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We continue our breakdown of the players on the offseason priority chart. Today let's look at the first batch of third baseman, the Indians most pressing need.
Garrett Atkins - Colorado Rockies (Best Case Scenario)
Position: Third Base (Need), B/T: R/R
Age: 28, Height: 6'3, Weight: 210
Statistics at Baseball-Reference.com
Garrett Atkins was the subject of false speculation earlier in the 2008 year. The Indians need for a third baseman still exists and one of the possible players has somewhat decreased in production. Aaron Laffey should be fine so if Colorado is really still interested in Laffey, it just is a matter of the Indians being open to trading him.
I wouldn't do that though. Let's talk about Atkins. Atkins is the best case scenario out of all the offensive options the Indians have at any position. Atkins will have another year of arbitration after 2009, which makes him a two year plug in. With Wes Hodges coming through, Atkins would be a nice two year fix for this team. They won't have to rush Hodges into the spot and Atkins will hit the cover off the ball as he is in his prime years.
If you are worried about the "Coors Effect" look at this. He does have a way higher career BA at home, but he's hit one more home run away from home than he has at Coors Field. The one thing to worry is the average, but Atkins would need to supply the power.
Atkins' consistent numbers year to year are 30 doubles, 20 home runs, 100 RBI, .320 batting average. His last year was down, but his 2006 and 2007 were outstanding. At least 25 HR, 35 2B, 110 RBI, .300 Average (.329 in 2006), .360 OBP (.409 in 2006!!!).
If he can give the Tribe, 25 HR, a .300 average, at least 100 RBI and a good .340-like OBP.. I think the Indians would take that. The problem is... Can he hit right handers and can he hit away from Coors field? That's the biggest risk thaat the Indians would be taking if they made this deal.
Atkins is not a free agent though. So you would have to swing a deal. He won't cost a whole heck of a lot in arbitration, a good 6-7 million would be a decent price for the Indians.
Casey Blake - Los Angeles Dodgers (Fall Back Option)
Position: Third Base, Utility (Luxury), B/T: R/R
Age: 35, Height: 6'2, Weight: 210
Statistics at Baseball-Reference.com
We all know Casey Blake by this point. Do we bring him back, do we move on?
All indications are that Casey likes the Dodgers and the Dodgers like Casey. They wouldn't be opposed to bringing him back. Great so they can pay him eight million for the next three years.
Blake would probably want a deal like that. For one maybe two at a cheaper price, the Indians should consider it, because Blake is so versatile, but you have to wonder when age will catch up to Casey and if his great numbers this year were the product of a contract year.
If we pay a decent pitcher (Laffey) and 7 million for next year, maybe 9-10 in 2010 for Atkins.. That is much more of a better move than giving Casey 8 million for three years because of the production.
Blake would be a decent fall back option. We know what he brings to the table, the clubhouse would love to have him back, but I'm sure moving on wouldn't be a bad idea.
Hank Blalock - Texas Rangers (Out of Price Range)
Position: Third and First Base (Need), B/T: L/R
Age: 28, Height: 5'11, Weight: 200
Statistics at Baseball-Reference.com
Hank Blalock certainly has the power if he's healthy.
The problem is health and that has actually caused a shift to first base. Chris Davis was playing third and Blalock was getting the starts at first down the stretch. If the Indians brought him in, he would have to play third base.
Lately, Blalock's average has gone up, but that is with less games. He will probably hit above .250 in the .270 range. But when he put up his best years, Blalock was nearing 30 home run power. Take in mind he played in Texas.
Blalock will strike out a lot and his OBP in his good years was very good, but you just never know what your going to get this guy. He has an option in 2009 that could be picked up, 6.5 million. At that point we would have to swing a trade.
If he went to Free Agency, I'm not sure how much he would command, but I would guess it would be too much to take a chance on.
Jorge Cantu - Florida Marlins (Outside Possibility)
Position: Third Base, 2B, 3B (Need), B/T: R/R
Age: 26, Height: 6'1, Weight: 200
Statistics at Baseball-Reference.com
What Can-Cantu-Do-For-You?
Jorge Cantu rocked in his first full season for Tampa Bay as the second baseman. He knocked in over 110 runs and hit 28 long balls.
He fell off the map in 2006, spent most of 2007 in the minors for Cincinnati and Tampa Bay and then in 2008, he was reborn as a baseball player.
He switched to third base, hit 29 home runs with a .277 average. His average was down from that career year in 2005. His OBP was up, he walked a whole lot more, but he also struck out a whole lot more.
Cantu made 20 errors at third last year. Way better when you look at the 2005 season when he committed 12 errors in just 62 games at third. He'd be a shaky option defensively, but if he puts up the power numbers, you can't argue with that.
Cantu is a possible option, wouldn't be the best, but wouldn't be the worst. He's going into arbitration, not sure what he's due, but once again the deal will need to be involving a trade.
A trade with the stingy Marlins. Ouch...
Cantu might be on the block with Dallas McPherson pining for a big league shot. The Marlins could trade Uggla, move Cantu to second, trade Cantu, or trade Mike Jacobs and move Cantu to first. Who know's really what their plans are, but Cantu would be a possibility for the Indians.
Next: We'll dig into the last batch of third basemen, Joe Crede, Edwin Encarnacion, Melvin Mora, and also look at our own free agent, Jamey Carroll.
Hafner related news today..
- Travis Hafner's surgery was a success and he is recovering from the 45 minute proceedure and the Indians expect him to be 100% HEALTHY by the time the 2009 Season gets underway.
- The surgery cleaned out the shoulder joint, which was described as "chronic chargers bout about by the grind of baseball." NO structural or nerve damage was found, which is very very good news.
- Anthony Castrovince believes Hafner will be healthy for 2009, but will he put up the numbers? I think I'm going to agree with him in saying because of our uncertainty, we need to keep Shoppach, Garko, and Martinez. If we trade someone, it should be an outfielder.
- I think anyone would sign up for the 100 RBI. Let's hope so.
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