) over 1 2-3 innings, walking two and striking out two. Then he was optioned back to Memphis the next day.

Both Todd and Perez have been highly regarded by all scouting services. Both are hard-throwing right-handers with potential to be big-league closers.

In 2008, Todd was a starter and named the Cardinals' Minor League Pitcher of the Year. The 5-foot-11, 210-pounder, in just his second season of professional baseball, went 8-6 with one save and a 2.88 ERA in 28 games including 24 starts across three levels. In 153 total innings, he allowed only 116 hits and 42 walks while striking out 136 at Class A Palm Beach, Double-A Springfield and Memphis. He was named to both the Florida State League and Texas League All-Star teams while also pitching for the USA squad at the MLB Futures Game.

Todd was drafted by the Cardinals in the second round (82nd overall) in 2007 out of the University of Arkansas. In his first season of pro ball he went 4-1 with a 2.78 ERA in 16 games including seven starts at Batavia and was selected to the New York-Penn League All-Star team.