Are you bargain shopping? Mark Shapiro is...

I told you so.

Let's catch up with the past few days of Indians News from the Plain Dealer.... Interesting stuff to say the least.

The GM meetings have been going on so there is plenty of 'chatter' but not a whole lot of 'news'.

Let's start with a target we've outlined for the Indians at third base.

Chicago White Sox All-Star Joe Crede.

It looks like the two will part-ways, not surprising.

Crede's agent is Scott Boras and no-doubt looking to get some cash, but I'm not sure how much he's going to get, or how long he's going to get it with Crede's injuries.

Chicago has Josh Fields to take over at third base and no-doubt will push him into that role.

Now Crede as I've stated is an option IF he isn't asking for more than two years or the price isn't highly insane. Boras hinted that the Indians should look into another one time deal with his client, something they did with Millwood, another Boras client, a few years ago.

Now something directly implicating the Indians.

"There's a decent free-agent market and there will be trade alternatives as well," said Shapiro, Tuesday afternoon at the general managers meetings. "It will take time to flush out the alternatives. What is the cost from a free-agent standpoint and how it stacks up with trades. It looks like there will be some alternatives for us."

Now Mark Shapiro says there is options..

Trade Options: Huston Street, Kevin Gregg

Hoynes says the price for Strett could include WES HODGES.. NO

Kevin Gregg, not sure but the Marlins are looking for a catcher and Kelly Shoppach could peak their interest.

Shaprio mentioned Trevor Hoffman and Kerry Wood by name, Brian Fuentes will be an option but I think he's too pricey. Hoffman in my opinion is too old and not the same closer.

We are still consdiering Jensen Lewis as an internal option, Rafael Perez if we find another left handed pitcher that can set up.

How much will this team spend though?

One thing is for sure, Shapiro won't eliminate himself from the CC Sabathia sweepstakes and he's at least making the effort.

"We were just touching base," said Shapiro. "We talked about potential scenarios that could develop and re-affirmed our interest."

Shaprio feels that the loss of CC put a gap in the third spot in their rotation. They are content on filling the last two spots with their internal options, but if Jake Westbrook isn't ready as quickly as we hope, the third spot in the rotation is going to be a problem.

"Preferable, I'd like to sign a No.3 starter. That being said, it's almost impossible for us to fill that."

Wow.. So.. Shaprio said he wouldn't mind going into next year with Jensen Lewis as his closer, happy stuff for me, but he is DEAD SET on adding an infielder..

"We clearly need an infielder," said Shapiro. "We can't go to spring training with the infielders we've got. We could go to spring training with the starters we have. We could go to spring training with Jensen Lewis at closer. It doesn't mean I rank getting a starting pitcher any less important."

Ouch Marte... Obviously they don't plan on using Josh Barfield as a starter next year, and what strikes me about what Shapiro said is that he's considering a SHORTSTOP as well.. If he doesn't find a third or second baseman, he could still move Peralta over and keep Cabrera at second. Interesting.... Rafael Furcal and Orlando Cabrera are the only two names that stick out to me as people that you'd move Peralta and keep Cabrera at second for to be honest... Both might be too expensive for us.

Going back to the starting bin.... I'm convinced that we will sign a starter and it will be a bargain type like the Kevin Millwood. Freddy Garcia, someone in that mold looking to reestablish himself and get one more big contract.

BARGAIN! I've been shouting it.. With Closer, with infielder, with starter. Those are all options, especially if we make one big trade or free agent signing, we'd have to go cheap on the other two. I'm not sure if going in with an all out battle for three spots betweeeen, :deep breath: Scott Lewis, David Huff, Aaron Laffey, Jeremy Sowers, Anthony Reyes, and Zach Jackson.... phewwww.. is the best idea.

Moving on..

The KC people say the Teahen rumor won't die... I think it's dead... And Brad Penny's option was declined..

Make sure you stay up to date on the Winter Leagues at Indians Prospect Insider.

All from me.. Have fun.