Indians Trade Rumors

"The Indians will try to trade outfielder Jason Michaels, who was officially designated for assignment Tuesday to make room for Ben Francisco, in the next 10 days. If they can't trade him - he still has $1.7 million left on his $2.15 million contract - the Indians can release him or put him on waivers. If Michaels clears waivers, and the Indians offer him an assignment to Class AAA Buffalo"

"General Manager Mark Shapiro is not blowing smoke when he says he has the leverage to sign other young players to long-term deals (Ryan Garko might be next), and that he is not pessimistic about re-signing C.C. Sabathia, despite his high standing among the next class of free agents."

"Sabathia cut off negotiations as spring training opened to concentrate on the season. Doing that in February just said the two sides weren't close. No need to invite the inevitable backlash during the season with updates of no progress made in negotiations."

"But the Indians' position the next few years is summed up this way: The only major player whom they could lose to free agency is starting pitcher C.C. Sabathia."

"The odds are that C.C. Sabathia, for example, will be gone on the wings of free agency next winter, thanks to the deep pockets of the New York Yankees. The contracts of Casey Blake, Jason Michaels, Paul Byrd and Joe Borowski, integral parts of the team and older than 30, expire at the end of the season."

"Sabathia can be a free agent after this season. As last year's AL Cy Young Award winner, he could be the biggest fish in the free-agent pond. The Yankees, as circumstance has it, do not go after minnows when they dive into that pond."

"This was Sabathia's first exposure of the spring to the New York media, who naturally wanted to know whether he had his bags packed in anticipation of signing with the Yankees after the season."

"C. C. Sabathia started for the Cleveland Indians at Legends Field on Sunday, and it is only logical to guess that his next start here could be for the Yankees."

"Some Yankee fans view Indians' ace C.C. Sabathia, last year's AL Cy Young award winner, as the perfect target for the team when the lefty becomes a free agent next year."

"Some free-agent options are available, such as Kenny Lofton and, of course, Barry Bonds. But the Rays seem more likely to first explore trade possibilities, with names to keep in mind including Dave Dellucci (Indians), Gabe Gross (Brewers), Skip Schumaker (Cardinals), Reggie Willits (Angels) and, less likely, Reed Johnson (Blue Jays)."

"The Cleveland Indians’ Sabathia, last season’s A.L. Cy Young winner, has also reached the final year of his contract. He, too, could become a free agent and be lured by a big-market team. But the Indians kept him as the ace of their staff."

"The Rays think they have a chance to be taken seriously this year, with or without Bonds, but it would be fun to see him battle the Yankees in New York and the Red Sox in Boston. Where else could Bonds fit? Cleveland, but only if the Indians were willing to play him in left field. The Los Angeles Angels, although he would have to rotate in and out of the lineup if Vlad Guerrero, Garret Anderson and Gary Matthews Jr. are all healthy. Minnesota, but there's no way owner Carl Pohlad would pay him. The best fit of all for Bonds could be in Atlanta, however, with a hole in left field and Bobby Cox to keep him in line."

"The odds are against it, of course, but what would happen if C.C. Sabathia left tens of millions of dollars on the table to re-sign with the Indians?"

"If the Indians and agents from Legacy Sports want to resume negotiations on a contract extension for C.C. Sabathia, the left-hander in question gave them permission Tuesday at Chain of Lakes Park. There's one qualifier. "I don't want to hear about it," said Sabathia. "

"That should do it. Now that C.C. Sabathia has addressed his contract situation with the media, it's unlikely the subject will arise for the remainder of the season. Right."

"Even talk isn't cheap in this risky business. The calendar has very little to do with C.C. Sabathia shelving contract talks until after the season. February and March is a fine time to talk if there's anything feasible to talk about. "

"C.C. Sabathia took the same approach with reporters Friday as he did with the Indians on Wednesday night - he's not talking contract. Sabathia told reporters he would address his contract situation once and only once this spring. "

"Just because C.C. Sabathia doesn't want to talk contract until the end of the season doesn't mean the Indians are any more interested in trading last year's American League Cy Young winner than they were a week ago."

" General Manager Mark Shapiro won't like it. Neither will manager Eric Wedge and the prosperous serfs in the Indians' clubhouse. But obsessing about the status of C.C. Sabathia's contract by the fans and the media won't stop just because Sabathia said talks are off until after the season or because spring training began Thursday in Winter Haven, Fla., with pitchers and catchers reporting."

