CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Indians offered contracts to all unsigned players on the 40-man roster before Monday’s midnight deadline.

Among the players offered contracts were the seven Indians eligible for arbitration: Justin Masterson, Rafael Perez, Chris Perez, Asdrubal Cabrera, Shin-Soo Choo, Jack Hannahan and Joe Smith.

Any player who isn’t offered a contract is eligible for free agency.

Some American League players not offered contracts include Kansas City’s Aaron Laffey, Twins’ Jose Mijares, Baltimore’s Luke Scott and Detroit’s Will Rhymes.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Aaron Laffey’s role was unclear with the Cleveland Indians. Maybe he’ll find more clarity in Seattle.

The Indians traded the left-hander to the Mariners on Wednesday for minor league infielder Matt Lawson, who will report to Cleveland’s minor league camp.

Laffey split time between Cleveland and Triple-A Columbus last season, and he bounced back and forth between the rotation and bullpen. The 25-year-old, who was once considered a rising star in the Indians’ system, was in the mix to be the club’s No. 5 starter this season.

In Seattle, Laffey will be reunited with former Indians manager Eric Wedge and pitching coach Carl Willis.

“With Aaron, we felt we had the opportunity to acquire a left-handed pitcher with major league experience,” Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik said in a statement. “We will bring him to spring training and give him a chance to compete for a position on our pitching staff.”

Laffey went 2-3 with a 4.53 ERA in 29 games last year for the Indians, who drafted him in 2003. He was 18-21 in 79 career games with Cleveland.

Lawson, 25, began last season in the Texas organization before he was traded to the Mariners in the deal for ace pitcher Cliff Lee. Lawson batted a combined .293 in 118 games at the Double-A level in 2010.

Last season, Lawson appeared in 99 games at second base, 13 games in left field, two games at shortstop and one game in center.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

Published: Wednesday, March 02, 2011, 7:37 PM     Updated: Wednesday, March 02, 2011, 7:57 PM

 PHOENIX — Aaron Laffey was a pitcher without a job on the Indians this spring.

 He was competing for a fifth spot in the rotation, but the chances of him winning it were slim. He was also in the running for a bullpen spot, but his chances of earning that weren’t good as well.

 Laffey’s status is no longer a problem because the Indians have traded him to Seattle for minor league infielder Maztt Lawson. Laffey will be reunited with his former manager Eric Wedge and pitching coach Carl Willis.

 The Indians traded Laffey right after today’s 4-3 loss to Oakland. It cleared a spot on the 40-man roster so reliever Chad Durbin could be added.

 Laffey spent parts of four seasons with the Indians. His career record is 18-21 in 79 appearances, including 49 starts. He was 2-3 last year with a 4.53 ERA and spent time on the disabled list with a tired left shoulder.

 Lawson, 25, will report to minor league camp. He hit a combined .293 (134-for-458) with 75 runs, 26 doubles, nine homers and a .811 OPS at Class AA Frisco and Class AA West Tennessee last year.

 The Mariners acquired Lawsom from Texas in last year’s Cliff Lee trade.
    

 

Read More: Aaron Laffey (P – CLE), Cleveland Indians

Reports are breaking that the Cleveland Indians have traded P Aaron Laffey to the Seattle Mariners. The terms of the deal, or, who the Indians received as part of the deal, have yet to be determined.

Laffey has struggled to find a consistent role with the Indians, bouncing from the starting rotation to the bullpen since 2008. Laffey broke onto the scene with the big league club in 2007 when he went 4-2 with a 4.56 ERA in 9 starts for an Indians team that was one game short of the World Series.

Laffey went 14-19 over the past 3 seasons, making 40 starts. His role diminished considerably in 2010 when he made just 5 starts for the Indians, appearing in just 29 games.