Winter Meetings Rundown: Day 1

Gaby Sanchez (Photo: AP)

The Winter Meetings are underway out in Dallas. Teams are very active talking to other teams about potential trades and also talking to agents about potential signings, and already there have been some notable free agent signings such as Jose Reyes signing with the Miami Marlins early this morning. This first day of activity could lead to a flurry of moves the rest of this week.

Here are some thoughts on some of the players the Indians have either been tied to in free agency or who could be players the Indians target if they become available in a trade.

Free Agents

Josh Willingham: The biggest bang for their buck the Indians can make at first base may be a signing of Willingham. Signing the likes of Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder is a pipe dream, but a guy like Willingham is a small possibility because it looks like he can be had on a more friendly long-term two or three year deal. The risk with him is his injury history and with other teams in the mix for his services the bidding may push the Indians out of their comfort zone to sign him, but if signed he would add some thunder to the lineup from the right side. Also, even though he is a corner outfielder and the Indians feel they are set there (which I think is maddening) there is some thought he could move to first base because he played there some in the minors and it may help keep him healthy. He is a player who could pick up some steam during the Winter Meetings and it will be interesting to see what transpires with him over the next 48-72 hours.

Derrek Lee: I know a lot of fans are going to roll their eyes at this, but he looks like an ideal fit for the Indians. The Indians always like to target free agents on one or two year deals, and he fits a lot of the needs of the team as he can be had on a one year deal. He would provide a veteran presence, defense, power, and financial flexibility at first base, four things they need there while they assess internal options or trade options this season at the position. Even though he is past his prime he has been a productive player and would be a solid addition with little risk to the team past this season. If he is a complementary player he would be a fine addition so long as something else is also brought in along with him. The problem is if the Indians sign him and do nothing else, it will lead to a lot of people being very underwhelmed with the Indians’ offseason strategy.

Casey Kotchman: The Indians had interest in Kotchman last offseason. It will never be known how strong their interest was or how far the talks went to sign him, but they are once again interested in him so take from that what you will. If he were a right-handed hitter he would be one of the best bargains for them to look at picking up at first base because of his low contract demands, his good defense, his low strikeout rate, and his ability to put the ball in play. It is just hard to believe the Indians will sign him and make him their everyday first baseman, thus making the projected opening day starting lineup have seven left-handed hitters and two switch-hitters.

Kevin Kouzmanoff: A lot of fans this offseason have suggested that the Indians get in touch with their old friend Kevin Kouzmanoff, something the Indians have indeed already done this offseason. But the interest is minimal at this point as he has been in decline for three years now and also missed over half of last season because of injury. If he can be had I would think he can be signed by a team to a very low guaranteed one year deal, maybe even just on a minor league deal. He has played third base his entire career in the big leagues, but given his injury history he likely will have to start playing some first base, if not exclusively.

Casey Blake: He is another player the Indians have kicked the tires on. He is 38 years old and has been in decline the past few seasons and just had season ending neck surgery. But if he is healthy he would be a solid addition as a role player off the bench to help add some versatility to the infield and outfield, some power from the right side, and protect an outfield that saw all three starting outfielders miss considerable time last season. If he is signed by any team I would think it would only be on a minor league deal.

Mark DeRosa: The Indians are among a long list of suitors who have inquired into the health of his surgically repaired left wrist. Because of his versatility and solid career as a role player, teams are checking in to see if he can strike lightning and have one more productive season. He is another player who probably is only signed to a minor league deal.

Trades

Gaby Sanchez: This is one to keep an eye on. The Marlins are supposedly making a strong run at free agent first baseman Albert Pujols. If they end up signing him there is some thought that incumbent first baseman Gabby Sanchez could possibly become available in a trade. If so, there is sure to be a lot of interest from several teams and the Indians will surely inquire into how available he is and what it would cost to acquire him. Of all the first basemen available in free agency and trade not named Pujols and Fielder he is probably the best fit for the Indians that would satisfy both the fans and front office need for a productive bat at first base. He is only 28-years old, hits right-handed, is under control for four more seasons, is still in his pre-arbitration years as a minimum salary player, and is solid (not great) player. What is not to like? The feeling in the industry is he may be able to be had for a Major League caliber starter and reliever, two things the Indians have a lot of right now. Stay tuned on this one.

David Wright: Buster Olney reported that the Mets may listen to offers for third baseman David Wright. He may be a good fit for the Indians as a good player that only has two years left on his deal (one year a club option), so it would give the Indians tons of flexibility with their payroll and also not burden them long term. Even with top prospect Lonnie Chisenhall around at third base it should not prevent the Indians from actively seeking out upgrade options to the lineup. Picking up a player like Wright would not block Chisenhall long term, and in the short term Chisenhall could go to Triple-A Columbus to iron out some of his limitations or be a role player off the bench. I think a lot of people would be much more comfortable with Wright as the everyday third baseman in 2012 rather than Chisenhall just because people know what to expect out of Wright. Plus, it wouldn’t hurt Chisenhall to get a little more seasoning in the minors. I've also heard that there is a possibility (if needed) that Chisenhall could end up in the outfield down the road, so that is something the Indians could start toying with this spring if they picked up a third baseman in a trade or in free agency. If the back issue that came about this past season is an issue for Wright at third base, then he could also be an option for first base and you still have Chisenhall at third base. In the end, this is a big reach as he may not even be available and the cost to acquire him may be well beyond the Indians’ or any teams liking.

Yonder Alonso: There is no certainty that he is even available, but there have been rumors the Reds may part with him if they can pick up a couple Major League arms in return. This is something the Indians have a lot of at the moment. A lot of people view him as a nice fit for the Indians, but I am not sure he is the right fit for them at the moment. If this were last offseason when the club planned to feel out the players it had on its roster, then yes, it would make sense. But the Indians plan on contending this year, and no matter how much of a good prospect he is or a can’t miss player he may be, the Indians need to add more of a sure thing for the lineup this offseason. They already have a ton of question marks as it is with the lineup, so adding another would be compounding the risk that is already present. Even if he is available, the cost in pitching may be too high.

Follow Tony and the Indians Prospect Insider on Twitter @TonyIPI. Also, his latest book the 2011 Cleveland Indians Top 100 Prospects & More is available for purchase for $20.95 to customers in the US (shipping and handling extra).

Posted in: Casey Blake,Casey Kotchman,David Wright,Derrek Lee,Gaby Sanchez,Josh Willingham,Kevin Kouzmanoff,Mark DeRosa,Yonder Alonso