"American League Cy Young Award winner C.C. Sabathia announced on his Web site Wednesday night that he and his agents have broken off talks on a contract extension with the Indians until after the 2008 season. The team's pitchers and catchers report to spring training today in Winter Haven, Fla."

"The Rockies will reach contract agreements with Brad Hawpe and Garrett Atkins soon, while going to an arbitration hearing with Brian Fuentes. . . . Oakland's asking price for pitcher Joe Blanton is steep."

"No. 1: The Indians, short of an early collapse this season, won't trade C.C. Sabathia. No. 2: Regardless of Johan Santana's contract with the New York Mets last week, General Manager Mark Shapiro believes it will be Sabathia's call on whether he stays in Cleveland after the 2008 season. "

"The New York Mets have made things infinitely more challenging for the Indians as they try to keep C.C. Sabathia beyond this season. Actually, the Mets might have made it impossible. But because the Indians believe they can contend in 2008 and because they believe their team is at a point where it can improve and because they know the Detroit Tigers are better and the Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins are talented, the Indians do not plan to put out the 'For Sale' sign for Sabathia."

"No matter how it's put, the Indians' offer to C.C. Sabathia is probably going to need some rewriting to keep him in Cleveland."

"In thinking about this loyalty thing — that is, that Sabathia might decide to stay in Cleveland out of some sense of loyalty to his team — it just seems that there should be no thought given to loyalty when these millions are involved. Loyalty in these matters is a topic best left to talk radio."

"Sabathia—and indirectly the White Sox, Tigers, Twins and Royals—will benefit hugely from the seven-year $150.75 million deal that Santana agreed to Friday. The reigning American League Cy Young winner is likely to leave the Cleveland Indians when he reaches free agency next winter, his price tag having been driven far above the five-year, $91.5 million deal the Cubs struck with Carlos Zambrano last August."

" The next person to stop at Seven-Eleven should pick up chips and dip for C.C. Sabathia's goodbye party. They can hold it on the mound at newly named Progressive Field. If the Mets complete their trade for Minnesota's Johan San tana, they might as well buy some cold drinks to wash down the chips because there's no way Saba thia will be an Indian after the 2008 season."

" A settlement could be within reach in the Casey Blake arbitration case. "A lot of ground has been made up," said Jim McDowell, Blake's agent. Said Chris Antonetti, Indians assistant general manager, in an e-mail, "We continue to have dialogue with Jim in an attempt to find a mutually acceptable value for Casey." "

"After Shoppach spun 161 at-bats into gold in 2007, several teams asked for him when General Manager Mark Shapiro engaged in trade talks following the Indians' run to Game 7 of the American League Championship Series. His name surfaced in rumored deals for Florida third baseman Miguel Cabrera and Pittsburgh left fielder Jason Bay."

"If true, the Indians have to hope that Sabathia's fondness for Cleveland trumps the millions he can make in a city like New York — or Los Angeles or Boston. Let's suppose that the Yankees or the Boston Red Sox, one or the other, acquires Santana — either via trade or free agency. Does it not make sense that the team that does not acquire Santana would go full bore toward acquiring Sabathia?"

"One reason that continuing discussions between the Pirates and reliever Shawn Chacon have not amounted to much: There are those on the Pirates' end who feel he is not worth anything close to his asking price, thought to be a salary in the $4 million range... According to one informed source, Cleveland was willing to include top third-base prospect Andy Marte in at least one phase of its ill-fated traded talks with the Pirates regarding Jason Bay in early December."

"Agent Jim McDowell is waiting for a counter proposal from the Indians after making a move toward the midpoint in third baseman Casey Blake's arbitration case."

"The Indians made a proposal to ace pitcher C.C. Sabathia recently, General Manager Mark Shapiro said Thursday. Sabathia's contract expires after the coming season and he would be a marquee free agent in 2009. The Indians' No. 1 draft pick 10 years ago, Sabathia said it would be tough to leave the city where he has pitched since 2001."

"Right-hander Bartolo Colon's market is shrinking. After watching him throw in the Dominican, Cleveland backed off. The Mets also are concerned about Colon's health. He was diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff in 2006 but opted to rehab and skip surgery. Kansas City and the White Sox are believed to still have interest."

