Garko trade means Marte moves up

By PAUL HOYNES

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Indians sent Ryan Garko to the Giants for Class A left-hander Shawn Barnes just before gametime Monday night against the Angels. Garko was scheduled to DH, but was taken out of the lineup and replaced by Jhonny Peralta.

GM Mark Shapiro said the deal was made not only to bring another young arm into the system, but to make way for Andy Marte, who is having a big year at Class AAA Columbus after being designated for assignment in spring training and going unclaimed.

Shapiro said Marte will play mostly first base. Marte played mostly third base in Columbus.

The Indians, going into next season, considered Garko a luxury they could not afford. Eligible for arbitration, Garko would have made an estimated $2 million to $2.5 million.

The Indians are expected to continue to cut corners to compensate for a drop in attendance this year. They may also be trying to save money in an effort to re-sign Cliff Lee or Victor Martinez, who can be free agents after 2010, providing the team exercises their club options for 2010.

This is the third trade Shapiro has made since the Indians raised the white flag in late June.

Mark DeRosa netted the Indians young right-handers Chris Perez and Jess Todd from St. Louis. Perez is in the Tribe’s bullpen and Todd could be there soon.

Rafael Betancourt went to Colorado last week for right-hander Connor Graham, who reported to Class AA Akron.

Shapiro said Barnes will go to Class A Kinston. Barnes, 21, is 12-3 with a 2.85 ERA in 18 starts at San Jose. Barnes has 99 strikeouts and 29 walks in 98 innings.

“He’s tall, athletic and throws strikes,” said Shapiro. Barnes was the Giants’ eighth-round pick in 2008.

Garko is hitting .285 (68-for-283) with 11 homers and 39 RBIs. The Giants, trying to stay in the NL West and wild card races, need offense.

Marte, a minor-league free agent at the end of the season, is hitting .330 (98-for-297) with 18 homers and 66 RBIs at Columbus.

“We made the trade for a number of reasons,” said Shapiro. “We want to give Andy Marte a chance to come up here and show us what he can do. We also want to continually add pitching.”

Said Garko, “It’s bittersweet for me. This is the organization I grew up in. But I’m excited about getting a chance to go home and play where I played college.”

Garko, the Indians’ third-round pick in 2003, played at Stanford.