Hoynes: Infielders Would Be Targets

Paul Hoynes offers up some more trade rumors concerning the Tribe.

"The Indians, if they do make a trade, would prefer to acquire an infielder. Current infielders Ryan Garko, Asdrubal Cabrera, Jhonny Peralta and Casey Blake are struggling. They all have options, expect Blake, who is a free agent at the end of the season.

The Indians, since spring training, have been rumored to be interested in Baltimore second baseman Brian Roberts, but if any trade is going to be made it's probably at least a month away. Teams have until July 31 to make a deal without acquiring waivers on a player.?" (Plain Dealer)

You can rule out Ryan Garko and Jhonny Peralta in my opinion. Garko won't be sent down, and if he does they would work something else out for someone at first.

Jhonny Peralta is the same thing. If Jhonny Peralta is struggling and still in the lineup that means Asdrubal Cabrera is struggling just as bad. They wills end Cabrera down before Peralta, and if Cabrera is hitting well, he would slide over to short.

I don't see either getting sent down.

Blake could get benched and moved to a utility role if he struggles long term(with all those RBIs and the damage he's done on the road though, naw). They would either give Marte a shot at third or move Marte and bring in a third baseman(Atkins as we discussed, not a big fan).

Cabrera is the big point. He is hitting under .200 right now, and Josh Barfield is doing okay in Buffalo, but not hot enough to make the switch right this minute. If Barfield heats up they could go his direction or they could look at making a trade for a 2nd Baseman.

Obviously, at the top of the list is Brian Roberts as Hoynes mentioned.

MLBTR brings up a few other possibilities that figure to have teams out of the race later this year.

"Some other possibly available infielders: Garrett Atkins, Nick Johnson (perhaps six weeks from now), Aubrey Huff, Mark Grudzielanek, Jose Castillo, Cristian Guzman, Felipe Lopez, Melvin Mora, Chad Tracy, and Mark Ellis (once he recovers from a strained hamstring). It seems easier to acquire an impact outfielder. Regardless, Hoynes believes the Indians would use their starting pitching surplus to engineer a trade." (MLBTR)

Cross off Nick Johnson, Christian Guzman, and in my opinion Felipe Lopez just because the Nationals are tough customers in the trade talks.

We've discussed Atkins, Mora would be a third base option and Jose Castillo sucks, but he would be cheap. Aubrey Huff and Chad Tracy can play first and third I believe. That leaves Roberts, Ellis and Grudzielanek.

I like all three. Ellis is hurt a lot though, Grudzielanek is a very good defensive option, and Roberts is a speedy guy that we could fit into the two hole perfectly.

He would also cost the most.

Obviously I'm more in favor of an outfielder. Either way, I don't mind Roberts or getting him. I'd probably put Roberts and Holliday at the top of my wish list.. If we can't get either, I suppose someone like Ellis wouldn't be a bad pick-up, but I'd rather give Barfield a shot before we did that.