BASEBALL Tribe still wants starter

Matt Clement has exceeded their price range.
CLEVELAND (AP) -- The Indians have signed a utility man and brought back their closer, but their pursuit of a starting pitcher has not gone according to plan this off-season.
The club announced a deal Tuesday with infielder Jose Hernandez, a free swinger with decent power who started at four positions last season with Los Angeles. He agreed to a $1.8 million, one-year contract.
"It's somewhat exceptional for us to allocate this kind of money for this kind of player," general manager Mark Shapiro said Tuesday.
Hernandez's versatility, power and ability to backup young shortstop Jhonny Peralta made him worth the price, Shapiro said. Hernandez batted .289 with 13 home runs and 29 RBIs last season.
He will not become the starter at second base, Shapiro said. The Indians are still interested in bringing back All-Star Ronnie Belliard, trying to negotiate a one-year deal with him.
Contigency plans
Shapiro said third baseman Casey Blake, who is headed to right field to make room for Aaron Boone, also could play second. He added that the Indians would sign another hitter if they fail to sign Belliard, who is eligible for arbitration.
The Indians signed closer Bob Wickman last month and made a trade at the winter meetings, acquiring left-handed reliever Arthur Rhodes from Pittsburgh for outfielder Matt Lawton. But a deal with a starting pitcher -- which Shapiro identified as an off-season priority -- has eluded the club.
Shapiro said he's still trying to sign Matt Clement, but has already gone beyond what he wanted to spend in his offer to him. And that was before the heavily bankrolled Boston Red Sox entered the running for Clement following Pedro Martinez's deal with the New York Mets.
However, Shapiro said he's not frustrated that he hasn't landed a starter.
"I really felt all along that if we didn't strike fast, the process would be a slow one," Shapiro said.
Other moves
Also on Tuesday, the Indians designated infielder Josh Phelps for assignment to make room for Hernandez on the 40-man roster. The Indians have 10 days to trade or release Phelps.
Cleveland also acquired right-hander Thomas Mastny from Toronto to complete the Nov. 24 trade for infielder John McDonald.
Mastny, 23, spent last season at single-A Charleston, W.Va., and was 10-3 with a 2.17 ERA in 27 starts. He struck out 143 in 149 innings. The 6-foot-6 right-hander was Toronto's 11th round selection in the 2003 draft.