Tribe acquires pitcher for Lofgren

GOODYEAR, Ariz.: The Indians agreed on a minor-league deal to allow the Brewers to send Chuck Lofgren to the minors.

In exchange for waiving its right to be offered Lofgren back, the Tribe hs acquired right-hander Omar Aguilar, 25, who spent last season at Double-A Huntsville and Class A Brevard County.

He compiled a 2-1 record and a 2.12 earned-run average in 18 appearances at Brevard County, all in relief. In 29 2/3 innings, Aguilar gave up 16 hits and nine walks, striking out 37. His performance fell off at Huntsville, where he was 1-0 with a 7.71 ERA in 23 outings. In 25 2/3 ininngs, he allowed 36 hits and 18 walks, striking out 33.

Aguilar also spent time in the Arizona Fall League after last season, making nine appearances a compiling a 7.11 ERA in 12 2/3 innings.

Milwaukee selected Aguilar in the 30th round of the 2005 draft out of Merced Junior College in California, playing for his hometown community college.

The Brewers took Lofgren in December's Rule 5 draft, paying the Indians the prescribedc $50,000. Teams taking players in the Rule 5 draft must keep them on their 25-man roster the entire season or offer them back to their original clubs for $25,000.

Lofgren has impressed Milwaukee in spring training, pitching four scoreless innings in four outings. However, the Brewers don't feel they can carry Lofgren on their roster, so they made the deal with the Tribe, enabling them to send Lofgren to Triple-A.
Last year, Lofgren, once a bright Cleveland prospect, pitched for Columbus and Akron, compiling a 6-10 record and 5.31 ERA in 17 starts for the Clippers and posting a 3-1 record and 1.48 ERA in eight starts for the Aeros.