Indians get Robertson from Astros

Published 12:00 am Thursday, April 1, 2004

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (AP) - The Cleveland Indians acquired 15-game winner Jeriome Robertson from the Houston Astros on Wednesday for two minor league outfielders.

In exchange for Robertson, who led major league rookies in wins a year ago, the Indians gave up outfielder Luke Scott and the rights to outfielder Willy Taveras.

The deal was announced a few hours after the Astros beat the Indians 3-2 in Kissimmee, Fla.

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Robertson went 15-9 with a 5.10 ERA as a rookie in 2003, but the left-hander got bumped from the rotation this season when Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte signed with the Astros.

He was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans earlier this week.

He didn't always pitch well last season, but Robertson got plenty of run support from the Astros' talented lineup. The club averaged 5.45 runs in Robertson's 31 starts.

Robertson gives Cleveland another young, talented lefty for the future. C.C. Sabathia, Cliff Lee and Jason Stanford - all left-handers - are already in Cleveland's starting rotation and the Indians also have promising youngsters Brian Tallet and Billy Traber, who are both recovering from elbow surgery.

After winning a spot in training camp last season, the 27-year-old Robertson led the Astros in wins. His 31 starts tied for the most among major league rookies.

He set a rookie franchise record by winning nine straight games from May 22-July 22.

Scott, 25, batted .273 in 50 games for Double-A Akron and .278 in 67 games at Class-A Kinston. He led the Indians' organization with 81 RBIs.

Taveras, 22, was already in Astros' camp after being selected in the winter meeting draft. He batted .282 and stole 57 bases for Kinston in 2003.