Winter Meetings Rundown: Day 3

Carlos Lee (Photo: AP)

In the past 24 hours there have not been many rumors with the Indians close to anything on the free agent or trade front, but that is how things are in general at the Winter Meetings as it seems everyone is waiting for Albert Pujols to make his decision. Once that big domino falls there could be a flurry of activity over the final 12-24 hours in Dallas before the meetings come to a close tomorrow afternoon.

With Pujols likely to go back to St. Louis it means that Marlins first baseman Gaby Sanchez may no longer be available, which is unfortunate for teams like the Indians and others looking for a first baseman. The Marlins could still trade Sanchez if they land free agent first baseman Prince Fielder, but without Fielder or Pujols in tow it seems unlikely they would create a hole at first base and trade Sanchez. Even if Sanchez becomes available, the Indians are not the slam dunk trading partner so many seem to think they are with the Marlins. I have heard that the Tampa Bay Rays would have a strong interest in Sanchez if he is available, and with their numerous big league starting pitching options at their disposal they match up a lot better in a trade with the Marlins than the Indians do. Even after signing free agent left-handed pitcher Mark Buehrle the Marlins still need more help for the starting rotation.

Players offered salary arbitration by their teams have to accept or decline by midnight ET tonight. The feeling is that the market will become much clearer once players declare their arbitration intentions. There are several free agents on the Indians’ radar that have arbitration decisions to make, namely first basemen Carlos Pena and Derrek Lee. Pena has already declined arbitration, though it is still unknown whether or not Lee will accept arbitration with the Pirates. If Lee accepts arbitration he would no longer be a free agent.

Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported earlier this morning that the Indians have talked to the agent for free agent right-handed reliever Dan Wheeler. It would make no sense to sign him now as the Indians do not need to sign a reliever, but they could be laying some groundwork for a potential deal later on this offseason if they clear some of their current Major League bullpen to fill a need for the lineup. Wheeler would be a solid veteran bullpen option to consider that won’t cost a lot and can be signed for one year. He may also be able to move into a setup role if current setup man Vinnie Pestano is moved into the closer’s role because Chris Perez is traded.

The Athletics have let it be known that left-handed starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez is available. He is very intriguing for just about any team as he is a Super 2 arbitration eligible player this offseason and is not a free agent until after the 2015 season. He is highly viewed around the league, and the Athletics will likely demand an Ubaldo Jimenez-like haul for him, maybe even more. Even though the Indians need a bat, they should absolutely do their due diligence and inquire about Gonzalez and see what the Athletics are asking for in return for him. It appears the Indians do not have the ammo to pull off a deal for him even if they were interested, but you never know as the thought of adding another cost controlled front of the rotation starter type for at least four more years may push the Indians to get extremely creative.

GM Chris Antonetti made a comment to Indians media yesterday that he had a trade proposal in the works that would be shocking if it happens and said "I'm pretty sure I could give you 50 guesses and you probably wouldn't get it." After lobbing that salvo, the speculation has been crazy ever since. Many fans think it could be Hanley Ramirez of the Marlins, but I just think it is highly unlikely because 1.) the Marlins are currently not interested in trading him 2.) the Marlins would want lots of big league talent in return which is something the Indians cannot afford to part with and 3.) Ramirez does not fit the kind of profile the Indians would go overboard to acquire in a trade because of some makeup issues. Another sticking point would be the $15 million-plus owed to Ramirez the next three seasons, which is a contract well beyond their comfort zone. No matter how good the player, I get the impression after being burned in long term deals with Jake Westbrook and Travis Hafner in the past that it will be a long time if ever that we see anyone with the Indians signed or acquired that is paid over $10 million for three or more years.

Jim Bowden of ESPN Insider talked to Indians manager Manny Acta today on his MLB Network Radio show and Acta said the Indians are still looking for a big bat. He said the Indians would prefer the bat be at first base and has to be inexpensive after the Grady Sizemore resigning and Derek Lowe acquisition. This really limits the Indians’ pursuit as it means just about any player available in free agency is out of play unless they create room on the payroll by dealing another player (Chris Perez?). The obvious inexpensive yet impact bat options are Gaby Sanchez and Yonder Alonso, but I am not sure the Indians have the ammo to pull off a deal for either player or are the right fit. They surely have the talent to do any deal, but considering they want to trade from their position of strength in relief pitching it just will not cut it in any major deal unless they part with a lot more. Even if they offered Chris Perez for Alonso they likely would still have to include more.

The one thing that is kind of unsettling is how the Indians have almost no money leftover this offseason to spend. It was known going into the offseason that they only had about $60-65 million to spend, and when you add in all the expected raises in arbitration it left about $10-15 million to spend this offseason. The Indians decided to use that money by resigning Sizemore for $5 million and trading for Derek Lowe for another $5 million. By taking the chance on an oft-injured outfielder and back of the rotation starter in the twilight of his career the Indians pretty much blew all their available money to upgrade the offense in any way through free agency. I’m not a big proponent of free agency, but by going the route they have so far it has really pushed them into a corner where the only option available is to trade for a bat. That may have been the plan all along as the first base options in free agency are not all that great, but I know a lot of fans are already rolling their eyes after hearing the Indians are broke and can’t add a bat because they spread the available money on question marks like Sizemore and Lowe.

Not that first baseman/outfielder Carlos Lee is the answer, but because they are now strapped financially the Indians had to turn down an offer from the Astros yesterday where they offered to trade Lee to the Indians and pick up half of his $18.5 million salary in 2012. Lee is not the player he was three to five years ago, but he would still be an upgrade to the offense and add some needed power from the right side. This is a deal that could still be revisited down the road where the Astros pick up more of his contract or the Indians clear some payroll.

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: Carlos Lee,Carlos Pena,Dan Wheeler,Derrek Lee,Gaby Sanchez,Gio Gonzalez,Hanley Ramirez,Yonder Alonso