Indians sign Ryan Webb to minor league deal

Cleveland has sought bullpen depth and was able to find an experienced arm on Monday night. The Indians signed Ryan Webb to a minor league contract, according to The Los Angeles Times' Bill Shaikin.

Webb, 29, will head to the Indians' Triple-A affiliate and is a veteran option should the club need a reliever at some point moving forward. In 49.1 innings with the Orioles last season, Webb posted a 3.83 ERA and 2.95 FIP. He started the year with Baltimore, still under the contract he signed as a free agent prior to the 2014 season, and was traded to Los Angeles last week. The Dodgers subsequently outrighted and released him, and the Indians felt he would be a valuable addition.

Even after he learned he would not be on the Dodgers' major league roster, he accepted an outright assignment. Webb already has five years and service time, and could have refused to head to Triple-A, which he previously did with the Orioles. The Dodgers will still be responsible for Webb's $2.75 million 2015 salary, however the Indians will have to send the minimum salary of $507,500 to Los Angeles after adding Webb.

Los Angeles sent minor league catcher Chris O'Brien and pitcher Ben Rowen to Baltimore in exchange for catcher Brian Ward, Webb, and a competitive balance round B pick last Thursday. The No. 74 round B pick is an $827,000 slot value, Shaikin adds, with Cardinals outfielder Jon Jay the most notable player to be selected with such a pick. The Orioles designated Webb for assignment on Monday, and would have owed him the $2.75 million if he was not dealt to the Dodgers.

Webb posted career bests in both strikeouts and walks in 2014, and by adding him, the Indians have bullpen depth. Ultimately, if the minor league players involved in last week's trade are not included, the deal is a draft pick in exchange for $2.75 million.