"Relief pitcher Rafael Betancourt said he would know in a 'few days' if he'll sign a multiyear deal with the Indians. Betancourt, one of two Indians who filed for arbitration, has asked for $2.5 million, while the Indians are offering $1.75 million."

"The Indians were one of several teams that watched former Cy Young winner Bartolo Colon throw recently in the Dominican Republic. After watching him, their interest has waned... Kansas City, the White Sox and Mets have also been scouting Colon."

" The arbitration process has begun for Casey Blake, Rafael Betancourt and the Indians. Blake, Betancourt and the Indians exchanged salary figures Friday for the 2008 season. Blake is seeking $6.9 million, while the Indians offered $5.4 million. Blake made $3.75 million last year. "

" Jacobs Field, the Indians' home since 1994, will now be called Progressive Field, according to a source close to the team. The Indians reached an agreement Thursday with Progressive Insurance for the naming rights of the 40,000-seat facility on the corner of Ontario Street and Carnegie Avenue...An official announcement is expected today."

"GM Mark Shapiro confirmed that the offer has been made, but would say nothing else. The length of the contract, rather than the money involved, is expected to be a problem. Sabathia's agents believe he's earned a lengthy deal (five to seven years), but it's unlikely the Indians would be willing to make that kind of commitment."

"It appears most likely free-agent pitcher Matt Clement, who missed last season with Boston after undergoing shoulder surgery, will sign with either the Pirates or Cleveland. He wants to stay close to the new home he built in Butler this year."

"As speculation swirls regarding what course the A's might plot in 2008, the team did generate some news Wednesday, agreeing to terms with left-hander Lenny DiNardo on a one-year contract but cutting ties with veteran reliever Kiko Calero. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Indians surfaced as a contender in the Dan Haren sweepstakes. A report in Wednesday's Cleveland Plain Dealer said the A's and Tribe have discussed a possible deal involving the A's ace right-hander."

"The Indians could move three top pitching prospects for Haren, however, and though that would leave Cleveland thin for future seasons, the package might be more attractive than the best offer to date, a four-to-five prospect proposal from Arizona. The Reds, who are chasing Baltimore's Erik Bedard, also might turn their focus toward Haren with an offer that could include starter Homer Bailey."

"So you thought the Indians were looking for a masher to avoid those nasty slumps that brought the club down in the middle of last season. General Manager Mark Shapiro has searched for an appropriate hitter — everyone knows that he tried to pry loose Jason Bay from the Pittsburgh Pirates — but apparently he has run out of options."

"Indians General Manager Mark Shapiro has had an on-going dialogue with reporters since the season ended with a loss in the seventh game of the AL Championship Series. Asked where he was going to try and improve the team for next season, Shapiro would list the positions that don't need improvement."

"Carroll's arrival means Josh Barfield will probably open the season at Class AAA Buffalo if he's not traded. It also shortens the leash on Andy Marte, who is out of options, but is going to get every chance to prosper to make sure he doesn't turn into another Brandon Phillips."

"The Indians, at the moment, have seven starting pitchers with big-league experience. If free agency claims C.C. Sabathia and Paul Byrd after the 2008 season, and Cliff Lee is traded, Shapiro will have to go from listening to acting to fill the holes for 2009."

"The Rockies are set to trade infielder Jamey Carroll to the Cleveland Indians for a minor league player. They just have to decide which player."

"Q: Dejan, can you explain to me why the Bay-to-Cleveland deal fell apart? I don't understand why the Pirates would let Cliff Lee's involvement stop this deal. I think Kelly Shoppach would have been an upgrade over Ronny Paulino. With a full season worth of at-bats, his production, along with Franklin Gutierrez's, would have made up for Bay."

"Despite word from the Pirates that the Jason Bay trade had been rekindled late Tuesday night after the Tigers shook the winter meetings a few hours earlier in their deal with Florida, the Indians denied Wednesday morning that their interest in Bay had been renewed. This might be one of those trades that will have to turn cold before being revived a month or two from now."

"According to a major-league source, the Rockies have deals in place to trade Jamey Carroll and Clint Barmes if they sign a free-agent second baseman, namely Tadahito Iguchi. St. Louis, Florida and Cleveland are considered the potential destinations for Carroll and Barmes. O'Dowd wouldn't rule out offering a two-year deal to Iguchi, making them a serious suitor. "