At first glance, I like the move that GM Mark Shapiro pulled off yesterday, acquiring outfielder Ryan Ludwick from Texas for Shane Spencer and Ricardo Rodriguez. I hate to see Rodriguez go because I love his stuff and his competitiveness, but young pitching is our strength, and outfield power is certainly our biggest weakness, so the trade makes a lot of sense from that standpoint.
Texas GM John Hart, the architect of the Indians powerhouses of the 90's, keeps in touch with his protege Shapiro, and this is the second significant trade these two have executed. The Indians sent Einar Diaz and Ryan Drese to Texas for Travis Hafner this past offseason. (Is that significant?)
Ludwick seems like a good right-handed compliment to Gerut as a corner outfielder. His strong arm helped him to be named Best Defensive Outfielder in the Texas League (AA), and he hit .303 at AAA this season before being called up, to go along with the power numbers that he has put up at every level.