The Cleveland Indians acquire the highly controversial John Rocker from the Atlanta Braves with a minor leaguer for relievers Steve Karsay and Steve Reed.

Just a few years after becoming a household name across the country for all of the wrong reasons, Rocker was given a fresh start in Cleveland after proving to be a reliable closer for the Atlanta Braves for several seasons. He would save four games in Cleveland in 38 appearances while going 3-7 with a 5.45 ERA and was dealt to the Texas Rangers following the season for reliever Dave Elder.

Troy Cameron, a minor league third baseman also acquired by Cleveland in the trade, would spend no more than ten games at the Triple-A level. He was the first round pick of the Braves in 1997 and was out of the minor league system by 2005.

Karsay and Reed had been key members of the Tribe bullpen for several years. Karsay was in his fourth season and was off to a strong start, posting a 1.25 ERA in 31 games with one save while averaging more than a strikeout per inning. Reed was in his fourth season as well in Cleveland and was 1-1 with a 3.62 ERA at the time of the trade. Both would appear that season in the postseason for the Braves, who fell to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League Championship Series.