The part that's wasteful is the release of Brian Hunter. It was getting Hunter from the Rockies that cost the Reds hard-throwing Robert Averette. For a team with Kimera Bartee at Triple-A, Hunter was not just a bad outfielder, he was a redundant bad outfielder. Signed 2B-R Ralph Milliard and RHP Dan Smith to minor league contracts with spring training NRIs. Acquired C-L Eddie Taubensee from the Reds for RHPs Jim Brower and Robert Pugmire .
Some insurance moves here.
Ellis Burks is cheaper and requires a shorter commitment than Manny Ramirez. Ramirez's knees aren't 86 years old, either, but you can't have everything. Picking up Ralph Milliard gives the Indians an in-house option better than John MacDonald in case they do decide to send Roberto Alomar somewhere to get pitching. The steal is getting Eddie Taubensee on the cheap. Taubensee had a bad year in part due to back problems, but is still a good-hitting catcher.